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                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by  reference  in this  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 of our report dated
January 23, 2002,  incorporated by reference in the Butler Manufacturing Company
Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2001,  and to all  references  to our
firm included in this Registration Statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
April 22, 2002