UTU Daily News Digest

 

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Information of interest to operating railroad and transportation employees

Tuesday, January 4, 2000

WASHINGTON: STB to weigh "downstream" effects of CN-BNSF merger

WASHINGTON -- The Surface Transportation Board has brushed aside a 36-year-old precedent, saying it will judge the intended Burlington Northern Santa Fe-Canadian National consolidation on downstream competitive effects in addition to its standard tests of competitive balance and elimination of two-railroad competition, Frank Wilner reported in Traffic World.

The radical departure from deeply embedded precedent invites captive shippers to plead for more generalized open access, U.S. port operators to seek protection against BNSF-CN engaging in rate discrimination to force import-export traffic through the Canadian Port of Halifax, and shippers generally to propose reopening of previous mergers over which the STB retains oversight in order to obtain additional protective conditions against rate discrimination and service reductions.

The order follows a public comment of STB Chairman Linda Morgan questioning the timing of this proposed transaction as railroads generally are struggling to deliver efficiencies promised by previous mergers.

With the STB appearing, as a result of its ruling, more like the Justice Department in questioning the downstream competitive impacts of rail mergers, the STB action additionally could blunt a congressional attempt to shift rail merger authority to the DOJ.

Perhaps most consequential, the STB order opens the door for Union Pacific - which could suffer the most serious traffic diversions as a result of a BNSF-CN combination and whose past treatment by the STB has been exceptionally generous - to demand the consolidation be denied simply to arrest an orgy of defensive-merger responses. UP replied to the STB order in fewer than three hours, stating in a press release: "It is fair to ask the question whether or not this proposed single transaction will, in fact, trigger a second round of mergers. Given the importance of the rail sector to the health of the economy, the board is to be commended for looking at the future of the rail industry and how best to serve its customers in the long run."

For sure, UP would prefer a tougher STB merger-review process than a shifting of rail merger authority to the DOJ. UP and other railroads have used their lobbying strength to bottle up in Congress all shipper attempts to increase rail-to-rail competition. Should U.S. ports or other opponents of a BNSF-CN merger convince Congress to revisit how rail mergers are reviewed, captive-shipper friendly legislation could sneak through the same door.

While congressional staff on both sides of the aisle doubt such legislation could move in an election year, the STB will not decide the BNSF-CN merger application in 2000. And since a 1974 Supreme Court decision, Bradley v. Richmond School District, holds that regulatory agencies must apply the law in effect on the date of their decision, the DOJ conceivably could gain authority over a BNSF-CN transaction in 2001. It's a Pandora's box UP and other railroads would prefer to keep shut and that's why the STB ruling making the agency appear to be more like the Justice Department is so momentous.

Since the late 1950s, railroad mergers have been episodic with each major-railroad marriage followed by multiple defensive alignments. Yet the STB and its predecessor Interstate Commerce Commission traditionally decided merger applications on a case-by-case basis, judging the merits of each individual application while generally ignoring the cumulative increase in market power limiting shipper alternatives.

Indeed, since Congress in 1920 first granted the ICC authority over rail mergers, regulatory policy has tilted in favor of mergers with the ICC ceaselessly extolling the public benefits of increased single-line service and improved railroad profitability. Since 1958, 36 of 40 major rail merger applications filed with the ICC/STB have been approved. It is highly unlikely so many rail mergers would have been approved by the DOJ. In fact, Norfolk & Western President Jack Fishwick warned two decades ago that were rail merger authority shifted to the less lenient Justice Department, it would spell "the end of major railroad mergers."

The ICC's case-by-case review de-emphasizes downstream competitive harm in favor of intended efficiency improvements. "We have chosen to test each transaction and its probable impact from the standpoint of events reasonably foreseeable at the time of decision," said the ICC in 1964. The Supreme Court validated that approach as within the broad administrative discretion of the agency.

The ICC/STB indulgent case-by-case approach perhaps reached its apogee in 1996 when, over strenuous objections from the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, the STB unanimously approved the Union Pacific-Southern Pacific merger creating a duopoly west of the Mississippi River.

