Historical information about the wartime imprisonment of the people of Japanese ancestry at one of America's concentration camps, called the "Colorado River Relocation Center".
I was very happy to receive your letter and to learn that Danielson had followed through with his agreement in regard to your appointment here.
Our school problem here is going to quite serious, as you have probably already imagined. We will have about 1,700 junior school youngsters which in itself is quite a problem. We don't have a damned book, building, desk, or a teacher as yet, which means we have quite a long way to go. We have employed Miles Carey from Honolulu as Director of Education; I have heard of him for the past several years. If he is as good as they say he is, he should be able to organize a good school program, something we have been wanting for a long time. We have been delayed in getting Miles a priority on the clipper from Honolulu.
I interviewed a Dr. Haydis in San Francisco, whom we also expect to employ and bring into the program. He has worked for a number of years in the Oakland school system and is very highly recommended.
I might tell you a little about the camp. At present we are building and occupying three camps, the first of 10,000, the others of 5,000 each. We moved in early in April and started the whole damned thing. Some days I wonder if it is coming or going, but the people whom we have here so far, some 8,000, seem to be very cooperative and are doing everything to help us. There will be two high schools and junior high schools, three or four elementary schools and there is a possibility of camps three, four and five being constructed. The whole thing is quite a task.
The housing situation at the present looks very, very dark. However, we hope to have before very long, quarters for families, but this is a problem that is yet to be solved. We have had so many things to think about we have not gotten down to working on the vitally important problems, but must soon. We will have some kind of accommodations but I don't know what they will be.
Beulah and the children are remaining at Sells; I have no intention of bringing them here. I can explain that more fully to you when I see you. I have been fired as superintendent of the Sells Agency and Beulah has been appointed in my place. Inasmuch as Beulah has a position now and the children are independent of financial help from me, you can guess what I am planning to do at an early date. As you know, there are still many trails and mountain province which I know better than any one else and nothing would suit me better than to be back over there before too long. I ran around over them for two years with the Healds and now I hope the time spent with them will pay dividends. This will be some weeks yet in materializing but I have definitely made up my mind.
You have probably heard that the Army is opening a school to train men to take over as military governors of the provinces in the Philippines as we take them back. I had a very interesting talk with General DeWitt in San Francisco on Thursday and he seems quite enthused about the thing and so am I. One of these days we will stop "dillydallying" and settle down to business and when we do, the whole nation of about ninety million people had better look out.
I want to say I am very happy you are coming down and we can be close together as we have big job to do; I am sure you will want to do your share. Tell Dorothy and the kids hello for me and I will be looking for all of you.
W. Wade Head was born circa 1908 in Eldorado, Arkansas. He was an area director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for many years. During World War II, he served as director of the Colorado River War Relocation Center (also known as Poston) from 1942 to 1944. Head resigned from the role of director in 1943. There were many internee dedications given to Director Wade Head on his resignation. Internees from almost 70 block units of the center signed their names, contributed artwork, and expressed their gratitude for Head’s role as a leader of the community. He died at the age of 89 on January 25, 1997.
Mr. Henry Smith has mentioned to me your conversation regarding the possibility of evacuees being permitted to bring their pets to Poston. I, personally, feel that they should be allowed to bring them, providing the number they wish to bring is within reason. No doubt, if they are permitted to keep a few of their pets, it will give them a better attitude towards the resettlement program.
The evacuees should understand the full responsibility for the care of these pets rests upon them; also, that all dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies.
We are extremely anxious to being receiving evacuees for several reasons, but, mainly, due to the hot weather coming on; they should be arriving in order to become acclimated before the heat becomes too severe.
We are looking forward to that promised visit from you; advise us in advance so we can meet you and take care of you while you are here.
I was particularly sorry to miss you when I called the other day for reasons both general and particular. Among the particular reasons was one about which I am writing you now.
The Indian Office as an agency of the War Department and War Relocation Authority is responsible for the disposal of thirty thousand of the Japanese evacuees for the duration of the war and probably some time thereafter. We are resetting these thirty thousand Japanese evacuees (men, women and children) on the 100,000 acre tract of desert land which is owned by the Colorado River tribe. The Japanese will work to develop a huge irrigation system; they will farm under the system producing food for themselves and crops needed by the war; they will be organized for various industrial activities (production of war goods); they will be helped and required to organize their own school system, health system, et cetera, and their own municipal government. Altogether, we shall have five separate communities of them ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 in population.
At present the Japanese are arriving as fast as a thousand a day at Parker.
The most baffling problems of civil, criminal, and municipal law, etc., are confronting us at Parker. The situation is not unlike that which had confronted Indian Service in areas like, for instance, the Navajo Reservation although the job is incomparably more difficult and had to be carried out at high speed. I have discussed the needs of the situation with William A. Brophy, now our United States Attorney for the Pueblo tribe. I should like to detail him to the Parker job as solicitor for the project at the earliest moment and for the duration of the war, or at least for the formative period of the first year. However, there is no use in detailing him if he is going to be drafted at an early date. I find also that he is on the verge of entering late into a very interesting arrangement with the Army which would take him out of this section of the country altogether. He admits, however, that the challenge of the Parker job is very great, because of the things we will find out there and forge out there may have an important bearing on the post war management of the Japanese people which, very likely, our country is going to have to take upon itself.
