Brazil: Sharpening Definitions

The confusing, sometimes contradictory personality of Brazil's Jânio Quadros becomes more sharply defined with each new series of explosions echoing from Planalto Palace. In a burst of executive action last week, Quadros showed himself to be a determined, conservative-minded economic reformer. He also proved himself impulsive, thin-skinned, autocratic.

¶ To hasten the end of the old coffee system that piled up surpluses and lowered quality by guaranteeing government purchase of every bean grown in Brazil, Quadros promised coffeemen more exchange dollars for higher quality coffee, less for poorer grades. He also ended government purchase and storage of the bottom 10%...