Inventory of the Alice N. Hays papers
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 1999
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Alice N. Hays papers
Date (inclusive): 1940-1945
Collection Number: 51002
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1 manuscript box, 1 oversize box
(1.4 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Letters written to A. N. Hays, scrapbook and printed matter relating to the internment of Japanese-Americans in relocation
centers during World War II.
Creator:
Hays, Alice N.
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1975.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Alice Newman Hays papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Scope and Contents
Of particular note are the letters in the collection. All the Japanese American correspondents went to the Santa Anita Assembly
Center; all but the Takahashis went to Heart Mountain. Their letters contain comparisons of conditions at Santa Anita and
Heart Mountain, and excellent accounts of their reactions to anti-Japanese publicity on the West Coast. All express at least
some fear about returning to California, but all also express great nostalgia. There is also documentation of the reactions
to the draft resistance movement at Heart Mountain, and many expressions of patriotism.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Japanese Americans -- Forced removal and internment, 1942-1945
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States
box 1, folder 1
Letter to Alice N. Hays from Congressman John Z. Anderson, Eighth District, California, "Hearty accord with General De Witt."
May 8, 1943
box 1, folder 1
Letter to Alice N. Hays from State Senator Byrl R. Salman, Eighteenth District, California, vice-chairman Committee on Financial
Institutions, California Legislature, -"It is of surprise to me that more legislation on this subject was not enacted."
May 6, 1943
Letters from T. K. Kumano to Minna Stillman
From the Santa Anita Assembly Area:
box 1, folder 2
June 10, 1942-
Scope and Contents note
Conditions and activities at Santa Anita.
box 1, folder 2
June 22, 1942-
Scope and Contents note
People getting used to conditions here.
box 1, folder 2
September 5, 1942-
Scope and Contents note
Card saying they are to leave for Wyoming.
The following letters are from Heart Mountain:
box 1, folder 2
October 24, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Camp not ready when they got there. Had to build their own billets. Provisions scarce-talk about "eat" and nothing else. Were
there about one month before housing was done. Comparison with life at Santa Anita.
box 1, folder 2
October 31, 1942-
Scope and Contents note
Money is everything at camp. Nostalgia for California.
box 1, folder 2
November 12, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Getting supplies for winter.
box 1, folder 2
December 13, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Excited about carpenter job; keeping very busy, learning a lot.
box 1, folder 2
December 25, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Letter from Chrisato Kumano. Pictures of family and part of "apartment". Chrisato's brother and son in Japan.
box 1, folder 2
February 12, 1944
Scope and Contents note
The camp becoming a regular community. Californians adjusting to Wyoming.
box 1, folder 2
September 28, 1944
Scope and Contents note
The Palo Altans get together for first time at a wedding party in camp. Trips "outside". October 1, 1944-Letter from Chrisato
about trip to Yellowstone Park.
box 1, folder 2
December 27, 1944-
Scope and Contents note
Rumors that they are about to leave but they don't know where or when.
box 1, folder 2
July 30, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Not relocating to Palo Alto because of housing shortage problem.
Letters of George Kitasako to Minna Stillman
Written from Heart Mountain
box 1, folder 3
April 16, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Awe for President of U.S. Evacuation a blessing for Nisei-branch out into trades and professions they never would have found
clustered on the coast. Comments on draft resistance movement at Heart Mountain.
box 1, folder 3
December 15, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Letter from George's father. Young George relocated in Chicago.
box 1, folder 3
January 2, 1945
Scope and Contents note
How can the Government close camps in six months after stranding so many families. Feels that very few Japanese Americans
will move back to California. Pressure groups have done a great job of intimidation.
box 1, folder 3
November 4, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Dad had a rough trip back to Palo Alto.
Letters of John Kitasako to Alice Newman Hays and Minna Stillman
Written from the Santa Anita Assembly Area:
box 1, folder 3
Picture postcard of Heart Mountain, Wyoming.
