All Bets Off on 'Futures' in Terrorism.

Byline: George Edmonson

Jul. 30--WASHINGTON--Facing fierce criticism, the Pentagon on Tuesday killed a program in which traders would have speculated on the prospect of future terrorist activities.

The abrupt halt to the program, which envisioned a Web-based futures market that Defense Department officials said could help forecast catastrophic events, came a day after it was disclosed by two Democratic senators.

Congressional reaction Tuesday was strong from members of both parties.

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who heads the Senate Select Intelligence …