NOTES ON MANZANAR.

Mr. T.C. Ray, U.S. Engineer in charge of camouflage net factory reports to M.P. at 8:30 this A.M. that a strike is in progress in his plant. That he expects rioting and destruction of Government property. Says, 14 evacuees from Dunbar are causing all of the trouble. Says, loyal Japanese told him of a secret meeting last Friday night at which no camp representative was present. Says, the cause of the argument is that the Japanese want wages commensurate with other defense workers. Says, there was an understanding that 6 nets per day was a normal output and evacuees were to receive $12 per month. Fast workers produced a day's work of 6 nets in less than 8 hours and were allowed to leave when that amount was completed. Then it was announced that fast workers must keep on working a full 8 hours day, regardless of output, and trouble started. Said, workers could not understand why they could not be considered on basis of output.

Cited evacuee freight detail hired by Southern Pacific Company at 67 1/2 cents per hour (to be raised to 87 1/2 cents) whom camp charges $20.00 per month for board and room. Could not see why he couldn't have net crew hired on piece basis of so much per square foot. (Nets are different sizes). Says, quota is 790 nets per day and that they can make 1000. (He apparently was talking about Eng. Corps quotas). Says, present nets are costing 3.3. cents per sq. ft. for labor, materials and freight on materials, (does not include District overhead) against 8 cents per sq. ft. at the start. Says, present capacity is 100 nets per day with 600 employed, 400 are satisfied and want to continue work but are afraid of "goon leader" threats of bodily harm.

Kenneth Horton, Chief Interior Police wants uniforms, badges, and night sticks for force. Says, trouble element make fun of his force and tell them they have no badge of authority. Says, there is no penalty for violations. Chief confirms this, says, if they pick anybody up, they are immediately released by administrative staff. Says Day and Williams, the original caucasian force, are being relieved because they do not qualify under the W.R.A. Civil Service requirements. Says, 10 years police experience is not sufficient to qualify. Says, Van Akin from Santa Anita, with 22 years' service with the Los Angeles Police Dept. qualifies and will be given Chief's job. Says, old W.C.C.A. personnel there now to his knowledge are the 4 police mentioned above, Mr. Miller in charge of Mess and Housing (now is in the hospital) and Mr. Brander, Personnel Officer says that Kibei (pronounced Key-Bay) group held a meeting Saturday night. They had permission

to hold meeting in Japanese language. After the meeting, Manager Nash, handed down a decision that no more such meetings would be held. Says Nash set last night (Tuesday) for a speech to Japanese but the Interior Police reported planned violence against Nash if he made the speech. They reported this to Nash and he called it off giving the excuse that he had to leave early to get to San Francisco for the conference.

Mr. Horton says that they make no inspection of package mail under the following order:

Office Memorandum June 9, 1942

"To: Chief Horton, From: Project Director, Subject: No inspection of parcel post.

From today there will be no further inspection for parcel post by the police department.

/s/ Roy Nash
Project Director"

Other instructions which he has are memorandum: July 11, 1942

"From: Project Director, To: Kenneth Horton, Chief of Police, Manzanar,
Subject: Inspection of packages for Evacuees.

Hereafter, unless you have reason to be suspicious of the contents, it will not be necessary to open and inspect personal packages addressed to evacuees coming in either by mail or by truck.

Of course, if you have any reason to be suspicious, go ahead with inspection as formerly.

Sincerely,
/s/ Ned Campbell
Asst. Project Director

Dictated by Roy Nash, cc: Mr. Temple, Chief of Community Services."

Horton says, he has no knowledge of any suspected trouble makers from other camps being transferred to Manzanar. Says, W.C.C.A. always furnished such information between camps but no such system was in effect in W.R.A. to his knowledge. Says, an F.B.I. man is in camp today, investigating the Kibei group (Born in U.S., educated in Japan then returned to U.S.) Horton does not know how many there are at Manzanar. Kibei say they do not understand English and therefore ask to hold their meetings in Japanese. Says, the Citizens League held a meeting last Saturday night. Says, Kibei's were there and spoke openly of loyalty to Japan and were loudly cheered. Says, that Nash called a meeting Monday morning to investigate the Kibei group but did not include the Interior Police in the meeting. Says, Nash wanted him to lock up some of the leaders for the F.B.I. Horton says, he told Nash that he was working in harmony with the F.B.I. and that the F.B.I. did not want that and besides Nash had the wrong men.