The case-by-case approach was a controversial aspect of the Burlington Northern consolidation with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in 1995. In approving the transaction, the ICC concluded it "could offer what no railroad has ever offered: single-line rail service linking major California, Arizona and New Mexico markets with those in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida ... strong single-line (competition in) the Southwest-Memphis market to compete with SP and the UP.

Just two weeks following the July 20, 1995, BNSF merger approval, the UP-SP merger application was filed as a defensive response and Kansas City Southern immediately petitioned the ICC to reopen the BNSF merger and reconsider it on the same docket as the UP-SP transaction. This was warranted, said the KCS, because a UP-SP combination would negate the competitive analysis performed as part of the BNSF transaction and dramatically alter the competitive balance earlier envisioned. The public interest findings of the BNSF merger relied upon BNSF facing competition from both UP and the SP and a UP-SP merger would "significantly change the competitive environment," said the KCS.

In denying the KCS petition, the ICC pointed to its "long-standing, one-case-at-a-time rule" limiting consideration "to the impacts of transactions which have already been approved and are, therefore, reasonably certain to occur." The agency said it would "not reopen pending proceedings in order to assess the impact of potential or hypothetical combinations or transactions. The proper forum for considering cumulative impacts and crossover effects is in a later proceeding," said the ICC.

KCS subsequently crafted as protection against the merged BNSF and UP-SP a joint marketing agreement with Canadian National and CN subsidiary Illinois Central, but a BNSF-CN merger surely will breach that defensive wall. UP freight markets, meanwhile, are expected to be put at risk by a BNSF-CN marriage, causing Wall Street analysts to predict a defensive response that could include an attempted hook-up between UP and either CSX or NS.

Former CSX Corp. chief strategic planner Dick Klem said CSX and NS for years courted a western railroad partner but the western carriers demurred - waiting to see what would become of Conrail. Now that both CSX and NS have acquired Conrail routes into the consumer-rich Northeast, either CSX or NS would be a bride with an enviable trousseau and a BNSF-CN consolidation could be the event prompting UP to pop the question.

In its Dec. 28 order, the STB observed that "leading North American railroads have undertaken a series of major transactions that, when taken together, have dramatically reconfigured the entire North American railroad industry. The BNSF-CN transaction, if approved and implemented, well may trigger yet another full round of major transactions, as other railroads seek to position themselves and their customers to meet the competitive effects," said the STB.

The reason for waiving its one-case-at-a-time rule, said the STB, is "so that applicants and other interested persons can submit and the board can consider evidence respecting the cumulative impacts and crossover effects that are likely to occur in the wake of a BNSF-CN transaction. Parties should address the effect of the proposed transaction and any likely subsequent transactions that would produce further significant consolidation in the industry," said the STB.

It also asked for comments on "likely effects" of the transaction on rail service.

As a condition of past mergers, the ICC/STB reserved the right for up to five years to reopen them and impose new conditions. The clock will run out on UP-C&NW in February and BN-SF in mid-year.

CANADA: U.S. industry giants oppose CN-BNSF rail merger

TORONTO -- A groundswell of concern among big manufacturers in the United States could threaten plans by Canadian National Railway Co. and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. to build the continent's largest railway, the Canadian Press reported.

The giant National Industrial Transportation League, based in Virginia, says its members are still reeling from the disruptions caused by previous rail mergers, and concern is pouring in from across the U.S. over this new railway linkup.

"We remain to be convinced that [the CN-BNSF deal] is a good idea, and it's going to take a lot of convincing," said Ed Rastatter, a policy analyst at the league.

The body, founded in 1907, groups 700 major U.S. companies, including powerful oil, forestry and steel firms.

"We're not opposed to it yet," Rastatter said. "But the members we've been talking to are very skeptical and so are we."

Meanwhile, a key U.S. regulator has raised the bar on railway mergers so it can take an especially hard look at the proposed deal.

CN spokesman Mark Hallman confirmed that the U.S. Surface Transportation Board will be more stringent than usual because so many recent railway mergers in the U.S. have gone awry.

