[Letter to Clara Breed from Tetsuzo (Ted) Hirasaki, Poston, Arizona, May 26, 1942]

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[Letter to Clara Breed from Tetsuzo (Ted) Hirasaki, Poston, Arizona, May 26, 1942]

Maker Hirasaki, Tetsuzo

Date1942

Mediumpaper, ink

DimensionsH: 9.875 in, W: 8 in (sheet); H: 3.75 in, W: 5.75 in (envelope)

ClassificationsArchives

Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Y. Yamada

Object number93.75.31GM

DescriptionTranscription:
322-14-D/Poston, Arizona/May 26, 1942/Dear Miss Breed,/Received your letter this afternoon. I wasn't able to see Fusa today so I'll try to see her tomorrow. We have had quite a bit of excitement with all my friends going outside into the world again. The excitement will continue as more and more leave almost daily at times. This evening said goodbye to seven people from our block. Yesterday two left. The day before, four. The day before that, two more. Come Monday about 14 will leave.--All from our block. About half of them are on seasonal leave, the others are out for an indefinite period (almost the same as permanent leave) There are almost as many leaving from other blocks so you see there soon won't be very many people left in camp. The good part of it is that those who have ambition and the courage to brave the uncertainty of outside life are the ones going out. Only the culls are going to be left in camp. Of course there are going to be quite a few people who can't afford to go out because of lack of finances. Then too there are many young people who are held back by parental objections or obligations (by obligations I mean that the condition of one parent is such that they cannot move so the youngster has to stay home to look after the family) (over)/I am sorry to report that many have begun to like this camp life so easy-going with hardly and worries aside from what other way time can be more leisurely spent. I think that it harms the youths more than anyone else. The old folks have lived their lives. The young married folks still have their hopes. But it's the high school age group and also the early twenties that are becoming lazy and ambitionless other than to play all day. Live on the government is their creed--after all ole' Uncle Sammy will take care of them so why worry about the future. They are pretty disillusioned and cynical. However there is hope because now with all the young fellows going out many are becoming conscious of the outside. You know how it is--let some leader of a group of young fellows do something and the others soon follow. All in all with the sympathetic help of the WRA I believe that relocation will be on the successful side at least here in Poston. I haven't kept myself well posted on the number of people or the destination of all of them but the meager information that has come to my attention seems to indicate that Chicago Denver, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, and St. Louis are the "big towns." that are attracting the most. Many are out on seasonal leave out there in southern Idaho, northern Utah and far eastern Oregon/What a difference time makes. The cry was "Go West" (young man) now it is "Go East" (young nisei) The outlook for a family to relocate outside is not very encouraging. Many families came into camp with only two to three suitcases per member. They had sold their furnishings for the home. Furnished houses are very rare or are too expensive. As a result if the family goes out, they must start all over to furnish a house on an income that has not increased but decreased during the past year. Another thing many things that were sold are now not available or else priced much higher. This problem alone keeps many in camp. Couple that problem with the uncertainty of the attitude of the people, jobs to support a family (majority of jobs open now are menial.) and then you have the bottleneck to relocation. So at present those who can afford the expense, and those who are single (Bachelors - son - daughter) or are a married couple are the ones who are relocating./Nothing definite regarding relocation of either my sister or me. Too many things uncertain especially so since work from Washington reports that dad's case is under reconsideration. Then too something may come up for volunteer's who were rejected. N.Y.O. may have something for me or my sister. At any rate there are too many loose/over/ends./If this letter reaches you before you go on your vacation, could you send us the sewing machine? Our clothes (mine) need patching and remodeling (Yaeko). I would also appreciate it if you could send the little fan. The weather has been rather terrific lately. It has been around maximum 106 inside the barracks for the past week! Everything is warm to touch--blankets, mattresses, even clothes that have been hung up for a few hours. I am enclosing three dollars to take care of mailing and insurance, and packing charges. I think mailing would be best. What do you think? The value of the machine can be placed at $125. I don't think insurance need be placed on the fan if it's well packed. The mail service here is pretty rough. /A friend of mine, Lloyd M. Ito (Encanto Avocado grower) a former San Diegan, and now member of U.S. Army is going into SD on furlough soon. He promised to call you up either personally or on the phone time permitting of course. /Sincerely yours/Ted/PS. Thanx for the candy----most delicious TH;1 letter and envelope from Tetsuzo (Ted) Hirasaki to Clara Breed.