Monday, Feb. 11, 1952

The Vargas Enigma

A year ago, ex-Dictator Getulio Vargas took office as Brazil's constitutional President, thus completing an astounding political comeback. His return was hailed with greatest expectations by Brazilians who remembered his decisive ways and felt that their problems called for action.

In his first year in office, President Vargas has done almost nothing. On none of Brazil's pressing problems--inflation, transport, oil, agricultural development--has he shown the initiative for which he was once famous. Some Brazilians guessed last week that he is just waiting for the right moment to make himself dictator again. Others say he is trying so hard to govern constitutionally that he lets a disorganized Congress mess up all his measures. But another story heard in Rio is that Getulio, now 68, just does not care any more, that all he really wanted was the vindication of electoral victory.

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