December 21, 2003

Federal appeals court decision in November suggests that government may be able to convert sophisticated safety and communications systems now available in automobiles into roaming in-car wiretaps; unidentified company challenged series of court orders requiring it to create roving bug for FBI; appeals court overturned orders, but its reasoning suggests that issue will recur; technology involved, which is used by OnStar, ATX and others, combines global positioning satellite with cellular telephone; drivers can use services to seek information and emergency help; spokeswoman for OnStar says that her company is not involved in case and that OnStar's setup is not capable of what she calls 'stealth listening'; photo (M)

First of three articles, When Workers Die, examines death of plumber's apprentice in collapsed trench, and government's response to lax safety procedures at company he worked for; Patrick M Walters, plumber's apprentice for Moeves Plumbing of Cincinnati, worked unprotected in 10-foot trench, a blatant violation of federal safety laws by company that had lost another worker in collapsed trench in 1989; Walters' family, seeking justice, finds that although it is federal crime for employer to cause worker's death by willfully violating safety laws, to initiate prosecution case must be referred to Justice Dept by OSHA, and that OSHA has shown great reluctance to prosecute even very worst cases; former OSHA employee cites as reasons scarce resources, fear of bad publicity, and collective belief that Justice Dept does not like these cases; in Walters case, OSHA concluded that Moeves Plumbing was guilty of serious safety violations but did not recommend criminal charges; OSHA would later say it achieved 'good solution' by obtaining Moeves Plumbing's promise of additional vigilance and training, same promise company made in 1989 after first worker died in collapsed trench; photos (L)

Julie Salamon essay about her novella, The Christmas Tree, about Rockefeller Center tree; describes similarities between David Murbach, real-life manager of center's gardens division, and book's main character; drawing (M)

FedEx Corp, package delivery service, copes with Christmas season rush; peak night at Memphis hub is in mid-December when beginning of most hectic time for air delivery overlaps end of busiest season for ground deliveries; graphs of financial data; photos (M)

Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who is once again subject of trade talks as Boston Red Sox pursue signing perennial all-star, was likely prompted to leave Seattle Mariners for lowly Rangers for more money and chance to carry team on his own; photos (M)