To Be, Or Not to Be

A change in management can be a stately coronation -- or a tragicomedy of indecision. Two examples of the latter: the Hamlet-like wavering of GM purchasing head J. Ignacio Lopez de Arriortua and the ever-changing status of Pete Hamill at the People's Republic of the New York Post.

GENERAL MOTORS

Wed., March 10

Lopez hands his letter of resignation to CEO Jack Smith.

Thurs., March 11

Smith offers Lopez a higher post. Lopez thinks it over but declines.

Fri., March 12

Chief financial officer and chief counsel beg Lopez to reconsider.

Sat., March 13

Lopez reluctantly agrees to stay on.

Mon., March 15

Lopez is scheduled to appear at a GM news conference announcing his return. Instead, he resigns.

Tues., March 16

Volkswagen names Lopez head of purchasing and production.

NEW YORK POST

Wed., Feb. 10

New Post operator Steven Hoffenberg hires Pete Hamill as editor in chief.

Fri., March 12

Even newer operator Abe Hirschfeld fires Hamill.

Tues., March 16

Hamill retakes the editor's chair after the staff keeps his name on the masthead.

Thurs., March 18

Hirschfeld tells an interviewer he wants Hamill as editor and publisher but then gets court order banishing Hamill from the paper.

Fri., March 19

Hirschfeld and Hamill agree to a two-week arrangement: Hamill stays as editor in chief and Hirschfeld simply runs the business.