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the home stretch in excellent shape.

We all had dinner together at the Manger where everything was cordial and where Buckfitt let the cat out of the bag on imminence of closing by telling Roy that "now we know how much we can save with these engines, we hate like hell to have to wait 5 1/2 months for shipment." When we parted after lunch, Dave Reid shook hands cordially with John and me and said he hoped he'd see us in Boston again soon.

I was awfully glad John was there for three reasons:

(1.) He was able to snap out answers to extremely detailed questions for which I did not have the answer and he did a fine job of it.

(2.) I wanted the B & M to meet and talk design with one of our railroad locomotive designers- and a good one like John. I am sure he made a good impression.

(3.)  I wanted John to have the experience of running up against the B & M  objections and viewpoints first hand so he can help me get across my points in Erie, and I know he sees now exactly what we are up against.

We spent the afternoon in the office discussing the whole job and mapping out our campaign from here on. Tom Knight was tied up with Pres. C.E. Wilson so we couldn't see him to broach Whitey's "five year plan" but Roy will get into that next week. In the meantime, I am to write up a complete selling story on all outstanding