August 4, 1995

House Republican leaders delayed final action early this morning on legislation that would open the nation's telephone and cable companies to freewheeling competition. The bill is still expected to pass the House of Representatives by a comfortable margin -- though it faces a threatened Presidential veto. But a protracted debate and action on an unrelated appropriations bill ran past midnight, well beyond the time the House was scheduled to take up the telecommunications bill.

Hardly anyone ever looked at the fine print behind the most common form of municipal borrowing in California until Bruce Bennett came along. Mr. Bennett looked -- and decided that while these borrowings, called "certificates of participation," trade in California as bonds, they are not really bonds at all, but legally a form of lease. As the lawyer steering the Orange County bankruptcy, he has argued that they should be declared leases, making it easier for any town or county to walk away from its obligations.

"Essex County has a long and sad history of corruption," said County Executive James W. Treffinger in announcing yesterday that he had established a code of ethics for county officials and employees. The code, which takes effect immediately, prohibits county officials from taking gifts or favors from people they do business with, soliciting contributions during work hours or on county property or using county cars for personal business.

State Dept. vs. Pentagon Warren Christopher criticized the Pentagon for sending two attaches into China as he is trying to end a political chill with Beijing. Page A4. 'Star Wars' Plan Is Revived The Senate moved ahead with plans to revive a version of President Reagan's "Star Wars" program, beating back Democrat opposition. Page A3. Focus on Hillary Clinton The Senate Whitewater panel sought new clues about Hillary Rodham Clinton's role in the handling Vincent W. Foster Jr.'s files. Page A22. Exemption Under Attack The Senate Judiciary Committee approved, by 9-8, a measure that would partly repeal baseball's 73-year-old antitrust exemption. Page B7.

Shopping malls and their air-conditioned open spaces are becoming refuges from the heat for many families, who are giving stores a midsummer boost in sales even after most everyone's need for a fan or air conditioner has been met.