IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CLEAR SETBACK FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, the percentage of Americans who consider the use of fur for clothing as moral showed a substantial increase in the past year. Similarly, people's attitudes regarding the use of animals for medical testing also has turned more positive. Both issues led a list of 15 social matters and policies in the latest Gallup Poll on "moral acceptability", of which only four came up more positive than a year ago. Moreover, while the other three gainers advanced only one percentage point each, the fur question moved up seven points.

Although anti-fur activity has been on the wane in recent years and has drawn virtually no media coverage, there still are some scattered protests. Most retailers say it has become a non-issue among their customers, but the respected Gallup Poll appears to confirm what PeTA and other activist organizations fear most: That fewer people are buying their message. In fact, the pendulum may now be swinging in the other direction with the appearance of more stories that are unfavorable to their cause. According to the latest Gallup survey, 61% of the respondents found the use of fur to be morally acceptable, up from 54% last year.

LAST WEEK'S BANKRUPTCY FILING BY GENERAL MOTORS NOT ONLY SENT RIPPLES THROUGHOUT THE FINANCIAL WORLD, but also telegraphed to U.S. furriers in the Detroit area that business may be even more difficult this fall. With the automobile giant announcing it will close 14 more U.S. factories - including seven in Michigan - and cut some 21,000 more jobs, Michigan in effect becomes the epicenter of America's recession and virtually all retailers in the affected areas are gearing for severe cutbacks in consumer spending. Especially those dealing in luxuries, like furriers.