Denson Communique #11-15

#11: Nov. 24, 1942

Page 1: The judges have been set for the name-the-paper contest; 107 evacuees have arrived from Honolulu; no social phone calls are to be made; full pay will be given for November; laundry opens; block heads meet with school staff; a barber shop and a shoe repair shop are planned.

Apparently the government doesn't want the people from the two camps communicating with each other; maybe they'll be passing state secrets or something? Plot a revolution? Play a baseball game that has no political meaning?

Page 2: Because the camp will not be allowed to play Rohwer, there will be an inter-squad game; a Fair Practices committee will organize for workers; the pay article and the school article from page 1 continue; material is available to make judo outfits; an unsponsored dance had been held; two new aides were added to the fire department; store 8 financial statement; clinic hours for hospital listed.

Page 3: Plumbing installation is delayed due to lack of materials; 2 fire trucks have been obtained; a local dance orchestra made its debut; a Nisei talent program was held; a chess challenge; 2 found articles; reclassification of all works will soon be completed.

Map

Work crews had protested and now they are going to be given better lunches.

Most likely this is the reason the sports game between the two camps was called off.

Page 4: The cutting and distribution of wood is explained; Protestants schedule Thanksgiving Day service; to reserve a hall you must fill out the proper forms; the first Bussei meeting was held; the Post Office closes at noon on Thanksgiving; more men needed for land clearing; a clothing-alterations department has opened; a lost article; no job reassignments during the last few days of a month; a thank-you for sympathy.

#12: Nov. 26, 1942

Page 1: Project workers get a half-day off for Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving fetes planned; first council meeting held; the wood-cutting project will start soon; administrator's homes are started; sugar-beet workers are returning; women work on landscaping job; center's first football game will be today.

Page 2: Activities schedule; soldiers visit; council meeting and holiday socials articles from page 1 continue; there was a small fire at the hospital; touch-football might be organized; two center stores have changed their names; body-building and weight-lifting will begin; girls in blocks 40 to 46 who are 16 to 25 are asked to meet to discuss girls' activities.

An editorial.

Page 3: Fair practices group to promote worker harmony (sounds like something from The Prisoner television series); an article about where the Hawaii evacuees are living; individual census records will be kept classified; drinking water should be boiled; a football game; newcomers given a warm welcome; project's milk source is inspected; the post office is one of the largest.

Page 4: An adult forum will discuss The Nisei and Vocational Readjustment; a wedding was held; speakers at Buddhist and Protestant services; five-man staff operates laundry; an injured electrical lineman is make a recovery; Troop 68 will hold a contest; faculty for the schools has been set.

#13: December 1, 1942

Page 1: A couple of articles on wood trucks and distribution; block leaders to be permanent; banking hours announced; unauthorized absence from work will be penalized; indoor recreation including ping pong, bridge, and various possible games; pre-holiday dance.

Page 2: Over 300 possible names received for the newspaper; more stores and shops are planned; activities schedule; absent workers article from page 1 continues; evacuees are sought for outside work; girls' meeting the next day; block 14 holds a variety show; clothes pins are on sale; the post office cannot cash checks from Montgomery Ward or Sears; two births, one death; blood donors are needed.

Page 3: Results of the football game; sugar beeters return; chess match between two blocks; hospital set for 24-hour calls; residents should mail Christmas packages; center musicians perform in Dermott.

The Poston strike.

Myer again. Notice the marked area, and the idea that they “dare not repeat the mistake of concentrating great numbers in any one part of the country again.” How sensitive of him. How compassionate. How, oh, in total violation of all civil rights is that. Would the same have been said of the Irish? The Jews?

Page 4: Protestant and Buddhist sermons; laundry prices might be changed; people who didn't get their paychecks need to check with the Cashier; every single person must have an I.D. number; soldiers who visit the camp and stay overnight will be charged a fee; two judoists are added; new openings for immediate work; two residents left to take jobs elsewhere; lost and found items; a girls' club elected a president.

Page 5. Very significant.

Page 6: WRA announces policy for shipment of evacuee property, including where to store things.

#14: December 4, 1942

Page 1: Permanent Resettling Sought, which is a continuation of what Myer said before, that the government is going to distribute the Japanese Americans throughout the entire country. Then there's an article clearing up misconceptions about the article on wood from the earlier issue; payment of November wages will be the next day; an acting chairman of the council has been selected.

Administrative Order No. 1

Page 2: Continuation of the article from page 1 on permanent resettlement; the wood situation and the council articles from page 1 are also continued; activities schedule; the project head is ill; Chick sexors are sought (people who can look at a chick and tell if it's female or male).

Page 3: Sewing project has been moved; wood carving class will open; senior Scouting to begin soon; schools have still not been opened; extension courses offered; a Scout committeemen meeting; football conference honors go to a Nisei.

Even the editors of the paper can't figure this out.

Page 4: Amache girl weds local boy; WRA work is subject for forum; girls' activities meet continues; there will be no more tea or eggs, and meat rationing will start soon; couples only dance; center recreation park underway; assembly center freight checkup.

Worker attitude will be recorded.

Page 5: Senator-elect John McClennan visits center; a dental clinic is established; Buddhist and Protestant services; social service office moves; organizers sought by recreation department; first center boys' club starts; co-op study class to begin; lost item.

Page 6: Water lines will be shut off for a few days for repairs; stores operator own warehouse; all visitors will be charged for overnight visits; chess and checker players to meet; sumo tournament the next day; Block 20 holds a social; boxers practice; the head of the Community Enterprise division has left; judo sign-ups; washing machines are needed; co-op seminar scheduled; laundry service; center residents will have to decide if they want a newspaper or not.

#15: December 8, 1942

Page 1: Selective service registration for 18-year-olds; evacuees in Arkansas to aid in war effort; wage payments continue; a shoe repair shop, school supply store and laundry are being constructed; office equipment wanted to rent; men added to wood crew.

Page 2: War assistance article from page 1 continues; girls' meetings slated; Scout plans formulated; bridge meeting; wood carving class delayed; one death; coal distributors needed, road maintenance equipment received.

Exactly the type of incident that is really not needed.

Page 3: Coal should not be used to heat apartments; 102,700 is the number of evacuees at the ten centers; caroling group to be started; orchestra drills postponed; manager of block 40 is elected; 3660 is the number of workers at the camp; project director recovers from a cold; hospital employees plan party; information on Social Security is given; mail from Camp Livingston has been delayed.

Page 4: Editorial on drivers needing to drive more safely in the camp; Buddhist and Protestant services; band rehearsals starting; fire supervisor lauds system, and a lost article.

Get this. Babies born at the camps are not going to get birth certificates, according to a ruling by the Attorney General (I think the Attorney General of the state, but I'm not positive.)

Pages 5 and 6 are in Japanese.



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