Panama by '49

The 1946 model U.S. motorist, flush again on gas and tires, was all set for a long, old-fashioned jaunt. Well, where? Alaska? No, the Alcan Highway was not open this summer. How about driving down to Panama through that fascinating hot-tamale country? The U.S. Public Roads Administration (P.R.A.) gave a reluctant answer: not until 1949.

Ever since 1929, the U.S. has backed a highway to the Canal Zone, has aided by small grants to Central Americans. Pearl Harbor gave the project a terrific boost.*U.S. Army engineers poured in some $40 million, accomplished little. The P.R.A., with some $23 million, did infinitely more. Central American Governments matched 50% of P.R.A. contributions where they could. Mexicans, who pay for their own roads, speeded up.

Despite inexperience, shortages, Latin politicking and bacchanalian waste, a major share of the road was laid down, some of it paved. Keeping a weather eye out for tropical rainstorms and stalled oxcarts, Central Americans now drive over most of Guatemala, El Salvador. Honduras and Nicaragua. But U.S. motorists won't get to Guatemala until the Mexicans finish the 420 miles from Oaxaca south to the border. In Costa Rica and in part of Panama, mountain and jungle still stand before giant bulldozers and power shovels. Last fortnight those giants got fresh energy when a new U.S. appropriation of $5 million became available.

By opening new producing regions, the inter-American highway is revolutionizing Central American economy. In Costa Rica, peons are burning down primeval forest to make way for cornfields. In Nicaragua, rich cattle, sugar and tobacco regions are being brought next door to consumers. And there are political possibilities: once the six now-isolated Central American republics are joined by the new highway, the century-old dream of a Central American Federation might come true.

*Because the Pacific war's urgency rushed the road project through, Nicaraguans call it Hirohito's Highway.

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