Retirement Plans and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Details 7) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Plans change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets and amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Benefit obligation at end of year	$ 616,200
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Plans change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets and amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	21,555	25,396
Service cost	22	19	21
Interest cost	1,228	1,565	1,896
Actuarial (gain) loss	(71)	(58)	(195)
Foreign currency effect	(525)	237
Plan amendments	0	(3,215)
Benefits paid	2,323	(2,532)
Benefit obligation at end of year	20,780	21,555	25,396
Funded status	(20,780)	(21,555)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	(1,106)	(2,075)
Unrecognized prior service credit	(12,419)	(14,255)
Net amount recognized	$ (34,305)	$ (37,885)