European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 19, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes . Wednesday october 19,1994contractor morale fees lambasted Washington apr taxpayers were charged by defense and environmental contractors for a Smokey Robinson concert a Santa Claus performer and volleyball and softball officials House investigators say. A past congressional efforts to restrict contractor charges to the taxpayers for entertainment and other a employee morale expenses have been met with benign be Gleet by Agency bureaucrats a rep John d. Dingell wrote to Alice Rivlin director of the office of management t and budget. \ the Michigan Democrat chairman of the House Energy and Commerce investigations subcommittee released the latest findings by his staff on monday. He has been issuing reports and holding hearings on improper contractor charges for nearly a decade. This time Dingell has Hope the problem will be brought under control. He noted that just last week president Clinton signed a Law that rewrites government contracting rules. The Law allows Federal employees to go bargain Hunting for goods and services and changes contracting rules to prohibit charges for entertainment. However future regulations will determine whether employee gifts and recreation activities can be charged to taxpayers. A the House investigators said defense department auditors this month questioned $3.3 million in contractor entertainment and recreation charges and $832,000 for employee awards and gifts. A. Several of the findings involved expenditures by Martin Marietta headquartered in . The company or its subsidiaries charged the government a $263,000 for a Smokey Robinson concert in Denver. A a a a a a a a a a a. A a a a a v. A a a $417,629 Between oct. 1, 1991, and july 24.of this year for maintenance and operation of a recreational Park for company employees at Oak Ridge Tenn. A $20,194 for professional Quality Golf balls Over the last three fiscal years. A and $7,589 in fiscal 1994 for a Christmas party account in Oak Ridge including $200 for a performer to play Santa Claus at a party for employees children. The defense and Energy contractor also charged $4,032 for volleyball officials in the 1993-94 season at Oak Ridge plus $8,964 for softball officials and $4,482 for storekeepers during the 1993 season. Other findings included a $12,650 for condominium fees charged As a employee recreation by cat a defense contractor in Rockville my. A $243,000 in employee morale charges by ecology and environment inc. Of Lancaster . And $37,000 for recreational activities including employee Tennis lessons and court time Bike races Golf tournaments and company sponsored softball and soccer leagues. Ron Frank vice president for finance said the environmental firm Bills such items As overhead costs to All its customers. Frank estimated the governments share was Only about a third As Large As House investigators  the stars and stripes 10 years ago oct. 19,1984 a Nigeria slashed its Price of crude Oil by $2 a barrel to $28, Oil minister Tam David West announced intensifying the financial pressure on open nations to follow suit 20 years ago oct. 19,1974 a the soviet Union has agreed to permit at least 60,000 jews or other unhappy residents to emigrate annually sen. Henry Jackson d-wash., said following a meeting with president Ford. 30 years ago oct. 19,1964 a Secretary of state Dean Rusk said he expects. China to explode another nuclear device soon to heighten its new prestige and show that its first test was not a one shot Deal. 40 years ago oct. 19,1954 a French and West German leaders rushed preparations for their showdown on the status of the Saar Region a major stumbling Block in the path to German rearmament and an integrated West european defense. 50 years ago oct 19,1944 a probing for a weak spot in the 1 St army a ring around Aachen German troops and tanks attacked american positions near nurse Len but were repulsed by infantry and artillery fire. R world War ii 50 years ago today oct. 191 a 9 a 4 4 j the South african 6th army div gains positions on the slopes of mount Salvaro on the italian front to the East Indian troops in Britain s 8th army push across the Savio River near Falmo . Soldiers drive the germans from Bruy dres. France. In Burma. British forces occupy Moh Yin capturing big japanese ammo and Supply dumps. Source 2194 Days of War w. H. Smith publishers inc the world almanac of world wac if. Bison books corp., 1981 protesters mourn a Moose blips studied in copter downings Oklahoma City a shortly before the Friendly fire attack on two . Helicopters inside iraqis no Fly zone a series of electronic blips that might have indicated the Black Hawks presence crossed the radar screen of the Azacs plane standing guard. The videotape of the blips was shown monday during an article 32 hearing a the military equivalent of a grand jury probe of the shoo Down that killed 26 people. The tape ended two minutes before the . Fighters brought Down the Black  air Force report says the Azacs Crew failed to Tell the fighters that the helicopters were american failed to ensure that the helicopters were broadcasting the right identification codes and failed to Monitor the no Fly zone properly. Three officers Are accused of dereliction of duty maj. Lawrence Tracey capt. Jim Wang and 2nd it. Ricky Wilson. All were aboard the Azacs radar plane on april 14, when two f-15 pilots shot Down the helicopters Tracey was commander of the fatal a wac Mission. Wang was in charge of the shift on duty and Wilson was responsible for finding and identifying aircraft in the area. Two other officers have waived their right to a hearing and asked that their cases be handled administratively or referred to courts martial. One of the fighter pilots it. Col. Randy w. May has been charged with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty. His Case will be taken up separately. May is assigned to the 53rd fighter so based at Span Dahlem a Germany. Much of mondays testimony entered on whether the Azacs Crew received adequate training. A we had never once trained together a said capt. Gregory Harbin the Azacs aircraft commander. He called the Lack of training  Harbin also said he did not know the f-15s had engaged the Helicon until after the fact and he was conc about the safety of the Azacs i because of possible iraqi retaliation. I am the Only one who can affect movement of that aircraft a Harbin i have to be  but another air Force officer deed the Crew. Capt. William Cathey the staff troller who aided the Crew in its first Sion Over the no Fly zone said he v rate it As a above  _ after the hearing the hearing o must make recommendations to it. Tephen b. Croker commander o my air Force who will decide if the if r a r court martial admin Tive discipline or be cleared. If convicted they face possible Dis of h0mf u Force it forfeiture of thirds of their pay for three month imprisonment for three months