<Begin Segment 13>

AI: Well, so then going back to this time period after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, then fairly soon after that there were some restrictions that were put in place, restricting the Japanese Americans. And do you recall that time?

BS: Yes, they, I know they had a curfew where we were supposed to be in the house at a certain time and remain there until, I don't know, I think I have the little flyer or whatever that the --

AI: Yes.

BS: -- the Hood River chief of police put out. And I don't, I'm not sure if there was a time on here. My sister had saved this in a scrapbook and I don't know... but some of the remarks on here were very insulting.

AI: Well, in fact, would you read some of those remarks?

BS: Let's see, well, "As you are well aware" -- this is to the Japanese nationals, but more or less it was the Japanese community -- "As you are well aware, the sentiment of the American people at the present time is not as friendly as it was some time ago. This feeling has not been brought about entirely by the American public alone but by the CARELESS and NEEDLESS"-- now that "careless" and "needless" in capital letters -- "action on the part of Japanese Nationals and those citizens of Japanese decent. Therefore, at this time, I wish to take this means to give you a few suggestions as to how it would be best for this public sentiment to be curtailed to some extent." Well, it goes on to say "the following rules if carefully followed, help your situation and my stand. Stay at home except for those occasions when you must absolutely come to town for business reasons. If you must go over to your neighbors limit your visits to daytime travel. If another neighbor is already there one of you should leave so only one is there at a time. Even then do not visit as freely as you did prior to December 7, 1941. We are at war now. When using the telephone, do not converse in Japanese. Use the English language if possible. If you feel you cannot speak English good enough" -- [laughs] -- grammar -- "have your son or daughter talk. Do not drive about for leisure. There is a rubber shortage and tires are now rationed. People without tires will be irked to notice that the Japanese are able to have tires on their cars. When in town you meet Japanese, do not greet him in the Japanese custom by bowing. You are in America! Greet him in the American manner by shaking hands. This is less conspicuous than numerous bows." Oh, let's see, oh, "Do not congregate in one place. Meetings should not be held. Even church should now be limited. You should not be considered a sinner if you limit your church activities to a minimum." And then it's "Stay at home and work! A busy body has no time for idle gossip. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." Let's see, then it says, concludes by saying, "Do not heed rumors of evacuation. Orders to that effect will be given by the army and only by the army. In the event of evacuation you will be notified in ample time." So, I'm not sure when this went out. But it must have been shortly after war was declared.

AI: And this was from the Chief of Police?

BS: Chief of Police of Hood River, uh-huh.

AI: And it's interesting to me that it says here, "Do not heed rumors of evacuation."

BS: Yeah.

AI: But, of course, there were rumors and people were --

BS: Oh, yes.

AI: -- concerned and talking.

BS: Uh-huh.

<End Segment 13> - Copyright © 2003 Densho. All Rights Reserved.