Rathert Clothing makes Levi Strauss back down. (Rathert Clothing Store to receive Levi Strauss & Co. jeans through at least 1997)(Brief Article)

RED BUD, Ill. -- Following public and political outcry against Levi Strauss, Rathert Clothing Store, a tiny retailer in this town of 3,000 located 30 miles southeast of St. Louis, now expects to get delivery of the company's jeans at least through 1997.

The San Francisco-based manufacturer told owner Don Rathert that his supply of jeans would be terminated March. 15 because the 1,000-square-foot store did not live up to the Levi Strauss image. The 110-year-old unit, which does 90 percent of its $140,000 annual volume in Levi's products, would have been forced to shut down, said Rathert, who has worked at the family business for nearly half a century.

Rathert said Southern Illinois Congressman Jerry Costello notified him on Wednesday that the garment...