Page 6
The Battalion
Tuesday, August 4,13|
Bell Helicopter faces lawsuit
Ex-employee alleges
overcharging practice
DALLAS (AP) — A former
employee of Bell Helicopter
Textron has filed a lawsuit against
the company, alleging he was
fired in retaliation for his concern
over $2 million in overcharges on
a Pentagon contract.
Robertson, 48, sought
unspecified compensatory and
punitive damages, back pay,
attorneys' fees and court costs in
the lawsuit, which was filed on
July 14 in U.S. District Court in
Fort Worth. He also seeks
reinstatement with seniority and
benefits. He was a senior contracts
administrator making $52,000 a
year when he was dismissed last
Feb. 14, he said.In a July 27 letter
to U.S. Rep. Pete Geren, Bell
Helicopter employment manager
David L. Stockton denied
Robertson's charges.
"Our investigation has
revealed that Mr. Robertson's
allegations regarding possible age
discrimination and whistle
blower retaliation, or ethics
violations, have been found to be
without foundation," Stockton
said.
Robertson said that during a
four-year period, beginning in
mid-1988, he and his immediate
supervisor repeatedly questioned
Bell Helicopter's billing practices
in the Army Helicopter
Improvement Program, one of
Bell's biggest Pentagon programs.
In interviews with The Dallas
Morning News, Robertson said he
and his supervisor were
repeatedly asked to submit to the
Army what they believed were
illegal claims.
As soon as they began asking
questions, he and his supervisor
were excluded from discussions
about the new charges Bell
Helicopter was attempting to pass
on to the government, Robertson
said.
He said he refused to bill the
government for the claims for
more than a year, until he was
finally forced to do so by his
department head last December.
His refusal to pass on the false
claims and his insistence that Bell
officials conduct an audit of the
disputed expenses led to his
firing, he said.
Wave machine tests offshore rigs
By Angie Payne
Special to Th.e Battalion
With a compass rose on its
floor, a five-ton capacity
overhead traveling crane, and
robotic-looking machinery
everywhere, the three-story room
looks like a science-fiction movie
set.
But it is really a giant wave
tank.
Inside the 150-foot by 100-foot
wave tank, the Offshore
Technology Research Center
creates wave conditions that test
the safety of oil drilling rigs in the
Gulf of Mexico.
"Our biggest concern is the
safety of the deep water drilling
rigs," Peter Johnson, facility
manager and engineer for the
OTRC said
Before safety experiments can
begin, he said, scale models of
drilling rigs are constructed and
lowered into the tank by the
crane. Technicians use the crane
to align the model on the
compass rose so they can observe
and record the effects of different
wave angles on the structure.
Inside the wave tank, 48
computer-controlled, 10-foot-tall
hinged waveboards move in
different sequences and motions
to reproduce the waves of the
Gulf of Mexico.
Technicians monitor and
record things like waves' run-up
and load on the structure's
columns and motions like swat
heave, pitch and roll.
"Our mission," Johnson s,
"is to conduct research
Vol. 91 No.
engineering in deep water,
want to be solving tomorrow'
problems" of the safety of d
ocean drilling rigs.
Solving these problems,
OTRC believes, begins whenna
ways to determine forces
floating structures and new
techniques and materials
secure them at sea are developed
Eco
WASHINC
ment's chief <
fell in June fo:
the Commerc
Signaling a w
Movember eh
The 0.2 p<
ment's Index
Maladjusted dogs face trials in municipal courts
DALLAS (AP) — Residents who are fed up
with a maladjusted dog in the neighborhood
don't have to take matters into their own
hands. They can take their pet peeves to court.
Every Wednesday, complaints about
animals are heard in Dallas Municipal Court.
The summons often paints a dark picture:
"Said actor did then and knowingly harbor
an animal, to wit: a dog, that unreasonably
barked in the following particulars, to wit: said
dog barked continuously for a period of time
exceeding 15 minutes near a private residence .
.. against the peace and dignity of the state."
During the trial, Fido is denied the
constitutional protections normally accorded
to human defendants.
He isn't allowed in the courtroom, but tape
recordings of howling can be admitted into
evidence and played for the benefit of judge
and jury.
