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Erie, Pa., 
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1940.

Didn't feel quite so hard pressed today, a great relief.  A month ago it would have seemed like a very high pressure day but by contrast to the last few days, it was relatively calm. A few things that occurred:

1.) Told Carl Geiger to release 1500 tons of special plate for standard locomotives - I should say "order;" no financial risk involved per Carl.  Speicher says he doesn't believe it.

2.) Geo. Hill called at 12:45 PM, before I  had gone to lunch; said Phoenix Iron was buying two special 28 ton locos by 2 PM!  Our price was high, our delivery long - call back by 2 PM.  I had a sandwich and a glass of milk, reviewed Jake's old proposition (six months old now), redesigned the locomotive with Spike, checked price with Henry & got a reduction, checked shipment with Dick Miller, and phoned Philadelphia by 2:20 PM.  Charlie Williams said he was afraid we would lose the job on price and shipment - it was too late to do any selling on better design.  The thing is special and it wouldn't hurt us to lose it, but how hard it is to be philosophical about losing a job.

3.) At 4 PM, Shap handed me the Washington Navy Yard 50 ton loco costs and said, "Here is the sad news.  Will you tell me what price to put in?"  I didn't let  him get away with it. [[strikethrough]]"[[/strikethrough]] I said, but with a smile, "What are you trying to do, Shap - put me on a spot? What prices have you got to judge from?  I've got to have something to go by."  So then Shap loosened up, protested that he was not trying to put me on the spot, brought forth some data, and between us we set a price, which Henry OK'd, and it was all very pleasant.