MEXICO: Presidential Marathon

Sirens howling, a motorcycle escort whisked President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines’ Lincoln limousine through the gates of Mexico City’s presidential residence, Los Pifios, one day last week. With Mexico’s Federal District Governor Ernesto P. Uruchurtu tagging along, Ruiz Cortines was out to hang up an unofficial speed record for public-works dedications.

First stop was before the four dramatic new buildings replacing the squalid hodgepodge of the capital’s old Lagunilla Market. Starting strong, Ruiz Cortines came smiling through a confetti shower, visited each of the buildings, with a mariachi band blaring along behind. The President took a quick look at three other markets, sped through the city to dedicate a four-lane freeway crossing the city, flitted through the gleaming new laboratories of police headquarters, took an approving brief glance at the new dormitories and gymnasium of the fire-department annex, popped over to the new penitentiary.

Skipping lunch, he dashed on to open three kindergartens, 19 elementary schools and a trade school. In outlying Xochimilco, to the accompaniment of ancient church bells pealing across the town’s Venice-like canals, he opened a flower market and a general market, chatted with pupils in a new elementary school. At sundown, his caravan headed back to Los Pinos and dinner. Ruiz Cortines was plainly weary but well pleased with the day’s work: 41 dedications in nine hours and 25 minutes.

Ruiz Cortines’ all-powerful Party of Revolutionary Institutions (P.R.I.) will meet in November to nominate Mexico’s next President. The constitution prevents Ruiz Cortines from running again, but his will be the most important voice in choosing P.R.I.’s candidate. The dedication marathon was a semifinal bow by the President and a splendid plug for whomever P.R.I, picks as his successor.