21.   A draconian proposal by the Presidential Appointee Initiative called for cutting the number of political appointees by one-third.

22.   A merger of the two companies raises antitrust questions on the commercial aircraft side because it would cut the number of civil airplane makers in the U.S. to one.

23.   A segment of dramatic readings from nominated plays, inserted late into the broadcast, added to the controversy when the musical number was cut.

24.   A Sega spokesman said the company has no plans now to cut the number of shipments.

25.   A weaker dollar cuts the number of francs French exporters earn for dollar sales.

26.   A Union Pacific-Santa Fe merger would reduce rail competition in California by cutting the number of railroads from three to two.

27.   A widely criticized government decision to cut the number of polling places in urban areas, which are opposition strongholds, is now likely to come under renewed scrutiny.

28.   A weaker dollar cuts the number of francs exporters get for every dollar earned from oil sales.

29.   A weaker dollar hurts exporters because it cuts the number of francs they get from revenue generated abroad.

30.   According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, it has already cut the number of assault weapons involved in crimes.