The committee is expected to adopt most of the staff recommendations in the panel's final report, which is due before January.

A decision by the commission is expected soon on a staff recommendation that the character be banned.

The top Federal land manager has rejected a staff recommendation to make his agency an advocate for the minerals industry, it was announced today.

Agency officials also said the staff recommendation had included a proposal for a $500,000 fine against the News Corporation.

More importantly, however, the staff recommendation may signal a shift in the commission's philosophy.

"The staff recommendation is dead," one agency official said of the proposal to require ownership changes.

"It's scary," said an aide to one commissioner, of the staff recommendation.

Since many readers are browsers, staff recommendations make it easier to select a book.

According to the lawyer who has followed the investigation, however, the situation could still change because staff recommendations are not always accepted by the commission.

The staff recommendation is to go before the Calpers investment committee on May 13.