Traffic, much oi it ihick traffic is flowing smoothly. West German and West Berlin passenger cars are 'Pin" cleared at both ends of the autobahn with minimum delay. It is the smoothest ride anywhere behind the Iron Curtain—but the Curtain is still there. Despite the music and the big welcome sign ravelers still must undergo one of he most thorough customs checks n Europe. And there are periodic traffic ■hecks as you proceed along the 110 miles. The East Germans want to be sure you haven't picked up a Soviet Zone subject along the high way, or some illicit cargo. Police and East German troops are about en force the entire length of this "nightmare highway." They appear to be more a feature of Soviet Zone life, however, than a highway guard force. The drive to Berlin dramatizes 'he economic contrast between West and East Germany Alone the auto bahn, in West Germany, the fields are filled with tractors, in Eas' Germany, with horses. Not a piece of modern agricultural machinery is to be seen along the entire 110 mile route. Most shocking is the position of women in the Soviet Zone economy Women make up three-quarters of the labor force in the field and or autobahn repair crews. Women perform the heaviest re pair tasks, breaking concrete, push ing wheelbarrows and heating tar Mothers and daughters work to gether in the fields. Chic is not the word for East German women, not those you scr working on the autobahn and in the fields. Wearing work trousers leavy sweaters and caps, they can lardly be distinguished from tin men. Even the autobahn traffic drama izes the contrast between the two Germanys. West German cars are pew. most of them big. and the autobahn is thick with them. Eas! German cars are few. mainly of prewar vintage, and small. Prewar, this stretch of autobahn boasted a chain of elaborate gaso line stations and restaurants. Today, pnlv a few are open. None have had repairs since the war. The autobahn is in bad shape The work under way is piecemeal and insufficient. After nearly four years, however, the East Germans have completed reconstruction of

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