The new rules will give the public, railway customers and competitors a wider latitude to comment -- and object to -- the proposed merger of CN and Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

But Hallman said CN isn't worried by the board's new rules because the proposed merger should present few problems for regulators, shippers or the public.

"We'll study the ruling and assess its implications," he said. "They're taking a very large view of the transaction.

"But this is largely an end-to-end transaction" that combines two railways with distinct geographic networks.

CN expects to win full regulatory approvals by mid-2001.

Published reports that the deal faces tough scrutiny sent CN stock down on the Toronto Stock Exchange last Wednesday. Shares of the big Montreal railway dropped $2.80 to close at $39.10 on TSE trading of 239,000 shares.

Shippers from Illinois to California tell horror stories of past rail mergers, with traffic snarls forcing production shutdowns, cars lost in overcrowded switching yards, and a computer glitch that causes what's called "ping-pong cars."

"One computer system would say, 'This is a loaded car going west,' then the next computer says, 'This is an empty car going east,'" and sends it back, still loaded, to its point of origin, said Tom Bakin, logistics manager at specialty steel maker Allegheny Technologies, a Pittsburgh company with $2.5 billion US in sales.

The biggest snarls of the last few years, which are still being sorted out, occurred after the merger of Union Pacific with Southern Pacific railroads, and the breakup of Conrail, with part going to Norfolk Southern and part going to CSX.

Hallman said CN's and BNSF's histories with past mergers prove this one will go smoothly.

"The 1995 Burlington Northern merger with Santa Fe was successful," he said. "And CN's integration with Illinois Central this year was smooth.

"This is largely an end-to-end pairing, very little overlap. It's not akin to the division of Conrail."

But he conceded that CN has a hard road ahead to win support for the deal.

"Clearly, CN is going to have to take that message out and convince the skeptics that they can do the job," he said. "We're cognizant of the mood.

"It's incumbent on us to try and address those concerns in a satisfactory manner."

That could prove tough.

"As you well know, other mergers have run into difficulties," said Marty Javinsky, head of transportation planning at the oil giant Chevron Products Co. in California. "We'd hate to have that happen."

Bakin of Allegheny said his company has had problems with recent rail mergers.

"We've had service disruptions. We've had to increase our fleet of leased cars because throughput has slowed."

Even if the CN-BNSF combination goes off without a hitch, the shippers fear a wave of other mergers -- which may or may not be as smooth -- will be unleashed as competitors scramble to fight the new colossus.

Arthur Hatfield, an analyst with Morgan Keegan Inc. in Memphis, predicts that after all the storm and fury have subsided, the CN-BNSF deal will be good for shippers.

"They may scream loud," he said. "Politics is politics. But I think it makes a lot of sense.

"I think the shippers will get better service and more point-to-point service."

CANADA: Premier won't act on rail dispute

VANCOUVER -- Premier Dan Miller says he won't intervene in a lockout that has shut down BC Rail and denied scores of resource communities a key option for shipping their commodities to market.

Miller said last Thursday the lockout at Canada's third-largest freight railway has yet to inflict "significant damage" on the province and he prefers that management and the unions settle the dispute.

"The responsibility rests with the parties to see if they can't resolve the impasse," Miller told The Vancouver Sun from Prince Rupert.

"I don't think, given the relatively short time that has passed that there is any significant damage that has occurred."

But he said the parties should "consider the impact a prolonged dispute could have on the province, and the need to focus on that to see if they can overcome the difficulties they are facing and achieve a collective agreement."

The premier's statements are his first public comments on the lockout of 1,600 employees that has shut down the railway's 1,573-kilometre network.

The Crown corporation locked out the employees to get the jump on a strike notice filed by the Council of Trade Unions on BC Rail, which represents seven unions.

Miller's comments came amid calls for him to do something to get the parties back to the bargaining table after the collapse of mediated talks late Tuesday.

"We don't think B.C.'s beleaguered economy can take much more of this," said John Winter, president of the 26,000-member B.C. Chamber of Commerce.

"The premier has got to take steps now to get talks back on the rails."

