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                                                                    EXHIBIT 5(A)
 
                              ITT INDUSTRIES, INC.
                              4 West Red Oak Lane
                             White Plains, NY 10604
 
                                                              September 22, 1998
ITT Industries, Inc.
4 West Red Oak Lane
White Plains, NY 10604
 
Dear Sirs:
 
     I am familiar with the ITT Industries Investment and Savings Plan for
Salaried Employees (the "Investment and Savings Plan") of ITT Industries, Inc.,
an Indiana corporation ("ITT Industries"), under which an additional 7,500,000
shares of ITT Industries common stock, par value $1 per share, will be made
available for issuance (the "Shares"). I have acted as counsel to ITT Industries
in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with respect
to the registration under the Act of the Shares and 7,500,000 Series A
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (the "Rights") which
are appurtenant to, and trade with, the Shares. I have examined such records,
documents and proceedings as I have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for
the opinion expressed herein.
 
     Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares, when issued
pursuant to the provisions of the Investment and Savings Plan as set forth in
the Registration Statement and ITT Industries' policies relating thereto, and
any conditions or restrictions relating thereto shall have been satisfied, will
be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable. When the Rights are issued in
accordance with the terms of the Investment and Savings Plan and the Rights Plan
between ITT Industries and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent, the Rights
will be duly and validly issued.
 
     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          Robert W. Beicke
                                          Vice President, Associate General
                                          Counsel
                                          and Assistant Secretary