HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY NE Papers of NATHANIEL P, DAVIS DIARY March 9, 1949. Breaking their strenuous schedule, the Bennetts stayed in San José all day. In the evening we went to dinner given in their honor. by President and Tīrs.
Figueres at the Union Club. Most of the guests arrived with reasonable promptness but the President was over an hour late, having been delayed by car trouble returning from La Lucha. He told the story rather amusingly. He and his brother started out preceded by an escort in a jeep. The escort, not noticing his stopping when a tire blew out, continued gaily on his way leaving the President and his brother stranded on the Inter American Highway with no jack. They had to walk back to La Sierra and telephone for help.
The dinner was rather gaier than most such events in San José. All of the Cabinet except Cardona and Valverde were present. Facio made a speech recalling that the date was the anniversary of his first meeting with Tap Bennett in the Department and told the story humorously and with gracious compliments. Marimba furnished music during dinner and we danced afterwards.
An amusing incident occurred when asked Facio when he was going to Washington. He said there was now some doubt about that as plans seemed to be changing.
At first Pepe had wanted him to go and he had resisted.
Now that he wants to go. Pepe wants to keep him here until the Assembly completes its consideration of the new constitution. asked when it was going to begin such consideration and drew only a laugh. Facio then said that in some ways it would be contrary to his interests both in connection with his political career and his professional activities to go to Washington as Ambassador but he was very anxious to do so as he wanted an opportunity to improve his English and complete work for his master degree. have heard many reasons for ambassadorial ambitions but must confess that that was a new one.
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