Horton then discussed Karl Yoneda whom he had under close observation because Yoneda was an ex-Harry Bridges organizer, wrote for Communist papers and had Communist visitors in camp at least twice. Says, Yoneda is a very Anti-Axis although of Japanese ancestry he is married to a Russian Jewess. He is a block leader and a member of the Kibei. Horton says, Yoneda spoke from the floor at the last Saturday night meeting and was noticeably pro-American. He was loudly booed and threatened to such an extent that the Interior Police gave him an escort for protection to get his quarters. Horton states that the Saturday night meeting was very evident pro-Japanese as indicated by the trend of the boos and cheers.

Horton states that the Interior Police have no record of visitors. Says they escort visitor to administrative office where pass is issued or denied. (Says, passes are frequently denied by office) When asked if Interior Police picked up passes, Horton said, gate guard did that. M.P.'s say, Interior Police take them up.

Some confusion apparently existed on this point.

Inquiry was then made on contraband. Horton stated that one friendly search had been made by him on his own responsibility as a normal duty since W.R.A. had taken over. Said procedure was for his men to go to barracks and ask resident if he had any contraband explaining items not allowed in barracks. Said, no actual search was made of premisses [premises]. Said they had made one actual search in a case where he had received a report

that a certain individual possessed a revolver and some large knives. He stated that in this case they called the evacuee to his quarters and told him of the report and asked him if he objected to the search. The evacuee agreed to the search and assisted them. No contraband was found.

Re: Evacuees leaving camp without Caucasian escort. Horton stated that there were 3 evacuees assigned to operation of a pump across the highway and within sight of the guard tower. Says, this pump is used to increase the water supply system in the camp. Says, there were also 3 evacuees permitted to service a chlorinating plant located on the creek back of the camp. Also there were movements from camp area to fields through M.P. lines to a Caucasian guard out in the field.

Re: Access to aqueduct. Says, garbage crew with Caucasian guard in charge crosses aqueduct (at this point an open stream) 3 or 4 times a day. Says, this was a popular detail because they used to stop and fish there. Says, native fishermen objected and fishing there has been stopped, by evacuees. Says there was also some bathing in Bear Creek which runs into aqueduct, but that had also been stopped.

Re: Picnics. Says, picnics are now all on reservation. Commented on one under escort of Campbell, Temple and Nielsen that went to Seven Pines, a private summer home are 10 miles from camp. Thinks Nielsen had rented a cabin there and was familiar with the spot. Says, the group was visited by Mr. Claude VanNorman, a retired engineer of the Department of Water and Power, City of Los Angeles, who is a brother of H.A. VanNorman, Chief Engineer, Dept. of W. & P., City of L.A. Horton said "Claude probably told them off and Campbell and he had an argument". Campbell told VanNorman he wouldn't speak that way about the Japanese if he knew them, suggested he come down some day and they would show him around. VanNorman said he had been in there plenty of times and seen enough. Campbell came back into camp and wanted to know how VanNorman got in without his knowledge. It was decided that VanNorman had ridden the power company trucks which frequently came and went without much notice.

Horton then discussed one TOKIA SLOCUM, police investigator, war veteran, was Sgt. York's Sgt. Major, responsible, loyal, prominent, active in legislating a bill to give citizenship to veterans of World War I. Active in American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War. Says, some Colonel in New York who is gathering war records, is in continuous correspondence with Slocum. Horton wanted me to meet him and talk with him, but time did not permit.

Keyoshi Higoshi, Lt. Interior Police, ex-Insurance Agent from Terminal Island; Secretary J.A.C.L., Niesi [Nisei], in interview stated that Ted Akahoshi, the head of the Block Leaders Council, is an alien and that over half of the Council members are aliens. This group of a majority of aliens represent

the camp in which about two-thirds are citizens. Says, Administration does not consider who are aliens and who are not. Citizens feel that they are not properly represented and government leans decidedly towards anti-American, with very limited English, yet a minority are pro-American and speak English.

Mentioned one JOE KURIHARA, ex-service, world war, Mich. 320 F.A., 85th Division very bitter now on treatment received from Government. Now an extreme anti-American. He is outspoken and open in his acts and deeds. He is the martyr type. Wants the F.B.I. or Army to pick him up and make a martyr of him.

