Dennis Wharton, an association spokesman, said, "Our board has told us they think the 35 percent cap in appropriate."

An association spokesman, Richard Martin, acknowledged that food companies were not doing much of this.

There were 21 abstentions, said Trevor Phillips, an association spokesman.

An association spokesman would not say if they had been dismissed or had resigned.

Rich Taylor, the association spokesman, said the appeal would be filed "some time in the next couple of weeks."

Plans for selecting a permanent successor have not yet been made, an association spokesman, William Jackson, said yesterday.

"There's not a whole lot we can do," said Andrew Martin, an association spokesman.

An association spokesman said that the ruling would be appealed.

Bill Powers, an association spokesman, said the heavy donations were possible because of a flood of new members and money.

Steve Carrellas, an association spokesman, said speed and control are more important than price.