Ten groups defended the AT&T; breakup decree.

Legislation to eliminate a federal court decree governing the divestiture would damage competitiveness and lead to higher local telephone rates, a group of trade associations said. The organizations, including the Electronic Industries Assn. and the Consumer Federation of America, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), who has drafted a proposal to transfer jurisdiction over the divestiture agreement from the U.S. District Court in Washington to the Federal Communications Commission.