Mentioned VanAkin, new proposed Chief, said, when VanAkin drew the "grave yard shift" he went home and went to bed and told them to call him if needed. Evacuee police did not like that and did not respect him or his ability. Said 5000 evacuees in blocks not visited had signed a petition to keep Horton and that evacuees in blocks not visited had called at office wanting to sign. Said, pro-American Japanese were disturbed over recent trends. Preferred W.C.C.A. over W.R.A. for safety sake and closer Liaison with Army. Only objection to W.C.C.A. was from ranchers who had leased their places could not talk over business with tenants except in public visitor's house. Did not want to take them to quarters necessarily, simply wanted privacy on business discussions. Says, women are worrying now about not getting plasterboard to seal barracks before winter comes. Also regret that women's latrines have not been partitioned. Says, Nash is not popular with evacuees. Says, he is O.K. on administration, but lacks diplomacy. Cites trouble recreation group had in getting material for stage. Nash promised it daily with no action. Also, promised police uniforms for 3 months, but no effort made to even improvise. Result, Interior Police morale, low. Issued police laws then did not support police when they apprehended violators. Evacuees know this now and make fun of interior police. Thinks Nash lacked diplomacy in handling known crack-pot recreation leader. Was getting good results, Nash mishandled him. This was the fellow that threatened to bust a rock on his bald head. People appreciate leader's effort and think Nash was at fault. Leader now has hearing and following in public meetings. This possibly explains threatened violence to Nash if he attempted to make a speech. Did not hold evacuees confidence and respect. Nash told them they could see him and talk with him personally, but they can't. Explained Citizens Federation, a local Manzanar organization conceived by pro-Americans to consolidate group who were fighting J.A.C.L., whom some thought were partly responsible for the Evacuation. Aims are:

(1) Improving camp conditions.
(2) Educating citizens for leadership.
(3) Participating in war effort.
(4) Preparing for post war.

Organization is being fought by Kurihara.

Re charge of Police Head: Says, reason evacuees are so strong for Horton and assistant are that believe is they were responsible for noticeable change in local feeling toward Japanese; very evident in town, stores or any place they come in contact. Evacuees know of bitter local feeling at beginning but Horton and assistant, were natives on Inyo County and had many influential friends and have built up confidence on both sides. Evacuees feel that VanAkin is not the type to retain it and local sentiment might change to their detriment, particularly so, with the growing anti-American control in camp which in time will leak out and inflame native population.

Fred Tayama, Industrial Dept. Warehouse 23, reports to F.B.I., G-3 Army, G-3 Navy was present at Saturday's meeting. Obtained from him copy of report he submitted also copy of his personal opinion. Says, Stancliff, head of production, appeared to resent his interference when he told him anti-American agitators were physically pointing out to evacuees as proof of American demonstration of equality of races by -

(1) Caucasian mess table in same mess hall with evacuees were served steaks while evacuees were served stew.

(2) Caucasian houses across the street had private baths and toilets and finished walls when evacuees nearby, of higher previous social standing, lived like hogs.

Says, (1) has been corrected and (2) is done, but he still thinks it was an unwise idea and has been hard to counter. Thinks if the houses had been built outside the fence, the difference would not have been so evident. Says, Campbell made a good speech this A.M., gets by better than Nash, but did not think he should have made the remark "No work, no eat".

Koji Ariyoshi, camouflage net worker, Hawaian [Hawaiian], objected to Miller, foreman at camouflage plant making announcement of 8 hour day requirement by Army on account of present conditions. Considered conditions serious enough to deserve announcement by Nash or Campbell. Wanted them to try reasoning by camp heads rather than orders by subordinates on account of growing strength of anti-American group.

The "Dunbar Group" now leading attempted trouble making at Camouflage Plant, is a rough bunch of youngsters. One leader Fukuchi is in trouble frequently before the Judicial Committee (local government court, of which, Ariyoshi is a mamber [member]). Wife wants a divorce because Fukuchi went to factory and released ropes holding nets, stated that they would call a strike and threatened girls with violence who wanted to remain at work. He did not know how many were in the group, but knows of a number of outsiders (not in camouflage plant) who are joining with Dunbar's group to help them cause trouble.

