Quoting (part of) a msg from you of 25 Oct 1995:

 ML>     If your construct is really on two lines, as shown
 ML> above, you need a comma (continuation symbol) between the
 ML> "then" at the end of one line and the statement to be
 ML> executed that appears on the second line.

Murray,

An important rule when playing help-desk: check before answering! It's
obvious that you violated this rule. Your message applies more to the old
BASIC than to REXX. Have a glance in the online REXX manual (for example in
'Keyword Instructions' at function 'If') and you'll recognise your
mistake(s) hopefully.
 
Working programs are not by definition 'masterpieces', and yours is no
exception. The use of 'signal' is often bad practice with respect to the
most basic principles of structured programming. Unbelievable of somebody
that proudly(?) mentions: 

 ML> 

"let the cobbler stick to his last" seems even not appropriate. 

Cheers, Rob 
--- timEd/2 1.10.g1+