CHAIRMAN SUBPOENAS FOUR CIGARETTE MAKERS

One of the tobacco industry's staunchest allies in Congress subpoenaed four
cigarette makers Thursday for hundreds of documents that purportedly show
industry fraud.

Rep. Thomas Bliley, chairman of the House Commerce Committee, last month
ordered tobacco companies to produce 834 documents that they are
withholding from a Minnesota court set to hear that state's lawsuit to
recover the cost of treating sick smokers.

A courtappointed officer who has reviewed some of the documents has said
they contain evidence that the industry deliberately misled the public
about the dangers of smoking.

Bliley gave the industry until Thursday to release the documents, saying
it's vital for Congress to know what is in them before considering
legislation that could give tobacco companies broad immunity from future
lawsuits.

But the companies ignored Bliley's demand.

A Bliley aide conformed that the subpoenas were being served late Thursday
to four cigarette makers: Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson
and Lorillard Inc. Bliley said he was giving the companies until noon today
to comply, but his office could not say what action the congressman would
take if they do not comply.