Miller's comments also coincided with other developments in the dispute, including:

While the dispute goes on, leaders in resource communities and officials of forest and other commodity companies have warned of layoffs and other economic chaos if they cannot ship their products to market.

BC Rail, citing slumping revenues and competitive pressures, wants productivity improvements through job cuts, contracting out and changes to work rules. It also reportedly wants to cut the unionized workforce by 20 per cent

The unions say they accepted a three-year wage package that gives them no increases in the first two years and two per cent in the final year -- in line with the government's public-sector wage guidelines.

BC Rail made a $26.5-million profit in 1998, down 34 per cent from the previous year, because of declining shipments from its major clients in the forest and mining industries.

WASHINGTON: Amtrak reports that all trains successfully entered Y2K

WASHINGTON -- After stopping briefly as planned in stations at midnight on December 31, all Amtrak trains reached their destinations. While trains waited for Y2K to pass, customers celebrated on board with complimentary food and beverages and wooden souvenir trains whistles to mark the historic occasion.

The successful transition is further proof along with the thousands of people who chose to whistle in the New Year with Amtrak that the corporation is transforming into a customer-focused travel business.

During the midnight hour, Amtrak operated 49 trains, reportedly more than the 45 planes in the skies over the U.S.

At midnight on New Years, Amtrak estimated approximately 7,000 total customers chose to take the train not only did because of the on-board celebrations, but the freedom to also sleep, read or gaze out the window as the clock struck twelve. Amtrak projects that more than 15,000 people traveled on Amtrak the entire day, which was less than in previous years and less than Amtrak's daily average of 60,000 customers.

FLORIDA: McPherson named president of Florida East Coast Railway

ST. AUGUSTINE -- Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. (NYSE:FLA) (FECI) Chairman and CEO Robert W. Anestis announced that John D. McPherson has been named President of Florida East Coast Railway (FECR), a wholly owned subsidiary of FECI, effective Jan. 1, 2000.

McPherson is currently chief operating officer for FECR and Executive Vice President-Rail Operations for FECI. He will retain these positions in his new post. "John has an impressive track record as a railroad operating executive. In his short tenure as COO, he has led an effort to reduce FECR's operating ratio from 77 percent in 1998 to its current run rate of 74. Naming him president is the next natural step in getting the railroad prepared to meet our aggressive targets in 2000," Anestis said.

In his new position, McPherson will continue to find innovative ways to lower FECR's operating ratio. He will also focus on growing business through strengthened relationships with connecting carriers, offering FECR shippers greater market reach with a seamless transition, and by capturing market share from other modes of transportation. "John was an instrumental member of the leadership team at Illinois Central (IC) as that railroad became one of the nation's most efficient and safest systems, and I am confident that as president, he will do the same for FECR," said Anestis. "He will ensure that FECR takes full advantage of its strategic location through all the major cities along the east coast of one of the nation's fastest growing states."

Prior to joining FECI in 1999, McPherson was president and CEO of the IC, where he held various senior operating positions since 1993. He joined IC from the Santa Fe Railway with 25 years of service. McPherson earned his bachelor's degree from Emporia State University and his master's degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

ENGLAND: UK's National Express buys U.S. bus group ATC

LONDON -- British transport services company National Express Group Plc said on Tuesday it had bought U.S. based public transport company ATC Group for 106.5 million pounds ($174.1 million).

The purchase of the privately owned company was expected to be immediately earnings enhancing before goodwill, National Express said in a statement.

It said ATC was the largest privately owned public transport provider in the United States and the acquisition would be funded through existing bank facilities.

ATC was to report an operating profit of 6.7 million pounds ($10.9 million) on a turnover of 94.5 million pounds ($153.1 million) for the year ending December 31, 1999.

Chicago-based ATC, the principal business of ATC Group, is the third largest provider of public bus services for U.S. municipalities.

With a fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles, the ATC network covers 31 cities in 13 states, including Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Austin, Chicago, New Orleans and Raleigh.

More than 102 million passengers use ATC's services in the U.S. each year.

