ddr-densho-211-9

Jan. 26, 1943

Dear Ms. Gates:-

The trunk arrived in good condition Jan. 22nd. Thank you so much for all your kindness.

From the Seattle PI we have learned of the unusual weather. Through the thermometer here has dropped below zero number of times, we have found it comparatively tolerable. I cannot imagine how it would feel to be in Seattle when it hits push now low as 9 degrees. On fair days, regardless of how frozen the ground is, the air feels crisp and refreshing. The sunrise and the sunset is inspirationaly beautiful but when the wind blows, it feels deathly cold, penetrating to the very bone. If only the wind could be a little more kindly, life here in the wide open spaces would not be half as bad.

From the paper also, we are very much concerned about the pending Congressional investigation. They say that we are being

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pampered. If they can only live here for a period of time, with the climatical hardship, the inconvenience, the strain of close living, the food, and all the pressure as suggested by the barbed wire fence and the watch towers, they can readily realize that this is no life for comfortable human beings. Life in a camp like this does something to us, mutual deterioration shall we call it, that just cannot be measured by casual observation. I cannot help but think that this wholesale evacuation was prompted by some selfish motive and had the army really weighed the problem, they could have realized that we would have been an asset in the war effort. After all, we all value new life and our common sense will tell us that at times of war we must fall in line, aliens as well as citizens, and back the government.

Mr. Everett Harding of the Y.M.C.A. will be our visitor this week end. He will appear before [illegible] age group Sunday and Monday. Our recreation staff will benefit

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from his "workshop" Monday morning at which time we hope to be enriched in the way of leadership.

Just a thank you note and a report of the safe arrival of the trunk. Trust you and your family are both well in spite of the severe cold weather.

Yours sincerely,
Ishi Morishita