Distant thunder of trade war grows // But a loud silence from affected firms

The public silence coming from U.S. companies and pockets ofindustries that would be adversely affected by the Reaganadministration's proposed trade sanctions on Japan have been nearlydeafening.

Among major companies, only Honeywell Inc. and Honeywell Bull,the newly created company into which Honeywell folded its computerbusiness, have expressed anything approaching a complaint since 100percent tariffs on selected Japanese products were announced 10 daysago. Yet some U.S. firms have good reason to speak up loudly - atleast to government officials. Apparently they are talking toCommerce Department and U.S. trade officials and don't want toendanger a possible exclusion …