ACSR

The advisory committee rejected unanimously a resolution that would prohibit Merck & Co. from contributing assets to political candidates, parties or government officials to purchase favor for its own operations because the committee found the resolution "badly worded and ambiguous."

The company's management has assured shareholders it will not permit corporate political contributions in the United States, even where it is not illegal.

The committee also rejected unanimously a resolution that would require Merck & Co. to disclose all political contributions of $50,000 or more over the past ten years because it said it is concerned about the "the consequences of retroactive disclosure." The committee has asked the company to adopt a policy of making such disclosure in the future.