Japanese Form Chow Line at Arkansas Center

Japanese-Americans, evacuated from the Pacific coastal areas after the outbreak of war, set up their homes at Rohwer relocation center, McGehee, Ark., and these evacuees lined up for a meal in the mess hall. This advance contingent was volunteers for the task of preparing the center for other evacuees.

Inaugural Steps for Self-Government at Relocation Center Scheduled Tuesday

HUNT, Ida., Sept. 24 -- First steps leading to a democratic form of self-government for the Minidoka relocation center will be taken next Tuesday, Sept. 29.

George L. Townsend, chief community services division, announced today that all residents 18 years of age or over in every block will meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in their respective dining halls to a congress which will in turn recommend to the project director seven from among their number to serve as a community council organization commission.

Each block manager will open the meeting in his block's dining hall Tuesday night and explain the provisions of W.R.A. administrative instruction No. 34, on community evacuee government. The block manager will conduct the election of a temporary chairman. The temporary chairman then will conduct the election of two block representatives.

The 72 block representatives will meet an an early date to recommend to the project director seven persons from their own ranks to make up an organization commission. This commission will prepare a plan of community evacuee government in accordance with the controlling provisions of administrative instruction No. 34.

When the organization committee has completed its work, arrangements will be made for a ratification of its plan by a majority of qualified voters at a special election. Another election will be held to choose members of the community council by secret ballot.

Administrative instruction No. 34, provides that the plan of government shall have a representative legislative body to be known as the community council. The community council may be authorized to establish such regular and special committees and commissions as may be necessary to carry out its duties and functions or to cooperate with the project director in promoting the general welfare of the residents.

The nomination, election, and tenure of office of council members shall also be provided by the plan of government. It shall also contain provisions for the organization of its council, its officers, and the methods of their selection.

The plan of government and any subsequent amendments shall be submitted to the project director for review that none of its provision shall violate any regulation or instruction on the war relocation authority. The plan of government shall become effective when approved by the majority of the qualified voters at a special election. When the plan has been thus approved, amendments may be initiated only by a two-thirds vote of the council or by a signed petition of one-fourth of the qualified voters. Amendments shall become effective only when approved by the majority of the voters either at a general or a special election.

All persons 18 years of age or over shall be eligible to vote in all elections held pursuant to this instruction. Only citizens of the United States who are 21 years or over shall be eligible to hold elective office. All residents whether citizens or non-citizens shall be eligible for membership on appointed committees, commissions, boards, and other appointed administrative positions which may be established.

The community council shall prescribe regulations and provide penalties for their violation on all matters, other than those defined as felonies by the penal code of the state of Idaho, which affect the internal peace and order of the project and the welfare of the residents insofar as regulations are not in conflict with any federal law, military proclamation, law of the state of Idaho, or any order issued by an appropriate officer of the war relocation authority.

The government plan shall provide for a judicial committee or commission of not less than three members which shall hear cases and apply penalties for violation of law and order regulations. In criminal cases involving felonies, the project director shall deliver over the defendant to state and local officials for prosecution.

Orderly methods will be provided for settling civil disputes.

First Flow of Water at Hunt

HUNT, Ida., Sept. 24 -- First water for growing food, grass, and flowers -- to convert acres of sagebrush into fertile land -- reached the Minidoka relocation center area this week.

Block 41 at the eastern tip of the community was the first area flooded. Other areas in the community will be put under water as rapidly as possible, and all ground with the exception of roads will be planted in fast-growing rye to end the harsh dust condition.

This five-mile primary canal, which taps the Milner-Gooding canal, has a flow of five to 25 second feet, which is considered sufficient to irrigate the center area proper and an adjacent area, a total of approximately 200 acres. The ditch was dug in a month's time by evacuee crews using mostly hand tools.

A main lateral canal will be constructed in about the same location as the primarily canal to irrigate 3,000 to 4,000 acres immediately east of the cam area in time for planting next spring. Eventually a series of ditches off the Milner-Gooding canal will enable the colonists to turn about 15,000 other areas of waste land into productive farms making the colony self-sufficient for many foods.