April 14, 1993

Consumers cut spending at retail counters by 1 percent in March, the biggest monthly decline in more than two years, the Commerce Department said today in a report that was considerably weaker than expected. Although the midmonth blizzard that paralyzed much of the Northeast and South was widely acknowledged to have had an adverse impact, Government and private analysts said there was little doubt that the poor sales results also suggested a further slackening of economic growth.

When she was only 4 months old, Morgan Gelblum was found to have a disease her parents had never heard of, a genetic deterioration of the brain that means the little girl is never expected to sit, crawl, walk or talk, or live through childhood. That diagnosis was three years ago, and Morgan's parents, Seth Gelblum and Orren Alperstein Gelblum, now know more than many doctors about Canavan Disease. One of the things they know best is that medical research is not moving quickly enough to help them. So they are trying to help themselves by raising money and financing their own research.

A task force appointed by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo called today for the quick restoration at public expense of major Long Island beaches that suffered severe erosion during the winter's bruising storms. In an interim report released today, the task force began the complicated process of setting limits on the public's responsibility for rebuilding beaches and structures that are vulnerable to routine battering by storms and the constant pounding of the wind and tide.

President Clinton told Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa Tuesday night that American contributions to Russia would increase by at least $2 billion, officials here said today. The figure would more than double the original $1.6 billion the President had pledged to Russia.

Eric Buechel tours his domain at a brisk pace, assessing his inventory with the pragmatic humor of an undertaker. In his warehouse sit rows of hulking computers, each weighing tons. They once whirred and flashed, but now they rest cold, unplugged, discarded. "This is where mainframes come to die," Mr. Buechel declared, smiling and patting one of the big metal boxes with mercenary affection.