Delta offers early retirementDelta Air Lines, in the...

Delta offers early retirement

Delta Air Lines, in the latest of several moves to rebound from a prolonged financial slump, said it was offering early retirement to 3,000 employees.

Though the program is expected to save the Atlanta-based airline money in the long run, each worker who accepts the early retirement offer will cost Delta $70,000, the company said yesterday. If all the eligible workers participate, that would amount to $210 million.

Prospects good for farm aid to Md.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy said yesterday that Maryland farmers stand a good chance of receiving federal drought relief.

Gov. William Donald Schaefer's request for disaster aid "is worthy," Mr. Espy said, adding that he needed to study the request further.