51.   Separately, a consumers group called on state regulators to reject the merger proposal, and filed a legal brief supporting its position.

52.   Sweeney said he has briefed the antitrust regulator on the merger proposal and said the regulator voiced no opposition to the plan.

53.   Such customer support could prove invaluable to the two railroads as the Interstate Commerce Commission begins the long process of reviewing their merger proposal.

54.   That would trump a merger proposal from NTL Inc, which operates cable TV networks in Wales and Northern Ireland and has been in talks with Telewest since September.

55.   That would trump a merger proposal from NTL Inc., which operates cable TV networks in Wales and Northern Ireland and has been in talks with Telewest since September.

56.   Texaco Inc. said Wednesday that its board had rejected a merger proposal from Chevron Corp. and ended all takeover talks.

57.   The exchange has responded to previous merger proposals by saying its agreement with the Cotton exchange prevents it from negotiating separately.

58.   The Federal Trade Commission rejected a merger proposal between Staples and Office Depot, two large discounters that sell office supplies.

59.   The merger proposal is subject to due diligence, and a special committee of its board of directors is expected to review the terms of the merger promptly.

60.   The merger proposal sparked criticism from Democrats and Common Cause.