“ In view of the obvious great hardship to a party who relies upon the trial judge's finding of 'excusable neglect' prior to the expiration of the 30-day period and then suffers reversal of the finding, it should be given great deference by the reviewing court. ”

“ The District Court properly entertained the motion here in question to extend petitioner's time to appeal to the Court of Appeals before the initial 30 days allowed for docketing the appeal had elapsed. Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., 73 (a) , which governs here, is not limited to motions made after the 30 days have expired. See 7 Moore, Federal Practice (2d ed. 1955) , 73.09 (3) ; North Umberland Mining Co. v. Standard Acc. Ins. Co., 193 F.2d 951, 952 (C.A.9th Cir., 1952) ; Plant Economy, Inc. ”