Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Friday, November 14, 1997
Gates assails 'witch hunt' against Microsoft
SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates lashed out at his increasingly vocal critics today, accusing them of creating a "witch hunt atmosphere" and unfairly tarring the software giant.At the company's annual shareholders meeting, Gates blamed a recent increase in what he called "anti-Microsoft activities" on a coordinated effort by industry rivals IBM Corp., Oracle Corp. and Sun Microsystems Inc.
Gates cited recent action against the company by the U.S. Justice Department and a two-day conference on Microsoft convened in Washington yesterday by consumer activist Ralph Nader.
IBM lays off hundreds after buyout offer
NEW YORK -- IBM Corp. is laying off hundreds of employees in a drive to trim costs in its domestic sales and distribution operation.The cuts affect only a fraction of the North American unit's 20,000 employees. But it follows offers of voluntary buyouts to many of IBM's 241,000 employees last month that could add up to thousands of more job cuts.
IBM, based in Armonk, N.Y., plans to revamp the unit by Jan. 1. IBM spokesman Jim Ruderman confirmed the layoffs.
Mazda president quits with company doing well
TOKYO -- Mazda Motor Corp. said president Henry Wallace, the first non-Japanese to head a major Japanese company, stepped down today after helping steer the world's 12th largest automaker out of a four-year slump.Wallace, 52, said it was an appropriate time to step down, citing Mazda's improved financial performance and strengthened ties with Ford Motor Co., which owns a one-third stake.