Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common shares	Capital in excess of stated value	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Common shares in treasury, at cost
Balance at Oct. 31, 2008			$ 244,096	$ 840,888	$ (40,795)	$ (482,330)
Balances, shares at Oct. 31, 2008		30,607
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans			(2,073)			5,131
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans, shares		(353)
Purchase of treasury shares	(6,826)					(7,188)
Purchase of treasury shares, shares	394	413
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions			285
Stock-based compensation			(814)
Comprehensive income
Net income (loss)	(160,055)			(160,055)
Translation adjustments	40,240				40,240
Remeasurement of supplemental pension liability, net of tax of $1,648 in 2010 and $2,074 in 2009	(3,457)				(3,457)
Settlement loss recognized, net of tax of $(3,085) in 2010 and $(728) in 2009	1,188				1,188
Net prior service cost (credit) occurring during the year, net of tax of $(315) in 2011, $3 in 2010 and $(421) in 2009	726				726
Net actuarial loss occurring during the year, net of tax of $9,002 in 2011, $4,756 in 2010 and $30,339 in 2009	(53,372)				(53,372)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(174,730)
Dividends paid ($.44 per share in 2011, $.39 per share in 2010, and $.36875 per share in 2009)				(24,747)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2009	369,976	12,253	241,494	656,086	(55,470)	(484,387)
Balances, shares at Oct. 31, 2009		30,667
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans			(1,330)			20,309
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans, shares		(1,448)
Purchase of treasury shares	(22,047)					(30,087)
Purchase of treasury shares, shares	697	933
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions			7,798
Stock-based compensation			7,633
Comprehensive income
Net income (loss)	168,048			168,048
Translation adjustments	(4,361)				(4,361)
Remeasurement of supplemental pension liability, net of tax of $1,648 in 2010 and $2,074 in 2009	(2,746)				(2,746)
Settlement loss recognized, net of tax of $(3,085) in 2010 and $(728) in 2009	5,126				5,126
Net prior service cost (credit) occurring during the year, net of tax of $(315) in 2011, $3 in 2010 and $(421) in 2009	18				18
Net actuarial loss occurring during the year, net of tax of $9,002 in 2011, $4,756 in 2010 and $30,339 in 2009	(8,873)				(8,873)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	157,212
Dividends paid ($.44 per share in 2011, $.39 per share in 2010, and $.36875 per share in 2009)				(26,439)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	505,072	12,253	255,595	797,695	(66,306)	(494,165)
Balances, shares at Oct. 31, 2010		30,152
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans			1,564			13,315
Shares issued under company stock and employee benefit plans, shares		(936)
Purchase of treasury shares	(134,163)					(143,217)
Purchase of treasury shares, shares	3,024	3,206
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions			6,924
Stock-based compensation			8,845
Comprehensive income
Net income (loss)	222,364			222,364
Translation adjustments	562				562
Net prior service cost (credit) occurring during the year, net of tax of $(315) in 2011, $3 in 2010 and $(421) in 2009	414				414
Net actuarial loss occurring during the year, net of tax of $9,002 in 2011, $4,756 in 2010 and $30,339 in 2009	(14,682)				(14,682)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	208,658
Dividends paid ($.44 per share in 2011, $.39 per share in 2010, and $.36875 per share in 2009)				(29,838)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 571,323	$ 12,253	$ 272,928	$ 990,221	$ (80,012)	$ (624,067)
Balances, shares at Oct. 31, 2011		32,422