Work and jobs

Both Issei and Nisei took jobs within the camps, at wages set not to exceed soldiers' pay: $12 per month for unskilled labor, $16 for skilled labor, and $19 for professional employees. WRA staff was paid much more for the same jobs. Though public opinion mandated such low pay, dissatisfied Japanese Americans objected to losing their right to make a decent living. They had to use their sparse income for necessities, such as warm clothing and shoes.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1434)
Work and jobs (1359)

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1359 items

img Photograph of people playing cards at a Manzanar hospital staff picnic (ddr-csujad-47-235)

Photograph of three people sitting on the ground playing cards at a Manzanar hospital staff picnic. Several additional people can be seen in the background along with a table and trash can. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: ecm_merritt_0380

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-47-235/

doc Standard position description (ddr-csujad-45-79)

A description on the requirements for the Block Coordinator position. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-02_012

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-45-79/

doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fifth Community Council, 11th session (September 18, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-62)

The council minutes feature a urgent request for ambulance drivers. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_091

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-45-62/

doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fifth Community Council, 17th session (October 9, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-68)

The council minutes feature a report on the need for more staff in the hospital mess hall. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_097

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-45-68/

doc Manzanar From Inside Out (ddr-csujad-19-2)

Text of address by Roy Nash, Director of the Manzanar War Relocation Project, given to the Commonwealth Club of California, San Francisco, on July 31, 1942 for the purpose of "interpret[ing] the actuality of a War Relocation Center housing 10,000 evacuees" in view of perceptions of mistreatment of incarcerees in California. Sections of the speech include …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-19-2/

doc Japanese American News Clippings, August 1943 (ddr-csujad-19-16)

This document contains news clippings and articles about Japanese Americans from different tabloids describing significant events like the "first Mass Evacuation" which took place in the United States and how the Japanese people adjusted to the new way of life in the War Relocation Centers during the period of August 1943. See this object in the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-19-16/

doc [Minutes of the meeting of divisional responsible men and the Co-ordinating Committee of the Tule Lake Center, February 26, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-26)

Meeting minutes of incarceree-led Tule Lake Camp government. Primarily regarding camp employment. Describes employment statistics, concerns, and workers compensation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0026

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-26/

doc Memo from [Willard E.] Schmidt, Chief of Administrative Police, to [Raymond R.] Best, [1944] (ddr-csujad-2-78)

Regards arming the Administrative Police Section, including reasons for using the sawed-off shotgun vs. the 45 automatic pistol for security purposes, and the potential for escalation of tensions in a "divided camp (anti and pro, status quo)." See also the related typewritten memo, Memorandum from Willard [E.] Schmidt, Chief, Administrative Police, to R. R. [Raymond R.] …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-78/

doc [Informal meeting of the Co-ordinating Committee and the Project Director and members of the Advisory Council, January 19, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-36)

Meeting minutes between incarceree led Tule Lake Camp government and the Advisory Council. Discussion on issues and concerns with Motor Pool jobs, farm work, and a donation from the Japanese Red Cross. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0036

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-36/

Letter from W. [Willard] E. Schmidt, Head, Internal Security to John H. Provinse, Head, Community Management, War Relocation Authority, January 13, 1943 (ddr-csujad-2-80)

doc Letter from W. [Willard] E. Schmidt, Head, Internal Security to John H. Provinse, Head, Community Management, War Relocation Authority, January 13, 1943 (ddr-csujad-2-80)

Summary of events in connection with Internal Security Division of the Tule Lake incarceration camp, including description of personnel and recruitment efforts; a vote of incarcerees to return to work; decisions about the function of wardens and who would select members of the Warden Division; and matters concerning case report A-7, including personnel, equipment, and possible …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-80/

doc [Minutes of the special meeting of the divisional heads of the Tule Lake Center, January 22, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-16)

Minutes of divisional heads of the Tule Lake Center. Describes formal recognition of Co-ordinating committee by Camp Director Raymond Best and Military Police Commander Colonel Verne Austin, release 26 prisoners from army stockades, and details of employment and work opportunities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0016

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-16/

doc Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to Chief of Police Schmidt [Willard E. Schmidt], February 3, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-72)

Calls for special meeting of the Project Director, Advisory Council, and Co-ordinating Committee to discuss Committee recommendations, and refers to four attached memoranda, each from Co-ordinating Committee 1608-A to R. [Raymond] R. Best, Project Director, dated February 2, 1944 and written by Byron Akitsuki, Executive Secretary. Subjects of the memoranda are: Receipt of Red Cross Gift …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-72/

