MCI Communications: The Washington-based long-distance telephone company...

MCI Communications: The Washington-based long-distance telephone company said its earnings rose 121% from a year ago to a record $128 million in the first quarter ended March 31, while revenue rose 33% to $1.5 billion. Bert C. Roberts Jr., MCI’s president and chief operating officer, attributed the success to increased traffic, which more than offset a rate cut. MCI signed data-networking contracts during the quarter with such companies as Chrysler Corp. and Cray Research Inc., Roberts said.