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Heard today that Engineer Fay died yesterday of apoplexy at the Springfield Fair. He was the tall, lean, florid faced, 60ish man who ran #376 when we were breaking in the new engines last June. And met old Bill Weissbarth at Kelsey's today; he is the short, fat little fellow with the gray moustache, about 75 now, who used to run a switcher in the New Haven passenger yard when we were studying the diesel job. He retired a year ago, lives in Florida now, has got over his arthritis and seems to be enjoying life thoroughly. I remember him well, running a steam switcher, Johnson bar and all, when he was well over 70. And old Charlie Button, the handsome old chap who was on at the same time in Water St. Yd., is still on the job running a diesel. He's the one who said, "I've been running steam for 50 years, and now I've got this diesel, I'm good for 50 more." He's well above 70 now, fine looking, white moustache - more like a retired banker if he were dressed up.

The British and French have agreed to let Hitler take part of Chechoslovakia, but Chechs vow they will fight if they have to fight alone. So the peace of Europe is threatened hourly and this week should tell whether it is to be peace or war. Peace is a precious thing, worth most any sacrifice, but how will Hitler be stopped? Where will he be willing to stop? Someday, someone is going to have to fight him and then it may be too late. What a hellish situation. It makes one feel sometimes, what the hell is the use anyhow? Why try to do anything or be anything in a world so full of confusion and threats of unimaginable turmoil and suffering? If one could get Hitler's point of view, I suppose it would all be more understandable. No one can deny he is doing things for Germany and making niche in history for himself.