How to getLayerproperties with IE4+

Hi there everybody!

I´m having a problem getting the layerproperties in JS with IE4+.
I´ve defined the layers with css and when i try to get e.g. the width of the layer using:
x = document.all["layer_name"].style.width;
x is empty.
Only when i first write the same value as used in css using JS i can read the value.
Thing is i´m writing an drag_win object that should be easy to use and i dont want a half kilometer of init stuff in it so i´d really be happy for any tips. If it works the object will be yours URL

cheers
Bjoern