October 11, 1997

Report by Whitewater independent counsel, Kenneth W Starr, concludes that deputy White House counsel Vincent Foster Jr committed suicide in 1993, refuting persistent speculation that he was victim of foul play; says he had shown classic signs of depression and vulnerability from growing pressures of job; traces last days of life and analyzes evidence surrounding his death; findings detailed (M)

Florida Marlins defeat Alanta Braves, 5-2, to take 2-1 lead in National League Championships; photo (M)

Major tobacco companies settle with estimated 60,000 former and current flight attendants and their survivors first class-action suit over effects of smoking on nonsmokers, agreeing to spend $300 million for study of tobacco-related diseases; does not acknowledge that second-hand smoke is harmful and will pay plaintiffs themselves nothing, even though plaintiffs' lawyers will receive $49 million in fees and costs; terms of settlement discussed; lead plaintiff, Norma Broin, comments; photo (M)

Harassment complaint is filed against Atlantic City Mayor James Whelan by man who was among a group of city residents who led unsuccessful recall effort against Whelan earlier this year; man, David Calloway, accuses Whelan of grabbing his arm and shoving him when they argued on Thursday before ribbon-cutting ceremony for new housing project (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

Stock market advance has been broadening out in recent months, pushing up prices of nimbler small and midsize companies that languished during big boom in blue chip stocks; analysts say market expansion reflects growing investor confidence in economy as whole; are less worried now about comparison of this year's market with ill-fated 1987 market, which did not broaden out before crashing; graphs; photo (L)

Authorities say that auto theft ring stole hundreds of new automobiles from northern New Jersey dealerships by switching real ignition keys with look-alikes after test drive, and coming back later with real key to drive cars off lot; Bergen County Prosecutor William H Schmidt says that six men, including ringleader of scheme, Michael Kiscka, were arrested and three others are still at large (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

MCI Communications Corp board orders MCI's bankers and lawyers to examine Worldcom Inc's unsolicited takeover bid (M)

New Jersey Education Dept is investigating claims of corruption in Asbury Park Board of Education; audit will focus on district's budget, its governance and residency of board members (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

Robert Viscusi, English professor at Brooklyn College, writes Oration Upon the Most Recent Death of Christopher Columbus, epic poem on conflicting emotions stirred by Columbus Quincentenary in 1992; he will recite poem at Columbus Expo aboard aircraft carrier Intrepid; Viscusi says his poem is neither celebration nor diatribe, but a 'nuanced take' on Columbus; drawing of Columbus (M)

Interview with Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina, on his ties to hometown of Montoursville, Pa, where he coaches high school football; photos (M)

The Fine Print, article in ongoing series on pork barrel politics on Capitol Hill, examines military appropriations bill signed by Pres Clinton that contains provision giving millionaire investor, Sam Zell, 30-year monopoly on cruise business in Hawaii, for which he must commit to buying two American-built vessels for about $400 million each; many regard provision as little more than stealth deal to protect key business in Hawaii, home state of Sen Daniel K Inouye, ranking Democrat on Defense appropriations, from competition; Inouye says provision was necessary to get American Classic Voyages to shoulder financial risk of buying vessels; says monopoly is small concession for measure that would bolster Hawaiian tourism, jump-start industry that has not built large cruise ship in US in 40 years, and reduce shipyards' dependence on Federal funds; Sen John McCain, vocal critic of provision, says there ws no compelling reason to give American Classic monopoly; says it is simply example of pork-barrel spending that has nothing to do with defense (M)

Cutbacks at Westinghouse Eliminating 2,000 Jobs Westinghouse said it would cut 2,000 jobs, or 13 percent of the work force, in its industrial group as part of a previously announced plan to divide into media and industrial companies.