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                                                                   EXHIBIT 24(a)


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints James M. Herron, Edward R. Henderson and Yasmine B.
Zyne, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Ryder System, Inc. Form S-8
Registration Statement and/or the Post-Effective Amendments to the Form S-8
Registration Statements for the Ryder System, Inc. Stock for Merit Increase
Replacement Plan and any and all amendments thereto and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and with the New York Stock Exchange,
Chicago Stock Exchange, and Pacific Stock Exchange, granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue thereof.


                                              /s/ Arthur H. Bernstein
                                              --------------------------
                                                  Arthur H. Bernstein


STATE OF FLORIDA          )
                          ) ss:
COUNTY OF DADE            )

Before me appeared Arthur H. Bernstein, personally known to me and known to me
to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and
acknowledged to and before me this 17th day of February, 1995 that he or she
executed said instrument for the purposes therein expressed.

                                              Witness my hand and official seal:


                                                    Lourdes Palomares
                                               ----------------------------
                                                      Notary Public

My commission expires: