EXHIBIT 23







                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our reports dated January 27, 1997,  included or incorporated by reference in
this Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,  1996,  into the  Corporation's
previously filed Registration Statements on Forms S-8 and S-3, (File No.
33-45431, File No. 33-45556 and File No. 33- 51089).




                               ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

New York, New York
March 17, 1997