Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-08
Marvellous Change.


to take the Hoover party 70 miles up
the Guayas River to the port.
Marvellous Change.
During the slow ride up the turbulent
stream, against swift current that
delayed progress of the cruiser but did
not bother the alligators infesting the
river, there was related to the party a
Ecuador under the Salutary miniStra-
tons of its new Medico-P President, DR..
Isidro Ayora.
The treatment which DR.. Ayora had
prescribed for his revolution -agitated
patient had been drastic one, involving
finally the calling In Of expert consult
ants from the United States. But the
prescription had wrought marvellous
change in the feverish republic, accord
ing to the missions informants.
It seems that three years ago DR..
Ayora was a stranger to politics, but q
man who had gained an enviable repu-
tation as q surgeon and as q worker
for the public veal. There came one
of the periodic revolutions which have
beset the republic since its early days,
and the constitutional government was
overthrow by bloodless military coup.
VI q Willie t1tC COul1tAJ WUO A01C0 Ny
two military leaders who were great
soldiers but poor statesmen. The revo-
lutionists realized that the tottering
economic situation portended q crash
unless the reins Of government were put
into more efficient hands. So a search
was begun for some one in the conf
dence of the people who could assume
dictatorship and bring about a degree
Of stability.
Doctor Takes Job.
DR.. Ayora was agreed upon as the
man for the job. He was reluctant to
forsake his profession, however, and at
first refused to consider the offer to
become his country'S provisional execu-
tive. The military tribunal was SO in
sistent that finally DR.. Ayora consented
to be dictator on part-time basis II
they would let him continue his medi-
cal work, too. The proposition was ac-
cepted and DR.. Ayora began the task
of treating human ills and ameliorat-
ing governmental ills at the same time.
II his military supporters had thought
DR.. Ayora would serve them as a mere
figurehead, they we're due an unpleas-
ant surprise. The doctor soon startled
his nation by announcing that he was
going to find out what was wrong with
Ecuador and that political economists
from the United States were going to
help him do it. In effect, he let 1t be
known he was going to have Ecuador
psyche by American eco
nomic experts.
Prof. Edwin w. Kemmerer of Prince
ton University and q staff Of assistants
were given the assignment. They
found plenty Of troubles to psyche
analyze. At length the American COM
mission announced list of IS economic
reforms which they deemed absolutely
essential to the financial rehabilitation
of the republic. Among other things
the recommendations called for the es-
PRONUNCIATION Of a budget law, new
methods of taxation and revision OF
customs duties.
Finances Reorganiezd.
DR.. Ayora proceeded at once to carry
out the recommendations. The entire
financial system was reorganized. A
central bank was established, q mort
gage bank for agriculture was formed
bank was organized for the special
purpose Of relieving the government OF
an enormous pension burden, the mon
etary system was stabilized, a general
banking law was adopted, and for the
first time in Ecuador's history the ma
tional budget was balanced.
Not satisfied with these fundamental
moves. DR.. Ayora decided to insure
smooth operation of the reforms by
creating a ''little cabinet" of American
fiscal experts The posts thus filled by
American citizens were those of con-
troller general, director general Of GUS
toms, financial adviser to the national
bank, and superintendent general Of
banks.
To these Americans he gave free rein
| with the result that his nation began
to experience q complete financial re-
naisSance. The economic horizon, unfor-
tunately, had become beclouded by a
cacao blight, which threatened to dis
rupt Ecuador's principal industry. But
! the enterprising Ayora met the emerg-
ency by launching program of agri-
cultural research designed to find a
major crops.
Enacts Welfare Work.
At the same time DR.. Ayora gave at.
tention to other pressing needs of the
people. He encouraged development OF
public works, including highways, rail.
roads and sanitation. He remembered
that Guayaquil, once plagued by yellow
fever, had been made healthy through
sanitary measures instituted by thu
Rockefeller Foundation, and he pro.
posed to preach sanitation throughout
the nation. In line with this policy
even free laundry service was supplied
needy families by the go2crnment.
A social welfare board was created tx
adjust labor problems and a child vel
fare law was enacted. The laborini
classes, woefully lacking in knowledge
| Of the affairs Of the republic, wer,
given free instruction regarding the his
tory and functions of government.
J DR.. Ayora did not effect these far
reaching changes without nnn0Sitinn