Gila River War Relocation Center

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Gila River Relocation Center:^[1]

Wikipedia Improvement Project and Research Paper

“In the wake of the wartime panic which followed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 110,000 Japanese Americans residing along the West Coast of America were driven from home and society and banished to desert wastes.” ^[2]

GILA RIVER PROJECT

WAR RELOCATION AUTHORITY

Department of the Interior

Rivers, Arizona

“WELCOME TO OUR “big family” at GILA RIVER PROJECT – we want you to “know the ropes” and feel at home! Stay long and be happy! After you ‘go through the mill’ your appointment is processed and you got oriented your project Director wants to meet you. Your [sic] Division or Section head will gladly arrange an appointment and “help you along.”

You have come to a nice place there are many fine people here. Considering the War the general situation, accommodations are excellent. We invite you to become a real part of the community.”^[3]

THING YOU WANT TO KNOW

1. FINGERPRINTS, MEDICAL EXAMINATION, PASS and MEAL PASS must be …. The Personnel Management Section.

2. EATS: Staff Mess Halls; at a cost [sic] Around 40 cents each. Hours posted at Mess Halls. Turn in ration Books when eating more than 8 meals weekly.

3. PAY: 1st and 16th (reductions) Meals, Housing, Retirement and Bond purchases.

4. HOUSING: Room rent, $5 to $10 monthly: apartments critical cut when available $20 or 422.50 monthly.

5. STORES: Appointive Personnel store vegetable market. Quarterly dividends. Beauty Parlors, Laundry Services.

6. SOCIALS: Recreation Hall available. Dances weekly. Card parties. Active Women’s Club.

7. CIVIL SERVANTS: In most cases, appointments are War-time Indofinits [sic]. Unless appointee already has Civil Service Standing, you must serve a 12 months TRIAL PERIOD. Regular employees will be credited with leave of 2 days a month, plus ½ day at end of quarter. SICK LEAVE, for use whom incapacitated for work, will be credited at rate of 1 ½ days a month. Appointive employees are rated by EFFICIENCY RATING SYSTEM.

8. HOURS of WORK, 8 hours daily, 48 hours weekly.

9. HOSPITAL FACILITIES, excellent. Accredited SCHOOL SYSTEM.

10. PROPERTY: You are responsible for Government Property that you use.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. RIVERS (PINAL COUNTY) consists of approximately 10,000 evacuees and 200 Appointive Personnel. TWO CAMP SITES: Canal and Butte 4 miles apart.

2. LOCATION: 47 miles South East of Phoenix; Tucson 87; Mesa 28; Chandler 22; Casa Grande 24.

3. CLIMATE: ranges from 26 in winter to 117 in summer. ELEVATION: 1500 feet.

4. PROJECT: Compromises approximately 17,000 acres. Around 7,000 acres are under production. Annual agriculture production is over $1,000,000.

Numbers fluctuate but there are about 12,000 poultry; 2,500 hogs; 2,000 cattle; 90 dairy cows.

Signed

L.H Bennett

Project Director^[4]

It was Executive Order 9066 that enabled the US military to ignore the constitutional rights of 70,000 American citizens compelling them into concentration camps. The government called these concentration camps Assembly Centers and Relocation Centers. The word ‘citizen’ was too, soon transformed by US government into ‘non-alien’ (when referring to a Japanese citizen), one of weak attempts to self-justify the process. Francis Biddle said, “We should never have moved the Japanese from their homes and their work.”^[5]

The War Relocation Authority (WRA) was thus created to administer and supervise the internment process. Certainly, the camps were not on par with Germany’s death camps, yet the fact is Japanese American’s were shuffled off away from their homes, business- lives. Unfortunately, few Americans protested internment, including ‘quite’ Issei Japanese immigrants. The only noted exceptions are: the Quakers, Norman Thomas, A.J Muste, and Dorothy Day.

