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Whitman's Board Declares a Dividend of Hussmann and Midas Common Stock

17 December 1997

Whitman Announced Board Has Declared Dividend of Hussmann and Midas Common Stock to Whitman Shareholders

    CHICAGO, Dec. 17 -- Whitman Corporation announced
today that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend of Hussmann and
Midas common stock to Whitman shareholders of record on January 16, 1998.
Each Whitman shareholder will receive one share of Hussmann stock for every
two shares of Whitman stock held and one share of Midas stock for every six
shares of Whitman stock held.  The distribution of the dividend is scheduled
for January 30, 1998.
    The Board of Directors approved the plan to spin-off Midas and Hussmann
last June, subject to a favorable tax ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
and market conditions.  In December, the IRS ruled that the spin-offs would be
non-taxable to the corporation and its shareholders.
    Bruce S. Chelberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "As stand
alone companies, each of our businesses has a very bright future.
Shareholders are well served by this action of the Board."
    Midas and Hussmann will trade on the New York Stock Exchange.  The Midas
symbol will be MDS, and the Hussmann symbol will be HSM.  It is not necessary
for shareholders to take any action with respect to the dividend.

SOURCE  Whitman Corporation