ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601150046
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
Under increasing fire from investigators into the Whitewater and travel office controversies, Hillary Rodham Clinton's use of an Air Force plane for her upcoming book tour is now being questioned by House Republicans.
``Some members [of Congress] have concerns about the possible misuse of taxpayer dollars in connection with her book tour,'' said Brian Sansoni, spokesman for New Hampshire Rep. Charlie Bass, a Republican member of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.
Sansoni said Friday that Bass and other committee members will raise their concerns in a letter to the White House.
Clinton will travel to Arkansas, Michigan, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts next week to promote ``It Takes a Village'' - her book about children's issues..
For security reasons, Clinton will travel on an Air Force executive jet when she begins the first leg Tuesday, according to her spokesman, Neel Lattimore. He said the book's publisher, Simon & Schuster, will reimburse the government at the rate of first-class tickets and pay for her accommodations.
But with just one or two staff people accompanying Clinton, even first-class reimbursement which is more than the coach-class rate required by federal rules - won't cover the flight's full cost to taxpayers.
``The security element obviously comes at some cost to the taxpayer,'' said Lattimore. ``We certainly regret that, but we accept the recommendations of the Secret Service. It is an unfortunate reflection of the times.''
She will receive 15 percent of the $20 suggested retail price of each book, and all proceeds after taxes will be donated to children's hospitals, Lattimore said.
The Republicans' inquiry comes amid a denial by the White House that Clinton relied on a ghostwriter. Lattimore offered to display ``mounds and mounds'' of draft pages Clinton wrote in longhand for the 320-page book.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB