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3.) Techmeyer, the fireman was all for Roosevelt and he and Bill Devins argued politics on and off all day. Techmeyer was for Roosevelt because he was sure if diesels came to Tonawanda and Willkie was elected, they would immediately go to one man operation. He kept saying if Willkie got in, they would all be working for 20¢ an hour. He affirmed also that Willkie "can't even talk," it was surprising to me that the famed Roosevelt suavity and Harvard accent should count much with these tough babies but it seems to. A Willkie poster on Tonawanda's main street was smeared with mud. But Willkie is putting up a great battle.

4.) The conductor asked me if "she" could "drop" a car and I told him sure. So they soon had a place where there was the choice of poling the car in or making a flying switch. The engineer thought he would practice the flying switch without the car and as luck would have it, one engine shut down just as he did it! That shook his nerve and they decided to pole it in. The Auburn gang refused to use a pole on this loco because the pocket is over a shelf and flanked by a grab handle. This crew went ahead blithely and gave the car a tremendous poke as Wolf and I and the fireman stood on the platform and watched apprehensively. And sure enough, when he eased up, the front of the pole dropped first and with a terrific crack the pole snapped down off the steps, crushing one of them as it went by. So next time, it looks like "drop" or else.

5.) The engine shutting down bothered us on and off all day but was finally cured by jacking up the low idling speed. We don't know yet what's causing it. Thought at first it was a dirty fuel filter by finally pretty well abandoned that idea.