Informed Sources

Ron Brown -- Out of the Soup?

Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown has been under investigation by the fbi for allegedly accepting a bribe from a Vietnamese businessman, and a federal grand jury in Florida has been considering the matter. Officials at the White House, however, are optimistic that Brown will not face any charges. The investigation is virtually complete, the officials say, and they are confident that Brown will be pleased with the results.

Senator Rodham

Hillary Rodham Clinton's brother Hugh, a Miami public defender, has never run for public office, but he may run for the U.S. Senate in 1994. After consulting Hillary, who was addressing the Florida Democrats' convention, Rodham assured state party officials that he had his sister's support. Palm Beach County Democratic leader Ted Brabham (who co-chaired the state's Clinton for President effort in 1992) then pledged $3,000 for a poll to test Hugh's appeal. Another Florida politico advised Hugh that he must prove his independence by differing with his sister about something. Hugh bravely chose NAFTA.

You Can't Give Orders to Soldiers Who Don't Exist

The Russian military will soon have more officers than enlistees. According to Pentagon sources, more than 40% of draftees refuse to serve. As a result, the Pentagon estimates, the armed forces will soon have about 630,000 officers but only 544,000 regular troops. In the U.S. there is one officer for every five enlistees.