I should be extremely appreciative of your attention to this matter and having some indication at an early date because if it is not feasible to have Mr. Brophy's services, I must commence a search for some other man, and there are not many with his specific equipment for the peculiar job.
The Pacific Citizen September 17, 1942
Vol 15 No. 16
PROBATION GIVEN VIOLATORS OF POSTON TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
POSTON—Twenty-four persons appeared in Poston I Police Court last week on traffic violation charges, reports the Press Bulletin. Most of the violators were put on one to six months probation. A few were given two-day sentences, with one day suspended.
THREE POSTON FAMILIES RETURN TO COAST HOMES
Leaving Poston last week through the mixed-marriage release were Clarence and Francine Sadamune, who left for Oakland, Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Dequin of Gilroy, and Mrs. Thelma Conejo and her children Elias and Steven who left for San Jose.
POSTON COLONISTS USE SCRAP TO OVERCOME MATERIAL SHORTAGE
Evacuees Devise Ingenious Creations to Replace Commodities and Fixtures Unobtainable Because Of War-Born Priorities, Transportation Difficulties
By FRANKLYN SUGIYAMA
Poston, Ariz, —War-born priorities, shortages of this and that, together with mounting transportation difficulties provide a problem that is confounding WRA heads in Poston. From Wade Head down to the lesser satellites, the phrase to meet these breaches seem to be, "we leave it up to your ingenuity."
The evacuee Japanese here have proven equal to the challenge in many highly imaginative ways and by, exceedingly clever methods. True, enough, experienced engineers or skilled mechanics may shake their heads with misgiving at some of the unholy apparatus but it seems to do the work. Because the Poston-invented product lacks factory built smooth and sleek lines, it often leans toward the unusual and comical. Yet, like oleomargarine, despite the appearance, it will do as a substitute for butter.
POSTONITES ADEPT AT IMPROVISING
The average Postonite seems to be a half carpenter, half machinist combined with a streak of talent that rises to the occasion with a spur of the moment contrivance. If ingenuity can be described as the ability to accomplish great results with small moans, there are improvisions for almost everything but U. S. greenbacks at Poston.
When the first batch of evacuees arrived here in May, the administration offices were just as bare as Sally Rand. Hastily, the maintenance department drafted a few evacuee carpenters who had but a minimum of tools but a maximum of resourcefulness. They speedily built sturdy office furniture out of scrap lumber that the contractor had discarded.
There was a Caucasian cabinet maker then; but when Tom Yura displayed the serviceable desks, designed with roomy drawer space, stream-lined with his delicate touch the cabinet maker soon left. Neat cabinets, files, tables and even chairs were fashioned from wood resurrected from the waste piles. The canteens and their fixtures have taken their toll in board feet.
HOSPITAL USES MANY INGENIUS CREATIONS
The hospital has used many of the products styled by Japanese artisans. Other departments have been satisfied in their demands for for furniture. But the scrap heaps have become extinct as the dinosaurs. Yet, from what odds and ends that are still left and from recently purchased new materials the carpenters continue to turn out useful products.
When there was no lumber available for nursery facilities, again evacuee ingenuity and sweat came to the rescue. Lath houses sprang up to take the place of glass hot houses to grow plants. Then, as these seeds grew to the transplanting stage, they were placed under shades built with cotton wood supports and thatched with brush, until they were strong enough to be planted in the field.
About six acres of tomatoes were set out here, but due to unfavorable weather conditions, these plants died. However, to plant this acreage, over 6,000 young plants were required. Every one of these were raised here in the improvised hot house and shelter. Now attention is being centered on celery plants.
Quoting from Carey McWilliams in September's Harper Magazine, who writes about Santa Anita, "'many of the quarters have been tastefully decorated with a talent for improvising that borders on the miraculous."
McWilliams could have used the same words for Poston. On arrival, the apartments were completely bare. But now, the residences here are full of homemade furniture. Stools, benches, chairs, tables, dressing tables, suitable for the exacting demands of the feminine heart, clothes cabinets, closets, book cases, desks and wooden clogs are just a few of the pieces made after visits to the waste lumber pile. Even chaise lounges are included in the thousand and one useful articles constructed. Chests of drawers are found in many homes. At the first glance, these look like Grand Rapids pieces but closer scrutiny reveals the use of neatly shaved discards from the trash heaps with perhaps a back of corrugated paper to stamp the article as strictly of local make.
Minoru Inokuchi, Block 22, has perhaps one of the biggest chests. It stands over 5 feet in height with a set of 5 drawers almost a foot deep each and about 3 and one-half feet in length.
WINDSTORM BOOM TO SCRAP SUPPLY
The destructive wind storm that hit Poston a while back proved the adage, "it is an ill wind that blows nobody good."
Since the available supply of lumber had been depleted, after the storm a few porches and many additional pieces were designed to round out a home set of modern Americana in Poston lines. Some of the people are secretly hoping for another storm to build a few more things.
During the past hot spell, many novel forms of air conditioning came from the fertile and over-heated brains of the evacuees. A few merely cut large holes in the walls to admit the cooling, breezes. Others covered these holes with a frame over laid with a burlap or onion sack on which a tiny trickle of water fell from an over head tank. These tanks were made of wood, others used large tin cans, with a small opening for water drainage.