After several minutes of listening to such a
tape, judgment is usually swift and sure. "I've
never lost a case," one prosecutor told The
Dallas Morning News. "Just like Perry
Mason."
But both he and another assistant city
attorney asked that their names not be
published. "I really don't want all my friends
signed to pre
nine months
since it declir
and the worsi
The drop f
in May and 0
March.
Analysts e
and said it w
cession, but c
to know what sort of cases I work on," one
the prosecutors said.
Tom Hickey, manager of the city's anim
control division, said his office issued abo
3,000 citations through the first six months
the year.
About four or five cases involve expire , 6 . ,
registration tags, he said. The tickets often at ;Sinct n< mK
dismissed after owners bring their petsii
compliance.Depending upon the complaint,ai
owner may be required to neuter thepe
arrange for it to receive a license or shots,
pen a free-roaming animal.
POLICE BEAT
Florida volunteer drops
sui
Misdemeanor Theft
Heldenfels Hall - a black Bianchi 10-speed
boys bicycle was stolen.
Memorial Student Center Game Room -
the victim’s backpack and contents were
stolen.
University Owned Apartments - a pink,
unknown brand, three-speed girls bicycle
was stolen.
University Owned Apartments - a pink,
unknown brand, single speed boys bicycle
was stolen.
Southside Parking Garage - the body side
molding was removed from the victim’s 1990
Ford Probe.
Zachry Engineering Center - a black
Cannondale, 18-speed boys bicycle was
stolen.
University Owned Apartments - recovered
property - the owner of the white, Trek 800
bicycle bicycle recovered by the Bryan Street
Crime Apprehension Team on 7/22/92 was
identified. The bicycle was stolen from
Hensel Dr.
Lechner Hall - two pairs of sweats, two t-
shirts and two pairs of Levi jeans were stolen
from a clothes dryer in the first floor laundry
room.
Underwood Hall - a turquoise and black
Murray 18-speed mountain bicycle was
stolen.
Criminal Mischief
Grounds Maintenance Complex - a Ford
front end loader was damaged by someone
who threw an object through the glass of the
front and rear cab window.
University Owned Apartments - the rear
window of the victim’s vehicle was shattered
by an unknown object that struck the glass in
two places.
University Center Garage - someone used
a sharp instrument to damage the painted
surfaces of the victim’s 1982 Datsun.
Parking Area 2 - the trunk and passenger
side of the victim's vehicle was damaged by
someone who scratched the paint with a
sharp object.
Briggs Hall - the third floor restroom
window on the south side of the building was
broken.
Overhead Pedestrian Crosswalk at Joe
Routt and Wellborn Road - two small spots
and three handprints of a substance that
appeared to be blood were found on the
crosswalk. TAMU Emergency Medical
Service personnel tested the substance and
reported it was not blood.
University Owned Apartments - someone
entered the victim’s vehicle and damaged the
steering column by breaking off the turn
signal lever.
Assault
Zachry Engineering Center - a subject
pressed his body against the victim in an
offensive manner.
Harassment
University Owned Apartments - the victim
received an obscene telephone call from an
unknown male.
University Owned Apartments - the victim
has been receiving annoying and threatening
telephone calls for approximately one month.
Burglary
Northgate Post Office - a subject detected
stealing mail from a post office box was
apprehended. Criminal charges are pending.
Dormitory 9 - someone Stole four credit
cards and has made $1101.31 in purchases.
MIAMI (AP) — A Florida volunteer dropped her lawsuit agaiii
Ross Perot Monday, satisfied the Texas billionaire will fulfilltl
promises he made during his undeclared presidential campaign.
Miami Attorney Douglas Stein filed a motion in federal court
behalf of Michele Alexander to dismiss the class-action suit, filed
July 20 to demand that Perot stay in the race and fulfill his promises
volunteers.
Ms. Alexander, 31, of Hobe Sound, had said last week she
would drop the suit. This came after she received a telephone call fro
Perot during which he apparently apologized for dropping out of!
race and assured her he would continue to push his platform.
