Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 10

10 Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Thursday, May 23, 1996 FTC accuses toy retailer of unfair play Weatherly Mary Rose Minnick, 146 Briar Lane, 427-8865 Leave Items at: Weatherly Pharmacy, Weatherly Shopping Plaza, or i i I '2 A I SjfiK Ml 1., maCO.Mb.. MflRWft few weeks before Christmas when they could choose the hottest-selling items and sell them at or below cost to attract shoppers. "Given the combined impact of the practices of warehouse clubs, our own contribution to the industry and the intensity of the competition in our marketplace, we reserve our unquestionable right to refuse to carry the same items as warehouse clubs," Goldstein said in a statement Wednesday. This is central to our ability to compete, which we understand to be the policy objective of the FTC," Goldstein said. He said Toys Us would fight the charges in court.

"We are confident we will prevail," Goldstein added. The five-member trade commission voted 3-2 to file an administrative complaint against Toys Us, meaning that an FTC administrative law judge will hear the case later this year. The FTC began investigating Toys Us in 1994 after receiving complaints from retailers, Baer said, declining to name any companies. comparison shopping that Toys Us worried would undercut its low-price image," he said. Specifically, the FTC alleged that Toys Us began striking agreements with manufacturers as early as 1989 under which toy makers would not sell to the warehouse clubs the same toys they sold Toys Us.

Manufacturers also agreed to let Toys Us approve the products they wanted to sell to the shopping clubs, whose sales were growing faster than other retailers in the early 1990s, Baer said. Further, the FTC alleged that Toys Us also got manufacturers that were intent on selling to the clubs to bundle the toys in "combination packs" or "club specials" that were more expensive and weren't sold by Toys Us. Baer said the result was to reduce consumers' ability to comparison shop. Toys Us chief executive Michael Goldstein defended the practices, saying they were necessary to protect the millions the company spends yearly to develop and promote toys. He complained that the warehouse clubs only became interested a ASSOCIATED PRESS William Baer of the Federal Trade Commission holds up a Barbie doll package during a news conference in Washington Wednesday.

The FTC voted to file antitrust charges against Toys Us. boost profits. "Toys Us was able to stop Those facts spurred Toys Us the steep discounting from going to act, Baer said. on and was able to prevent Demos blast Republican, then dodge WASHINGTON (AP) Democratic leaders blistered a Republican for passing out a tobacco group's checks on the House floor, then became tongue-tied when asked whether they'd done the same thing. Minority Leader Dck Gephardt, Minority Whip David Bonior and a former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep.

Vic Fazio, rebuffed three direct questions on the subject Boehner, for distributing contributions from a tobacco political action committee to other lawmakers on the House floor. Gephardt called that "turning the people's chamber into a Republican rummage sale." And he promised that if Democrats regain control of the House "my very first act as speaker will be to ban the outrageous practice of distributing checks on the House floor so that members of Congress vote their consciences, not their contributions." Conservative gadfly to check media bias WASHINGTON (AP) Toys Us unfairly used its size and clout to keep prices high, the government said Wednesday in announcing antitrust charges against the nation's largest toy seller. Toys Us said it would "vigorously contest" the charges in court. The Federal Trade Commission said Toys Us, facing stiff competition from discount stores and warehouse shopping clubs, used its market strength to force manufacturers to agree to stop selling toys to the warehouses. "Toys Us has violated the basic principle of fair play," said William Baer, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition.

With 651 stores in the United States, Toys Us is the nation's largest toy retailer, commanding more than one-fifth of the $19 billion U.S. market. But the Paramus, N.J.-based retailer has watched sales slide in recent years because of competition from discount retailers like Wal-Mart and Kmart and the warehouse clubs. In February, it announced it was closing 25 stores worldwide and would consolidate some operations to Study will see if estrogen delays onset of Alzheimer's NEW YORK (AP) Scien tists are launching a huge study of women to see if taking estrogen can delay Alzheimer's disease. About 8,000 women past menopause will take either estrogen or a dummy pill and be followed for six to nine years to see if the hormone makes any difference.

