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against "the big bankers" and I knew I had made a mistake when I told him under 45 tons took one man and I thought a 43 ton unit would do the job. He didn't think it would on account of "the grade." Then he asked me again what size I had in mind. I said, 43 ton. "And where does the fireman start?" "45 tons." "Well," said Mr Harris, "a 45 ton would do everything, wouldn't it?" Then he got in a Mr. Bishop who was dubious too. And they mentioned 20 cars of coal rather vaguely and intimated they might be "Minute Man" cars (100 tons gross each) or 2000 tons on a 0.5% grade. I think a G-10 would fall apart if it took hold of such a drag. I wound up by thinking a 43 ton 300 HP would do the work and it's an excellent application for it. I don't mean to disparage Mr Harris too much; all in all, he was very cooperative and pleasant.

Caught the  "Minute Man" to Greenfield where I stopped off for a chat with Reynolds before  leaving the Fitchburg Division. As we slid out of the East Portal of Hoosac Tunnel, a little girl behind me asked her mother what that sign (on a transformer cage) meant, "Danger - 2200 violets."

Had a good talk with Reynolds and decided he was indeed A-1 as I had heard. Somebody said he was considered the best operating man on the B & M and the Asst. Supt. job is only temporary. His

Transcription Notes:
"cans" is probably "cars."