The People's Choice

Brazil got its last important candidate for the October presidential elections. His name surprised no one. The new candidate was Adhemar de Barros.

"Our Adhemar," as his admirers in the industrially powerful state of Sao Paulo call him, has long wanted to "take over the management of Brazil, Inc." In 1950, however, he deferred to the late Getulio Vargas, instead took aim on 1955. Last year his ambitions suffered a crippling blow; running for governor in Sao Paulo, as a fitting steppingstone to the presidency, Adhemar lost. After that, whenever a reporter whipped out a notebook, Adhemar insisted that he would run only if drafted and thus forced to "bow to the will of the people."

The will of the people finally became manifest a fortnight ago at a convention of Adhemar's personally operated Social Progressive Party. Into the assembly hall of Rio's Chamber of Deputies whose rosewood paneling and carved furnishings were hidden by banners, flowers and clouds of confetti, thronged delegates and onlookers. Perfumed women in mink stoles mixed with cab drivers and shoeshine boys. Some spectators shinnied up columns for a better view. After hours of "man-who" speeches, Adhemar entered, slapping backs, embracing, shaking hands. When at last his figure towered over them from the platform, the crowd whooped and cheered. Said Adhemar: "I bow."

Adhemar's entry in effect turns the Brazilian election into a three-way race. The other top contenders are Governor Juscelino Kubitschek of Minas Gerais state, heir to the leftish populista forces of the late President Getulio Vargas, and General Juarez Tavora, hero of the conservative military leaders whose determination to clean up the mess in Rio led to Vargas' resignation and suicide last year. But rumors were louder than ever in Rio last week that the officers would postpone the election unless their man seems likely to win.

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