($1-.6117 Pound)

NEW YORK: Remembering those who died in 1999

NEW YORK -- We got to know John F. Kennedy Jr. as a toddler, romping in the White House and saluting his father's coffin as the nation mourned, the Associated Press reported.

John-John grew into a handsome man, trying to remain friendly and unassuming, seemingly at odds with wealth and celebrity. He was 38 and piloting his private plane when it went down on a summer night off Martha's Vineyard.

We got to know Joe DiMaggio in his prime, when his grace and power on the baseball field made him an idol. His 56-game hitting streak for the New York Yankees in the summer of '41 set a record that became one of the game's most enduring. His 1954 marriage to Marilyn Monroe didn't last but added to his legend.

DiMaggio also left us this year, after a private battle with cancer. His reticence, obvious at the height of fame, reinforced the quiet of his later years.

Among others:

John Minor Wisdom, Frank M. Johnson Jr. and W. Arthur Garrity Jr., three judges who issued landmark rulings on the issue of racial segregation, and Harry A. Blackmun, who wrote the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Kings Hussein of Jordan and Hassan II of Morocco, who worked for peace in the Mideast and North Africa.

Paul Mellon, billionaire philanthropist who gave the nation the East Building of the National Gallery of Art.

Glenn Seaborg, who discovered plutonium and other elements, including one that bears his name.

Gene Sarazen, golfing great of the 1920s and '30s, and Payne Stewart, a star of the '90s, whose trademark knickers on the course linked their eras.

Here, a roll call of some of the figures who left their mark:

JANUARY:

Jerry Quarry, 53. Popular heavyweight boxer who fought Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson as a top contender in the '60s and '70s, later lapsing into a punch-drunk fog. Jan. 3. Pneumonia, boxing-caused dementia.

Carl Elliott, 85. Alabama Democrat who served eight terms in Congress and won a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for advocacy of education aid and moderate stand on race during segregation days. Jan. 9.

Edgar Nollner Sr., 94. Last survivor of 1925 dog-team relay carrying diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska, a run that inspired the Iditarod race. Jan. 18.

Susan Strasberg, 60. Actress daughter of acting coach Lee Strasberg; played Anne Frank on Broadway. Jan. 21. Cancer.

Charles Brown, 76. Pianist, singer and composer whose "cool blues'' style influenced such artists as Ray Charles. Jan. 21.

Cecil Smith, 94. The "Babe Ruth of polo'' who over six decades won nearly every award in the sport. Jan. 21.

Robert Shaw, 82. Raised the art of choral conducting to new heights as leader of the Robert Shaw Chorale. Jan. 25.

Sarah Delany, 109. Sister of Bessie and co-author of "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years,'' a best-selling memoir on growing up black in pre-civil rights era. Jan. 25.

Charles Luckman, 89. Industrialist and architect who helped design New York's Madison Square Garden and several Los Angeles landmarks. Jan. 26.

FEBRUARY:

Paul Mellon, 91. Billionaire philanthropist of the arts; also set up Cape Hatteras (N.C.) National Seashore. Feb. 1.

King Hussein of Jordan, 63. Grew from boy king to elder statesman, a symbol of endurance and a voice for peace in a landscape of crisis and war. Feb. 7. Cancer.

Dame Iris Murdoch, 79. Modern British novelist admired for works such as "A Severed Head'' and "The Black Prince.'' Feb. 8.

John D. Ehrlichman, 73. President Nixon's domestic affairs adviser imprisoned for 18 months for his role in the Watergate conspiracy. Feb. 14.

Curtis Carlson, 84. Minnesota businessman took a $55 loan during the Great Depression and built it into the giant Carlson Companies Inc. Feb. 19.

Andre Dubus, 62. Short-story writer acclaimed for collections such as "Dancing After Hours.'' Feb. 24.

Glenn Seaborg, 86. Nobel Prize-winning chemist who discovered 10 atomic elements including plutonium and seaborgium. Feb. 25.

Jose Quintero, 74. Tony Award-winning director whose landmark productions of "Long Day's Journey into Night'' and other dramas renewed interest American playwright Eugene O'Neill. Feb. 26.

