European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 09, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes . Wednesday february 9,1994 smoking ban in bars stores backed by the new York times Washington the Clinton administration on monday backed legislation to ban smoking in All buildings used by the Public from taverns to hardware stores. It said the nation could save tens of billions of dollars each year along with 38,000 to 108,000 lives with Only Small enforcement costs. In addition each of the past six . Surgeons Gener Al from four Republican and two democratic administrations endorsed the measure at a House subcommittee hearing. They echoed the theme that this simple measure could do More for the Public health than any other Bill in years. Speaking against the measure was Charles o. Whit Ley of the tobacco Institute which represents Large to Bacco companies. This attempt to ban smoking is an example of social engineering on a vast scale Whitley said. Such Mas Sive intervention in the private lives and choices of one Quarter of our adult population recalls the extremism of prohibition the last National crusade against a sup posed social  the legislation the smoke free environment act was debated at a hearing of the subcommittee on health and the environment. The Bill would ban smoking in every building regularly entered by 10 or More people at least one Day a week not including residences. Building owners could have special smoking rooms in Public buildings if the rooms were not used for any thing else arid were ventilated directly outside rather than circulating air Back into the building. The Bill would also ban smoking within the immediate Vicinity of the building entrances. Rep. Henry a. Waxman d-calif., who Heads the subcommittee said this is the first time that any administration. Democrat or Republican has supported comprehensive nationwide restrictions on smoking. This hearing is the first time that six surgeons general have appeared before Congress on any Issue. This hearing Marks a turning Point. The National mood has changed. The american Public has awakened to the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke and is de manding Tough Federal  Carol m. Browner administrator of the environmental Protection Agency testified that her Agency estimated that if the Bill became Law the lives of 5,000 to 9,000 non smokers would be saved along with those of 33,000 to 99,000 smokers who would quit smoking or Cut Back. Browner estimated the savings in medical costs and lost wages at $6.5 billion to $19 billion a year. The Bill would provide penalties for those who oper ate buildings that fail to comply with the Law but it would rely on court action by local individuals to enforce the ban. The Bill would authorize any. Aggrieved person or Agency to take complaints to . District court where a Fine of up to $5,000 a Day could be imposed. Browner said the Cost of enforcement and of smok ers rooms in some buildings would amount to $70 Mil lion to $200 million a year. In the stars and stripes 10 years ago feb. 9,1984 president Reagan decided to move . Marines from the Beirut International Airport in Lebanon and to ships offshore. 20 years ago feb. 9,1974-. District judge Gerhard a. Gesell dismissed the Senate watergate committee s request for a court order directing president Nixon to surrender five presidential tape recordings. 30 years ago feb. 9,1964 president John son directed that Guantanamo naval base permanently be Able to Supply its own water. A defense department aide said cuban water would not be used even if available. 40 years ago feb. 9,1954 the big four for eign ministers meeting in Berlin in their first restricted session agreed to begin discussions on the Long delayed austrian peace treaty. 50 years ago feb. 9,1944 German forces fought bitterly to keep their grip on Cassino Italy and nazi counterattacks on the Anzio Bridgehead area dwindled with both sides consolidating positions for an expected re sumption of heavy fighting. World War ii 50 years ago today feb. 9 1.944 German paratroopers and tanks drive British forces Back in the Carrocetto and april a salient of the Anzio beachhead in Italy along the main front a . Attempt to capture a key Highway near Cassino fails. On the Southern soviet front red army troops inflict heavy casualties on the germans in the Kirovograd Region West of the Dnepr River. Source 2194 Days of War. W. H. Smith publishers inc. The world almanac of world War ii. Bison books corp., 1981 Larry Abbott of Malibu calif., blogs through deep mud after a slide inundated his Home and several others in the area. Rain triggers s. California mudslides by the los Angeles times los Angeles downpours from the Winter s most powerful storm lashed the firc Danu did hillsides of Southern California on monday unleashing destructive mudslides that inundated luxury beachfront Homes in Malibu. Commuter traffic 7 already crippled by earthquake detours slowed to a crawl in Many areas As Low lying intersections began to flood and vehicles started skidding on rain Slick streets. Officials said several major Mountain highways probably would be blocked with heavy Snow within hours. Cloudburst drenched California apartment of transportation Crews labor ing around the clock to repair quake damaged freeways. Many refugees from the Jan. 17 earthquake still huddled in temporary shelters. In Malibu water mud and rocks began coursing Down the canyons to the sea invading Homes and blocking portions of the Pacific coast Highway. Homeowners and emergency Crews struggled through the muck trying to plug makeshift dikes with sandbags. De spite their efforts the mud began invading about a dozen Homes along the Shore and several residents were forced to evacuate. It sounded like a Waterfall hitting my House said Greg Powers who lives in a beachfront House flooded with 3 feet to 4 feet of mud tree trunks dead shrubbery and water. He said his jeep was washed away by the torrent that hit his Home at about 3 . I think i might move he said. I m tired of this. First it was the fires then the earthquake now  As Powers surveyed the damage he carried with him his two yowling cats in a soggy cardboard pet Carrier. They re kind of upset he said. Monique Marti who lives several houses Down said that More than 20 years ago the same thing  she said she probably would spend the night with friends. Vera Smith slogged her Way to safety after her Mercedes Benz was trapped in a Mudflow. As i looked to make the next curve there was this huge Bank of mud coming toward me she said. Unbelievable unbelievable things you see in the mov ies. And it was happening to me. " 31 Hurt in . Apartment building fire new York a winds whipped a fire into an eight alarm Blaze at a manhat Tan apartment building monday injuring 31 people including 21 firefighters. None of the injuries was life threaten ing. About 450 firefighters and 75 units were called to Battle the afternoon Blaze in upper Manhattan which was brought under control in under four hours. The cause of the fire was under investigation but it May have been an electrical problem in the ceiling fire commissioner Howard Safir said. Winds up to 12 Mph and the Hilltop location of the seven Story Brick building fuelled the flames said fire chief Anthony Fusco