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Alan Chesue reviews "Children of the Alley," a translation of the forty-year-old work by Naguib Mahfouz [nah-GEEB mah-FOOZ hard 'g'], a story reminiscent of the 1001 Arabian Nights. [STATIONS: The book is published by Doubleday.]

Anti-government activists have set up so-called "common-law courts" which operate without judges or lawyers and focus on prosecuting banks and government agencies. Matt Algeo (AL-gee-o) from Minnesota Public Radio reports that although these courts are not legally legitimate, their numbers are growing.

The accordion was invented in the early 19th century and in that relatively short period of time, it has become an integral part of folk music throughout the world. Daniel talks with Michal Shapiro who produced a 3 cd collection of accordion music from across the planet. This compendium is especially interesting because much of the music defies the stereotype of accordion music as only good for polkas and German beer halls. Shapiro says one reason you find accordions in most countries is because missionaries brought them in as a substitute for church organs and though it's popular as a folk instrument, the accordion still struggles to be accepted as a "serious" instrument by the classical music world. The cd collection is called 'Planet Squeezebox' and is on the Ellipsis Arts record label.

Daniel talks with Creed Jackson, a former construction contractor and consultant, about the do''s and don''ts when it comes to hiring a contractor for home renovations. Jackson says there''s a couple of things to be wary of - such as does the contractor have references, and a license, and does the customer know exactly what the contractor''s going to do for them?

NPR''s Mandalit DelBarco reports that customs inspectors at Los Angeles International Airport are facing a growing problem of travelers smuggling food and animals into the U.S. from abroad. Experts say many of these items carry parasites and bacteria, which can harm crops and animals in this country.

In the first of a four part series on the gap between rich and poor in America, NPR's Margot Adler reports on the history of inequality in this country. She reports that America has always believed in political equality, but not necessarily economic equality. The income gap, which has risen and fallen at various times in U.S. history, has been widening for the last two decades.

On the eve of Rene Preval's inauguration as Haiti's next president, David Welna reports from Port-au-Prince on on the legacy of outgoing Jean-Bertrand Aristide. He points to disbanding the military as one of his accomplishments, yet getting at the truth about human rights has been difficult. The U.S. has yet to turn over documents that would further the task.

NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports on a monthly flea market in Dallas, Texas, where hackers and company executive come to find the best bargains in computer hardware and software.

A House committee today issued 28 subpoenas for documents relating to the White House Travel Office firings. NPR's Jon Greenberg reports that the the committee wants to look further into White House allegations serious financial mismanagement was behind the 1993 firing of seven longtime travel office employees. The White House has accused the Republican-led committee of political grandstanding.

With the campaign for a seven-year balanced federal budget stalled, along with the restructuring of the government it would have enacted, congressional Republicans are mapping a new strategy for their revolution. NPR's Brian Naylor looks at how they are talking about proceeding.

Candidate Phil Gramm stumping in Mesa, Arizona at the rotary club. He says he wants less government and more freedom. He thinks Washington has too much say about how people run their lives. He wants to balance the budget by setting priorities and by saying no, when no is the right answer. As president he says he'll use the line item veto.

Linda talks with Dr. William Hagland, sr. forensic anthropologist for Physicians for Human Rights. He tells about his work to exhume bodies in the village of Kibuye, where Tutsis were slaughtered inside a church in April of 1994. Hagland's team of scientific investigators are gathering data for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports on President Clinton's trip to Bosnia where the President spoke to U.S. troops now serving there. Shuster also spoke with troops who say they're glad to be involved in the Bosnia mission.

What do successful companies and Tony Bennett have in common? They stick with what they know best, ballads for the singer, a good product for the companies. They keep things simple -- a single microphone, spartan offices, and a commitment to quality and customer service.

Five years ago this weekend, the U.S. was about to go to war with Iraq. For the record, we play excerpts from the Congressional debate that preceded a vote authorizing President George Bush to use force. We hear from republican Robert Michel, who was Senate Minority Leader; and from Congressman John Lewis, a democrat from Georgia.

NPR's Peter Overby reports that Lamar Alexander and other candidates have used non-profit groups to help boost their profiles with voters and fundraisers before officially announcing their candidacies. Alexander's supporters set up a satellite network to broadcast shows featuring Alexander and his GOP philosophy to party activists around the country. The network was not subject to campaign finance limits, but brought in big donations.

Reporter Richard Schiffman visits a monastery in Vermont, where men devote their lives to god and try to find peace by rising above base human nature. But sometimes, even in this monastic community, devotion can be a struggle.

A reading from "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" by Dr. Seuss. The cat, you'll remember, comes back to reveal another cat under his hat, who has another cat under his hat, who has another cat, and so-on. The cats get smaller until there's only VOOM left.

Musical satire from Peter Robinson, who well understands the maxim that to understand the man, one must first understand the place where he's from.

NPR's Elaine Korry examines whether higher levels of spending on education and training programs will actually narrow the income gap between the rich and poor in this country. Many economists believe education is the only realistic way of addressing income disparity, but they caution that it's no panacea and will not change things quickly.