(AP) - Ask Jeeves Inc., a search engine whose aristocratic butler is one of the Internet industry's best-known mascots, laid off 25% of its work force in the latest fallout from the faltering online
advertising market. By jettisoning 180 workers, the company estimated it will save about $45 million annually. That would put the Emeryville, Calf.-based company on course to turn a quarterly profit
by the end of next year. Ask Jeeves lost $127.6 million through the first nine months of this year, up from a loss of $29.2 million at the same point in 1999. The company said it will absorb a
one-time charge ranging from $10 million to $12 million to pay for severance packages and other expenses incurred in the shake-up.
