Justo's Man

The best of Latin American Presidents is at least half a dictator, and burly Agustin P. Justo of Argentina, although he loves to dress in the most correct cut of cutaway, is no better than the best.

Pleasantly surprised were Argentine politicos when Justo announced last fall that he would retire at the end of the single consecutive six-year term allowed him by the Argentine Constitution. Not so surprised were politicos when Justo hand-picked his successor, Dr. Roberto M. Ortiz, his Finance Minister. In Argentine politics the Government nominee usually wins. When the votes were counted five months ago Justo's man had done even better. He had rolled up the largest popular vote in the country's history.

Happy, therefore, was inauguration day in Buenos Aires last week as Agustin Justo turned over the President's palatial Casa Rosada ("Pink House"), the Presidential sash and ebony gold-headed cane to Roberto Ortiz. Six huge U. S. bombers (see p. 77) demonstrated over the city as the President-elect was sworn in.

Hefty, squarejawed, 51, President Ortiz belongs to none of Argentina's influential "old families." From an importing firm and small law practice in 1910 he has built a $4,000,000 fortune. Last week, as he took over the Presidency, he had the backing of foreign and Argentine financial interests, who expect an era of good business under their businessman-President. In a country where foreign capital has some $4,000,000,000 invested and where exports of the livestock and agricultural barons are 90% of the nation's business, it looked as if they would get what they wanted.

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