The majority of the more inventive resorted to boxes lined with excelsior in place of sack frames. But these fantastic and crude models were all dependent on a movement outside air for efficiency. Only a faint breath of wind, pouring through the water cooled openings, lowered the room temperature by a few degrees. Then, as these experiments were developed, and finding the cause of step farther, complementing the inefficiency, a number advanced a home-made engineering with a motor driven fan to maintain a constant flow of cooled air.
HOME-MADE COOLING UNITS DEVISED
Some dug cellars large enough to accomodate three or four persons underneath their houses despite the perils of scorpions and the nuisance of omnipresent ants.
One of the earliest cooling units, made by Mr. Kurishima, Block 30,was unique. It has all the usual features plus a windlass to lift the water to the eaves. There, the nail keg, cut like a bucket, is tipped into a wooden trough. Then, as the water drops down, it is gathered in a reservoir to be used again. It is a contraption that would make even Rube Goldberg turn envious.
This same man has a wind-operated "dojigger" that tops anything for originality. The figure elevated on a stick in his yard, apparently, is a woman bent over a wash board. As it leans over towards the bottom of the board its skirt is raised. If the wind is stirring, the motion of a woman washing is faithfully depicted. Sometimes, she does it in a lackadaisical, indifferent manner; other times, she is so vigorous that one can almost sense her haste because she must start cooking for her hungry brood. It is always a laugh provoker.
Mr. Kurishima, previously mentioned, has taken over the toy department. His tools are limited but already he has made a creditable start. Alphabet blocks, toy houses, chairs and other playthings that delight juvenile hands have been built. He has plans for more ambitious schemes on mass production lines if he can get the materials. When the curved forms used in supporting concrete for the sewage disposal plant were broken, the lumber did not pass unseen. The Los Angeles boys on Block 35 seized it for a backstop in the ball park, christened Powell-Evans field. Other parts were utilized in a semi-circular backstop by the Riverside and San Bernardino lads for their diamond on Block 4.
Curved bridges, faintly recalling "maru bashi," have appeared in various parts of the camp. More porches with a graceful arc were added to other homes. Basketball backboards have become numerous. All of these have occasional lumps of concrete, marking their source. Fish ponds have been dug, planted with carp and catfish caught in the nearby creek. The bait problem has been solved by lures of rolled up bread. Fish are such poor connoiseurs of palatibility! Perhaps that accounts for the expression, "poor fish."
MINIATURE LAKES LANDSCAPING GEM
Poston's landscaping gem is the miniature twin lakes built by K. Ito of Block 35. The bottom of the lakes is concrete, while they included the American Association of University Women, overhead is a "mam bashi" with a lantern suspended high over the center arch. When the work is completed, it will be one of the show places of the settlement.
Victory gardens, lawns, flower beds, transplanted cotton, wood trees and other flora have all been used to show typical evacuee ingenuity. It is a welcome contrast to the ugly wastes that are common on every hand. However, the victory gardens must be classified as foresighted, rather than ingenuity.
There have been numerous funerals and a few weddings. The flowers used for these rites have been made invariably from wire, paper wrappings from oranges and lemons, and whatever bits of bright colored paper that the maker may chance upon. Some of these blooms appear so real that one can almost detect an odor.
Manifestations of the novel are rather on the bizarre side, uncovering the latent streak of humor in the evacuees, as shown by the house signs. Blue Room, Casa de Utsuki, Hacienda de Wowonas, Casa de Sorrel, Rancho Grande and la Casa de Mo Gan Toi are a few examples.
The plastic art department, headed by Katsutoshi Tanino has a program under way now to develop talent in wood carving, soap whittling and other artistic leanings in that line. They will soon have an exhibit. The play shelters for children that are built in various sites, are civic monuments. These are merely cottonwood poles supporting a brush roof; however, the work is entirely voluntary. The residents of the block go out on Sundays to gather the material and construct the shade in their spare time.
Poston, too. has its outdoor bowl. Perhaps the stage does not compare with the Hollywood Bowl but the people in Block 22, who volunteered to build it and maintain it, think it is better. This is the scene for talent shows and "shibai" with tin cans for footlight reflectors and shades.
SCRAP WOOD PILES RAPIDLY DISAPPEAR
If anything is needed nowadays for household furniture, the usual procedure is to take stock of your own lumber supply, cached out of sight under the house. Then, if you still lack material, cast a covetous eye on your neighbor's wood. The idea is to beg, borrow or wheedle him into giving you the parts to complete your dream. However, if you haven't the stuff to suit your fancy, then, there is the final and costlier alternative, the all-American method, order by mail.
After the scrap piles had been reduced to oblivion, the people turned to the adjoining jungles for further materials. Taking the cue from Isamu Noguchi, R. Kato and Frank Kadowaki, who have gathered uncommon species of knotty mesquite knurls and unique pieces of iron wood, the rush has started. This wood, when stripped of its bark and polished, makes wonderous mantlepieces, vases, lamp stands and other decorative articles. Some of the finished products by Noguchi and by Kato are positively masterpieces in their line.
Raiding the desert for cacti is another arduous fad that has taken root in Poston. Now, with cooler weather, many more desert flora will eventually be transplanted to lighten the drab atmosphere about the camp. Howard Kakudo has made a nice start on a cacti garden.
