New survey standards delayed
Disputed land-surveying standards that were to take effect tomorrow in Maryland will be delayed two months, state regulators and a surveyors group agreed yesterday in a Circuit Court hearing.
The Maryland Society of Surveyors Inc., joined by builders, real estate brokers, a land title company and Bell Atlantic-Maryland, sued the state earlier this month seeking to block enforcement of regulations that the plaintiffs charge will boost Maryland's already-high closing costs.
Members of the state Board for Professional Land Surveyors say they designed the standards to protect consumers from sloppy work.
The plaintiffs and representatives of the board and the Department of Licensing and Regulation agreed at a hearing to try to reach a consensus by Jan. 27.
New computer alliance set
International Business Machines Corp., Apple Computer Inc., AT&T; Corp. and Siemens AG will unveil an alliance today, called VERSIT, to standardize transmission of voice and data across computers and telephone lines, analysts said.
The alliance will create a worldwide standard to make it easier for travelers using portable computers, which employ analog technology, to send data over telephone lines, which in some offices and hotels are now digital.
Orion 1 satellite launched
Orion Atlantic, a Rockville-based satellite communications venture, put its first "bird" in orbit yesterday as Martin Marietta Astronautics launched an Atlas IIA rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch had been scheduled for last week but was postponed when a system malfunctioned seconds before liftoff.
Orion 1 is the first satellite to be launched for Orion Atlantic, a partnership of eight companies led by Orion Network Systems of Rockville.
Host Marriott credit line set
Host Marriott Corp. yesterday announced it has arranged a $230 million credit line to finance future hotel acquisitions. The seven-year credit facility, which will be tied to London Interbank interest rates, was structured by Bankers Trust Co., with five participants. The Bethesda-based lodging owner, which controls 110 properties totaling 28,000 rooms, intends to increase its portfolio by buying existing properties.
F&E; recycling plant tested
F&E; Resource Systems Technology Inc., announced yesterday that it has successfully completed acceptance testing of its Southeast Baltimore recycling and composting plant and is now operating at full capacity.
The $45 million plant removes steel, copper, tin, glass and other items from trash for recycling and converts the garbage into compost.