51.   Kairys noted that a key turning point in the battle against the tobacco industry was when cigarette company executives told a congressional hearing that cigarettes were not addictive.

52.   Last fall, CNN executives told employees that each position was being reviewed as part of a networkwide reorganization coinciding with the AOL Time Warner merger.

53.   Of course, the executives probably did tell whoppers.

54.   Off-price store executives will tell you that part of their strength is in drawing BMWs and Escorts alike into their parking lots.

55.   One company executive tells of flying to Virginia to meet with Leonsis five times and having every appointment canceled.

56.   One Tokyo bank executive told me how he envied the Japanese subsidiary of Citibank, which waives certain fees for customers who keep a large minimum balance.

57.   Oracle executives told analysts and investors yesterday that strong demand for its software in its fiscal fourth quarter cut into sales in the fiscal first quarter.

58.   Phillippi of Lehman Brothers said GM executives told analysts that the difficulties in introducing the Cavalier and Sunfire contributed to the delay.

59.   Since then, Morgan Stanley executives have told prosecutors that the payment had nothing to do with Curry, lawyers involved in the matter said.

60.   Sprint executives repeatedly have told Wall Street they will lower that expense.