SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: July 16, 1996
A. T. CROSS COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
RHODE ISLAND 1-6720 05-0126220
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation of organization) File Number) Identification No.)
One Albion Road, Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865-3700
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (401) 333-1200
Item 4: Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountants
At a meeting held on July 11, 1996 the Audit Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors recommended, and the Board of Directors
approved, the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent
auditors for the year ending December 31, 1996 to replace the firm of Ernst
& Young LLP, who were dismissed as auditors of the Company effective July
11, 1996. The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for 1996 was effective upon the dismissal of Ernst
& Young LLP, subject to the approval of the Company's Class B shareholders
which was obtained on July 16, 1996.
The reports of Ernst & Young LLP on the Company's financial statements
for the past two years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer
of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope, or accounting principles.
In connection with the audits of the Company's financial statements
for each of the two years ended December 31, 1995, and in the subsequent
interim period, there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any
matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP, would have caused Ernst & Young LLP to
make reference to the matter in its report.
During the Company's two most recently completed years and through the
present date, there have been no reportable events (as defined in item 304
of Regulation S-K) with Ernst & Young LLP and during such periods the
Company has not consulted with Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either
completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered
on the Company's financial statements.
Item 7: Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
(16) Letter of Ernst & Young LLP to the Securities and Exchange
Commission included
herein pursuant to the requirements of Item 304 (a)(3) of
Regulation S-K.
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has caused the report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
A. T. Cross Company
By: MICHAEL EL-HILLOW
Michael El-Hillow
Vice President, Finance,
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
Dated: July 16, 1996
EXHIBIT 16
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5072
July 16, 1996
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated July 16, 1996, of A. T. Cross Company
and are in agreement with the statements contained in the second, third,
and fourth paragraphs therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with
other statements of the registration contained therein.
Ernst & Young LLP
