Cooper denies accusations in liability case

FINDLAY, Ohio (Aug. 29)—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is taking issue with a newspaper report on a product liability case in Arkansas. The Aug. 24 article in the "Chicago Sun-Times" cited testimony by former Tupelo, Miss., workers, accusing Cooper of some of the poor quality control practices Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. is accused of by plaintiffs´ attorneys in other cases. These practices include using an awl to burst bubbles in tires and using solvents to mold old rubber into shape. A Cooper spokeswoman said awling was "a safe and harmless procedure" the company stopped in 1995 because of one inner liner puncture, and it has strict standards regarding the use of rubber. Bruce Kaster, an Ocala, Fla., plaintiffs´ attorney working on the Cooper case and also on suits against Bridgestone/Firestone, claimed it was "well-established by sworn testimony" that Cooper has poor quality control at Tupelo.