John L. Goldwater, 83. Creator of comic book characters Archie, the red-haired, average teen-ager, and his friends Jughead, Betty and Veronica. Feb. 26.

MARCH:

Dusty Springfield, 59. Husky-voiced soul singer of '60s with such hits as "Son of a Preacher Man.'' March 2. Breast cancer.

Harry A. Blackmun, 90. Retired Supreme Court justice wrote the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. March 4.

Stanley Kubrick, 70. Visionary cinema craftsman whose films such as "Dr. Strangelove'' and "A Clockwork Orange'' often reflected life's despairs. March 7.

Joe DiMaggio, 84. Made the spectacular look easy and captivated the nation as dignified star of marquee New York Yankees during baseball's golden era. March 8.

Yehudi Menuhin, 82. His youthful virtuosity as a violinist grew into one of the great musical talents of the century. March 12.

Garson Kanin, 86. Prolific playwright who created the classic "Born Yesterday'' for stage and screen. March 13.

Harry Callahan, 86. His photos of the ordinary made him one of the most influential photographers of the century. March 15.

Joe Williams, 80. Grammy winner who sang with every great jazz artist of the past half-century. March 29.

APRIL:

Lionel Bart, 68. British lyricist and composer and creator of "Oliver!'' and other musicals. April 3. Cancer.

Early Wynn, 79. Fiercely competitive pitcher whose 300 wins, including five seasons with 20 or more, put him into Baseball Hall of Fame. April 4.

Charlie Whittingham, 86. Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer who sent Ferdinand and Sunday Silence to Kentucky Derby victories in the 1980s. April 20.

Senor Wences, 103. Master ventriloquist known to TV audiences for comic Spanish accent of his puppet-in-a-box Pedro and his falsetto-voiced hand puppet Johnny. April 20.

Charles "Buddy'' Rogers, 94. Star of 1927 movie "Wings,'' the first to win best-picture Oscar; widower of screen legend Mary Pickford. April 21.

Roman Hruska, 94. Conservative Republican and former Nebraska senator whose career was overshadowed by his comment that mediocre judges "are entitled to a little representation'' on the Supreme Court. April 25.

Al Hirt, 76. "King of the Trumpet'' in the 1960s who won a Grammy for his hit "Java.'' April 27.

Rory Calhoun,76. Stalwart hero of Western movies and the TV series "The Texan.'' April 28.

MAY:

Oliver Reed, 61. British actor who played fearsome Bill Sikes in the 1968 musical "Oliver!'' May 2. Apparent heart attack.

Leon Hess, 85. Oil tycoon and owner of pro football's New York Jets. May 7.

Sir Dirk Bogarde, 78. British star of more than 70 films, achieving his greatest fame in "Death in Venice.'' May 8.

Shel Silverstein, 66. Author and illustrator of children's books such as "A Light in the Attic'' and ``Where the Sidewalk Ends.'' May 10. Heart attack.

Saul Steinberg, 84. Creator of hundreds of drawings for The New Yorker, including one of how the world looks to New Yorkers. May 12.

Meg Greenfield, 68. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who ran the editorial page at The Washington Post for 20 years. May 13. Lung cancer.

Gene Sarazen, 97. Elegant, knickers-clad "Squire'' of golf in the 1920s and '30s was one of only four men to win golf's four major titles. May 13.

John Minor Wisdom, 93. Last survivor of federal appeals court that forced the Deep South to end segregation. May 15.

JUNE:

Mel Torme, 73. Singer of jazz and pop known as "the Velvet Fog'' for his warm vocals; co-writer of "The Christmas Song.'' June 5.

DeForest Kelley, 79. Crusty Dr. Leonard "Bones'' McCoy on "Star Trek'' who told fellow space travelers, "I'm just a country doctor!'' June 11.

Clifton Fadiman, 95. Radio host of "Information Please''; shaped America's reading habits as senior judge for Book-of-the-Month Club. June 20.

