This issue occurs in all versions of ClarisWorks 4.0, v1-v4 Mac and Windows.
If you select text attributes (for example, font or size) while text is not selected, then choose a ruler setting (for example, line spacing), then type, the typed text does not have the selected font attributes.
1- Open a new word processing document
2- Select a font and size (e.g., Avant Garde 18 pt.)
3- Select a ruler setting (e.g., line spacing or center alignment)
4- Type a word. You'll see that the font and size are not remembered.
If you apply the ruler settings first (step 3), then the font and size, all the settings are remembered and it works correctly.