box 1, folder 3
June 4, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Disgruntled-does not want to have to move again. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
June 4, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Must be patient and make the best of it. Dad dreading the prospect of being sent to Tanforan. (Stillman)
box 1, folder 3
July 28, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Working with Kaz Takahashi on documentary report of the history of the Santa Anita Assembly Area. Father "has come a long,
long way with only a blank future awaiting him; his genuine source of happiness lies in the past." (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
August 10, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Description of riot and martial law at Santa Anita Assembly Area from 4-8 August. Lengthy account of attitudes and anxieties
of the people there. (Stillman)
Written from the Heart Mountain Relocation Center:
box 1, folder 3
September 19, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Train trip to Wyoming. Description of Heart Mountain. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
September 19, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Montgomery Wards doing heavy business here supplying winter garmets. He says he was told it does not snow much here. Isolated
from the rest of the world - people getting disillusioned at being away from their idea of civilization. (Stillman)
box 1, folder 3
October 13, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Deletions of letter to
Palo Alto Times made for diplomatic reasons. (Stillman)
box 1, folder 3
October 24, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Conditions at Heart Mountain- best climate of the ten centers despite the cold. Great danger of out-break of fire. Lack of
sufficient understanding, leadership in education department. (Stillman)
box 1, folder 3
December 9, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Expressions of acceptance of life at Heart Mountain. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
December 30, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Spirits high Christmas day at camp. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
January 7, 1943
Scope and Contents note
(Hays)
box 1, folder 3
March 8, 1943
Scope and Contents note
WRA resettlement program and military service registration of men and women is troubling the minds of people, especially the
parents. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
April 27, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Execution of American aviators in Japan will set back efforts to foster a favorable public opinion of Japanese Americans.
An effect comparable to Pearl Harbor. Press and politicians using this incident for political purposes. All leaves for evacuees
have been frozen. Dust storms a problem at Heart Mountain. Food better now that assistant steward was fired who felt Japanese
were content so long as they had fish and rice. (Stillman)
box 1, folder 3
May 25, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Camp rapidly becoming depopulated-even some Issei leaving. Mecca for outgoing workers so far is Chicago. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
January 6, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Plans to relocate but must leave his father behind. (Hays)
Written from Washington, D.C.:
box 1, folder 3
April 16, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Discusses the lack of discrimination in Washington and some reasons for it. (Hays)
box 1, folder 3
April 16, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Dispersal of Hisei good from a race relations standpoint. Concentration of Nisei will only retard the process of assimilation.
(Stillman)
box 1, folder 3
August 20, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Lea Congressional Committee investigating Kitasako's integrity and loyalty. His opinions of the Committee and its example
for democracy.
box 1, folder 3
August 3, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Accounts of people leaving Heart Mountain to go or find a home and the problems they encounter.
Letters of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ishikawa, (Arcadia, Heart Mountain)
The following letters were written from the Santa Anita Assembly Area:
box 1, folder 4
May 31, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Jack expresses satisfaction with the conditions at Santa Anita. (Jack, Note: name in parentheses will be that of the person
writing the letter to Mrs. Hays.)
box 1, folder 4
June 12, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Comment on lack of reading materials at Santa Anita. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
June 29, 1942
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
July 18, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Special diats become available at camp. Satisfaction with camp conditions-"We are very glad to be here." Talent show. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
August 9, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Everything just fine. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
August 28, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Relocation to Heart Mountain. Separation of family. Jack still very satisfied with the way the evacuation is being carried
out. "Junior is fine and enjoying his stay here." (Jack)
The rest of the letters were written in Heart Mountain unless otherwise noted:
box 1, folder 4
September 8, 1942
Scope and Contents note
card written en route to Wyoming. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
September 11, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Description of trip to Heart Mountain. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
September 17, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Educational facilities at Heart Mountain. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
September 30, 1942
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
November 10, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Comparison of Santa Anita's living quarter's to Heart Mountain's. Jackie's activities at camp. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
December 10, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Christmas card: "We are going to have a nice Christmas too." Everyday activities of the family. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
January 5, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Jack proud to have a robe that came from California. "The Uncle Sam treat us so good, but once in a while I get homesick for
my hometown and freedom." (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
January 19, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Californians having trouble dealing with 300F. temperatures in Wyoming. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
February 14, 1943
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
March 4, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Jackie joins the "Boy Scouts of America in Wyoming and learning to be a good scout and we think its a good thing for him."
(Jack)
box 1, folder 4
March, 19, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Jackie going hiking "outside the..fence" with the Scouts. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
May 15, 1943
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
June 3, 1943
Scope and Contents note
"We are only waiting for the day when we win this war and peace restored to this world and go back to California and nice
folks like you if possible." (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
July 30, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Men and boys playing baseball at camp. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
August 23, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Jack's new job. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
September 9, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Jack very content working on railroad. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
November 12, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Jack enjoyed railroad job. Jackie seems to be leading a normal life. (Jack)
box 1, folder 4
December 16, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Doris and Jack do not think that they are economically prepared to relocate yet, though they would like to someday. The family
went outside the camp to work at harvest time. Worked hard, but enjoyed it. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
February 20, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Letter from Jackie telling of his recent activities at camp. (Jackie)
box 1, folder 4
February 21, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Doris' elation at finding that her husband has been declared 1-A and will get a chance to serve his country soon. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
March 14, 1944
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
March 29, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Doris talks about Jack's refusal to take his physical examination and the accusations of draft evasion that followed. Jack
taken to a jail and he pleads not guilty. Fighting for a principle, he would have flunked the physical anyway. Very important
letter followed by a statement from the Civil Liberties Union and the Fair Play Committee concerning the twelve that were
arrested at Heart Mountain for not showing up to the physical. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
April 28, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Jack being treated well by the U.S. Marshalls. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
May 5, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Card written in Casper. Doris got to visit Jack at Casper and says she was treated like a queen by the U.S. Marshalls. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
June 4, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Doris sorry to say that Jack is going to fight it out until the end. Jack being treated very well in jail. When he thinks
back to Santa Anita life he gets upset. Account of the despair of many Japanese Americans, especially the older ones who have
lost everything. Desire to relocate after a taste of freedom at Casper. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
June 17, 1944
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
July 19, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Jack in Leavenworth. Being treated well. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
August 29, 1944
Scope and Contents note
If Jack is good he may get paroled in a year or so. Jackie went on a field trip to Yellowstone Park. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
September 2, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Gila, Arizona baseball team came to play the Heart Mountain Team.