CLEVERNESS RAMPANT IN MESS KITCHENS
The kitchen is another place where cleverness seems rampant. The noise mechanism that is equivalent to "come and get it" range* from tops of garbage cans clashed together like cymbals, beating; a frying pan, pounding steel bars, knocking a worn-out kettle and even tapping disc knives.
L. W. Bemis of Santa Ana has donated a disc knife to for that Block 22 purpose. Each block has its special and peculiar means of announcing "chow." Strange as it may seem, despite the proximity of the kitchens which peal forth three times a day at almost the identical hour, each resident is attuned to the distinctive timbre of the mess call in his individual eating place. Seldom is he rushed into answering the adjoining kitchen's summons. Depending upon the extent of hunger, these urgent notices, however noisy as they may be, are the sweetest harmony played anywhere. The bells of St. Mary's college chimes have never aroused the contentment that the dinner music brings forth.
High chairs for juveniles have been made in the mess halls. Steel bands that were once wound around massive rolls of blankets have found their way to the kitchens adorned with wooden handles to be used for paring vegetables.
There are many adroit and accomplished people here, the art on display make proof hardly necessary. But, the most ingenious improviser, the king of them all, is the chief cook in the kitchens. Beset by limited equipment, harried by short rations and cut off by tardy supplies, with mealtime approaching closer by each tick of the clock, he must prepare a repast from inspiration and practically an empty larder. These conditions are the usual and not the extraordinary. After all, how far will a daily 38 cents allowance for food per person stretch?
Yet, even if it be beans for the first meal of the day, these stalwart men put them out on the tables. People often complain about the lack of variety in the menu but with the shortages in staples, the chief cooks are doing a mighty fine job. The fault lies elsewhere —not in the lack of culinary cunning and not in the lack of imagination.
Nobody on record, in Foston, has missed a meal because the chef couldn't think of anything to cook, no matter how humble it may be. Yes. the evacuees have the ability to overcome a good many obstacles that may have proven bottlenecks. Come to Poston for a post-graduate course in ingenuity!
The Mutual Supply Company Changes of Address Of Personnel
S. Togasaki, 307-5-A, Poston, Arizona.
Y. Fukutome, 308-4-C, Poston, Arizona.
SUGAR COMPANY HAS OFFICIALS CONTACTING RELOCATION CENTERS
In an effort to secure evacuee labor to harvest the beet crop, the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company has a dozen officials and agricultural supervisors contacting Japanese relocation centers, Eric W. Ryberg, executive vice-president of the company, reported in Salt Lake City last week.
He noted that seeing sufficient labor to harvest the big crop in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington and South Dakota is the company's greatest problem.
"We expect about 12,000 persons to go into the beet fields in our territory to harvest the crop the latter part of September and of this number about 5,000 will be Japanese men and members of their families," Ryberg asserted. "The other workers will be the growers themselves and their families."
Ryberg added that his company already has 2,000 evacuee Japanese helping in its field operations, but that 3,000 more are needed to assist in the harvesting. The sugar executive said that the company has received fine co-operation from the governors of the states in which it operates and from local civilian authorities working with the War Relocation Authority.
Whistling in the Dark By KENNY MURASE
Lets Get Together, Urges Little Esteban
Little Esteban had an unusually thoughtful and expensive look on his face as he came toddling in, and he seemed not a whit disturbed when the door behind him walloped shut as another Poston twister shook the building.
"Well, Little Esteban," said I, "what's on your mind?"
Little Esteban looked at me with rueful brown eyes and heaved a sigh. "Lots of things, kiddo, lots of things."
"For instance, what ?" I asked.
"I've been hearing things, kiddo, and none of it sounds very good. Your bunch here isn't getting along any too good with the new people who just came in from Santa Anita, are you? There have seen some scraps already and you're pretty much divided, aren't you?
"I guess that's so," said I, "but I think it's because they are newcomers and because they all happen to be living in that one section over there."
"Yes, that was too bad they had to be separated like that. You'll always have the natural tendency of thinking you belong in this section and that they belong in that section, and you'll have some sort of rivalry coming up, unless you do something about it quick."
"Well, Little Esteban, just what do you suppose we can do to keep these people from having ill-will against each other?"
"Mostly by education, kiddo, by getting people to realize the situation they're in and the consequences of the attitudes and the actions that they take."
I guess I was in a fog; what Little Esteban was saying just didn't register. "How do you mean?" I asked blankly.
"Well, kiddo,'' said he in a wise and philosophic tone, "our community here in Poston is composed of people from different areas all up and down the California coast. As individuals, each of us have individual ideas, habits and opinions; each of us will react a little differently from anyone else in any given situation. In many cases, what we think and feel and do may be entirely contrary to, perhaps even in conflict with, what our neighbors think and feel and do. Because of these reasons we will often find some people objectionable, and we may want to express this feeling in some way,"
"And suppose," I interrupted, "people do have such feelings. How do you suppose you're going to get them to withhold them?"
"By making them realize that whether or not they want to show their disapproval of others, they have to face the fact they must live together with them for a long time. You lave the alternative now of either setting aside your petty differences and combining all your mental and physical and spiritual resources and really forging ahead as a progressive community, or else you can keep insisting upon clinging to a dead past and salve your old selfish egos to slowly perish in the heat and the dust."
