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[[underlined]] THE YEAR 1937 [[/underlined]]

In 1937, my diary had been given up completely.  Furthermore, I have located no snapshots whatever for the year.  There are a few movies and four "idea cards" pertaining to things which fall under the HOME, FAMILY AND FRIENDS title.  I'm sorry to say there isn't even much in the memory which I can associate specifically with 1937.  So, once more the domestic scene cannot be portrayed at any length or in any detail.  I am glad to say, however, that beginning in July 1938, my diary resumes and contains a great deal of material over the following nine-year period including several years without a day missing.

As for my GE work in 1937, I have more material at hand and should be able to come up with a story covering the most important activities in fair detail.  The three major jobs which occupied me were further steam-diesel switching tests on the New Haven, a proposition and subsequent order for several 1,000-hp custom-built diesel-electric switchers for the Ford Motor Company's River Rouge plant, and the proposition and subsequent order for the six 0361-type electric passenger locomotives for the New Haven.  The latter was by far the biggest and most important job I'd handled up to that time and, in fact, carried through until the fall of 1938.

There is no way that I can think of to present a comprehensive picture of our family life in 1937.  Nothing unusual occurred or I think I should remember it.  We continued to live at 710 Delaware Avenue.  I think that Mother spent most of her time at Buena Vista and Chautauqua.  We were all reasonably healthy.  The children were very active and "growing up" if the movies are any indication.  I don't think we went away for our vacation that summer because there were no movies of any such thing but the following year, we went to Shanty Shane for the first time.  Willie's father visited us as usual.  We were active with our friends.  Gradually we were doing better financially.  The Great Depression was finally behind us although we would never fail to feel its economic effects on our lives and World War II was now in the wings about ready to move out and dislocate our existence once more.  But 1937 was a good time for us.

Forman H. Craton

Erie, Pa., 
June 16, 1974.