New Britain herald., 1929-06-26
GOMEZ $ FIGURE 0F ROMANTIC CAST
Venezuelan Dictator Is Most Picturesque South American

MdTaCay, teHeZueld, J JuHe 70 \SI) "A grizzled country gentleman with lively eyes, who avoids speeches and official functions like the plague and spends as much time as possible outdoors-that is the present Gen. eral Juan Vicente Gomez, 72-year- old commander-in-c chief of the Venezuelan army.
 It is, though, not all of the pie ture. "The well-deserving General Gomez" as he is officially known since congress voted him the title of Benemerite some years back, is also the country's first soldier, its most wealthy citizen, it's foremost good roads booster and most expert politician. His enemies label him dictator; friends regard him as the great habilitator.
 Gomez leaped into the limelight of the worlds news not long ago when he refused to accept the presidency of Venezuela. Congress had named him to succeed himself in that office. Gomez then startled his countrymen by refusing to accept the honor. Startled, they named committee to call on him, to beg him to change his mind. Adamant, he refused. Instead, he offered to accept post to be known as commanderin-chief. The offer was accepted. Not many days later Gomez announced that he had ordered some of his generals to put down a subversive movement in three states in the northern part of the country. Meanwhile Juan B. Perez, chief justice of the supreme court has been acting president. He was named to that place when Gomez's former term expired.
 Facts and Legends
 Gomez is almost legendary figure abroad, because Venezuela has been almost cut off from the outside world by prohibitively costly con- munications The facts about Gomez, however, are not less colorful than the legends.
 He has been a leader in Nenezu- elan military affairs and politics since 1899, the president or presi- dent-elect for 20 years. Twice prior to his recent step he left the presi- dency in charge of another while he put down an insurrection or re- mained at the head of the army. In 1914 he was reelected president but cid not take office until 1921, when he was again reelected. In April of this year congress named him tor another 7-year term.
 Has Vast Wealth
 Gomez is one of the richest men in South America, his properties being valued as high as $1O0,O00, 900 by business associates. Probably only Simon Batino, the Bolivian tin king. outranks him on this continent. The Venezuelan general is the big gest land owner in South America. He has one ranch valued at $4,OOO,- 900, another worth half as much and 4 third worth more than the others add together.
 His personal weekly payroll is -oo,Vpp Npu-,puVJ. WtiNc thousand persons depend on his en- terprises for a livelihood.
 He sends cacao to Liverpool and Hamburg; 10 New York he sends coffee; he has thousands of rubber trees. He exports cocoanut oil. His acres of coffee trees compare in ex- tent to any individual holdings. in Brazil. The Gomez cotton factory in Maracay, with 2S0 looms, repre- sents S2,000,000 invested.
 1 Ceremonies bore him. So docs red tape. To him there are three kinds of speeches: "The long poor ones. which are wholly bad; the good but long ones. which are also bai, and the short good ones which alone are good"
 His own messages to congress are short. He sends them to be read before the legislature. Cabinet members write the longer parts. For