Oil-Burning Gifts

Little Costa Rica is unique in having the biggest proportion of pure-blooded Spaniards, the most peaceful history, the smallest army budget, one of the oldest constitutions and biggest school budgets in Latin America. No less remarkable is Costa Rica's President, Ricardo ("Don Ricardo") Jimenez y Oreamuno, 75, son & grandson of Costa Rican Presidents, three times President himself and year in & year out the most popular man in the country. Once he bailed out a man who had defamed him, saying: "Let no one be imprisoned for anything he may say about me."

Last week this wise old original was entertaining the wife of neighbor Nicaragua's President Juan Sacasa over the New Year holidays in high, pleasant San Jose. Her departure was an occasion for a parting gift. One of Costa Rica's three railroads had been electrified and had some obsolete equipment. President Jimenez presented Senora Sacasa with two oil-burning locomotives, used but serviceable, for Nicaragua's under-equipped railroads.

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