  In our joint paper with W. Fulton (math.AG/9804041) we prove a formula for
the cohomology class of a quiver variety. This formula is general enough to
give new expressions for all known types of Schubert polynomials. In the
present paper we discuss the relationship between this formula and Stanley
symmetric functions. We show that the coefficients obtained when a Stanley
symmetric function is expressed in the basis of Schur functions are special
cases of a class of generalized Littlewood-Richardson coefficients appearing in
the formula for quiver varieties. We also prove that Fulton's universal
Schubert polynomials (math.AG/9702012) satisfy the usual rule for a Schubert
polynomial of a product of two permutations.
