FARMERS NEEDED

Nobody paid much attention to us when--prior to the forced evacuation of the Island's Japanese-Americans--we warned that fresh produce farms would suffer if Japanese were removed.

To our attention recently has come two items which tempt us to say, "I told you so." One is the none-too successful attempts of federal officials to find laborers for farms in this state, now that harvesting is near. Lack of laborers has reached such a state that official appeals are being made to high school students.

The other was a small news clipping which said that in California thousands of acres of sugar beets--potential producers of a commodity which now is being rationed--would be plowed under unless substitutes could be found speedily for evacuated Japanese and Japanese-Americans.

This is no debate. Officials, no doubt wiser than us, have caused the evacuation. It is "fait accompli." But Uncle Sam needs farn workers. It is a grave, situation, one which will not be met successfully unless patriotic Americans from all walks of life register for farm duty. Those of us who are not gainfully employed in other work must volunteer now for farm work. The hoe, apparently, is as mighty as the sword.