41.   In the first half of this century, the length of service started to increase as the powers of Congress grew.

42.   Investors took the increase as a sign that the reform will eventually pass, which would help companies by letting them hire and fire workers at less cost.

43.   Instead, military contractors, who were never wimps in Washington, have actually seen their power increase as their numbers decrease.

44.   Industry backers plan a rally next Tuesday of nursing home workers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to portray support for Medicare increases as support for the elderly.

45.   Japanese exports to the U.S. are expected to increase as automakers and other assemblers continue to depend on overseas sales to offset the slowdown at home.

46.   Kemp, for one, rejected tax increases as a solution that would be worse than the problem.

47.   Los Angeles area retailers reported double-digit sales increases as shoppers left crowded malls with packages in hand.

48.   Lubbock city leaders touted the sales-tax increase as the cornerstone for a city economic development plan.

49.   Like any commodity, the value of proper fundamentals increases as supply vanishes.

50.   Most traders and analysts see a rate increase as an unqualified negative for the stock market.