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Got wind today the Army has OK'ed our $54,000 price to expand howitzer production from 20 to 35 per month.  Whitey is away for two days and nothing done about Shap; I begin to think it may fall thru.  A proposition for the Pennsy for small diesel-electric locos for hauling rail grinding trains, which I worked hard on with Kittredge back in '38 revived today - I had long since given it up as a lost cause.  It shows if you work hard and well on a job, it may keep a spark of life in it and maybe eventually result in business.

Neil Donovan and Ernie Bloss blew in around 11:30AM, quite late.  The porter told them, "We had three engines and dey all broke down."  I took them out to Waite's Tavern for lunch and a cordial scotch and soda - our first together since the order was placed.  We spent the afternoon reviewing the job and things went very harmoniously - Ernie seemed well satisfied with the locomotives and made almost no changes.  We repaired to the City Club for more conviviality and then after a quick hamburg sandwich in the Boston Diner, I brought them out to the house to see vacation and Mt. Washington movies and meet the family.  I also gave Ernie the pick of my match box covers for his girl, which seemed to please him.  It was a nice session throughout and I found myself liking Ernie more than ever - but oh, what a faculty he has of getting your nanny sometimes such as the day they turned down Tarzan Jr.   All in all though, I like Ernie and believe he has many more good and ingraciating qualities than otherwise.  I put them on the train and hated to see them leave so soon.

Blow of the day - Lenore is quitting for a full time job!