European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 26, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday August 26, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 5 four wheel dive a Motorist in Tucson ariz., prepares to stalled in deep water when the Driver underpass. A major storm Tore through ing extensive Power outages ripping off abandon his pickup truck which became attempted to take it through a flooded part of the City earlier in the week Caus roofs and snarling traffic. Losing firm asks Navy to reopen bidding Washington not in the first such Case stemming from the Federal investigation of fraud in Pentagon procurement a producer of military electro Nic equipment is trying to Force the Navy to conduct a second Competition for a contract Worth an estimated $100 million. Compter research inc., a Buffalo based company that was eliminated during the first round of Competition for the contract earlier this year has filed a protest with the general accounting office an Arm of con Gress that hears such challenges to contracts. The protest contends that the fraud investigation has shown that illegal acts were committed during the selection process and those acts Render invalid any award resulting from the  the Navy saying that irregularities uncovered in the investigation do not appear to have influenced the selection process filed papers this week contesting compter s plea and seeking permission to choose a supplier and award the contract. The contract was to have been awarded last month but has been held up by the compter protest which was filed during the month. Most of the court papers from the Federal prosecutors fraud investigation remain under Seal. Dozens of contracts beyond those already publicly known Are believed to be involved in the inquiry. As More documents Are unsealed More companies Are Likely to try to have contracts overturned. The problem of potential tainted contracts is compounded by the potential for a Legal gridlock that could paralyse the defense acquisition system for an indefinite period seven influential members of the House armed services committee warned this week in a statement on the investigation s repercussions. Contractors who May have lost awards based upon the fraudulent activities of competing firms May sue to set aside the award and require re Competition or sue for damages said the lawmakers who included rep. Les Aspin of Wisconsin the committee s chairman and rep. Bill Dickinson of Alabama its ranking re publican. These Legal options create the potential for almost limitless  the compter Case involves a Marine corps system for controlling and directing tactical aircraft in com Bat. Ten companies initially bid last year to Supply the system known As the advanced tactical air com Mand Central or a acc. Compter and six others were eliminated from the Competition earlier this year. Some court papers relating to the fraud investigation were unsealed at Dallas in june and they indicated that two Industry consultants repeatedly Dis cussed the a acc Competition with a Navy official who was involved in choosing the winning bid. The papers stated that the official disclosed confidential bidding information including the prices bid by each of the competitors and the details of the Navy s secret deliberations on the contract. The consultants evidently planned to Supply that information to companies involved in the bidding the court documents said. Man guilty in Flag burning at recruiting station rally St. Paul Minn. A a Federal jury wednesday convicted a Man of burning an american Flag outside an armed forces recruiting station during a demonstration. William c. Gary jr., a 22-year-old Mem Ber of the naval Reserve could receive up to a year in prison. No sentencing Date Wasset. He remained free on $ 1,000 Bond. Gary testified tuesday that he set fire tothe Flag in Minneapolis in March to show his discontent with president Reagan s decision to Send troops to Honduras. I Don t necessarily agree with what my government was doing but that does t make me less of an american or less of Patriot said Gary who at the time of his arrest worked in a used clothing store. Assistant . Attorney Thor Ander son said the act was a show of contempt for the Flag. There Are ways one can be legally contemptuous he said. One can stand on a podium and shout or sing. But con Gress has said that for certain reasons you can t be contemptuous of the  Gary dressed in garb made from . Flag was arrested during a Large pro test in which demonstrators used bowl ing balls and rocks to break windows at the recruiting office. Gary testified that a woman he did know handed him one end of a Flag she was carrying and asked for his help in burning it. In the stars and stripes 40 years ago today. Aug. 26, 1948 Twenty five people were killed when in the same Day a b29 hit a parked plane in Hawaii and a c47 collided with a b25 Over new Jersey. 30 years ago foe a. Aug. 26, 1958 the Bishops of the worldwide anglican communion approved birth control As a right and important Factor in Christian family life provided the practice was not motivated by selfishness and  20 years ago today. Aug. 26, 1968 american and South vietnamese commando reinforcements battled their Way into a besieged Green Beret special forces Camp in Saigon and drove Back a North vietnamese Force that had overrun the outpost. 10 years ago today. Aug 26 1978 a . Navy ship arrived in Hong Kong carrying 400 Vietnam Ese refugees. They had been rescued from their sinking fishing boat. The refugees were permitted to stay in Hong Kong pending re settlement overseas