European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 25, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday january 25, 1992 the stars and stripes b Page 7 red Cross seeks donations to ease $28 million debt Washington apr the american red Cross disaster Relief fund is $28 million in debt after two straight years of record breaking numbers of storms floods and other disasters the organization said thursday. A we have a very difficult situation a said Elizabeth Dole president of the red Cross in issuing the organizations second major Appeal to the Public for funds in less than a year. In february 1991, the red Cross set a goal of $30 million in announcing a fund raising Campaign for persian Gulf War Relief. This time no figure is being announced As a goal. Dole said that in addition to seeking contributions the organization has put a freeze on hiring restricted travel and ordered a moratorium on new equipment purchases. Dole said that last year there were More than 8,000 of what Are classified As major disasters far More than the usual number. In addition she said the Cost of disaster Relief has risen. The total Cost of disaster Relief to the organization in the 1990-91 fiscal year was $184 million. The figure included a $7 million to help 8,800 Louisiana families displaced by torrential Rains and flooding. A $2.2 million to assist 15,000 victims of a Freak Spring ice storm in Western new York. A $2.2 million for Kansas Tornado victims. A $4.7 million for 4,700 Texas families flooded out of their Homes. Although it is designated by Congress As the primary responding voluntary organization in times of disaster the american red Cross is supported by Public and corporate donations. Dole said donations to the disaster Relief fund could be sent to local red Cross chapters or to the american red Cross . Box 37243, Washington d.c., 20013. She said contributions could be charged to a credit card by calling the toll free number 800 842-2200. Port authority pulls up stakes of homeless pair s donated tent Philadelphia apr now and then architect Alan Johnson took the shortcut from the subway station to his office never paying much attention to the homeless people he glimpsed under a labyrinth of Highway overpasses. But one summer morning a dog barked As he came by and Johnson stopped. The dogs owners. Curly Brown and Dorothy Canady emerged from their cardboard Home and Over the next few weeks a Friendship of sorts began. A they never asked for a dime a Johnson said but he thought of something they could use a Tepee. A we thought he was a Lunatic a Brown recalled. Canady was suspicious too maybe he was a some crazy who would set them on fire once they went to sleep in the Tepee. Johnson countered a wok ill make it  _ with his two associates at Alley friends associates Johnson spent three weekends making the tent supported by galvanized steel. Its 6 feet High 8 feet in diameter and has Pink insulation under a Blue Tarpaulin. Big enough for two to sleep in comfortably. Cost $180. For three months the tent was tucked out of sight behind some Concrete columns. A nobody could see it a Johnson said. A it Wasny to harming  the landowner did no to see it that Way. A this was no different from any other Case a said Delaware River port authority spokesman c. Carlton read. A we just done to let them set up housekeeping on the property we re liable As hell if they get Hurt. A two weeks ago port workers arrived with police and insisted that the couple leave or be arrested for trespassing. The Tepee now sits unused in an Alley behind Johnson a office. Brown 28, and Canady 42, made their Way to another darkened desolate spot under a different overpass. The couple said they Felt settled in the Tepee and had begun looking for jobs before the current turmoil made their lives More difficult. Canady said she worked As a cleaner for an elderly Man and lost her savings in the 1987 Stock Market crash. Her Alan Johnson sits in front of the Tepee he built for a homeless couple in Philadelphia. Ployer died soon afterwards As did her father and she leafed up Mel. Ended up on the streets about two years ago. Brown who declined to say How he became homeless said he and Canady Hope to get Back on their feet shortly. They Haven to Given up on the Tepee and Johnson said he a still trying to find land that it can be put on. Recession gives Boot to skins Holiday by the Washington Post Washington a the 365,000 Federal government workers in the Washington area will not get the usual two hours of paid time off so they can take part in tuesdays Welcome Home festivities for the Washington redskins on the mall. Government employees who want to join in the Parade May do so but they will have to use their own annual leave. Constance b. Newman director of the office of personnel management said thursday that the min Holiday which was granted following the 1983 and 1988 super bowl victories Isnit appropriate because of economic conditions. She said it would a Send the wrong signals to have an inside the Beltway Holiday limited to Federal employees at a time when Many private workers have lost their jobs or Are worried about layoffs. On feb. 2, 1983, president Reagan gave washing ton area civil servants two hours off a from noon to 2 . A for the Victory Parade after the redskins Defeated the Miami dolphins. On feb. 3, 1988, . Workers Here got another two hour Holiday in Honor of the redskins Triumph Over the Denver Broncos. The District of Columbia government gave workers time off for both parades and Many companies followed suit. Both parades Drew an estimated 500,000 people most of them government workers. City officials say there will be a Parade tuesday whatever the outcome of sundays super bowl Battle with the Buffalo Bills.  s Speed trap system does t Click with Drivers from wire reports West Valley City Utah gov. Norm Bangerter has a mixed feelings about the City a photo radar Speed trap since he got a ticket in the mail. Bangerter however wont be paying the ticket. His daughter in Law will. The ticketed car is registered to Bangerter but its owned by his son Adam. The unmanned photo radar system which takes snapshots of cars that exceed the Speed limit targets High Accident areas and school zones. It has angered unwary motorists. The uproar forced West Valley City mayor Brent Anderson to Send out letters defending the system. Besides Anderson Hasni to been immune. Its his daughter Nicole who a married to Adam  cleared in deaths Portland Ore. A a county grand jury thursday cleared five police officers of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting deaths of a Man and a 12-year-old boy he was holding hostage. The decision does no to mean the shooting was justified but Only that no crime was committed said John Bradley a Deputy District attorney. Bryan French 20, broke into a Home Jan. 16 and took Nathan Thomas hostage. Police officers testified that they shot at French when it appeared he was cutting the boys Throat with a Butcher knife Bradley said. Thomas was struck twice and French was hit 14 times authorities  killer sworn in North Greenbush n y. A Man accused of killing his estranged wife with chloroform was sworn in As a town councilman thursday. John Ramahlo sr., 44, was elected to a four year term in november. His wife Pamela Ramahlo 43, died dec. 31 in her sleep. Police said Ramahlo placed a chloroform soaked tissue Over his wife a face. Defense attorney e. Stewart Jones or. Said Ramahlo accidentally killed his wife while trying to get at documents in the purse she was sleeping  arrives for trial Indianapolis a Mike Tyson arrived Friday for his trial on charges of rape confinement and deviate conduct. The former heavyweight Champion Shook hands with a Man who approached him at Indianapolis International Airport but refused to talk to a reporter. Tyson who flew in from Las vegas was indicted in september on charges of raping an 18-year-old miss Black America contestant in an Indianapolis hotel room july 19. Tyson has said she consented to have sex. The trial in Marion Superior court is scheduled to begin monday. Judge Patricia Gifford has issued a gag order on police prosecutors and defense lawyers in the  charges filed Atlanta a a Federal grand jury on thursday indicted a Man on charges of paying to get music played on a radio station. Gregory Johnson 39, was charged with three counts of violating the so called payola statute four counts of income tax evasion and one count of filing a false income tax return the . Attorneys office said. A 1960 Federal Law made it a crime to offer inducements to get radio airtime for musical recordings. Johnson made three payments in Cash to the former music director of radio station wee pm in 1989 and 1990 to have songs added to the stations play list the statement said