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 (1435)
Work and jobs (1370)

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1370 items

doc Short story: "The outcast" / "The alien within" (ddr-densho-468-68)

Four typed drafts. First draft describes a Japanese American girl in the mid-20th century. Second, third, and fourth drafts describe incarceration. The story's name changes from "The outcast" to "The alien within" between drafts 2 and 3. Final draft has perspective shift from third-person narrator to first-person.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-68/

doc Seattle Post-Intelligencer (ddr-densho-446-451)

Selected articles: Seattle woman's saga captured in photo (p.1-2); Club Asia (p. 2)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-451/

doc Termination Notice (ddr-densho-443-10)

Wakako Domoto's notice of termination. Reason stated "death of father"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-443-10/

doc Notice of assignment (ddr-densho-443-9)

Wakako Domoto's notice of assignment to a clerical job in Amache.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-443-9/

img Mess Hall staff (ddr-densho-471-163)

The Mess Hall staff sit and pose for a group photograph. Note from donor: "Mess hall 17 group, Tule lake".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-471-163/

img Kubota Family Album (ddr-densho-471-1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-471-1/

img Group photo in front of the Topaz Community Cooperative Enterprises building (ddr-densho-292-2)

Caption on reverse: "Topaz Community Cooperative Enterprises. Coop @ Topaz management of movies. Mary Kaibe - 3rd from right, back row. Age 17. Mary left - government gave her $50 to go to Chicago to get work (after 3 1/2 years). Torakichi Nishioka worked in mess hall - washing dishes for $16 month (doctor [?] got …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-292-2/

doc Letter to Ottis Peterson from Joseph Mayer (ddr-densho-292-28)

A letter to Ottis Peterson concerning an employment program with the War Manpower Commission. Mary Nishioka is hired by this program.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-292-28/

img Mess hall staff posing for a group photo (ddr-densho-292-3)

Caption on reverse: "Torakichi Nishioka 4th from left, top row. Washed dishes for $16 month, doctors just $19 month. Mess hall staff, Topaz. Top row, 2nd from right Hosoda (last name). This family owned mochi stores in San Francisco."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-292-3/

doc War Manpower Commission Work Contract (ddr-densho-292-14)

Mary Nishioka signs a work contract with the War Manpower Commission to work in a food processing factory.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-292-14/

doc Letter from Kats Nagai to Major Strawn (ddr-densho-379-339)

Thank you and regret letter for granting interview for a position at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Mr. Nagai referred the opening to Mr. Mouton, Center Employment officer, and to other interested individuals.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-339/

doc Interview transcript of Grace Rayko Sumida (ddr-densho-379-392)

Report of Interview of Grace Rayko Sumida before the U.S. Civil Service Commission regarding alleged activities favorable to Japan.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-392/

doc Interview of Grace Rayko Sumida before the U.S. Civil Service Commission (ddr-densho-379-54)

Interview and Special Hearing conducted by Lloyd C. Odell, Investigator of the U.S. Civil Service Commission about alleged activities of Grace Rayko Sumida.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-54/

doc Letter of recommendation by Margaret Sorenson for Grace Sumida (ddr-densho-379-394)

Margaret Sorensen, Director of Community Activities, writes a letter of recommedation for Grace Sumida as a clerk-stenographer.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-394/

doc Letter from M. S. Schneider to Masako Sumida (ddr-densho-379-46)

Thank you letter for the special services at the American Friends Hostel while the Brittons were away.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-46/

doc Letter from Kats Nagai to J. W. Mayfield, Jr. (ddr-densho-379-340)

Letter requests Mr. Mayfield granting a job interview while Mr. Nagai is accompanying a group of girls from his camp to visit Camp Shelby.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-340/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to Dillion S. Myer (ddr-densho-379-224)

Cover letter for his government employment application requesting consideration for a position with the War Relocation Authority. He stated "I would like to serve as a liaison worker between the evacuees in and out of the Centers, and the field offices of the War Relocation Authority..."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-224/

img Group clearing trees (ddr-ajah-6-219)

Caption below photo: Clearing land outside of the camp confines. They probably used the wood to heat their barracks. Jerome, Arkansas, November 1943. Written on photo front: Nov. 43

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-219/

img Group of cooks at Jerome Camp (ddr-ajah-6-213)

Caption below photo: Cooks gather for a photograph at Jerome, Arkansas, circa 1942-1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-213/

img Two men chopping down a tree (ddr-ajah-6-221)

Caption below photo: Clearing land outside of the camp confines. They probably used the wood to heat their barracks. At right is Goro Sato of Alameda, CA., who hurt his back working this job. Jerome, Arkansas, November 1943

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-221/

img Men loading logs onto to truck (ddr-ajah-6-220)

Caption below photo: Clearing land somewhere near the camp confines. They probably used the wood to heat their barracks. In the left foreground in Goro Sato of Alameda, CA. Jerome, November 1943. Written on front: Nov. 1943

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-220/

img Group of cooks inside camp kitchen (ddr-ajah-6-225)

Caption below photo: Cooks pose in Jerome, Arkansas, 1943

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-225/

img Group posing for photo outside barracks (ddr-ajah-6-144)

Caption below photo: Topaz, Utah Incarceration Camp Kitchen Crew circa 1943-1945 Most are from Alameda, CA. Individuals identified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-144/

img Mae (Miwa) Higaki and unidentified man sitting at a desk (ddr-densho-458-62)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-458-62/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 67 (May 11, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1053)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, civil service examination, training courses, and sports briefs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1055

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1053/