20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK: Construction of new housing in California fell nearly 22 percent in September, totaling 201,000 units, compared to 256,000 units in August Meeting in Brussels, European economic officials agreed to begin pursuing a single monetary system Seeking to protect consumers from unscrupulous used-car dealers, the Federal Trade Commission proposed a so-called “lemon law.”

THE NEWSMAKER

Francis T. Vincent, president of Columbia Pictures, announced a series of steps to prevent embezzlement and fraud at the studio. The move came in the wake of news that David Begelman, president of Columbia’s motion picture and television division, had obtained corporate funds for his own use by forging paychecks.

THE NUMBERS

November 9, 1978

Dow Jones Industrial Average 807.61

London gold $218.8/oz.

CB 40-channel radio $49.99

Seagram’s 7-Crown, 1.75 liter $10.99