EXHIBIT 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY We, the undersigned officers and directors of Crompton & Knowles Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Vincent A. Calarco, Charles J. Marsden, and John T. Ferguson, II, and each of them severally, our true and lawful attorneys or attorney, with full power to them and each of them to execute for us, and in our names in the capacities indicated below, and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Crompton & Knowles Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 25, 1993, and any and all amendments thereto. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have signed this Power of Attorney in the capacities indicated on January 25, 1994. Signature Title Principal Executive Officer: /s/ Vincent A. Calarco Chairman of the Board, Vincent A. Calarco President, CEO and Director Principal Financial Officer: /s/ Charles J. Marsden Vice President, Finance Charles J. Marsden and Director Principal Accounting Officer: /s/ Peter Barna Treasurer Peter Barna /s/ James A. Bitonti Director James A. Bitonti /s/ Harry W. Buchanan Director Harry W. Buchanan /s/ Robert A. Fox Director Robert A. Fox /s/ Roger L. Headrick Director Roger L. Headrick /s/ Leo I. Higdon, Jr. Director Leo I. Higdon, Jr. /s/ Michael W. Huber Director Michael W. Huber /s/ Warren A. Law Director Warren A. Law /s/ C.A. Piccolo Director C.A. Piccolo /s/ Howard B. Wentz, Jr. Director Howard B. Wentz, Jr.