"Sounds awful," said I, as Little Esteban continued. "Each of you have come from an acquisitive society where you've measured success in terms of material possessions— money, clothes, a good car-—and in trying to attain this kind of 'success' you've always thought and acted in terms of furthering your own self interest, yours alone, and often times blindly disregarding the social consequences of what you are doing."
"And how does Poston differ from the sort of society we came from?" I asked.
"Well, it's this way, kiddo," said Little Esteban, "here in Poston, material possessions—money, clothes, a good car —they're no longer important—the drive for material gains has lost the glitter that it has had. Now you've got to measure success in terms of the social services that you as individuals may, render to the community. Instead of devoting your energies to the selfish accumulation of material wealth, you'll have to divert them into channels leading towards community betterment."
"But how are you going to get people to change their ways of thinking and acting when all their life up until now they've been thinking and acting as they are now and finding it to work out all right for them?"
"Kiddo, that's a hard question to decide," said Little Esteban frowning, "But it'll only be a matter of time before the people begin to realize that they must all work in the interests of the community as a whole, and you can hurry up the process of their awakening to that realization if you begin now to point out the dangers of their taking a passive attitude towards the situation.
"You see, kiddo," and now Little Esteban's cherubic face became long and sober, "Most of you in your community of Poston III haven't been here very long. You still have some money with you, but you're spending it fast, and there will come a time when you aren't going to be able to run down to the canteen for a pop whenever you feel like it. There will be other things a lot more important that you'll have to buy—clothes, bedding, shoes, personal items, etc.—and there's a limit to even these things. If your present rate of income is kept where it is, and if you keep spending it as fast as you are now, there's going to come a time when a great number of you will have to have some sort of assistance from other people. Let's hope such a situation won't become serious, but if it does, then the whole community will have to help the needy—and you'll have to begin now preparing the community to be ready to meet such a situation. You have to start impressing upon the people right now of how important and necessary it is to set aside self-interest for community interest."
"In other words, Little Esteban," I said, "you feel that people should begin thinking about all the possible things that might happen in the future and to begin repairing for them now,"
"That's it, kiddo," said he, "so let's get down to business."
And with that Little Esteban disappeared in a cloud of Poston dust.
TIMELY TOPICS BY SABURO KIDO FIRST EXCLUSION ORDERS FOR ZONE 2
The first exclusion orders for Zone 2 of Central California followed closely those covering the 20 counties of Northern California. Lindsay District of Tulare County and Fresno City and Clovis District of Fresno County have been ordered to go to the Colorado River Project, more commonly known as Parker Dam and officially as Poston, Arizona. When this center is completed, it will be one of the largest cities of Arizona.
According to information available, Poston is on an Indian Reservation like some of the other relocation centers. The irrigation project was started in 1860 but has not been finished, for the Indians did not move into this reservation.
The canal has been brought into the relocation center; so now the water is abundant. The torrid heat of Arizona climbs to heights which are not dreamed of by Californians, excepting those in the Imperial Valley.
At times the temperature has climbed to 118 degrees inside; 138 degrees outside in the shade; and 150 degrees four inches from the ground. Our Bay Region friends would shrink with dismay if they were told that they were going into this hot region. A little conditioning, however, can bring about changes. Human beings are great at adapting themselves to new conditions. It is the only way in which one can survive.
Those in Central California have received excellent conditioning during the hot spell of last week when they had five days of 110 degrees. After this siege, 100 degrees seemed to be cool and 80 degrees cold. Of course we must admit that the outposts of civilization may not have the luxuries we have at our command to alleviate the tortures from the heat. But today we are positive that we can withstand heat. While we moan, groan and perspire, the day passes by and the evening brings relief.
This evacuation business is without question a great adventure. It will have its humorous side if we don't take life too seriously in all its aspects. Unless we maintain our normal balance, we are going to be lost souls.
JAPANESE HAIL INDEPENDENCE DAY AT WRA CENTERS
Some 28,000 Japanese at the War Relocation Authority's three relocation centers at Manzanar, Tule Lake and Poston, Ariz., observed the Fourth of July with appropriate ceremonies.
As the sun rose over the mesas bordering the Colorado River Valley, 8,500 at the Poston Center gathered for flag-raising ceremonies and for a patriotic address by Wade Head, the Project Director. This ceremony was followed by the planting of the Founders' Grove of 40 mulberry trees purchased by the evacuees as a contribution to the landscaping of the center.
In the evening the evacuees participated in a Water Pageant commemorating the completion of the main irrigation canal to the relocation city.
UC FROSH PITCHER AWARDED SWEATER, CLASS NUMERALS
BERKELEY, Calif. — Kaneto Arita, one of the pitchers on Harry Kingman's Freshman baseball team at the University of California, received a pleasant surprise recently when informed that he had been awarded his class numerals and a sweater. Due to evacuation orders Arita had left the team in the middle of the season and the award came to him as a complete surprise. His teammates remembered him at the close of the season by sending him an autographed baseball. He is at Poston, Arizona.
