European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday april 13, 1992 the stars and stripes a Page 5lawyers group probing Florida lawmaker Hollywood Fla. Up the Florida bar revealed it is investigating . Rep. Larry Smith a Democrat embroiled in controversy Over a pair of $10,000 checks he swapped with his former Law partner and Over checks the lawmaker bounced at the House Bank. A we do have a file on Smith a Kevin Tynan an assistant staff counsel handling he Case for the Florida bar said Friday. A i have an ongoing  the bar would not divulge the focus of its investing Tion nor would it say whether it involves Brian Berman Smiths partner in the Hollywood Law firm of Smith amp Berman in the 1980s. The men said the association ended when Smith went to Congress in 1983, but records show Berman issued a $10,000 Check to Smith from the a Smith amp Berman . Trust account on sept. 7,1990. Three Days later Smiths election Campaign issued a Check to Berman for the identical amount. On sept. 14, 1990, Smith endorsed bermans Trust account Check and converted it into two Cashiers checks at a Broward county Bank the Miami Herald reported. Such Trust accounts Are used to hold Money entrusted to attorneys usually by clients said Luain Hen Sel an assistant staff lawyer for the bar. Smith Berman was disbarred by the Florida supreme court last year after the bar reported he had bounced More than $2 million in checks on client Trust accounts. The Broward county state attorneys office is investigating a complaint that Berman cheated a client and has asked to see the bar file on his Case. Berman and Smith have explained their Check Swap by saying that Smith planned to hire Berman As a lobbyist on congressional reapportionment matters before the Florida legislature but cancelled the Deal and squared their accounts. Smiths records do not show however that the $10,000 was returned to the Campaign where it originated. Nor has he explained Why bermans Check said to be a reimbursement was written first. Smith a Hollywood Democrat who has represented Florida a 16th congressional District in Broward and Dade counties for nine years declined comment on the bar investigation. He issued a statement monday saying his Campaign Money went for a permissible  but he acknowledged some  have been reported in a manner consistent with the procedures of the Federal election commission and asked the commission to examine the matter. Smith was widely criticized in South Florida earlier this year for his delay in disclosing irregularities in his checking account at the the now defunct House Bank. On april 3, he said House Bank records show he wrote 161 checks that were not backed by funds in his account. But Smith said Independent auditors had determined Only 90 of those checks should have been listed As possible overdrafts. He blamed the problem on delays in posting deposits. Smith said he never attempted to use the account to float Loans apologized and donated to Charity $15 for each bounced Check. That is the average penalty South Florida Banks charge for bounced checks. In the stars and stripes 10years ago april 13,1982 a the British Navy began blockading the Falkland islands in an attempt to regain the Colony seized april 2 by Argentine marines. Argentina indicated it would try to avoid a confrontation at sea and pressed ahead with its Airlift of troops weapons and equipment to the islands 450 Miles from the Southeastern coast of Argentina. 20years ago april 13,1972 a the Senate voted 78-7 to reject a proposal to vote on a declaration of War against North vietnam.30 years ago april 13,1962 a Justice department lawyers were considering possible antitrust action aimed at breaking up the powerful . Steel corp., whose actions had touched off a recent steel Price rise.40 years ago april 13,1952 a supporters of Gen. Dwight d. Eisenhower for the presidency said the general s scheduled return to the United states on june 1 would assure him the Republican nomination. Meanwhile backers of sen. Robert a. Taft a Ohio said Eisenhower a resignation As european defense commander would be More Likely to help Taft win the top place on the Republican party ticket. World War 50 years ago today april 131 a 9 4 a 2 japanese troops Pierce the British defense line in Burma s Irrawaddy Valley British and chinese units take up positions at Mage and the nationalist chinese order troops in the Shan states to move toward Mandalay to help in London Churchir announces that a member of the Royal family lord Mountbatten. Was appointed chief of combined operations a month earlier. Maryland adds tax to Gas guzzlers gives credit to fuel efficient autos Annapolis my. A Maryland has agreed to slap an extra tax on Gas guzzling cars and give a tax credit on cars that get Good gasoline mileage. It is believed to be the first state in the nation to approve such measures. The general Assembly also voted Friday to raise the state gasoline tax by a Nickel a gallon As part of $120 million in funding increases Tor transportation projects. Gov. William Donald Schaefer later signed the Bill into Law. Robert Veit Public affairs manager of the motor vehicle manufacturers association in Washington said he knows of no other state that has a tax on Gas guzzlers. The penalty would not apply to trucks vans taxicabs and cars with disabled plates. The Bill is a a loaded gun that could devastate our Industry a said Gerald Murphy president of the automotive traae association of the National capital area. A a in a hate to be forced to give up my full sized car a said an opponent Delegate Ellen Sauerbrey a Republican from Baltimore county. A if in a Ever in an Accident id rather be in my Buick than in a teeny tiny car a she said. Supporters said the tax would help clean the air and reduce dependence on foreign Oil. It would also raise As much As $20 million a year for mass transportation. A it is economically environmentally and socially responsible a said Delegate Gene Counihan a Democrat from Montgomery county. The tax or credit would be applied each time a car is sold when the buyer pays the states 5 percent titling tax. For the first two years it would add $100 to the tax on cars getting less than 27 Miles per gallon. It would reduce the tax by $50 on cars getting More than 34 mpg. Beginning with the 1995 Model year the penalty would kick in at 26 mpg. There would be a $100 tax for every mile below that up to 1 percent of the value of the car. Buyers of fuel efficient cars would get $50 off the titling tax for every mile above 34 mpg to a maximum of 1 percent of the value of the car. Goggles to help Stealthy police in subway new York map rather than scare vandals Ana squatters away with flashlights subway police Hope to sneak up on them unaware with Battlefield style night vision goggles. Transit police said Friday that they had bought six of the devices at $3,645 each. Sgt. Luis Medina said they would be used in subway tunnels where Graffiti sprayers ambush passing trains and the homeless live like moles. They also will be used by Rescue officers who must occasionally Lead passengers from disabled trains to safety through dark tunnels. The goggles which strap onto a users head have two eyepieces like binoculars that converge into a 6-Inch tube resembling a camera telephoto Lens. Objects in total darkness appear As a Clear Green hued image. Officers have been testing the goggles for about a week but no arrests have resulted yet Medina said. Police had used flashlights to patrol the subways but they generally served Only to warn miscreants that officers were coming. New York City police sgt Steve Donahoo models one of six night vision goggles purchased by the City. The goggles should help police Nab subway vandals and squatters. 50,000 rally for legalization of marijuana Urce 2194 Days of War w. H. Smith blisters inc. World almanac Book of world v ii Bison books corp1981 a Atlanta apr an estimated 50,000 marijuana enthusiasts crowded a City Park saturday to urge legalization of the drug and hear a free concert. Undercover police officers were posted in the crowd. A the Only thing in danger from a pot head Are twinkies a american civil lib Atlanta pot festival. A Over half the . Population smokes it or has tried it and they should be locked up right a festival participants most dressed in tie Dye shirts and sandals swayed to tunes by the Black crowds Rock band As police officers watched a and sniffed. Erties Union attorney Michael r. Haupt authorities refused to say How Many offi Man said during the third annual great cers were dispatched to Piedmont Park three people were arrested on marijuana charges and a handful of people were arrested on Misdemeanour charges including disorderly conduct. The free concert which was sponsored by the National organization for the Reform of marijuana Laws Norma was credited for boosting attendance this year. The first two festivals Drew crowds of Between 3,000 and 4,000