GE said Culp, Seidman and other GE directors and executives bought shares after the report came out.

The companies already are partners on other GE engine programs, and will pay the development cost of their components.

Other GE assets that have not yet been put formally on the block may also be of interest, Shrewsberry said.

Serving Statoil STL.OL and other GE customers, it would enable them to address operational problems in conjunction with GE scientists.

"Never you mine," said Carter's boy, "I'll have the other gen'l'm'n."

But the sheer size of the Alstom bid could mean less investment at other GE units, at least in terms of big acquisitions.

"No other gen'l'm'n a'n't comin'," said Porto Rico.

Now there are. Immelt and other GE executives said they planned to spend $3 billion to $5 billion a year on industrial acquisitions.