Exhibit 23 (a) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Everest & Jennings International Ltd. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 2-34571, 33-56777, 33-61581 and 33-62585) of Everest & Jennings International Ltd. of our report dated March 15, 1996 appearing on page 21 of this Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedule, which appears on page 54 of this Form 10-K. /s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP St. Louis, Missouri March 29, 1996