xterm vt100 mode font escape sequence ignored

[alexb at interline.com]

>> I am running Centos 5 on an HP server.
>>
>> I am in the process of converting an application from CDE that uses xterm to display 80 column screen data and 132 column report data within one xterm. This is done by using the vt100 mode escape sequences. The application works using Gnome and KDE with the standard Centos 5 install. After I installed XFce4 to use as my desktop manager the application escape sequences to change the xterm fonts to a smaller or larger font are ignored. You can simulate the font sequence process by doing 'echo -e "\0033]50;7x14\0007"'. I can substitute any font alias or font for '7x14' and it is ignored. When the escape sequence to set the the xterm to 132 column executes, the xterm expands to the boundaries of the desktop (86 columns).
>>
>> I can start the xterm in a smaller font i.e. 'xterm -fn 7x14' and send the 132 column escape sequence and it expands fine. I can send the 80 column escape sequence and it contracts. If I send the command for the larger font it is ignored like the smaller font sequence. What's interesting is that if I press <ctrl> right mouse button, I can change the font from large to small and vice versa. It's like something is keeping the xterm from interpreting the font sequence. I've tried various combinations Xfce manager settings with no change. I've set up another system without Xfce to compare font paths, X settings, etc. but so far I haven't found anything that makes a difference. I've googled the problem but haven't found anything that helps. I'd really like to use the Xfce desktop if I can but I'm running out of time and may have to use Gnome instead.

>I don't know why the escape sequences don't work, but what prevents you from just setting the smaller font manually? Your email sounds like it would work just fine then.

>And you can easily just substitute gnome-terminal for (xfce) Terminal if it works better for your application. Works just fine.

I guess I didn't make it clear that the application automatically expands and contracts depending on what the end user is looking at (screen or report). Most of our end users wouldn't be able to handle doing this manually nor want to.

I've tried using gnome-terminal and xfce Terminal and they don't work either. I'm using /usr/bin/xterm. 

Something to note is that if I bring up a desktop in Gnome or KDE on the same system that also has Xfce installed, the escape sequence for font change does not work on those desktops. I wondering if the Xfce install changes some configuration that causes xterm to ignore that escape sequence. I'll keep looking.

Thanks for the suggestions. If you have any others, I'd appreciate it.