ARMY EXCLUSION PROCLAMATION CLEARS STATE
GEN. DEWITT ISSUES ORDERS AFFECTING ALL OF JAPANESE ANCESTRY
SAN FRANCISCO —Lieut. Gen.J. L. DeWitt moved into Southern California July 3 with the Army's program to exclude all persons of Japanese ancestry from the state of California when he issued Civilian Exclusion Orders 103 and 104 affecting portions of Tulare and Fresno Counties, all of. Inyo County and that portion of Kern County in Military Area No. 2.
The bulk of southern California was cleared by June 6, when the last Japanese from Military Area No 1 were moved to Assembly and Relocation Centers.
Together with orders 100, 101 and 102 issued June 20, the new orders virtually complete Japanese evacuation within the state with the exception of northern San Bernardino County a small are surrounding Fresno in Fresno County, northern Tulare County and the Assembly and Relocation Centers already established under military control. The Assembly Centers are being emptied of Japanese as fast as the Relocation Centers are prepared for occupancy. Evacuees will be allowed to take personal belongings, bedding, linen and necessary household items with them, providing the total weight of such items does not exceed 150 pounds for adults and 75 pounds for children under 12 years of age.
Heavy household furniture maybe stored at the evacuee's expense pending delivery to a Relocation Center later and smaller items may be shipped also at the expense of evacuees to the center by parcel post or railway express.
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 103 affects approximately 1,000 persons living in that portion of Fresno County officially described as:
"All that portion of the County of Fresno, State of California, lying within Military Area 2."
A responsible member of each family and each individual living alone will report to the Civil Central Control Station in the Clovis Union High school gymnasium, corner Fifth and Baron Streets, Clovis, between the hours of 8 a.m and 5 p. m., Wednesday, July 8, or Thursday, July 9.
Evacuees will be transported to the Colorado River Relocation Center on Monday, July 13, Tuesday, July 14,Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, with 250 persons affected each day.
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 104 affects approximately 750 persons living in those portions of Inyo, Kern and Tulare Counties officially described as:
"all of the County of Inyo, State of California, and all those portions of the Counties of Tulare and Kern, State of California, within Military Area 2."
A responsible member of each family and each individual living alone will report to the Civil Control Station in the Lincoln Junior High School, corner of Howard and Hermosa Streets, Lindsay, between the hours of 8 a .m. and 5 p. m. Wednesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 9.
Evacuees will be transported to the Colorado River Relocation Center on Monday, July 13,Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, with 250 persons affected each day.
Japanese included in the orders issued June 30, by General DeWitt, will be moved to the Tule Lake Relocation Center in Modoc County, Northern California. Those under Order No. 100 will move Thursday, July 9, those under Order 101, Saturday, July 11, and those under Order 102, Friday, July10, and Sunday, July 12.
CLOVIS ORGANIZES GROUP TO ASSIST JAPANESE EVACUEES
CLOVIS, Calif. — The Clovis branch of the National Security and Fair Play Committeee was organized at a meeting in the Methodist Church Annex to assist Japanese aliens and Americans of Japanese descent in their evacuation to relocation centers.
The major work of the committee will be to obtain automobiles and trucks to transport persons and luggage on evacuation day. Another part of the committee's work is to obtain boxes and small trunks for carrying personal effects and larger trunks and boxes for storage purposes.
Rev. Ralph Mason Dreger was chosen chairman of the group. Organizing the group were Rev. F. V. Dabold, Mrs. Virgil Ambrosia, and Wayne Hall. Others serving on the committee are Mr. and Mrs. C. Merriman, M. Galliano, M. G. Reavis, Mr. and Mrs. C. Lemmon and T. Pendergrass.
The Pacific Citizen Thursday June 11, 1942
NISEI SOLDIERS REMOVED FROM WESTERN ZONE
General DeWitt Issues Warning on Japanese In Army Uniforms
The Western Defense Command in San Francisco issued a warning last week cautioning citizens to be on the alert for Japanese persons wearing U. S. Army uniforms in the Pacific Coast combat zone. Lt. Gen. DeWitt noted that all American-born Japanese in the U. S. Army had been removed from the Western Defense Command and the Fourth Army and transferred to interior posts.
There are approximately four thousand American Japanese in the U. S. Army, the majority of whom are now serving at posts in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Kansas. Gen. DeWitt's warning stated that only three Japanese were on official duty within the Western Defense Command. They were assigned to special work at Fort Ord, Calif.
MASAOKA MEETS WITH QUAKER HEADS IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Student relocation problems were discussed by Mike Masaoka and George Inagaki, special representatives of the National JACL, at a conference with the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia last Thursday. The details of the .program for relocating nisei collegians in inland schools will be announced as soon as details are ironed out, it is believed.
Inagaki arrived in Philadelphia from New York City where he participated in a dinner meeting last Tuesday with nisei leaders of the New York area on problems mutually affecting eastern and western Japanese Americans. After the meeting in Philadelphia, the JACL representatives returned to Washington.
FBI ARRESTS 364 ALIENS DURING MAY WASHINGTON—The FBI seized 364 enemy aliens considered dangerous during May, bringing the total apprehended since December 7 to 8844, the Justice Department announced. They were 4611 Japanese, 2869 Germans and 1364 Italians.