Says, Campbell spoke from a truck this morning at the factory and acknowledged to workers his mistake of allowing piece work and said from now on it would be 8 hours. (He remarked here that carpenters, linoleum layers and farm workers were not working an 8 hour day and the camouflage workers could not understand why they were discriminated against). Campbell indicated the size of the pile of telegrams he had on his desk that he had sent and received from the Army pleading their cause, but had been denied. Workers did not believe that statement because he gave no logical reason. Joe Kurihara was there to lead questions when Campbell asked for them, at end of speech. Evacuees knew Joe was not a camouflage worker, had no business there, was an able trouble maker, was a draftee of last war, was speaking openly against America. Ted Akahoshi, known by all as definitely pro-Axis, was evident in the background. He as chairman of Block Leaders Council, is getting brave with his power in the camp. Asked Fred Toyaura to come to his barracks to have a talk with him. Fred (F.B.I. reporter) would not go. Akahoshi says, they are organizing for after the war. Tells them to go to Ogura (a block leader) for their assignments and instructions. Ogura is disseminating the information that he has important contacts with the Japanese Government and has charge of organizing and training Japanese leaders for use after the war. He is promising accepted Japanese land in Australia and Chinese and Korean slave labor.

After above digression and apology, Ariyoshi returned to report on Campbell's meeting of this morning. He stated that after the meeting the workers went back to the plant but did not work from fear of Dunbar group. This P.M., Superintendent, Henry Ishizuka, in an effort of compromise, asked them to produce one net in order to collect pay for the day. Ishizuka said he was unable to control the workers. Ariyoshi said that when he left the boys were throwing material all over the place. He said that the pro-Axis element tho not employed at the plant, came in and attempted to influence the workers while they were at work. He thought that the Administration should not permit anyone in the plant except workers, unless they had permission to enter.

He stated that Karl Yoneda and Tom Younagaki were strong pro-American, the only two block leaders who would back him in his recruiting for enlistment of Japanese in the Army for a second front force. In the face of threats of violence he obtained 218 signatures on the enlistment petition for forwarding to President Roosevelt.

Ariyoshi appealed to the Army through me to work out a plan for separation of pro-Japan and pro-America Japanese at once to stop present trouble brewing at Manzanar and which he says is already in progress at Parker and which he says is inevitable in all W.R.A.'s Centers. He says now is the time for the Army to let the Japanese come out in the open and take sides. He says,

the Japanese know who is loyal and who is not and who is uncertain, and that with the support of the Army, they can in his opinion, be separated. He says, the two groups cannot exist in the same camp without serious and continuous trouble. He asks for a pro-American Camp with the entire project devoted to defense work. He says, true pro-American Japanese need that much help from America to give them self confidence in the sincerity of democratic principals [principles]. He suggested that a board of Army Officers be appointed to conduct hearings in the camps to assist in separating the sheep from the goats. He says that if the plan is properly announced, a large percentage of the Japanese are ready and anxious to make their choice, publically [publicly]. He says, that pro-Japan Japanese are refusing repatriation because they want to take more than $300.00 with them to Japan. He says, that families are already separated in opinion and will welcome a separation on the basis of Japan vs. U.S. He stated that some of the Japanese now returning from concentration camps to centers, are bringing with them literature and methods furnished by professional Japanese spies who are allowed to carry on their schools on sabotage unmolested in concentration camps. He says, he has submitted his plan to Nash for W.R.A., but he thinks the Army are better qualified through strictness and fairness in seeing the thing carried out. He strongly urged immediate action before "mob rule" took control as it was doing at the camouflage factory today. He said rioting was on the way. He said the Terminal Island boys on the linoleum crew, tried last week to kill Tokio Slocum in Block No. 4 by dropping a heavy roll of linoleum on him. He said that after the Saturday meeting, the "goon group" had yelled in Japanese "Kill him, die you dog"! He said that the last two weeks had shown a tremendous change for the worse in law and order at Manzanar. He mentioned the incident of the old man that had to move from an anti-American block under threat of bodily harm, because he had 3 sons in the U.S. Army and displayed the service flag with 3 stars and an American Flag. With tears streaming down his face, he took down the flags to protect his wife from harm, but stated he would still continue each morning to raise the American Flag in his heart and that could not be denied him.

Claude B. Washburne
Lt. Colonel, C.A.C.
Chief, Inspection & Fiscal Division