Sir John Woolf, 86. British producer who brought "The African Queen'' and "Oliver!'' to the screen. June 28.

Allan Carr, 62. Produced "Grease'' the movie and won a 1984 Tony award for producing "La Cage aux Folles'' on Broadway. June 29. Cancer.

JULY:

Edward Dmytryk, 90. Directed films such as "The Caine Mutiny'' and went to prison as member of the Hollywood Ten during 1940s anti-Communist hysteria. July 1.

Joshua Nkomo, 82. Father of Zimbabwe's fight for independence from white colonial rule, known to supporters as "the old lion.'' July 1.

Sylvia Sidney, 88. Waiflike star of the 1930s nominated in 1973 for comeback role in "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams.'' July 1.

Forrest Mars Sr., 95. Created M&Ms candies and built one of the biggest fortunes in America as head of the Mars candy empire. July 1.

Mario Puzo, 78. Romanticized the Mafia as the fiercely loyal Corleone family in "The Godfather'' novel and subsequent Oscar-winning screenplays from it. July 2.

Pete Conrad, 69. Apollo 12 astronaut and third man to walk on the moon, shouting "Whoopee!'' as he hopped onto its dusty surface. July 8. Motorcycle accident.

James S. Farmer, 79. Co-founder of Congress of Racial Equality who served alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights giants of the 1950s and '60s. July 9.

Rep. George E. Brown Jr., 79. California Democrat and oldest member of the House; championed technological issues ranging from space race to the Internet. July 15.

John F. Kennedy Jr., 38. Affable, athletic and handsome heir to Camelot who forged a life apart from the traditional politics and scandals that drew in much of his family. July 16. Private plane crash that also killed wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, 33, and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette, 34.

David Ogilvy, 88. Master ad man who put eye-patch on the Man in the Hathaway Shirt and created the distinguished Commander Whitehead to pitch "Schweppervescent'' mixers. July 21.

King Hassan II of Morocco, 70. Ignored regional taboos to help forge Mideast peace and ruled his North African country for 38 years. July 23.

Frank M. Johnson Jr., 80. Federal judge who issued key rulings that helped bring down racial barriers in the South and improved treatment of prisoners and mental patients. July 23.

Anita Carter, 66. Featured performer with country music's legendary Carter Sisters. July 29.

AUGUST:

Willie Morris, 64. Former editor of Harper's magazine and one of Mississippi's most treasured writers of Delta stories from his childhood. Aug. 2. Heart attack.

Victor Mature, 86. Handsome, brawny movie star of the 1940s and '50s who played Samson in "Samson and Delilah'' and Doc Holliday in John Ford's "My Darling Clementine.'' Aug. 4.

Pee Wee Reese, 81. Hall of Fame shortstop and Brooklyn Dodgers captain who smoothed Jackie Robinson's entry into major league baseball. Aug. 14.

Lane Kirkland, 77. Reunited major labor unions during presidency of AFL-CIO and was hailed by President Clinton as "one of the towering figures in the American labor movement.'' Aug. 14.

Leo Castelli, 91. One of the world's most influential art dealers who fostered careers of such painters as Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns. Aug. 22.

SEPTEMBER:

Allen Funt, 84. TV prankster-host of "Candid Camera.'' Sept. 5.

Herbert Stein, 83. Economist and chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, was key in shaping President Nixon's economic policies. Sept. 8.

Jim "Catfish'' Hunter, 53. Former New York Yankees pitcher with five 20-game seasons, one perfect game and a Cy Young Award; became baseball's first big-money free agent. Sept. 9. Lou Gehrig's disease.

W. Arthur Garrity Jr., 79. Federal judge whose 1974 order to desegregate Boston schools led to rioting and racial turmoil and resentment that lingered a quarter-century later. Sept. 16.

Raisa Gorbachev, 67. Stylish and outspoken wife of the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. Sept. 20. Leukemia.

George C. Scott, 71. Actor whose eagle profile and gravel-voiced air brought new life to Gen. George S. Patton and earned him an Oscar he refused to accept. Sept. 22.

