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Erie, Pa.,
Monday, June 17, 1940.

I picked up Bill Hamilton and Ken Wolf at the Laurence this morning. Trying to make the most of a bad situation on the New York Central, I told Bill I was glad he was here because we were in bad trouble and also I praised his control scheme - and instead of breathing fire as I feared he would today, we had a very pleasant session with him in which he offered suggestions and collaborated with us whole heartedly. He never even mentioned seriously extension of shipment but was tickled as a bird when we let him run the loco up and down at Bldg 60 and he saw what a snappy acting little job she is. I felt relieved. Ken Wolf remarked that I had handled Bill smartly today and I felt a bit well over that.

But while feeling good over this minor event today, everyone felt grim over events in Europe - for France has folded - asked for a cessation of hostilities and Hitler's terms. And England vows she will fight on alone to the last ditch! She may but I fear it will be at dreadful cost and to almost inevitable defeat in the end. A day as fateful as any in history and yet we live our lives on - what will come of it all?

My ears were plugged again this morning but got better as the day wore  on. A sore throat started threatening but I seemed to fight that off pretty well - there is just a trace of it this evening.

Rog seems definitely better today and we are much encouraged about him. I don't believe there will be any ill effects after all this time and with him improving.