EXHIBIT 99.1
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   [Newell logo]                                             News Release
   Freeport, Illinois
   SECURITIES LISTED  NYSE/CSE
   Common Stock (Symbol-NWL)
                                                                
                STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE NEWELL RUBBERMAID MERGER

        FREEPORT, IL and WOOSTER, OH  March 11, 1999 - Newell Co. (NYSE,
   CSE: NWL) and Rubbermaid Incorporated (NYSE: RBD) announced today that
   at separate stockholders' meetings held today, their stockholders
   approved the previously announced merger of Newell and Rubbermaid
   through a tax-free exchange of shares.  At the time of the merger,
   Rubbermaid shareholders will receive 0.7883 of a share of Newell
   common stock for each share of Rubbermaid common stock they own.  The
   companies expect to complete the merger within the next two weeks. 
   The combined company will be called Newell Rubbermaid Inc. and will
   join the exceptional financial performance and superior customer
   service of Newell with the powerful brand franchises and new product
   development focus of Rubbermaid. 

        Based in Freeport, Illinois, Newell Co. is a multi-national
   manufacturer and marketer of  high-volume staple consumer products
   with 1998 sales of $3.7 billion and approximately 32,000 employees. 
   Their products are sold through a variety of retail and wholesale
   distribution channels. Business segments include hardware and home
   furnishings, including Amerock  cabinet hardware, Bulldog(R) home
   hardware, EZ Paintr(R) paint applicators, BernzOmatic(R) torches,
   Kirsch(R), Levolor(R) and Newell(R) window treatments, Intercraft(R),
   Decorel(R) and Holson Burnes(R) picture frames and LeeRowan(R) home
   storage, office products such as Sanford(R), Berol(R), Eberhard
   Faber(R) and Rotring(R) writing instruments and Eldon(R) and
   Rolodex(R) office storage and organization products, and housewares,
   including Mirro(R), WearEver(R), PanexTM and Calphalon(R) cookware,
   Anchor Hocking(R) glassware and Goody(R) hair accessories.

        Rubbermaid Incorporated, headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, is a
   multi-national, leading-brand  manufacturer and marketer of
   high-quality, innovative products, including Rubbermaid(R) consumer
   and commercial products, Little Tikes(R) traditional toys and
   commercial play systems, and Graco(R) and Century(R) infant
   furnishings.  The company employs approximately 12,000 people
   around the world.  
     



        The statements contained in this press release that are not
   historical in nature are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking
   statements are not guarantees since there are inherent difficulties in
   predicting future results, and actual results could differ materially
   from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
   These factors include, without limitation, those disclosed in Newell's
   and Rubbermaid's Form 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange
   Commission and in Newell's S-4 Registration Statement filed with the
   Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the merger.

        At Newell
        Ross A. Porter, Jr.
        Vice President - Investor Relations
        6833 Stalter Drive
        Suite 101
        Rockford, IL 61108
        (815) 381-8150







































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