WHAT ZOE BAIRD PROBLEM?

Retired Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, President Clinton's nominee to replace Secretary of Defense Les Aspin, revealed last week that after he knew of his nomination, he paid $6,000 in delinquent Social Security taxes that he owed on account of his housekeeper. More than two dozen officials have been allowed to serve in the Administration after quietly paying back Social Security taxes for household help. Here is a surprising partial list.

--Ron Brown, Secretary of Commerce --Eleanor Dean Acheson, Assistant Attorney General --Mary Jo Bane, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services --Federico Pena, Transportation Secretary --Donald K. Stern, U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts --Lawrence H. Thompson, principal deputy commissioner, Social Security Administration --Shirley S. Chater, Social Security commissioner