Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Components of net periodic pension cost for postretirement benefit:
Service cost	$ 2,000	$ 1,000	$ 6,000	$ 3,000
Interest cost	219,000	283,000	657,000	849,000
Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain	(334,000)	(251,000)	(1,002,000)	(753,000)
Net periodic pension costs	(113,000)	33,000	(339,000)	99,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Components of net periodic pension cost for postretirement benefit:
Service cost	2,239,000	2,293,000	6,717,000	6,879,000
Interest cost	4,159,000	3,998,000	12,477,000	11,994,000
Expected return on plan assets	(4,928,000)	(4,524,000)	(14,784,000)	(13,572,000)
Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain	2,160,000	1,700,000	6,480,000	5,100,000
Net periodic pension costs	3,630,000	3,467,000	10,890,000	10,401,000
Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Textuals) [Abstract]
Company's pension contributions			16,900,000
Company's estimated pension contributions	$ 29,700,000		$ 29,700,000

Defined Benefit Plan Amortization of prior service cost, initial net asset and net actuarial gain.

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- Definition

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Health Care And Life Insurance Benefits Textuals

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- Definition

The amount of contributions made by the employer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b

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- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph g

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- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

+ Details

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