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En route to Erie,
Saturday, June 24, '39.
The morning program was put on by an array of "brass hats." HLA led off with a good talk in which he defended the U.P. development, pointing out the potential market, admitting troubles, expressing confidence in the future of the project. I hope he's right. M.O. Troy, a sedate little man in appearance, and one who always reminds me of my father gave a talk on the Central Station industry, and Judge Appleton an address on the future of the Central Station industry and how it will be affected by the "death sentence" on holding companies; he was optimistic. The end of the first half of the program was handled by "Phil" Reed in a very earnest, quiet, impressive talk on the anti-trust situation and the necessity for our being utterly without sin in the era that is coming. Again I was tremendously impressed with this handsome, gentlemanly, sincere, very human young man who is someday slated to head our Company. It is a real inspiration just to see him and hear him talk. Would I were half the man he seems to be.

The second half of the program contained "Jack" Hume, Allen, Lang and G.E. Wilson. The first three were okay but Wilson was the man I was waiting to hear. I had understood that he was a very poor speaker and made a very poor impression at the two Elfun meetings in Erie and no one could understand why he was slated for Mr. Swope's job. After hearing his speech today I was not at all in agreement with reports. To me his speech was perhaps the most stirring of all of them and yet many disagreed I know. But the impression it made on me was really terrific.

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