Prior studies have given evidence of an effect, said lead investigator Sally Shumaker of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Because some participants are expected to develop Alzheimer's during the study, researchers will also investigate whether estrogen delays the progression of the disease once it appears. The $16 million study, which will also look for an effect on dementia in general, is being funded by Philadelphia-based Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, which makes estrogen tablets. It will be done in conjunction with the Women's Health Initiative, a massive federal program that is studying prevention of major diseases of post-menopausal women. The Alzheimer's Association sai Wednesday it supports tlio study.

May jIM Facing the cameras in the tiny studio of the House Radio and Television Gallery, Gephardt said: "We're not interested in an inquiry and a discussion of what was legal under the rules. What we are interested in is stopping a practice that we think should not have been allowed under the rules." He was a lot bolder minutes earlier when he condemned the No. 4 person in the GOP hierarchy, Conference Chairman John tive journalism it's going to let them know that their days of unchecked bias are over," Bozell said. The center plans to distribute bumper stickers, magnets and pins proclaiming "I Don't Believe the Liberal News Media," and to issue daily and weekly reports via e-mail to 50,000 conservative activists and talk show hosts. It also plans an Internet site, briefings by conservative experts on key campaign issues and dai same-sex marriages, and the White House already had said the president might sign the bill.

But press secretary Mike McCurry's firm statement that Clinton would sign the bill prompted the Human Rights Campaign to withdraw its invitation for White House adviser George Stephanopoulos to speak WASHINGTON (AP) The conservative Media Research Center is taking its fight against what it calls a liberal bias in the national news straight to journalists this election year. L. Brent Bozell III, the center's chairman, said the organization is launching a $2.78 million campaign to spotlight anticipated bias in political reporting in 1996. "Those who continue to insult, assault the conservative movement under the guise of objec upermarket, Main Hudsondale Sts. 33 confirmed at St.

Nicholas The sacrament of confirma tion was recently conferred upon 33 young members of St. Nicholas Church, Weatherly by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop of the Allentown diocese. Pastor William J. Onushco presented Bishop Welsh with a gift in honor of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

The students were instructed by Mrs. Dolores Lettiere, Mrs. Taffy Houser and Sister Anne of the McAdoo Catholic School. The class included triplets Brynn Elizabeth, Caitlin Marie and Justin Anthony Miscavige; Zachary Paul Baker, Kisa Kiara Baker, Autumn Teresa Barna, Brett Matthew Bellas, Courtney Marie Delazio, Albert Anthony Donadi, Keri Ann Gera, Kathleen Susan Gerhard, Rose Gregory, Billie Jo Jamie Halechko, John Paul Hall, Heather Elizabeth Hoffman, Jennifer Mary Howard, Shaw David Krieger. And, Jared Francis Lesko, Erica Helen Macurak, Justin Jerome Magula, Collette Elizabeth Makowiec, Rachel Marie Maleski; Kyle William McGee, Kent Blase Mrozinsky, Angela Regina Petrone, Katie Maria Romig, Sarah Elizabeth Salko, Nicole Jennifer Selert, Christine Christine Anne Sotack, Trisha Ann Sutrisno, Curt Joseph Thomas, Heather Monica Thomas and Thomas Mauro Tierney.

Block party set A weekend of entertainment and fun to interest both young, and old alike, will be happening at the Weatherly block party, June 8 and 9 at Eurana Park. Events will be held rain or shine under big tents. Saturday's schedule of events include a truck and motorcycle show; singer, guitarist Jeremy Perserverence Dixieland Jazz Band; WKAB live remote during Bill Bell's rock n' roll show; and an oldies show featuring the Dynamics, from 7 to 10 p.m. On hand Sunday will be guitarist Paul Farnham doing hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s; Facettes of Dance; a return engagement of guitarist Jeremy dePrisco; the Hawks, country and gospel duo from 5 to 7 p.m.; disc jockey Harry C. Productions from 6 to 9 p.m.

for the yonger set; and the Lehighton Concert Band at 7 p.m. Food and craft booths, community organizations booths and displays, as well as Tickles the Clown will be present both days. This is also the weekend of the annual Weatherly Hillclimb. Please plan to stop by and enjoy some of the many delightful activities planned for that weekend. T-BALL SCHEDULE Today's games Keener's vs.