box 1, folder 4
October 9, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Jack's parole may come up June 15, 1945. Doris still waiting for those happy days again. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
December 22, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Doris got notice that she can go back to California. Although she wants to very much, she is kind of afraid to, especially
without Jack. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
February 14, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Now that everyone is being relocated Jack is going to take his physical and serve his country. Doris glad it is over after
only being in the outside world twice in three years, but she is going to stay in camp until Jack gets out. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
April 2, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Jack took physical, was rejected as expected February 18, 1945, but still hasn't gotten his special parole from Attorney General
Biddle yet. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
April 6, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Doris won't leave camp until Jack gets out. Jack got his West Coast clearance from the WRA. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
May 11, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Jack's bid for special parole turned down. Doris says she knows that people are very understanding in Palo Alto and she hopes
to get back there soon with Jack. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
July 24, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Jack got special parole but still will not be out for another month or so. Doris more than anxious to leave camp. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
August 7, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Doris does not understand how the bureauoracy is holding up Jack's release. (Doris)
box 1, folder 4
August 22, 1945
Scope and Contents note
(Doris)
box 1, folder 4
September 28, 1945
Scope and Contents note
From Kansas City, Missouri. Jack's parole still being held up. Doris gets to see him once a month. (Doris)
Letters of Mr. and Mrs. Kazayuki Takahashi to Mrs. Alice N. Hays
The following letters were written in the Santa Anita Assembly Area:
box 1, folder 5
April 13, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Wedding announcement for Kaz and Soyo Okazawa
box 1, folder 5
June 6, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Life at the Santa Anita Assembly Area. Remodeling a "two-room" stable; supplies and wages; children's education - adversities
involved; Army Work Project - camouflage plant, misplaced professionals, girls displeased with the type of work, wages, politics
already established at camp; cliques run personnel departments. Chances of being relocated to a new Resettlement Area.
box 1, folder 5
June 19, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Furnishings at Santa Anita Assembly Area; shortage of beds and mattresses. Five doctors for 18,500 people; food causing diarrhea.
"Nothing to be cheerful about." Reasons for denying repatriation.
box 1, folder 5
June 30, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Receive beds. Soyo's job. Standing in line. Workers on camouflage project strike for better food. Professor Ichihashi reorganizes
educational facilities. Fear of being sent to Parker Dam Resettlement Area (Arizona). Getting used to camp life.
box 1, folder 5
July 6, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Supplies. Soyo's job. Church in the grandstand. (Soyo, Note: if Soyo's name appears in parentheses it means that Soyo wrote
the letter, otherwise Kaz wrote the letter.)
box 1, folder 5
July 9, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Supply problems - bureaucratic red tape. Kaz's job. Script books issued. Inadequacy of the Canteen. Distribution of shoes
and clothing. Fourth of July celebration at camp. Censorship of letters.
box 1, folder 5
July 31, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Furnishings. Kaz's new job on the Writer's Project, research directed by the Caucasian Administration. Censorship. News from
permanent Relocation Centers. Failure of "self-government". Law enforcement, mass resignation to Japanese American police.
Wages. Excerpts from
Center Regulations issued by the Western Defense Command and Fourth Army Wartime Civil Control Administration.
box 1, folder 5
August 15, 1942
Scope and Contents note
(Soyo)
box 1, folder 5
August 18, 1942
Scope and Contents note
National Student Relocation Council postponing consideration of applications from non-citizen students.