Judith Campbell Exner, 65. A reputed presidential mistress who claimed to have ferried messages between John F. Kennedy and Mafia boss Sam Giancana. Sept. 24. Breast cancer.

Oseola McCarty, 91. Frugal washwoman who donated her $150,000 savings to the University of Southern Mississippi. Sept. 26.

OCTOBER:

Ted Arison, 75. Billionaire founder of Carnival Cruise Lines and an original partner in pro basketball's Miami Heat. Oct. 1.

Akio Morita, 89. Co-founder of Sony Corp. who helped give new meaning to the words "Made in Japan.'' Oct. 3.

Martin S. Davis, 72. Reshaped Gulf & Western conglomerate into Paramount Communications, a publishing and entertainment powerhouse. Oct. 4.

The Rev. Bruce Ritter, 72. Roman Catholic priest founded Covenant House shelters for homeless teens then resigned amid a sex scandal. Oct. 7.

Wilt "The Stilt'' Chamberlain, 63. NBA's second-leading scorer and leading rebounder who so dominated pro basketball that the league changed its rules. Oct. 12. Heart failure.

James Elliott Williams, 68. One of the nation's most decorated Vietnam War heroes. Oct. 13.

Julius Nyerere, 77. Tanzania's first president and a universally revered elder statesman instrumental in efforts to forge African unity. Oct. 14.

Jean Shepherd, 78. His easy storytelling style on radio and in the film "A Christmas Story'' earned comparisons to Mark Twain. Oct. 16.

John Chafee, 77. Longtime senator from Rhode Island who stood for moderation and environmental protection as other Republicans moved to the right. Oct. 24.

Payne Stewart, 42. Pro golfer with trademark knickers and tam-o'-shanter cap and two U.S. Open titles. Oct. 25. Airplane crash.

NOVEMBER:

Walter Payton, 45. Former Chicago Bears running back and leading rusher in NFL history. Nov. 1. Bile duct cancer.

Daisy Bates, 84. Civil rights leader who helped nine black students break color barrier at Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Nov. 4.

Primo Nebiolo, 76. Longtime head of International Amateur Athletic Federation who built track and field into a commercial empire. Nov. 7.

Jacobo Timerman, 76. Argentine journalist who defied ruling military junta and wrote about his brutal treatment as a political prisoner in the 1970s. Nov. 11.

Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, 87. Descendent of railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt and a thoroughbred racing fixture for six decades. Nov. 12.

Donald Mills, 84. Last of the singing Mills Brothers who broke racial barriers in radio, film and society. Nov. 13.

Paul Bowles, 88. American author and composer best known for "The Sheltering Sky'' and other novels set in North Africa. Nov. 18.

Horst P. Horst, 93. Photographer of the famous, including Harry Truman, Marlene Dietrich and Maria Callas. Nov. 18.

Quentin Crisp, 90. Eccentric British-born writer, performer and raconteur best-known for his autobiography "The Naked Civil Servant.'' Nov. 21.

DECEMBER:

Edmond Safra, 67. Billionaire founder of the Republic National Bank of New York. Dec. 3. Arson fire in Monaco.

Madeline Kahn, 57. Oscar-nominated actress-comedian best known for daffy and lusty characters in "Paper Moon'' and Mel Brooks farces such as "Blazing Saddles.'' Dec. 3. Ovarian cancer.

Rose Bird, 63. First woman on California's Supreme Court, whose opposition to the death penalty led voters to remove her as chief justice. Dec. 4. Breast cancer.

Robert A. Swanson, 52. Co-founder of Genentech Inc. and pioneer in biotechnology industry. Dec. 6. Brain cancer.

Rick Danko, 56. Country boy from Canada who helped shape American rock 'n' roll as a bass player and singer with The Band. Dec. 10. Peter La Haye Sr. 59. Millionaire inventor of implantable lenses for cataract patients and other eye-saving products. Dec. 12. Private plane crash.

Joseph Heller, 76. His darkly comic first novel "Catch-22'' defined the paradox of the no-win dilemma and added a phrase to the American language. Dec. 12.

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