11 THOUSAND TO BE MOVED TO DURATION HOMES
SAN FRANCISCO — Movement of approximately 11,000 Japanese from temporary Pacific Coast Assembly and Reception Centers to homes "for the duration" in permanent Relocation Centers was announced today by Colonel Karl R. Bendetsen, Assistant Chief of Staff, Civil Affairs Division, Western Defense Command and Fourth Army.
Under the new orders covering movement of Japanese inland from the temporary Assembly and Reception Centers, the estimated 11,000 Japanese to be relocated will be moved from the Mayer Center in Arizona to the Poston Relocation project near Parker, Arizona; and from the Portland, Oregon, Puyallup, Washington, and Marysville, Sacramento and Salinas Assembly Centers in California to the Tule Lake Relocation Center in Northern California.
MANY EVACUEES TRANSFERRED
The Tule Lake Center has already been set up, with the transfer there from Portland and Puyallup Assembly Centers late in May of an advance contingent totaling approximately 500.
On June 2 approximately 250 evacuees were moved from Mayer, Arizona, to the Poston project.
The next movement will begin June 15, when approximately 4,800 evacuees will be transported from the Sacramento Assembly Center, at the rate of 500 per day, to the Tule Lake Reclamation Center.
Beginning June 24 an approximate total of 2,500 Japanese will begin moving from the Marysville Assembly Center to Tule Lake. On June 28 the first of approximately 3,600 will begin moving from Salinas Assembly Center in California to Poston Relocation Center in Arizona.
WCCA SERVICE CENTERS OPENED IN MILIARY 2
Servicing Japanese in communities affected by General DeWitt's proclamation ordering eventual evacuation of California's Military Area 2, five new WCCA offices were opened on June 5.
These service centers will help Japanese in the affected area dispose of their property and will prepare them for the transition to the assembly centers.
More than 10,000 Japanese are believed affected by the new proclamation. Of this group some 5,000 are believed to have voluntarily evacuated to this zone from Military Area I before the March 29 'freezing' order.
Large groups of American citizens and alien Japanese established themselves in Tulare and Fresno counties. There has been a considerable amount of agitation from public officials in the valley counties and from certain farm interests for the inclusion of this district in the evacuation order.
WCCA Service Centers for the California portions of Military Area 2 will be opened at the following locations:
Chico — 509 Main Street, Paul Little, manager.
Marysville — 319 "C" Street, William Harvey, manager.
Auburn — City Hall, Thomas Harvey, manager.
Reedley — City Hall, Ivan H. Merritt, manager.
Visalia — 500 North Garden Street, Leo Fisher, manager.
The WCCA is urging all Japanese in Military Area 2 in California to make contact with officials of the service center closest to their place of residence.
EDITORIALS:
A SLAP IN THE FACE
Americans of Japanese ancestry, defending their country against the Nipponese invaders, were killed in action in Hawaii on Dec-3—More than four thousand American-born Japanese in the continental U. S. proudly wear Uncle Sam's khaki and are in training to fight in this global war for survival. In Hawaii are additional thousands in the regular Army and in the Territorial Guard. The American Japanese have been proud of their record of participation in the defense of the United States. They have not flinched in the face of demands for great sacrifice. When their evacuation from the Pacific Coast states was ordered on the basis of military necessity, they went cheerfully and willingly, secure in the belief that their acquiescence to the military orders was in the best interests of national security. Military and civilian officials have attested to the splendid co-operation of Americans of Japanese race during the trying days of evacuation.
But today with thousands of brother Americans of Japanese descent in the fighting services of the United States, a strange contradiction has arisen.
American Japanese whose draft numbers have been called in recent weeks are being told in effect that they are not wanted by the U. S. Army. A letter received by one of these potential inductees from his draft board reads:
"We have received instructions from National Headquarters . . . that all Japanese calls to service have been cancelled."
Some of these young Americans who have been in Class 1-A in the draft have just been notified that they have been reclassified and are now in Class 4-C. Class 4-C is the classification of aliens ineligible for the U. S. Army. Classification in 4-C is a slap in the face to any loyal young American.
American Japanese are anxious to do their part in the winning of the war. Their only hope for the future lies in the decisive victory of the forces of democracy and decency. But the democratic principles of equality and fair play for which America fights abroad must be maintained at home. Democracy is not a pretty political theory which can be placed on a pedestal for admiration. Democracy is a way of life which must be practiced constantly.
We hope that this policy of classifying able young Americans of fighting age in Class 4-C is not a general one nor one which will be continued. Such a practice merely encourages the forces of reaction which even today are sniping away at the civil rights of American Japanese, which are already planning to make impossible their return to their homes after the war and which are attempting to bring Hitler's Nuremberg race laws to America.
POSTON
Post office facilities at Poston were opened last week. The office will operate as a classified branch of the Phoenix post office. Paul Famer is in charge of the mailing division.
Camp manager at Poston is Wade Head. Army engineers have labeled Poston's three sections as Little Tokyo, Little Osaka and Little Kobe, but the evacuees will change the names to MacArthur, Colin Kelley and "Jimmy" Doolittle.
VANDALS OVERRUN PROPERTY EVACUATED BY VALLEY FARMERS
SACRAMENTO — Major Painter, Provost Marshal at Elk Grove, reported to the sheriff's office Friday night that vandals were overrunning crop lands evacuated by the Japanese, picking fruit and damaging considerable property. The same situation existed at Florin, he said. Deputies were dispatched to the scene but made no arrests.
