Burbank Seeks Van de Kamp’s Aid

Burbank officials have asked state Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp to investigate a proposed department store merger that could force the withdrawal of a Robinson’s department store from the city’s planned Towncenter mall.

The officials said they want Van de Kamp to intercede on behalf of Burbank to prevent the merger between the May Co. and Associated Dry Goods, the parent company of Robinson’s. May Co. officials announced last month that they will remove Robinson’s as one of the mall’s four anchor stores if the merger, which requires federal approval, goes through.

Councilwoman Mary Lou Howard said she appealed to Van De Kamp after city officials in Pittsburgh, Pa., who had taken legal action to halt the merger, settled their case this week.

“We just feel we’re running out of time,” Howard said.

The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing the merger.

The most severe action Van de Kamp’s office could take, Burbank City Atty. Douglas C. Holland said, would be to file an antitrust suit to prevent the merger.

A spokeswoman for Van de Kamp said a decision would not be reached until Monday.