May 21, 1991

Federated Department Stores appointed Michael Gould yesterday to succeed Marvin S. Traub as chairman and chief executive of Bloomingdale's, and both men painted a rosy picture of the innovative retailer's future, including a possible resumption of plans to expand across the United States and abroad. Mr. Gould's appointment is effective on Aug. 1, but he will not formally assume the top posts until Nov. 15. Mr. Gould, who is 48 years old, is president and chief executive of Giorgio Beverly Hills, the perfumes producer and retailer. His new post is one of the most prestigious jobs in retailing, with responsibility for the 15-store flagship division of Federated and a compensation package estimated at $1 million. Period of Adjustment Planned Mr. Traub, who is 66, is considered by many in retailing to be one of the industry's most creative and forward-looking executives. He was named a vice chairman of Federated in 1988 and will concentrate on that post until his employment contract runs out, and he retires, in June 1993, he said. It became known in November that Federated had begun a search, with Mr. Traub's cooperation, for his successor at Bloomingdale's.

The State Senate today overwhelmingly passed a compromise measure to protect the employment rights of smokers, making it likely that the bill will become law. The bill was already approved in the Assembly by a wide margin but must return to the lower house once more for a vote on technical amendments.

This Sunday's Indianapolis 500, which usually attract's the world's largest crowd for a one-day sporting event, will once again be a showcase of British automotive design and engineering skills. There are no made-in-Britain labels on the sleek, spider-like racing cars at the Brickyard, where cars are plastered nose to tail with American brand names like Miller, Marlboro, Hertz and Pennzoil. But the engines and car bodies that dominate the Indy-class races are made mainly by specialized companies in England, whose workshops are a blend of high technology and hand craftsmanship. The dozens of specialist English manufacturers, foundries and suppliers in the Midlands and southern England comprise the Silicon Valley of auto racing.

House Democrats plan to blunt criticism by the Bush Administration of this year's civil rights legislation by specifically outlawing the use of quotas in hiring and promotion. The legislation is intended to make it easier for women and minority members to sue over alleged job discrimination, but the Administration has contended that such a measure would lead employers to use quotas as a way to stay out of court.

Military Spending Debate The House of Representatives took up a $291 billion military budget bill that is largely unaffected by the Persian Gulf war. Page A18.