The Gila River War Relocation Center was a Japanese American WWII internment camp built and administered by the War Relocation Authority (WRA). Gila consisted of two camps, Canal and Butte located approximately 4 miles apart. It was located approximately 50 miles (80.5 km) south of Phoenix, Arizona and 9 miles west of Sacaton, Pinal County on the Gila River Indian reservation. The camp was situated between two mountain ranges; in the south the Sacaton Mountains stretch upwards 1225ft. and in the south the Casa Blanca’s at 1225ft. However, the majority of Gila rested the flat alluvial valley floor. ^[6]

Prior to choosing the final site to build Gila camp on May 18, 1942, various other sites for the camp had been considered and subsequently rejected, including, Cortaro Farms, Fort Mohave, and Beardsley but high construction costs and proximity to military institutions rendered these sites inapplicable. However, despite objections by the Gila River Indians the Gila camp plan was implemented and the 16,500 acres of land was officially leased from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The original plan authorized for construction on the basis of a 10,000 population, though that number soon expanded to accommodate nearly 14,000 after a camp in Nebraska was cancelled. Supplies arrived at the camp via train, and a relatively short trucking route of 17 miles; later lessoned to 11 miles at the advent of a new, closer train depot.^[7]

Construction began on May 1, 1924 with a crew of 125, though within the month that number had expanded to 1250 workers. By July10 the camp received its first 500 evacuees sent in early to help complete construction and prepare the camp for the remaining evacuees. By August the population had reached 8000; and by November Gila had already hit is peak population of 13,348 Japanese internees; making it the 4th largest city in Arizona. Gila’s economically and socially diverse residents were largely from the Tulare Turlock, Stockton, Santa Anita, and Fresno assembly centers, and nearly 3000 internees came directly out of the San Joaquin Valley area; designated Military Zone 2. Moreover, in 1944 Gila received 2,000 transfers from the Jerome camp following its closure. Construction was completed on December 1st 1942.^[8]

In terms of Japanese internment camps Gila was arguably the least oppressive and certainly the most attractive, and initially quite comfortable. The wooden framed, evaporative cooler chilled barracks were finished with white beaverboard and fire resistant red shingle roofs. It has been reported that the camp’s red and white buildings could be seen from miles away. Moreover, Gila was reported as having only one original watch tower (that was quickly torn down lacking man power to use it), and the perimeter barbed wire fence was removed six months after camp completion. Furthermore, the camp administration treated the internees leniently along them access to the amenities of Phoenix and much recreational activities (sports, arts, and crafts etc.)^[9].

Butte camp, allegedly, contained a 6,000-seat baseball field, designed by Kenichi Zenimura, a professional baseball player. Clearly the camp deserved its reputation as the showplace of internment. This grand reputation and status among camps led to a special visit by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and WRA director Dillon Meyer in 1943.^[10] However, as humane as the Gila camp was reported some internees did die in route and in camp; deaths in-part were the result of the harsh desert climate. For instance, (Allegedly), the mother of Iva Toguri (or ‘Tokyo Rose’), an American of Japanese descent later condemned and convicted of treason, fell victim to the Arizona heat shortly after her arrival to Gila.^[11] Though, with out a doubt deaths occurred, statistics prove more people were born in the internment camps than died in the camps.^[12]

