Anti-Jap Fee-Seeking Groups Like Hitler, Says Dillon Myer

Promotors [Promoters] of anti-Japanese organizations, particularly those involving membership fees, were rapped today by Dillon S. Myer, national director of the War Relocation Authority, who declared here that "it is quite evident the promotors [promoters] want to make money regardless of how they may affect the country."

"Anyone who promotes an organization or becomes a member of an organization, based entirely on racial hates, is trying to lay the groundwork in the United States for the same kind of program Hitler developed in Germany," Myer added.

"And anyone, promoting such an organization on a money basis, not only is laying the basis for the Nazi-type philosophy, but he is making money in a manner entirely opposed to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights."

Joiners Charged $10

Myer made the statement in commenting on a meeting April 3 in eBllevue [Bellevue], where 500 persons were told by organizers of a Japanese Exclusion League that "it's well worth $10 to join this organization." After the meeting, Arthur Ritchie, one of the promoters, said about 200 persons joined the league, paying the $10 initiation fee or part of it, planning to mail the balance.

"I do not know Mr. Ritchie personally," Myer said. (At that, one of his staff members interposed, "You will tonight," referring to an off-the-record reception for Myer at 5:30 o'clock at the Washington State Press Club. Ritchie is a member of the reception committee).

The main problem in relocation the Japanese is connected with economics, Myer said, because "many are making money in businesses the Japanese formerly operated." He said the attitude in Seattle is "excellent generally, although promotional schemes under way are at their height here at the present time."

54,000 Must Be Relocated

The W.R.A. hopes to end its relocation program January 1, 1946, Myer said, but approximately 54,000 persons still must be relocated. Of this number, 50 per cent will return to the West Coast, "although that is pure guess on my part," Myer said. "Our biggest program will be between June and September, when school is out."

Myer, who will be here until tomorrow, conferred this forenoon with his Northwest staff and spoke this noon at a luncheon of the mayor's Civic Unity Committee at the Benjamin Franklin Hotl.

Myer Clarifies Remark In Oregon Jap Case

HOOD RIVER, Or., April 23. -- (AP) -- The national director of the War Relocation Authority has assured the people of Hood River he did not mean to label them Hitlerites and enemies of the nation. Dillon Myer told a meeting here that he referred only to persons initiating money-making schemes aimed as excluding Japanese Americans. He specified a group charging a $10 membership fee.

Myer said he was aware Hood River Valley had the greatest Japanese concentration in the nation and that his staff had advised returning Japanese to spread out rather than centralize. He said the evacuees know better than anyone else that they are not wanted in Hood Rover [River] Valley. If they do not know it it is not the fault of the valley residents, he declared.