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131

to seal that pledge I kissed each of them on the hand and then the lights flared on again. [[left facing red pencil bracket]]

Erie, Pa.
Saturday, Sept, 19, '42.

Chuck Church picked me up about 7 AM and we had breakfast at Charles' as of old - juice, plain omelet, toast, milk. Most of the morning was taken with a meeting in Whitey's office to discuss the future. Whitey threw in a bombshell largely for effect and reaction I think - that he is considering going out of the locomotive business [[underline]] completely [[/underline]] as of Jan. 1. 1944 for the duration, issuing units and all, and try to turn Bldg. 10 to tanks. Lynch, Gouldy and Harrington, the tank men, put up no opposition. Carl, Henry, Jack Hause and I threw some pretty heavy hooks into the boss which I believe was what he was looking for. Finally he admitted no decision had to be made for six months yet. Personally I question whether conditions will ever be such that G.E. can get out of the locomotive business while the war lasts. 

This afternoon Charlie Creasser phoned and told me Stevenson agrees we should get a determination on the small locomotives and wants to put it before the Requirements Committee next week - so that is a step in the right direction and will give them some real status so material will be forthcoming with less trouble. Maybe we're really beginning "to cook with gas" after all. 

Whitey asked me this morning if it would be all right with me if he writes me a letter saying he wants me back here by Nov. 1 because there's work to be done and he can't hold my job open any longer. I told him yes - the sooner I can get out of Washington the better as far as I'm personally concerned but I do question whether the "work" to be done can't be done better in Washington than here - I have in mind developing the picture of the future of the 

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