[Minutes of the special joint meeting of the advisory council and the Co-ordinating committee of the Tule Lake Center, March 3, 1944, January 24, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-31)

doc [Minutes of the special joint meeting of the advisory council and the Co-ordinating committee of the Tule Lake Center, March 3, 1944, January 24, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-31)

Meeting minutes between incarceree led Tule Lake Camp government and the Advisory Council. Primarily a discussion of employment-related concerns including creating a subcommittees for employment and fair practices. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0031

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-31/

[Minutes of the regular joint meeting of the advisory council and the Co-ordinating committee of the Tule Lake Center, March 3, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-30)

doc [Minutes of the regular joint meeting of the advisory council and the Co-ordinating committee of the Tule Lake Center, March 3, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-30)

Meeting minutes between incarceree-led Tule Lake Camp government and the Advisory Council. Includes discussion on prisoner release from army stockades, the creation of a Young Men's Association and the transfer of incarcerees from Poston Camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0030

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-30/

doc Memo from Harry L. Black, Advisory Committee, to Mr. [Raymond R.] Best, February 8, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-91)

Memorandum regarding meeting with Co-ordinating Committee. Concerns meeting to discuss Committee's recommendation to release "18 additional detainees from the stockade." The memo on "Executive Office of the President, Office for Emergency Management" letterhead, also discusses employment of incarcerees from Manzanar and Tule Lake and moving incarcerees out of and into various housing blocks. See this object …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-91/

Letter from Willard E. Schmidt, Internal Security Officer, to Earl D. Brooks, Personnel Division, War Relocation Authority, [December, 1943] (ddr-csujad-2-87)

doc Letter from Willard E. Schmidt, Internal Security Officer, to Earl D. Brooks, Personnel Division, War Relocation Authority, [December, 1943] (ddr-csujad-2-87)

Draft of the letter. Concerns job descriptions for Internal Security staffing; contains extensive handwritten annotations. See "Correspondence regarding need for Internal Security staff, December, 1943" found in item, sjs_sch_0085, for the final draft of the letter, dated December 16, 1943. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0087

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-87/

[Photograph of camp police] (ddr-csujad-2-103)

A black and white photograph that shows some of the camp civilian police force. The civilian police were largely made up of Japanese incarcerees. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0103

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-103/

doc [Interview Minutes with D.S. Myer, WRA National Director, March 18, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-21)

Meeting minutes between incarceree-led Tule Lake Camp government and War Relocation Authority Director D.S. [Dillon Seymour] Myer. Question-answer session between Co-ordinating Committee and Myer. Includes questions about legitimacy and self-governance of Co-ordinating Committee, concerns about camp food, employment, and martial law in the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-21/

doc Tule Lake Co-ordinating committee notes (ddr-csujad-2-27)

Meeting notes of incarceree led Tule Lake Camp government. Describes a desire to "return to normalcy" after unrest in camp including various publications, vandalism, the arrival of Manzanar transfers, lack of employment, and no prisoners being released for three weeks from the army stockades. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-27/

doc Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to Mr. W. [Willard E.] Schmidt, Chief of Administrative Police, March 24, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-69)

Memo regarding new list of fielders. Presents list of active, terminated, and new fielders and messengers of the committee, including dates of entry and termination. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0069

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-69/

doc [Minutes of the meeting of the advisory council and the divisional responsible men, January 14, 1944] (ddr-csujad-2-34)

Meeting minutes between incarceree led Tule Lake Camp government and the Advisory Council. Discusses role of the Co-ordinating Committee within the Camp, and the rejection of employees from camp jobs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0034

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-34/

doc Relocation Center standard description, Assistant Clerk-Stenographer (CAF-3) (ddr-csujad-2-77)

Description for Position #X-1007, Assistant Clerk-Stenographer (CAF-3) includes general description, distinguishing features from other clerk positions, and examples of work. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0077

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-77/

doc Tule Lake Center Diary, February 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-29)

Daily diary for March, written by Co-ordinating Committee Secretary Byron Akitsuki at Tule Lake Camp. Primarily describes various unrest and incidents in different blocks, especially Ward 6. Also includes memos and messages sent, release of prisoners from army stockades, and committee member meetings. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-29/

img Nisei machinist preparing a truck axle in machine shop at Heart Mountain incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-14-11)

Nisei machinist preparing a truck axle in machine shop at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. January 9, 1943. Photo by Tom Parker. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMLSC_TOMO_011

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-14-11/

img Six-year-old Reiko Mastuda, convalescing from serious illness at Jerome incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-14-16)

Six-year-old Reiko Matsuda, convalescing from serious illness at Jerome incarceration camp, is looked after by nurse's aid Chiyo Okata. March 11, 1943. Photo by Tom Parker. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMLSC_TOMO_016

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-14-16/