Sheriff Cox announced that any persons caught picking "crops without permission on evacuated farms would be arrested. Farm officials here estimated that a major part of Florin's $600,000 strawberry crop had been doomed by evacuation.
JACL TO CONTEST ATTACK ON CIVIL RIGHTS
CALIFORNIA GROUP WOULD TAKE AWAY VOTING PRIVILEGES
Two suits which seek to deprive 5,000 American citizen Japanese in San Francisco and Alameda counties have been filed in Federal District Court by representatives of the Native Sons of the Golden West, the American Legion and the Joint Immigration Committee.
Saburo Kido, National JACL President, has announced that the suits will be contested by Bay Region JACL chapters and by the National JACL. Kido has also stated that the JACL has consistently cooperated with army and civilian authorities in the evacuation and in all matters of military necessity and the JACL has not raised any questions as to the constitutionality of orders issued in connection with evacuation. However, he has noted that any attacks on the civil rights which are not vital to national defense will be resisted in the courts in order that the rights of all Americans of Japanese ancestry may be fully protected and preserved.
Main figure in the suits against American-born Japanese is U. S. Webb, state attorney-general for nine terms who has been long identified with movements against resident Japanese in California. Webb who is believed attempting a 'comeback' politically is representing the plaintiffs. He said the suits were filed "at the request of the American Legion, the Native Sons and the Joint Immigration Committee.
Filed by John T. Regan in San Francisco and James K. Fisk in Oakland the suits name as defendants Cameron King, San Francisco registrar of voters, and G. E. Wade, Alameda County Clerk and Registrar of Voters. The suits ask the Federal Court to order the registrars to strike from the registration books the names of all American voters, of Japanese ancestry, contending that the Japanese have been illegally admitted to citizenship.
The suits seek to obtain a new ruling by the U. S. Supreme Court whereby those of Japanese descent born in this country will not be considered American citizens. It has already been announced that the Native Sons will also seek a constitutional amendment which would deny citizenship to all persons of Japanese descent. A campaign to raise funds for the sponsorship of such legislation has already been undertaken by the Native Sons group.
The American Civil Liberties Union has also announced that it is interested in protecting the civil rights of all citizens and will appear in the case with the special permission of the court.
Ernest Besig, Director of the San Francisco office of the ACLU, has strongly condemned the suits filed to deprive U. S.-born Japanese of their voting rights. This is a cruel and preposterous attempt to nullify express constitutional guarantees and an attack upon the rights of all minorities," he said.
Meanwhile, U. S.-born Japanese now in assembly and reception centers have been advised that they are eligible to vote as absentees in the coming primary elections if they are properly registered.
SURPRISE PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND
The Western Defense Command ordered the eventual evacuation of all Japanese residing in California in Military Area 2. The latest order from General DeWitt came as a surprise, since General DeWitt had stated previously that Japanese voluntarily evacuating Military Area I would probably not again be bothered by exclusion orders for the duration.
In Public Proclamation No. 6 issued Tuesday by the Western Defense Command in San Francisco, all persons of Japanese ancestry were prohibited from leaving Military Area 2 after 12 noon, June 2. Curfew hours between 8 p. m. and 6 a. m. were set for Japanese within Military 2. A travel limit of ten miles from their places of residence was set.
"All alien Japanese and persons of Japanese ancestry will be excluded from said California portion of Military Area 2 by future orders or proclamations," it was announced.
The order came on the heels of a meeting in Sacramento on May 25 when representatives of California counties within Military Area 2 asked for restrictive measures for Japanese persons. The Associated Farmers and other "pressure" groups were active in proposing restrictions for Japanese in the California "free zone."
VANGUARD PREPARES RELOCATION CENTER NEAR PARKER DAM
POSTON, Ariz. —The vanguard of the eventual 20,000 residents of the Parker irrigation area in Arizona, largest of the WRA's relocation projects, has arrived at Poston and now are busily engaged in planning and building their homes for the duration.
Officials here hope to make this wild desert land one of the most productive areas in the west and a vital factor in America's "Food for Victory" program.
The first group of evacuees, 2,300 from Orange and San Diego counties, moved into Poston last week. They joined an advance guard of 275 doctors, nurses, cooks and administrative officials who had arrived previously.
Food crops, sugar beets, and guayule (for making rubber) are being considered for the 80,000 acres which will eventually be placed under cultivation on the Colorado River Indian reservation by Japanese evacuees from west coast areas.
MAYER CENTER LOOKS LIKE ANY U. S. TOWN
MAYER, Ariz. — Mayer Reception Center, temporary home for Arizona's evacuated Japanese, resembles the "Main Street" of any cleaner-than-usual American summer town, rather than a "Little Tokyo," according to a reporter for the Arizona Republic of Phoenix who visited the center recently.
The Mayer Center was formerly a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and is set in one of the brightest spots in this part of Arizona, which is 85 miles north of Phoenix. The camp is set in a little valley rich in shade trees and surrounded by scrub- covered hills. Thomas B. Rice is manager of the center.
(Note: The people at Mayer Assembly Center were later moved to Poston camp I.)
