In a twist to the usual scenario of politicians children being docked for speeding. Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh came under fire last month for using state troopers to whisk his sons--one of whom is a K-School student--from Harrisburg to Cambridge. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Thornburgh used state funds to pay for several trips this year. According to the Inquirer, the trips, including hotel rooms for the cops, were paid out of state coffers.

A spokesman for the Governor denied any impropriety in these proceedings. He said that under state law, the governor and his immediate family may receive police escorts whenever the state police commissioner deems it necessary....

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It looks like Financial Vice President Thomas O'Brien has his hands full. Asked recently by a Crimson reporter what he has been working on of late. O'Brien replied. "I've got a lot of dragons to slay right now and I don't want to talk with you until I have some dead bodies." O'Brien declined to identify what sort of dragons he's grappling with....

Who were those 97 parents given the red carpet treatment by President Bok and University hall brass two weekends ago? Organizers said they were just showing Harvard off to people without any previous use to the school. But the real reason, according to sources, is to tap a new and potentially lucrative non-alumni source of fundraising--the nouveau riche parent.

"It's not any secret that the purpose [of the parents' weekend] was eventually to get them to give money," said one top University administrator....

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The normally staid Signet Society was shaken by controversy last week over invitations to the club's tres formal Annual Dinner at President Bok's formal residence on 17 Quincy Street.

Because of the size of the building, the University limited the bash to 120 guests. As a result, the Club was forced to turn away a number of 'undergraduates and Signet alumni--more than a few feathers were ruffled when it turned out that famous ex-Signeteer Norman W. Mailer '43 was informed that he would not be welcome....

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Law School professors Laurance Tribe '62 and David Rosenberg finally won pay awards to their successful efforts to secure a liquor license log well-known Harvard and Square eatery Grendel's Den.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph F. Tauro ruled last month that Tribe be granted a total of $176,137,50 as compensation for the 640.5 hours he spent challenging a local ordinance that prohibited Grendel's from serving alcohol because it is within yards of a Church.

Tribe, who has charged as much as $525 per hour for his services, based his fee on a $275 rate.

Tauro stated that Tribe merited "a substantial increase," but his poor record-keeping prevented the court from raising his award.

Rosenberg collected $21,750 at the more modest hourly rate of $125 while Ira Karasick a former Law student who assisted the professors, was denied compensation.