Despite the attractive exterior, Gila was, just as all the camps were, plagued by infrastructure problems, heating issues, and water shortages (which quickly ended the use of the water evaporators). Furthermore, the eventual overpopulation led to severe over barrack overcrowding sending some weary internees to the Mess Halls and even latrines to sleep. Geographically Canal camp, designated Camp 1, Spanned 210 acres in a 3x9 block design divided into sets of 9 by firebreaks. The camp was enclosed by the Canal in the north and an embankment in the south; constructed to protect from flash floods. The camp had 404 buildings: 44 administration buildings; 232 barracks; 24 schools; 20 community service halls; 1 hospital with a convalescent ward, an infirmary, and an out patient clinic; 7 apartment building; 2 dormitory; 17 recreation buildings (often used for churches, meetings, classrooms, and libraries); 17 mess halls; 18 laundry rooms; 17 ironing rooms (which were used for mess hall storage); 12 warehouses; 17 1000 gallon fuel oil tanks; 1 refrigerated warehouse; 2 administration offices; 2 food preservation plants; 1 plumbing/electrical shop; 17 male latrines/showers; 17 female latrines/showers; 1 carpenter shop; 1 fire station; 1 pumping station and 250,000 gallon storage tank; 1 post office (named Rivers Post Office, after Jim Rivers the first Pima Indian killed in WWI); 1 packing plant; 1 ice storage building; 1 sewage treatment plant; 1 sewage pumping station; 1 ten car garage; 1 underground gas tank; and 1 50,000 gallon elevated water tank. The military police were located in a separated 15 building compound adjacent to the Canal camp.^[13]

Internees dug small irrigation channels for their gardens and fish ponds, planted trees for shade. Moreover the evacuees built an auditorium, science lab, an economics building, an outdoor stage, and an arts and crafts building and finally, the firebreaks and vacant areas were used as sports fields.^[14]

The larger Butte camp spanned 790 acres (approximately 4 miles west of Canal) and consisted of 812 buildings: 22 administration buildings (including, 5 offices, 1 post office, 2 ten car garages, 1 mimeograph building (paper printing), 9 ware houses, 1 police office, 1 court house, and 1 staff canteen); 1 mess hall; 1 recreation building; 5 dormitories; 1 laundry; 12 staff apartments; 1 water filtration plant; 1 refrigerated warehouse; 1 laundry; 1 gas station (note: all but the 4 apartments and the gas station were built by internees); 23 warehouses; 2 carpenter shops; 1 planer shed; 1 plumbing/electrical building; 1 ice house; 1 machine shop; 1 motor pool including 5 support buildings; 4 net factory buildings; 1 hospital consisting of 18 connected buildings; 1 dental clini</ref>c; 1 convalescent home; 1 300,000 water tank; 1 amphitheatre; 1 fire station; 627 barracks (including, 46 schools, 6 churches, 29 community services); 1 elementary school; 1 high school. Similar to Canal camp, 7 vacant blocks were used for athletic fields, playgrounds, and other sporting facilities (including the WRA prize baseball diamond). ^[15]

Not only known for attractive buildings, Gila was also a major agricultural producer among interment camps. In 1943-44 agriculture employed 1,000 men and women. 20% of food supplied to all county internment camps was produced at Gila. Moreover, Gila agricultural produced 150 acres of flax, 150 acres of cotton, and 150 acres of castor bean in support of the war effort. By 1943 Gila was harvesting 1600 acres of crops. In May of 1943 Gila internees built a large infrastructure to accommodate its new livestock industry. Beginning with 36 dairy cows, 720 cattle, 50 hogs, 2,000 chickens by the end of the 1943 Gila had more than doubled its herd to 1,377 cattle, 1,100 hogs, 8,500 chickens supplying 60 hogs and cattle to the mess halls weekly. ^[16] The camp was divided into blocks composed of 14 barracks, a mess hall, a recreational hall (used for clubs church activities), and a general meeting place. Each 20x100ft. barrack is divided into four rooms or apartments, each of which houses on average five or six persons, depending on individual family dynamics. The typical block setup housed 250 to 300 residents. The schools enroll more than 3,500 students from kindergarten, elementary, high school, and adult school, taught by mostly college degree evacuee teachers. Though classrooms initially lacked desks, chairs, textbooks, and blackboards teachers and students succeeded nonetheless by making their own equipment. Painted walls were used as blackboards, textbooks were developed by teachers and students, and table and chairs were made in vocational classes.

