1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our reports included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed Registration Statements File Nos. 2-77590, 2-95258, 2-33661, 33-51257, 033- 63859, 333-09851 and 333-48423. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP New York, New York April 2, 1998