Let Japs Build our Military Roads - But Pay Them

Given the belated consent of the Ottawa government, the United States i snow committed to construct and pay the costs of the new highway, running all the way through Canadian territory, to a junction with the American highway system in Alaska.

The military necessity and general desirability of such a road is recognized everywhere. There is also general realization that it must fall short of full peace-time usefulness unless ultimately linked in, through British Columbia, with the highway system of Pacific Coastal States.

Leaving routes and other details to be settled by those who think they know best, we venture to suggest that this project affords at least partial solution to another problem made acute by war.

Much labor will be required. There is no labor supply in the country to be traversed. Virtually all manpower in the United States and Canada is otherwise engaged. Federal, state and local authorities are wrestling with the question of what to do with the Japanese who must be moved from coastal areas.

Almost to the last able-bodied man, these Japanese are industrious, accustomed to hard work. They are to be taken from their homes anyway. Why should not a considerable number of them be employed on the new highway? No, of course, as prisoners or peons; but fairly paid for the work they do; this would be better for all concerned than to keep them interned in idleness.