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Adhemar has developed a radio personality; in his own way, he is as dextrous with a mike as F.D.R. was. He takes up the most personal problems of his listeners : a schoolteacher needs new desks, a war veteran is out of a job, a man's wife was beaten by thieves. To all these requests, Adhemar has the same answer: he will "do something," he will get it fixed up. He usually does.
Not since the early, pre-dictatorial days of Getulio Vargas has anyone taken as much interest in the Brazilian masses as Adhemar de Barros. His energy is fantastic. He gets up around 8 (after only four hours' sleep), has no time for hobbies or recreation. "People are my hobby," says Adhemar.
Receiving Line. He sees the people any time, anywhere. Once he jumped out of the tub, slipped into a bathrobe, received a delegation while dripping wet. Complained an aide: "He says we let too many people in to see him, but if we keep any of them out then he says we're not letting enough of them in."
For 36 years the states of São Paulo and Minas Geraes supplied most of Brazil's presidents. São Paulo has not sent one since 1930. Adhemar's friends think it will soon be São Paulo's turn again.