Hospital and medical services include 1 Caucasian doctor as Director, 10 internee doctors, 6 internee nurses, 8 Caucasian nurses, and additional nurses’ aids.The police and fire services are internees led by a Caucasian advisor and assistant. The police department, or, department of internal security, was set up to control the peace and security within the camps. ^[17]

Originally chosen by a commission of several attorneys, doctors and others, and subsequently later voted for in open elections, the camp government operated through a Community Council of block representatives, including one internee serving each block as Block Manager, somewhat similar to any city council. Moreover, the camps self-government relies on an internal security force, judicial committee, and court committee to regulate the camps laws and the Camp Constitution. Of course the camp government was formed on approval by the camp WRA Director. The WRA camp Director has a staff of 150 Caucasian overseeing camp activities, camp government, and the general welfare of all internees.^[18] The Gila self-government was extremely successful. The following six government actions clearly demonstrate successful negotiation, and resolutions. One, Gila internee’s established a functioning self government; two, in 1843 the council successfully mediated and negotiated through a Mess Hall strike crisis, diverting layoffs and accepting pay cuts; three, the council successfully lobbied and petitioned to stop a medical officer internee’s camp transfer; four, the council, judicial, and court system successfully minimized the, possible harsh, after effects of a shooting of an evacuee by an army gate sentry; five, the government successfully maintained community activities, relocation, health, and sanitation issues; and six, the government successful investigated and resolved complaints of a Councilman’s charge of improper conduct by a Camp WRA administration. Though this represents a small portion of the government’s actions over the years in Gila, it is clear that through good communication, organization, and negotiation the council’s record was very good.^[19]

With limited recreation facilities, the residents have constructed, out of scrap lumber and personal contributions, an amphitheatre, basketball courts, football fields including goal posts, and other playground games. Church services are held by both Buddhist and Christian churches and the camp life also includes a Boy Scout troop, American Legion membership, and an active Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) chapter. Additionally, there are several entrepreneurial enterprises, including barber shops, beauty salons, shoe repair shops, community stores selling dry goods and clothing, and so on. These enterprises are operated by the internees through a cooperative association and an elected board of directors, but of course under a Caucasian superintendent.^[20]

In February 1943 Army officials began the Gila Selective Service Registration process. The camp had undoubtedly had mixed feelings and some confusion. Under the guise of a Selective Service Registration, the US Army and WRA officials administered a Loyalty Questionnaire to test the camps allegiances. Approximately 10% answered “no”,” no” for Questions #27 (Are you willing to serve in the armed forces of the United States on combat duty, wherever ordered?), and #28 (Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and foreswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, to any other foreign government, power or organization?). Yet others, some 90%, who (were considered loyal according to the WRA) answered “yes”, “yes”.

As a result of the Questionnaire the camp did suffer considerable dissention and some of the no, no’s physically threatened the some of the yes, yes’s. But they were quickly arrested by the Internal Security and FBI agents and quickly shipped to Moab, Utah – there were 26 in all. The segregation greatly raised camp moral. Following registration, community discussions revealed that because many people did not fully understand the Questionnaire they answered no, no. Knowing more, admittedly they argued that they would have answered yes, yes. As a result, follow up hearings were held for those who answered no, no; many internees’ answers were changed to yes, yes.^[21]

According to this final Internal Security Report, written by John Nichol, Chief, the Selective Service law had a positive effect on the camp. Though a limited few ridiculed the US Government, every boy called to Service went into Service. At the time the report was written, Nichol proudly claimed that the Gila Relocation Center had more than 900 boys in the US Army.

In September 1943 Gila participated in a repatriation exchange. Some Gila internees were to sail on the Gripsholm and be exchanged for American repatriates form Japan. This event caused no concerns, business as usual. In October 1943 a segregation program was implemented. Approximately 2000 Gila internees, who applied for repatriation, were segregated and taken by truck and train to Tule Lake Center at a pace of 400-500 daily. This event caused no concerns or issues. Moral dropped slightly after segregation, but time passed and moral improved. ^[22]

Canal Camp officially closed on September 28, 1945 followed by Butte Camp closure November 10, 1945. Today the 16,500 acres of Gila land, again, is rightfully owned by the Gila River Indian Tribe. Considered sacred Indian Territory, public access to Gila is currently restricted. Although physical buildings are gone, many historical artifacts remain; including roads, concrete building foundations, manholes, cisterns, and several rock alignments not to mention dozens of small decorative ponds. On December 21, 2006 President Bush signed H.R. 1492 into law guaranteeing $38,000,000 in federal money to restore the Gila River Relocation Center and nine other former Japanese internment camps.

