<Begin Segment 21>

[Ed. note: This transcript has been edited by the narrator]

FT: So anyway, and then I got this job from the American Library Association (in Chicago, and) I left in May. They gave me a bus ticket (to Chicago).

TI: And how did you get this job?

FT: I think in the admin, they had a recruiting office or something that had job offers (...). So you go (...) there and (you apply and receive a) bus ticket and got to Chicago and reported into the WRA office in Chicago, which was headed by Elmer Shirrell. Mr. Shirrell was the first director of Tule Lake.

TI: Oh, so you recognized him.

FT: I knew him right away. So that night, he took me home for dinner (...). Yeah, so I knew Mr. Shirrell. He later became vice president of Curtis Candy. They hired a lot of people out of the camps, including a guy named Maeda (...). (He became an) assistant to Shirrell at Curtis Candy. (...) I got the job in Chicago (...) before I left, (because you had to have) a job before (you) left. (A) John Tanaka and I left camp on a bus and we got to Chicago and stayed at the YMCA until (we) met some other guys from Seattle (who) were batching in a rented house on (Maple) Street. And there was, it was an apartment house (...), and they had about three or four rooms that were occupied by relocates. And we batched, and I walked to work (...). The American Library (Association) was on Michigan (Avenue), right across from the Tribune (tower). It was in McGraw Hill Building. And the last time I visited there last year (2007), I couldn't find the place. But anyway, I worked there.

TI: And what was your job with the American Library Association?

FT: I was copywriting and proofreading (...). (The) boss was a guy named English. I don't know what his (first) name was. And the job that I took -- my predecessor was (Hayakawa's) wife, Peters, I guess her name was. Yeah, you know (...) S.I. Hayakawa (...).

TI: Yes, so S.I. Hayakawa's wife.

FT: Senator. Yeah, his wife was my predecessor. And when I left, my job was taken over by Mrs. Michener.

TI: The James Michener?

FT: James Michener, the author.

TI: So you were sandwiched by these prominent individuals.

<End Segment 21> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.