	harcourt brace hbj sets harper hpr deadline harcourt brace jovanovich inc said it has told harper and row publishers inc representatives that it intends to withdraw its proposal to uire harper and row for dlrs per share in cash if the parties have not made satisfactory progress in discussions by the close of business on march harcourt brace said we do not wish to put undue pressure on harper and row but we also in fairness to our own shareholders cannot allow an offer of such magnitude to lie on the table too long harcourt said three of its senior officers and its investment bankers met yesterday with investment bankers for harper and row to discuss the harcourt brace offer harcourt brace said it will only pursue the uisition if a mutually satisfactory merger agreement can be negotiated last week a group formed by theodore cross offered to uire harper and row for dlrs per share the group held about six pct of harper and row in addition new world pictures ltd nwp holder of pct of harper and row had offered to discuss a merger with harper and row reuter 