"'As Michele fought only Mr. Perot's acknowledgement
accountability and responsibility, and Mr. Perot has demonstrated
sincerity of his assurances made to her, the lawsuit has been technical
rendered moot," Stein said Monday.
$5 million of art stolen
NICE, France (AP) — Thieves
broke into the Riviera mansion of
a wealthy French-Lebanese
businessman, stealing four
paintings by masters valued at
about $5 million that were
considered too well known to be
easily sold, the owner said
Sunday.
Anthony Tannouri flew from
his Geneva residence to his French
villa on the Cap d'Ail after
learning of the early Friday theft
of a Matisse, a Modigliani and two
Degas.
Tannouri owes the French tax
office $56.6 million in fines ar
rep a yment^of back [axes lor
velopment ir
, . r . | Webb said,
uninsured in France — to raise!
years 1980-83, and said Sunday!
had hoped to sell the paintings
money.
Thieves entered his estate b
breaking a terrace door. The
Matisse, "LTnterieur d'une
Chambre" (Inside of a Room), was
taken from the living room. Tliree
other paintings were taken from
bedroom: Modigliani's "Portrait
de Femme" (Portrait of a Woman)
and two paintings of dancers by
Degas.
Texas
exper
collid
great
Rob
7
The U.S. £
funding for t
Super Collid
life into the p
the door for
advances, an
fessor said.
Dr. Robert
the physics c
A&M, said
pleased that
reprieve by tl
He descri
ducting Sup<
croscope to 1<
very close dis
It is an ii
"It probes
matter and i
"It puts matt
er so that w
forces at very
see what ram
For insta
new particle
interaction:
Webb said.
"The projf
to completi
Senate's actb
am hopeful i
can comple
timely fashio
Webb ga\
ing timely cc
ject.
"This proj
completed i
problems at
gress), it m
complete,
factors mig
tremendousl
The Texas
ty stand to I
ject and that
come an im
Texas A&lv
program, W<
Texas A&
faculty mer
doctoral pec
research.
Sitting Fee includes Makeover, Hair Styling, Wardrobe, Accessories, Photo Session,
Instant Picture Viewing.
Gift Certificates availab ! e. Call for appointment. Open 7 days a week. Color portraits additional.
POST OAK MALL (next to Foley's) 764-3800 £f|!£ E2~j'
Your choice of Feasts: Deluxe, Meatzza, Pepperoni,
Cheezza+2 Vegi, Bacon Cheeseburger, Hawaiian, or
America's Favorite. Expires 8/31/92
693-2335 1504 Holleman College Station
260-9020 4402 S. Texas Bryan
Valid at participating stores only. Not valid with any other coupon or offer.
Customer pays sales tax where applicable. Delivery areas limited for safe driving.
@ Our drivers carry less than $20.00. Our drivers are not penalized for late deliveries.
LADIES NIGHT
(Every Wednesday)
Free Pool & $2.00 Pitchers
for the Ladies All Night
The Beast $2.00 per Pitcher EUERVOAV
Tuesday Night 6 - close, premium beer $2.00 per Pitcher
Drink Specials • Dartboard • Dominoes
Across from 7-11 on Northeafe
“i r
Buy One
Chicken Fried
Steak
Dinner, Get One Free
i
Not valid tv/ any other coupon, I
One coupon per visit r please, exp, 8-30-92
|^J1503 S. Texas Ave. Culpepper Plaza (beside Holiday Inn) 693-1736^j
FREE OIL CHANGE
With Purchase of Regular
Price Tune-Up with coupon
'NOBODY KNOWS
TUNE-UPS
LIKE WE DO"
Not good in conjunction with any other coupon/offer.
Guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles
*See center manager for details.
OF BRYAN • COLLEGE STATION
601 HARVEY RD.
COLLEGE STATION
(2 BLKS, EAST OF TEXAS AVE.)
693-6189
*A poorly-tuned car produces
200 times the harmful emissions
of the properly maintained car.
The fundi
yet to be d
gross, Webb
Dr. Aust
man of the f
the Universi
in the long t
er project w
and that t
would be vt
project.
The Uni 1
four senior
ing on the si
Shu
Missio
the
*A well-tuned car can use 9%
less fuel than a poorly-tuned
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