REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Puhe ML, NARA Date 2498. 10 the concentration of power in few hands is censured. The Centro apparently feels that the ideology of foreign brands of ascism does not presently constitute a positive threat in Costa iiica, but any tendency towards dictatorship of the native type is instantly attacked. The Centro rarely concerns itself with the Church other tilan to advocate complete freedom of worship; it does, however, take the position that Church and State should be separate. The only other evidence of its views in this direction occurred in 1942, when the Congress was considering the repeal of the laws of 1884 and 1894 which prohibited the entry into 0086a 11 oa otrsileioun orders. At that time the Centro came out stronyly against repeal, in which attitude, it is trought, it was joined by the majority of the better informed Costa Ricais.
The foregoing exposition has been largely concerned with the negative attitudes of the Centro, and it must be pointed out that it also üvocates certain positive beliefs. It may be obvious to state that the group believes firmly in a liberal and progressive denio cracy; it also holds that such a democracy can be established in Costa Rica, and can prove to be an orrioient overnment largely divorced from partisan interests. As a first step thereto the Centro advocates the establishment and continuance of stable political parties.
In this connection, writing in Surco, No. 17, October, 1941, Gonzalo TACIO Segreda states (translation. It is necessary to convince the honest people of the country that they biust not look with horror, that they must not fear the division of citizens into various political parties, because by formulating their programs more categorically and by establishing a greater doctrinal separation there will exist an intellectual climate which is more propitious for the perfecting of deuiocracy since the political campaigns will be the beans of popular education.
TUOT7 Stable political parties, then, in conjunction with platforms.
founded on ideas rather than personalities, is the first concrete aim of the Centro Is further reform advocated is the reorganization of the administrative branch of the Government. At the present time in Costa Rica a cuange in administrations mean a wholesale turnover not only in policy haking orricials but also in adte officials and employees all down the line. TO the victors belong the spoils is literally interpreted, with resultin; confusion and inefficiency. The Centro has indicated that it would prefer the establishment of a form of civil service based on juerit rather than on personal allegiance.
This reforf the Centro would apply not only to the administrative departments of the Government but also to the semiautonomous Government agencies, such as the errocarril Eléctrico al Pacífico, the Government operated railroud to the Pacific Coast,