CECLASSIFIED Authority, Stateletter Inhz. ML983 Cate 2498 2that he had received, on one of his trips, assurances of support from some of the biggest Cortesistas in Alajuela. Alajuela, it will be remembered, has been the most hostile to Picado of any of the provinces of Costa Rica. The President also mentioned, in a telephone call to his brother in the United States recently, that he had been given a dinner by some of his former opponents with whom he was now in complete harmony, and he added that the best of relations were also being maintained with the military garrisons.
There can be no doubt that the President recent announcements about electoral reform and non interference in the mid term elections have been well received by almost all sectors of the population. It is generally believed that his declarations are sincere, and the public is hopeful of retiring from Congress several of the deputies who contribute little or nothing to that body but periodically assure themselves of reelection by promising support to the administration. The President appointment of a commission to recommend basic changes in the organization of the Registro Civico has also created a favorable impression, for the Registro has long been associated in the public mind with electoral frauds. During the course of a recent conversation Señor Picado mentioned his policy of non intervention in the coming congressional elections, and asked if he did not intend even to support staunch pro administration deputies. He replied that, according to his concept, the President should remain above party politics at election time. To what extent this is personal conviction and to what extent he has been forced by circumstances to take this position is impossible to say. Moreover, it remains to be seen if he will be able to resist what will undoubtedly become increasing pressure on the part of the politicians for some indication of his desires.
Outspoken in its enthusiasm for reform of the laws governing elections has been the Vanguardia Popular party, and its spokesmen have called attention to the fact that Picado, in urging these reforms, was fulfilling a pledge in the compact between their group and the Partido Republicano Nacional. Emphasis has also been laid on the Vanguardia Popularis inherent desire to see Costa Rica enjoy pure suffrage. and LA TRIBUNA of October 28 published a statement of Manuel Mora in which he said that Congressman Carballo (a Vanguardia deputy who is one of the three members of the committee at present studying proposals for a new electoral code) had been instructed by the Political Bureau of the party to work for sixteen specific reforms in existing legislation. Lest this account should appear to present the attitude of the Popular as one of disinterested idealism. it should be added that Mora believes his support of electoral reform