After the verdict, Exxon's chairman, Lee R. Raymond, issued a statement.

The announcement came one day before the Fed's chairman, Alan Greenspan, issues the semiannual report to Congress on the economy and monetary policy.

Last week, the chairman and chief executive of the Coca-Cola Company issued one of the more elaborate public apologies by an American business leader.

Sunbeam's chairman and chief executive, Albert J. Dunlap, issued a tough rejoinder.

The former chairman, Anthony R. Masilotti, 50, resigned from office on Friday and issued a public apology.

The chairman, Howard E. Steinberg, issued a statement saying the authority needs a new capital program to maintain its aging roads and bridges.

The chairman of Marshall Field issued a statement saying that managers were expected to bid for the chain.

Paramount's chairman, Martin S. Davis, clearly pleased, issued a statement praising the , latest deal.

Instead, the company's chairman, Mitchell I. Quain, issued a statement saying the plan was fair because it left it up to investors whether to tender.

But the rules of Mr. Burton's committee allow the chairman to issue subpoenas on his own, without consulting the Democrats.