Jobs Galore Offered Nisei; Public Cooperation Lauded

Temporary quarters for Japanese-Americans who are returning to this area from relocation centers have been opened at the United Church Hostel, 1236 Washington St., it was disclosed yesterday.

The project is under direction of the Washington and Seattle Councils of Churches, which offer a general aid program to help the Nisei and their families, to help them get located. Another hostel will be opened next week at the St. Peter's Japanese Episcopal Church, 1610 King St.

Few Plan to Return

Eight Japanese-Americans from the Hunt Relocation Center in Idaho were occupying the Washington Street hostel yesterday.

"Only a small percentage of the Japanese who formerly lived here are returning to this area," said Miss E'Lois Shook, director of the general program. "We are attempting to find permanent housing, jobs, and are helping them with any personal problems which they may have.

"However, the public has been grand in its cooperation. We have received requests for typists, stenographers and other clerical workers, hotel managers, all types of professional services and for domestic and agricultural help."

Working as Gardener

"It helps a lot to have a place to stay while we are looking for something permanent," said Miss May Higo, who came to Seattle with her father, Yoshitaro Higo, to look for a home for the family.

The elder Higo is already employed as a gardener, and jobs are "easy to find," according to Miss Higo, who has had three offers for employment since her return. However, she must find a place for the family to live before going to work.

Other members of the family include Mrs. Higo, five other daughters and two sons, one of whom is Pvt. Katsuma Higo, with the 106th Infantry overseas. Before leaving Seattle, the family resided at 1046 Jackson St., and the children attended Broadway High School.

The hostel is fitted out with 20 Army-type beds for the men in a large lower-floor room, and women's quarters are on the second floor. A reception room is furnished with lounging chairs and a piano. Cooking facilities are limited, but the church kitchen next door will be made available to them this week, according to Walter C. Moore, hostel director.

"It isn't very hotel-like," Moore said, "but it is the best we could do. It's a place to stay and will serve the purpose until they can get permanent homes."

The occupants pay 50 cents a day for the privilege of staying at the hostel. They furnish their own food or eat elsewhere. More tenants are expected soon. The relocation centers are scheduled to close in November.

Another tenant who said he was searching "for anything I can find" for housing quarters yesterday, was Fujio Nakamura, former Seattle apartment operator, whose stepson is holder of the Bronze Star Medal for his part in the Italian campaign.