Supplemental Information: Report made by WRA Internal Security:

This is a WRA report-analysis of the 16,000 or more people who have spent time at Gila. The analysis is broken into sub-divided categories by attitude, culture, economics, occupation, social class or religion:^[23]

Attitudes: - Evacuation has created various reactions - Forced departure from homes, loss of livelihood, loss of property, and other concomitants have heightened emotions and caused considerable confusion - In the Assembly Centers attitudes were generally one of resentment and insecurity directed at the Army, and WCCA - In the camps the resentment and insecurity was directed at the WRA

Surviving Japanese Cultural Traits: - An attachment to Japanese culture in the life of relocation is evident… - Interest in Japanese sports, games, drama, and several clubs - Great attention is made to cultural social relations: including correct word use, proper bows, and formal social events (where in America these would be casual) - American casualness has caused minor misunderstandings with some Issei, however they chose not to express resentment - Japanese solidarity family structure has remained intact, considered to be on of the Japanese’s greatest strengths and a socially stabilizing factor - Cultural clash between 1st generation Issei, who remain more Japanese, and the 2nd generation, Nisei, who are more Americanized: Nisei are often compelled to conform to Issei standards causing dissention within the camp and family

Locations: Two Categories: 1. Central California - As far north as Sacramento and as far south as Fresno - Brought to the camp from Turlock assembly center or from the ‘free zone’ - Settled mostly in Canal - For the most part they were farmers, or farm laborers, but there were many exceptions including some professional men, merchants, and craftsman - There basic economy was agriculture, however - There were some Issei, and Nisei landowners (Issei owners who had purchased land prior to the Alien Land Laws, or Nisei guardianship land 2. Southern California - Los Angles to San Diego and surrounding towns and cities including Ventura and Santa Barbara counties (few from the Bay area) - Brought from Tulare Assembly Center and a small number from Santa Anita Assembly Center - Settled mostly in Butte - A mixed group including a large urban population, and some farmers and farm laborers. - There basic economy was agriculture - There few land owners (due to a more stronger racial tension in the South), but included some wealthy farmers - Urban life equaled diversity in employment including, merchants, artisans, city workers, gardeners, nursery men, and florists ^[24]

Gila Japanese Interment Camp

WRA Gila Population Statistics: - Date of first arrival 7-20-42 - Peak Population 13,348 - Date of Peak Population 12-30-42 - Date of Departure 11-10-45

WRA Agricultural Statistics: - Field Crops 1400 - Hogs 1106 - Chickens 3332 - Egg Hens 5252 - Cattle 1377

WCCA Assembly Center Population Statistics: Turlock, California: - Date of First Arrival 4-30-42 - Peak Population 3,662 - Date of Last Departure 8-12-42 - Destination Gila Tulare, California: - Date of First Arrival 4-20-42 - Peak Population 4,978 - Date of Last Departure 9-4-42 - Destination Gila Santa Anita, California: - Date of First Arrival 3-27-42 - Peak Population 18,719 - Date of Last Departure 10-27-42 - Destination Gila and six other camps

Gila Camp Officials and News: WRA Directors: - Lewis J. Korn, Eastburn Smith, Robert B. Cozzens, L. H. Bennett and Douglas M. Todd Community Analysts: - James H. Barnett and G. Gordon Brown - JERS Fieldworkers: - Shotaro Hikida, Inoue (first name not listed), Charles Kikuchi, Y. Okuno, Joe Omachi, and Earle T. Yusa Newspapers: - Gila News-Courier (September 12, 1942 September 5, 1945); Gila Bulletin (September 8-28, 1945)

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