CECLASSIFIED Authority Statele teruhr me NARS Cate 24981 VAN Labor Code and Social Legislation.
In my last conversation with Señor Picado he said that he would probably retain the present Minister of Labor, Señor Miguel Brenes, in the same post in his Cabinet. Picado said that Brénes was an honest, middleof the road official who had beşn on the bench here for years. Picado thought his judicial temperament as well as certain advantageous family connections would make him valuable man in his Cabinet.
Regarding the Labor Code, which has aroused so much criticism here, especially in conservative circles, Señor Picado compared it to a new suit which has to be altered in order to fit properly. It is believed that Señor Picado is disposed to take a reasonable attitude toward the Labor Code and social legislation on the ground that, as the figure just quoted implied, it must be adapted to conditions hore.
op Señor Picado professes to be keenly interested in the social welfare of the people. In conversation and in his addresses he stressed the fact that he himself is a plain man who lives modestly and who is genuinely animated with a desire to improve the lot of the unders, privileged. During our conversation he spoke at length about the need for improving the dist of the peopio horo citing the difference between the meals enjoyod by workers on the Inter American Highway in this country and those of Costa Rican laborers. Whereas the former will receive for breakfast fruit, cereal with cream, bacon, ages toast and correo, the latter as a rule have only cortoe and bread.
It is believed that Sokor Picado Is well aware of tho 10089sity, for improving the racial stock of this country which has so sadly degenerated. In his last address Señor Picado. was quoted as follows: when we say that we are going to give better food to the people wo are not thinking of despoiling anyone in order to do so of in a bolishimg private property, but rather in exploiting scientifically the great natural resources with which providence has Tavorod us. Public Works (Fomento in Señor Picado stated that he plans to continue thee present Minister or Public Works, Señor Ternando Toralta, in his new Cabinet. The two men ars old frionds and have great confidence in each other. Tornandoz Peralta, as the Embassy has reported, is the son of the ominont historian and is considered an enorgetic and errioiont on who can be counted on to alcan up this Ministry which has boon so badly (and ai shonestly) run under the preso Administration. Whllo Señor Picado has not sald much about his plans for this Ministry, he indicated that the will specialize in the construction of what he calls roads for agricultural penetration. in ordor to open up to colonization certain unimhabited and under loped regions of the country. Sr. Ternández Peralta has informed en officer of the Embassy that he proposes to specialize 10 the construction of serviceable but inexpensive roads and he is interested in obtaining technical assistance from the United States in working out his plans.