El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-12-27
COMMISSION FOR
URUGUAY ISPLAN
Small But Rich Republic
Wishes To Do Away With
Presidential Office.


MOntevideo, Uruguay, Dec 2'--LeS-
islstion Of the most radical character
IS being discussed by congressional
commissions which have been meeting
regularly in this capital for the past
few weeks The ordinary sessions OF
congress are fixed by the oonstitu-
ton 70 be held between February -
and June 10 of each year, but the radi-
calls have forced the issue and their
advanced ideas are being considered at
this time.
The most revolutionary q the pro
posals is that Uruguay shall change
its form OF government so that com
mission instead of a president snail
be vested with the executive power
Uruguay. one Of the richest and best
governed. though one of the smallest
of the South American republics mas A
population Of less than l,5OO,VO0 which
The supporters Of the commission plan
say would lend itself TO the new idea
Its Is departments. corresponding 10
states in the United States OF NorIh
America, are so closely welded by rail-
ways and waterways that the govern
mental problem Is simpler IN the lit
tie republic than in any other entity
OF the southern continent.
Commission of Seven
The proposed commission would con-
executive chairman FOR the period of
year. to be replaced at the expiration
of this time by another member OF the
commission The retiring executive
chairman would leave the post TO be
replaced by g new member to be Sc
lected by the legislature. Only those
who had served on the commission for
= period longer than a year would ae
eligible to the Craftsmanship.
Under the present constitution the
executive power is vested in a president
Who is chosen by the general assembly
for a term OF four years and who is
forbidden TO be a candidate for reelec-
ton for the term Immediately follow
ing his own tenure OF office. Dr..
Feliciauo Niern, who heads the present
Iruguayan government, IS q pro-
aOunced radical. but IL is political gos-
sip that the program Of the extremists
OF his own party has taken him off his
feet and he is doing what he can to
stem the tide. Already the insurance
business and the electric light and
power business OF the capital have been
taken over by the government and
enthusiasts are calling for state owned
railways, bakeries and street car eys-
TENS. Here they have met the opposi-
ton Of the British owners of the rail-
ways who have threatened to withdraw
their capital If the proposed laws are
put into effect.
Has Eight Hour Law.
Senior Battly Ordonez. who preceded
Dr. Niera as pres president of Uruguay,
and who is one Of the present chief
executives closest friends. is a leader
Of one Of the most advanced of the
radical wings. Through his efforts the
eight hour law has already been
adopted in practically all parts of the
republic The fact tina the present gov
eminent cannot follow the proposed
program of this leader and that of
senior Arena has threatened TO cause a
split IN the Radical party This could
mean that the opposition might come
INTO power after being out for a half
Of . century
Uruguay is the only country IN South
America where paper currency Is today
at premium measured in terms Of
: american or English gold The repub-
lie has a gold standard. but has never
coined any gold pieces Those which
are IN circulation come from foreign
nations. The unit value Of its paper
peso, however, is S1.O34 and ar the
money changers offices 1t takes 5. 05
American currency to buy one dollars
worth Of Uruguay paper