Exhibit 24








                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


                  As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to
             the incorporation of our report dated March 22, 1994,
             included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously
             filed Amendment No. 3 to Form S-4 Registration Statement No.
             33-21412 and Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration
             Statement No. 33-24927.





                                                ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.

             Washington, D.C.
             March 31, 1994.