February 1, 1996

While the rest of the country fussed over this state's novel election-by-mail, Oregon voters today appeared more astonished at the result of their experiment: for the first time in 34 years, they sent a Democrat to the United States Senate. What is more, in a race that was seen as a trial run for Congressional races this fall, they elected a liberal Democrat, Representative Ron Wyden of Portland, who not only embraced President Clinton but also put him to work on a last-minute campaign mailgram.

Investors on Main Street love mutual funds, but the smart money on Wall Street has sent a strong signal that the brightest days of the rapidly growing mutual fund industry may be past. Federated Investors, the nation's 10th- largest mutual fund company, yesterday canceled a planned initial public offering in which it hoped to raise more than $20 million to expand its money-management business.

Information obtained in genetic screenings by a potential employer or insurance company would be protected as private property under legislation to be proposed today by Democratic State Senator Jack Sinagra. The bill would prohibit basing a decision to hire or insure someone on data from genetic testing or releasing such information without consent.

Fed Lowers Interest Rates To Nudge a Weak Economy The Federal Reserve lowered short-term interest rates by one-quarter percentage point to give the economy a modest spark. In its second rate cut in six weeks, the central bank lowered the Federal Funds rate at which banks lend each other money overnight to 5.25 percent and the discount rate, at which it lends banks money, to 5 percent.

BUILDING the Buttrick family residence in Lyme, Conn., was a wonderful opportunity (actually, it was a nightmare). The house was designed for two people (O.K., more like 16).