IGA at 5:30 p.m; Mengle Oil vs. Central Garage at 6:45 p.m. SENIORS TO MEET The Weatherly Senior Citizens Friendship Club will meet today at 1:30 p.m. at Salem United Church of Christ. This session will feature the monthly fundraiser.

The Area Senior Citizens will meet today at 1:30 p.m. at the park pavilion. Refreshments will be served. HELP NEEDED Help is needed on Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church to carry the pies down the steps to the social rooms for the sale. Those wishing to help should meet at the church at 11:30 a.m.

For more information call Joan Barbush at 427-8222. TO RECITE POEM Alverna Reimold, local will recite an original poem entitled "Hands" at the Memorial Day ceremonies at Union Cemetery on Monday. She will be accompanied by Annette Jenkins playing "God Bless America" on the flute. Jenkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Gordon Jenkins, Fourth Street, is a 10th grade student at Weatherly High School. SENIOR BANQUET i The Weatherly High School Senior of the month banquet will be held June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Firehall. Tickets will cost $12 and reservations are requested by Tuesday. Clinton to sign bill outlawing gay The first time they were asked whether they'd ever passed out checks on the House floor, in the House cloakroom or anywhere else in the Capitol Building, Gephardt, Bonior and Fazio froze in place.

The leaders let freshman Rep. Lynn Rivers, offer a response that she had never done so and even discovered when she became a candidate that she didn't know anybody rich enough to write a $2,000 check. right tends to feel that the media harbor a leftist bias against them." But he noted that Republicans complained about the coverage former President Bush got in 1992, and that Democrats began decrying the coverage of Clinton as soon as he took office. "Our role, protected by the Constitution, is to make life as miserable as possible for the politicians in power to keep them honest," he said. marriages disappointed that the president needed to deal with this in a politically expedient manner." BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School will be held at Zions Lutheran Church from June 24 to 28 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The theme is "Friendship Adventures With Jesus." In addtion to lessons, music, crafts, recess and chimes, the students will have a scavenger hunt and a special sign language lesson. Come join us on our adventure. For questions call Lori DeMoor, 427-8481, or Edna O'Donnell, 427-8496. LIBRARY NEWS Vanishing Wetlands has been given to the high school library in memory of Phylis Truver by the Raynock family. The Lottery Winner and Jacob Have I Loved were donated to the high school library by the PTA from their recent book fair The WAHS Chapter of FBLS has donated the books, Hoop Dreams, Butterflies of the World and Turtles and Tortoise of the World to the high school library.

ly analysis of the news media's coverage of the Republican and Democratic conventions. The center also plans what it calls the "blast fax," issued to more than 1,000 journalists about specific alleged incidents of bias by their colleagues. "We're going to employ the politics of shame in 1996," Bozell said. David Bartlett, president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, said "the at a dinner in San Francisco on June 15. He already had accepted the invitation.

"This is a time to fortify the community," Russ Roeca, co-chairman of the event, said in a statement. "We need voices of strength and hope, and at the moment, George Stephanopoulos is neither." Stephanopoulos did not return a call seeking comment. Religious conservatives lobbying for the measure responded that they are pleased Clinton will sign the bill but said it doesn't make up for his support of other gay issues. "I must admit that I'm suspicious that his statement today is merely part of the now well-publicized effort to look like a conservative candidate for president," said Gary president of the conservative Family Research Council. The head of the Human Rights Campaign agreed that it was a tactical move.

"The signing of the bill is a capitulation to political religious extremist organizations," said Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the group that lobbies on gay and lesbian issues. "We are saddened and very WASHINGTON (AP) President Clinton would sign legislation pending in Congress to outlaw gay marriages, his spokesman said Wednesday. In angry reaction, a gay-rights group withdrew an invitation for a White House adviser to speak at a dinner next month. Clinton is on record opposing Special in ,1 ii ii JraderTom's Port WICKER HOME DECOR GIFTS GRAND OPENING SPECIAL 5 pc. Oak Bedroom $2,79900 Dresser Minor Queen Bed Chest on Chest Nite Table Not exactly as pictured Now until May 31 NO INTEREST FINANCING AVAILABLE WICKER (4 PIECE) CROSSWINDS FURNITURE SET REG.

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