1942

It is pleasant to relax over this month's column and let someone else do the work.

Luis Zalamea has written from Bogota, Colombia, on a most timely subject. His letter is repeated for your enlightenment.

"After 14 years with the United Nations, I resigned from the World Organization while posted in Mexico and returned to my home town of Bogota in May, 1962. Earlier that year I had visited Cuba on a humanitarian mission and had been shocked by what I saw into trying to do something in Colombia to avert another Castro-Communist take-over. I decided to work as a promoter of U.S. private investments in Colombia in the field of public housing and construction, all under the aegis of the Alliance for Progress.

"I devoted over a year of hard work to these endeavors, plus considerable expense. I visited the U.S. twice: In June, 1962 (.when I spoke at Hanover Holiday) and in February, 1963 (invited by a West Coast construction firm). Specifically, I promoted a 2,000-unit low cost housing project in Cali and a silo construction program for an official price-support agency. However, in spite of considerable interest on the part of U.S. investors and full blessing of the Colombian Government, these projects have bogged down in the bureaucratic marshes here or in Washington. Specifically, there's lack of proper convertibility guarantees and the ghost of currency devaluation haunts all possible investments by foreign private capital in these parts. Therefore, I can say from personal experience that the Alliance for Progress is a dead letter, at least in what concerns the role that should be played by U.S. private capital in the development of Colombia. Our projects had a definite social objective, aimed precisely at the level of people who do become easy prey to the siren's song from Havana.

"Let's hope the Alliance may become ... and soon ... an effective tool of continental cooperation instead of a vague concept which neither the Americans nor the Latin Americans understand or trust.

"This experience has been very good, even if no results have been achieved so far. I have, therefore, returned to the fold of the UN family as Chief of Translation, Interpretation and Information Services of the Latin American Institute of Agricultural Marketing, a new agency set up in Bogota recently by the UN Special Fund, FAO, and the Colombian Government. Be- ing posted in my home town, it gives me the opportunity to keep an eye on other projects.

"I have continued, as always, my literary activities, and a novel on the present social situation of Colombia may be published next year in the U.S.

"In Bogota there are few Dartmouth men. Nothing like Mexico, where with Bob Hill and Phil Brooks we organized a local Club. However, will try to get some alumni activities going here."

It is a pleasure to provide space for one who has the courage to fight for his personal convictions. We trust the future willfind Luis' efforts blessed with success. Perhaps some of you can throw some weight behind these efforts.

Jim Idema, whose son Jim Jr. is in the Class of 1966, sent in a picture. It is difficult to tell father from son! Jim is editorial writer for the Denver Post. This fall he and Fran plan a football weekend in Hanover. They also have a 16-year-old daughter. Jim reports occasionally seeing Bill Temple in Denver. Bill is president of the Denver Brick and Pipe Company, which he joined in 1945, and has been appointed to the Denver board of water commissioners.

Once again and too quickly perhaps, the football season is all but over. Forward post haste any scoops overheard behind the goal posts (or on the fifty-yard line).

Secretary, 154 Washington Ave. Rochester 17, N.Y.

Treasurer, 18 Ridge Rd., Concord, N.H.