REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Inhz 8: MENARIO: 2418 in Costa Rica and suggested that if necessary the Government should place men in the stores to force merchants to sell hoarded commodities. He then went on to praise the Labor Code and the system of social security, and stated that his party was actively fighting for the passage of the proposed Electoral Code. He said also that he wished to see enacted a code of social rights.
The final speech of the evening was a brief address delivered by President Picado. The President praised the organization of the youth movement in Costa Rica and expressed his satisfaction that the Juventud Vanguardista had linked itself with the working classes rather than with financial interests. Picado stated that some persons had opposed his attendance at the meeting but that he had told them that he was going to the meeting because were there. He closed by stating that if he were young, he himself would wish to be a member of the Juventud Vanguardi sta.
It is not felt that the organization of the Juventud Vanguardista will have a great effect on the present political situation in Costa Rica. It is obvious that the members of this organization were already in sympathy with the aims and purposes of the Vanguardia Popular Party, and in fact many of the officers of the former organization held positions in the hierarchy of the latter. The organization significance probably lies in the fact that Mora has determined to extend his influence among the youth of the country, and it may be expected that the new group will be diligent in its organization and propaganda activity in the educational institutions of the country. The appearance of the President at the meeting is another indication of Picado realization that the Vanguardia Popular Party is still his sole organized support.
The organization of the Juventud Vanguardista has not created a great amount of interest in the country at large.
As was to be expected the more vocal elements of the Right promptly attacked the formation of the group and attempted to interpret the President declarations to mean that he wished to become a member of the Vanguardia Popular Party.
This misinterpretation the President corrected in a short statement published in LA TRIBUNA on August 24.
Respectfully yours, For the Charge Affaires ad interim, o J: 59. Livingston Watrous Third Secretary 800 LDW em Copies to Managua, San Salvador, Guatemala and Tegucigalpa.