Viewing page 363 of 421

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Whitey phoned Walter Hedley to see if he could ascertain the forging quotations from Harris, ACF, in New York. It was agreed Walter would get them and phoned them to me tomorrow, when Whitey will be in Sch'dy. I said something like this, "When he gives me the prices, what shall I do with them." And Whitey's answer was something like this, "You do what you think best. Go talk to St. Lawrence, Don Smith, Whittier, Disco and decide what you want to quote Firestone. I'll tell you one thing. [[underlined]]You're are not going to bother me with this stuff all the time[[/underlined]]. You do what you think best and I'll stand back of you."

The net result of all this was to set me realizing I am spoiling the good reputation I have with Whitey and undermining my chances to step up into the better job he is offering me. And this only means that I am undermining my own fortune but piddling away an opportunity which would mean a very great deal to not only me, but more important to my children. Nothing could be more unfair to them. I have no right to do it.

This evening, I gave a lot of thought to what has happened. I saw clearly the time is here when I must take hold and play a game that is, in every place, what I know in my own conscience it should be. A game as straight as a die is the only kind that I have any right to play now – not only in my business life but just as important, also in my personal life because that has a profound bearing on what I do at the office. I must know my whole game is beyond reproach to have a clear, efficient mind to do my work right and conduct myself as I should.