The Hemisphere: VISITOR TO WASHINGTON

Arriving in Washington this week for a six-day state visit: Ecuador’s President Galo Plaza Lasso.

Born: Feb. 17, 1906, in Brooklyn, when his father, General Leonidas Plaza, twice President of Ecuador (1901-05, 1912-16), was minister to the U.S.

Appearance: Tall (6 ft. 2 in.), well-built (200 Ibs.), good-looking, greying. Has one prejudice about clothes: “I have never worn striped pants and I never will.”

Education: Attended the University of California where he played football, and the University of Maryland where, he says, he played the horses. No earned degrees.

When his father cut off his allowance, he sold apples on Wall Street, peddled New Jersey real estate, rented out his raccoon coat through the 1929 football season ($12 a weekend), worked as a Grace Line assistant purser.

Career: Took over management of the rundown family estates, one of the largest in Ecuador, on his father’s death in 1933. Introduced tractors, combines, alfalfa, contour plowing, hybrid corn. Built up one of the best herds of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle in South America. Founded Quito’s excellent American School in 1940, after one of his daughters came home from the Colegio Aleman crying “Heil Hitler!” Served as ambassador to Washington, 1944-46. Elected President in 1947 on an independent reform ticket for a four-year term. Concentrated on restoring political stability (there had been five Presidents in eleven months). Has thus far succeeded in maintaining a completely democratic regime. Has also modernized administration and brought in technicians of Nelson Rockefeller’s International Basic Economy Corp. to help improve agriculture.

Private Life: Married, has six children. Seldom misses a bullfight (no mean amateur torero himself) or horse race. Likes weekends at one of his farms. “Every Friday night I resign,” he says, “and resume office Monday morning.”

Country: Roughly the size of New England, Ecuador is on the equator, as far south of New York as Los Angeles is west. Its 3,200,000 people are mostly illiterate Indians and mestizos living under towering Andean volcanos, delving and spinning much as their ancestors did in Incaic times. Most noteworthy products: rice, bananas, balsa wood, Panama hats, shrunken heads. Most urgent needs: education, roads, earthquake damage repair, all of which President Plaza hopes to discuss this week with Washington lending authorities.