The following letters were written in the Manzanar Relocation Center:
box 1, folder 5
September 22, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Arrival in Manzanar.
box 1, folder 5
September 25, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Two pages of comparison of the Manzanar Relocation Center with the Santa Anita Assembly Area.
box 1, folder 5
October 12, 1942
Scope and Contents note
WRA's attitude on individual relocation -leaving camp to work in the sugar beet fields. Kaz's analysis of the effect of public
sentiment and the influence of the press. WRA rulings on its offer to store the property of evacuees for the duration and
now it is pouring into the relocation centers so that the Government will not have to pay rent anymore. Sears, Roebuck, and
Co., doing a huge business in the camp. Confiscations at Santa Anita: flashlight (signaling device), screw drivers, knitting
needles, (dangerous weapons),
War and Peace, Grapes of Wrath. Tolan's Committee's Congressional Report, Dairies.
box 1, folder 5
October 22, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Treatment of evacuee furlough workers by sugar beet companies.
box 1, folder 5
November 23, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Life at camp. (Soyo)
box 1, folder 5
December 30, 1942
Scope and Contents note
Analysis of riot at Manzanar. Development of pro-Japanese sentiment versus pro-American sentiment. Possibility of going back
to California. Not likely due to pressure groups there.
box 1, folder 5
February 26, 1943
Scope and Contents note
and December 26, 1942 - Note from the Relocation Office of WRA at Manzanar.
box 1, folder 5
May 7, 1943
Scope and Contents note
(Soyo)
box 1, folder 5
August 9, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Educational facilities at camp. The virtual impossibility of relocating Issei. Fear of relocating because of anti-Japanese
sentiment in
Los Angeles Times and
San Francisco Examiner which are read eagerly by camp residents to get a feeling for what is going on outside. Resistance to relocate increases as
Government pressure to relocate them increases. Effect on public sentiment on evacuee's outlook. Comment on Dies Committee
"investigation" of WRA.
The remaining letters were written in St. Louis, Missouri:
box 1, folder 5
October 16, 1943
Scope and Contents note
En route to St. Louis.
box 1, folder 5
October 26, 1943
Scope and Contents note
Housing conditions in St. Louis. Sympathy of
St. Louis Post-Dispatch to WRA relocation program. Generally much less discrimination in St. Louis. Attitudes on Tule Lake and the famous "Question
28".
box 1, folder 5
December 28, 1943
Scope and Contents note
"We do not care a great deal for the rest of California because of the vicious anti-Japanese campaign which appears to continue
unabated." Reflections on camp life and discrimination in general.
January 11, 1944-(Soyo)
box 1, folder 5
January 30, 1944
Scope and Contents note
(Letter says 1943 on it but it has to be 1944) Newspaper accounts of the war "have been hard on our nerves." Feels that St.
Louis is a "friendly, conservative, and liberal-minded city," due to their two excellent papers, The
Post-Dispatch and the
Star-Times. Hesitates at having his letters put in Hoover because there are certain inadvertent errors of fact. Feeling of Nisei on Selective
Service discrimination in not drafting Japanese Americans. Some questions raised by the Army's decision to resume drafting
Nisei. Right to fight must be accompanied by other rights. Irrationality of citizenship - ban against naturalization of Oriental
(except Chinese).
box 1, folder 5
May 26, 1944
Scope and Contents note
(Soyo)
box 1, folder 5
June 21, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Special clearance from the Provost Marshall General's office to attend a university doing war work. Disheartened Nisei who
are allowed to fight but are still under suspicion at home. Examples of discrimination against Nisei. Government care of evacuee's
property in California. Soyo's house taken over by a Negro family - Transition of of Ramona Street, Palo Alto from a Japanese
American neighborhood to a black one.
box 1, folder 5
June 26, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Factual error in letters - Manazanar riots were not as simple as pro-Japanese versus pro-American.
box 1, folder 5
July 1, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Racial discrimination will make it very hard for a zoologist to find a job or a university appointment. Professor s can't
take chance of upsetting community or students. Authorities object to his father being West Coast Manager of the N.Y.K. Steamship
Line.
box 1, folder 5
December 10, 1944
Scope and Contents note
Reluctance of Soyo's parents to leave camp. Inability to settle sale of Soyo's house- no real estate agent will touch the
house now that the whole neighborhood is a Negro community.
box 1, folder 5
February 6, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Opinion of the
Pacific Citizen. Soyo's gradual acceptance at her job at the church.
box 1, folder 5
April 13, 1945
Scope and Contents note
Soyo is in Palo Alto.
box 2
Scrapbook
Scope and Contents
The scrapbook is 40 pages long and contains approximately 400 items, mostly newspaper clippings, on such subjects as life
in the relocation camps, Japanese American participation in the war effort, the WRA, and the return of evacuees to the West
Coast. The material is arranged chronologically from October 1940 to February 1945. The source of many of the smaller clippings
is not given. For the larger clippings, most appear to have come from the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner,
and the Oakland Tribune.