Title:
Minutes of open meeting of the Manzanar Citizens' Federation, 1942 Sep 24
Creator:
Kusuda, Paul H., 1922-
Subject:
"Nance, Afton Dill "
Japanese Americans-- Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945
Description:
Minutes of open meeting of the Manzanar Citizens' Federation, 1942 Sep 24.
OPEN MEETING OF THE MANZANAR CITIZENS' FEDERATION Mess Hall #15 September 24, 1942 8:20 p.m. - 9:38 p.m. The
meeting was called to order by Mr. Koji Ariyoshi, former Temporary Chairman. He explained that the reason why general meetings
were not held was that they were waiting for the releasing of new regulations providing for community government. Mr.
Sho Onodera read the minutes of two previous committee meetings. Then Mr. Ariyoshi read the names of all of the representatives
present and turned the meeting over to Mr. Sho Onodera, Substitute Temporary Chairman. Mr. Sho Onodera further enlarged
upon the reasons why the MCF did not hold general meetings. He stated very emphatically that the MCF had absolutely no connections
with the J.A.C.L. This was done to clarify the difference between the two organizations. Furthermore, the delegates will
be the ones to decide the outcome of the MCF and elect its leaders. The MCF will try to sponsor various activities not
in confliction with the Manzanar Community Council which will be set up soon. Some ideas suggested by the chair were: 1.
Oratorical contest 2. Literary contest 3. Socials - to get acquainted and to raise money for scholarships and other worthy
causes. 4. Symposiums, open forums, or new analysis meetings or gatherings. 5. Relocation committee - the contact people
on the outside to try find good jobs for people desiring permanent relocation outside of centers. 6. Public Relations Committee
- to create and maintain favorable public opinion. Mr. Onodera read a few excerpts from a letter written by Mr. Koji
Ariyoshi in the name of the MCF to the President of the United States. This was about furlough work and referred to the Food
for Freedom campaign. Then replies from Davis McEntire; E.R. Fryer, and Dillon S. Myer were read in part. It was stated
that letters will be written to many other people. They will be written to people who fight against the Nisei pointing out
their fallacies and telling them facts. Then, to people who fight for the Nisei, letters will be sent expressing appreciation
and encouragement. Then excerpts were read from two more letters. - 2 - The chairman suggested that
an Education Committee be formed again to help organize Citizens' Councils and explain the purposes of the MCF. Then he opened
the meeting for discussion. Mr. Koji Ariyoshi said that Mr. Solon Kimball, Head of the Division of Community Organization,
felt the necessity of an organization of citizens in every relocation center. Mr. Onodera stated that the MCF must be
limited to citizens only; however, the organization will cooperate to do as much for non-citizens as for citizens. It will
back the non-citizens in their actions. Mr. Ariyoshi declared that the MCF will try to puch relocation for everyone -
Issei, Kibei, and Nisei. If this was not done, it would not be fair. He said that after the citizens are released in some
numbers, probably others will be allowed to leave. Mr. Onodera said that if there comes a time that the MCF is no more,
that will be a happy time. Then, everyone will be out of Manzanar relocated permanently outside of centers. Mr. Fred
Tayama expressed his opinion that there should be an organization of Nisei even though nothing is done. Then, if a time should
come when a spokesman is needed for the Nisei, such an organization will be ready; however, if when the emergency arose, there
wasn't an organization, then, it will be too late to begin. Paul H. Kusuda made a resolution as follows: Whereas,
the Block Leaders' Council endorsed the Manzanar Citizens' Federation; And whereas, such an organization should be represented
throughout Manzanar; Be it therefore resolved that, the present representatives of the Manzanar Citizens' Federation encourage
and institute proceedings whereby there shall be three representatives elected in each of the thirty-six blocks in Manzanar.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. Ariyoshi who then explained about the Education Committee which was appointed at the second
general meeting of the MCF. He asked that that committee be disbanded and then stated a few reasons for so doing. Miss
Mari Okazaki asked how representatives should represent the people who elected them. Mr. Onodera and Mr. Ariyoshi answered
by saying that the representatives should have a general knowledge of how a block thinks. They should bring problems, suggestions,
and criticizms of all sorts. Mr. Fred Tayama wanted the MCF to go to the Block Leaders to see whether or not Nisei Councils
were formed. If they were not, inquiry would be made to determine why the blocks were not so organized. - 3 -
Mr. Frank Ishida stated that in his block, the Issei did not assist in theformation of a Citizens' Council. He felt that
if such a group were formed, there will be friction between the Issei and the Nisei. This was answered by the chairman who
said that such would be the work of the Education Committee. Then, a vote was taken by show of hands and the resolution
was passed. Mr. Ariyoshi moved that the chair appoint an eight-man Education Committee. This was seconded. Mr. Onodera
stated that he would rather have the people elected. The motion was carried. The appointees were as follows: 1. Alice
Asaka (16-10-3) 2. Masaji Eto (34-11-4) 3. George Matsumura (5-14-2) 4. Paul H. Kusuda (32-3-3) 5. Dave Miyamoto (29-11-2)
6. Mari Okazaki (32-11-4) 7. Lily Sakaguchi (11-7-3) 8. Mrs. Kasuyama (8-10-4) Mr. Ariyoshi felt that the MCF should
write letters to Mr. Dillon S. Myer and others in the W.R.A. asking that people be located outside the Western Defense Area
if they go out to open small businesses or operate farms. He also felt that a letter should be written to Major General Ben
Hershey to determine the status of the Nisei in regard to the draft if the Nisei go outside of relocation camps. At 9:38
p.m., the meeting was adjourned. P.H.K.
Publisher:
Japanese American National Museum
Date:
1942 September 24
Type:
text
Format:
1 item ( 3 p. minutes) ; sheet 27 x 21 cm.
Identifier:
JANM_005
2001.175.32c
Language:
eng
Relation:
Coverage:
Manzanar (Calif.)
Rights:
Copyrighted
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Hirasaki
National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (hnrc@janm.org).
Japanese American National Museum
Minutes of open meeting of the Manzanar Citizens' Federation, 1942 Sep 24