ECUADOR: Step by Step

Seven weeks ago General Alberto Enriquez, Provisional President and leader of the military clique that has ruled Ecuador since 1935, tackled the problem of political corruption by decreeing that all Government employes who had banked more than their official income during the past two years must prove the source of other income or be tried for appropriating Government funds.

Four weeks ago President Enriquez tackled the problem of press censorship by announcing that complete freedom of the press had been reestablished, appointing an annual Newspaper Men’s Day, anniversary of the founding in 1792 of Ecuador’s first paper, The First Fruits of Culture of Quito.

Three weeks ago President Enriquez tackled the problem of public health by decreeing that any marriage celebrated without a medical certificate testifying that both parties were free from tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, leprosy, or other similar illness can be instantly annulled by the courts.

Fortnight ago President Enriquez tackled his Jewish immigration “problem” by announcing that all alien Jews not actively engaged in farming must become farmers within 30 days or leave the country.

Last week President Enriquez tackled Recession. Agreeing with his U. S. colleague, President Roosevelt, that higher, not lower, wages are needed (see p. 7), he decreed that private concerns must give raises of 15% for all employes earning less than 300 sucres ($24) per month, 10% to all earning 300 to 500 sucres. In the streets of Quito cheering, barefoot peasants wildly waved the “Panama” hats that are Ecuador’s chief export manufacture.