EXHIBIT 23
                                                                               
                                ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                               Hartford, Connecticut
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                     CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
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         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
   incorporation of our report included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's
   previously filed Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration Statement
   No. 333-29515) concerning its Employee Savings Plan, Registration Statement
   on Form S-8 (Registration Statement No. 333-29521) concerning its Union
   Employee Savings Plan and its Registration Statement on Form S-3
   (Registration Statement No.33-38087-99) concerning its Automatic Dividend
   Reinvestment Plan.
    
    
    
    
    
    
                                                     S/ Arthur Andersen LLP    
                                                  --------------------------   
                                                       (ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP)   
                                                                               
                                                                               
   Hartford, Connecticut
   December 17, 1997