LEAD: A Federal judge in New York gave 55 retailers an early Christmas present yesterday, listing them as the classiest stores in the country.

Judge Weighs Mass v. Class In Settling Battle of 2 Scents

LEAD: President-elect Roh Tae Woo said today that he would give up the presidency if he lost a public vote of confidence that he has pledged to seek after the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

Winner in Seoul Promises to Quit If a Plebiscite Does Not Back Him

LEAD: The United States and its principal economic allies said today that they had agreed to ''cooperate closely'' on averting further ''excessive'' changes in the dollar's value.

7 Allies Back Stability For Dollar

LEAD: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development urged the United States and West Germany today to take stronger steps to reduce their trade imbalances to help restore market confidence and reinforce world economic expansion.

O.E.C.D. Prods U.S. And Bonn

LEAD: Two associates of Attorney General Edwin Meese 3d were indicted with a third man yesterday on charges involving payoffs for efforts to win Mr. Meese's help for the Wedtech Corporation, a Bronx military contractor.

Three Are Charged With Plotting To Influence Meese for Wedtech

LEAD: New York City's housing agency is seeking to demolish a century-old Brooklyn apartment building that is under the protection of the City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

New York City Seeks To Raze a Landmark

LEAD: Worlds of Wonder Inc., the toy maker that only last year set a record as one of the fastest-growing companies in history, has filed for protection under the bankruptcy laws.

Fast-Growing Toy Maker's Hard Fall

LEAD: As Stan Lundine flew north into the Adirondacks recently, he knew he was returning to friendly territory, a place where he could feel safe without bodyguards.

In Collider Project, Lundine is Lightning Rod

LEAD: Citing the complicated W-4 forms, the I.R.S. said it would not penalize Americans who had too little withheld from their 1987 paychecks. Page D2.  U.S. and Bonn Urged to Act

Tax Break: No Penalty

LEAD: Two reputed leaders in the Gambino organized-crime family, including the man described as the group's new underboss, were convicted last night of taking part in a racketeering conspiracy and of other Federal charges.

4 Convicted At Mob Trial In Brooklyn

LEAD: The day they issued the tourist visa to the world of the other half was the day there was a madman on the subway platform, three helpless beggars on the train and an evangelical screamer at the end of the line - in short, a day like any other down here on the ground.

About New York; Place of Civility, Or a Tourist Visa For Rhett Butler

LEAD: In one wrenching year, the Howard Beach case dramatized the vulnerability of black New Yorkers, divided the city and, finally, achieved a result that already seems to have restored a measure of faith in the criminal-justice system for many black people.

Howard Beach Verdict: Mixed Message

LEAD: CHRISTMAS is a day to spend with food and familiars, pine boughs and wrapping paper, unless you have a job that automatically puts you out of the running for Mr. or Ms. Sociability of the holiday season.

Some Only Dream Of Holiday at Home

LEAD: INTERNATIONAL  The O.E.C.D. urged the U.S. and West Germany to take stronger steps to reduce their trade imbalances in order to restore market confidence and reinforce world economic expansion. The organization reserved its strongest criticism for Bonn in a report that predicted sluggish growth for the U.S.

BUSINESS DIGEST: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1987

LEAD: Highlighting its intention to stake a claim at the leading edge of computer technology, the International Business Machines Corporation today announced plans for an ambitious joint development project with a tiny, three-month-old company led by one of the world's leading supercomputer scientists.

I.B.M. in Joint Venture On Supercomputers

LEAD: President Reagan today signed a catch-all spending measure and a bill to hold down the Federal deficit, allowing a battle-weary Congress to call it quits at last for 1987.

CONGRESS FINISHES

LEAD: A former state senator who disappeared two years ago after a staged scuba-diving death off Grand Bahama Island has been seized on the island of Male in the Indian Ocean, Federal authorities said today.

Fugitive Jersey Politician Seized Off India's Coast

LEAD: A Brooklyn judge was cleared yesterday of an allegation that he humiliated a complainant by ordering her to re-enact a rape. At the same time, the state's Chief Administrative Judge recommended that the Brooklyn District Attorney be investigated for making the allegation.

Judge Cleared of Witness Abuse; Investigation of Holtzman Is Urged

LEAD: An international team of scientists has discovered what appears to be a single gene that determines whether a human embryo will grow into a male or a female.

Single Gene May Determine Sex of an Embryo

LEAD: After days of quiet and unsuccessful diplomatic appeals to Israeli leaders, the Reagan Administration today issued an unusual public criticism of the ''harsh security measures and excessive use of live ammunition'' by Israeli troops who have been confronting Palestinian demonstrators.

CRITICISM OF ISRAEL SHARPENED BY U.S. ON ARAB PROTESTS

LEAD: IT is true, as has often been observed, that a terrine is nothing more than a meat loaf with a French accent. But it is equally true that one of the most welcome presentations on the holiday table could be a well-made terrine maison, a savory mixture of rough-textured chopped pork, pork fat and liver that has been flavored with warm aromatics like cinnamon and allspice.

Pates and Terrines For Winter Eves

LEAD: AS ultrafeminine forms and doll-like frills recapture the fashion scene this season, Barbie, at age 28, is being taken very seriously.

Barbie: Doll, Icon Or Sexist Symbol?

LEAD: David Dworkin is moving from one big-name retail chain to another -from the presidency of Neiman-Marcus in Dallas to a similar post with Bonwit Teller in New York.

Head of Neiman-Marcus Shifts to Bonwit Teller

LEAD: ''We began the dawn on a good note, a note of compromise.

Quotation of the Day

LEAD: The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it would not penalize Americans who had too little withheld from their paychecks this year.

I.R.S. Won't Penalize Those Underwithheld on 1987 Pay

Tommaso Bellazzini is an Italian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Aglianese.

Tommaso Bellazzini, Italian footballer

Tommaso_Bellazzini

Owen Thomas Franks is a New Zealand rugby player who currently plays for Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition. His usual position is tighthead prop.

Owen Franks, New Zealand rugby player

Owen_Franks

Jori Jonatan Lehterä is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for HIFK of the Liiga. A centreman, he was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the third round, 65th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He won a bronze medal with Finland at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

December 23, 1987

Headlines from December 23, 1987

Judge Weighs Mass v. Class In Settling Battle of 2 Scents

Winner in Seoul Promises to Quit If a Plebiscite Does Not Back Him

7 Allies Back Stability For Dollar

O.E.C.D. Prods U.S. And Bonn

Three Are Charged With Plotting To Influence Meese for Wedtech

Billboard 200

Dirty Dancing

Bad

Faith

Whitesnake

Tiffany

Notable Births

Historical Context for December 23, 1987