That the Japs should be definitely barred from the west coast and that legislation should be adopted to prevent their return was the majority consensus of county citizens who gathered in Watsonville Wednesday and Thursday nights of last week for a hearing conducted by members of the state senate interim committee. This committee is conducting similar hearings over the state to determine sentiment of the people on proposals that the Japs should be allowed to return to the coast.

Attending the hearing were Senator H. R. Judah of Santa Cruz and Assemblyman Jake Leonard of Hollister. Heading the committee were Senator Hugh Donnelly of Turlock together with Senator J. C. Dorsey of Bakersfield and Irwin T. Quinn of Eureka.

Judah declared that he was convinced from his talks with many residents of this country that the Japs should not be permitted to return.

Leonard, representing San Benito and this county in the assembly, said residents of San Benito county wanted no more Japs. Before the war there were 1000 Japs in his county with a population of 12,000.

Rev. Allan W. Geddes, pastor of the Episcopal church in Watsonville, said that while the Japs should not be permitted to return to the coast during the war, they should not be restricted when the war is ended. Rev. Mack McCray Jr. Baptist minister, seconded Geddes sentiments.