Manazanar Free Press, Issues 1 through 5

Vol. 1 #1: April 11, 1942

Page 1: There are 3302 people in camp. Inoculations will be taking place. The Santa Anita assembly center has more people. The paper needs reporters.

The very first editorial. It's very interesting that it says that politics are out, yet it uses a very political title.

Is this person trying to be a suck-up, or this person being straight out sarcastic?

Page 2: There's a notice asking people to report any fire hazards that they might see. Jobs will be given according according to “own merit.” Any cases of diarrhea need to be reported. Various parts of the camp have been given their own name. A musicians group is forming. There's an article on postage. A reading center is going to be set up.

Page 3: The paper says that it will help combat rumors by presenting the truth. Various bulletins are noted. There's an article on the medical center that is being set up.

Page 4: Block elections will be taking place. Residents must stay in the apartment they were assigned and not move to another one without permission. There's an article on church services and a nursery school is being set up. A Voluntary Helpers Corp is being set up to help arrivals. Mess 4 will have a special diet for young children. There's a notice that the water is safe to drink, and a listing of people who produced the issue.

Vol. 1 #2: April 15, 1942

Page 1: Manzanar has held its first election, and there's been a marriage. Only business visitors are being admitted. The residents are being classified according to primary and secondary vocations. Rice and green vegetables will be arriving soon.

Page 2: Vaccination hangover symptoms are given. There are three other medical-related items. The menu might include strawberry shortcake some time in the future. Recreation activities and places are being set up. A music institute is going to be established.

Page 3: All residents must register their occupation. No private enterprise will be allowed. The Los Angeles Daily News has commented on the Manzanar Free Press. There will be a meeting for girls who want to participate in recreational events. The paper needs a typewriter of a certain kind. There's an article wondering if there are any Japanese Christian Scientists in the camp.

There's an article about a lizard that came up through the floor of one apartment (the floors had knotholes in the wood and often spaces between the pieces of lumber) and scared a woman in the room. A larger and more complete supply center is being constructed. Pre-school play plans are being set up. There's an article about not monopolizing ping-pong.

I thought this was rather interesting.

An item relating to being patriotic.

Page 4: The administration has approved the block leader election. The apple trees are in blossom. There's a personal article about a camp artist. A Welfare Council has been formed. Guayule plants will be grown in order to help solve the rubber problem. A James Cagney movie “Something to sing about,” another movie and some cartoons have been show.

Page 5: There's an interview with a camp doctor. There's an article about a person growing a garden. There's also an article on Bainbridge Island. The prayer of St. Francis is printed, and there's a cartoon.

Page 6: A sports page with baseball and volleyball information and news.

Vol. 1 #3: April 18, 1942

Page 1: A baby has been born at the camp, the first one. There's an article on a wedding, one on needing to make sure males are registered, and one about voting with an absentee ballot.

As of that time, no one could take a job outside of the camp.

Page 2: Officials are impressed by the progress of the camp. The fire chief wars about fire hazards. Some AP newsmen visited the camp. An expansion of the police department is announced. The library needs books. Curtains for the shower are coming, along with police uniforms. The article on the library continues.

Page 3: The editorial board and paper staff members are listed. There's a weather forecast, and an article about the post office. There's an article on flag ceremonies, and two that I assume are editorials.

One of the editorials.

The other one.

Page 4: Garbage collection is going to be installed. Letters can be sent out, but no letters can be received at the camp yet. Further shipment of freight to residents has been banned. There's an article on a children's center, and an article saying that one of the camp police was dismissed due to dereliction of duty.

There's also a short glossary about Isssei, Nisei and Kibei. Church services are listed, and there's a notice about a dance. A guy who can fix typewriters is needed, and there's an article on the supply of mops and cleaning supplies.

Page 5: There's a longish article about barber shops.

I sort of think this cartoon is a little too nasty.

A very interesting bit of Native American lore.

Page 6: The entire page is about sports, boys and girls, both.

Vol. 1 #4: April , 1942

Page 1: 3000 more arrivals are expected at the camp. Men from the age of 45 through 65 will have to register. There will be a work holiday that Thursday.

Page 2: There's an article about work orders needed for jobs. Rice and shoyu have arrived. There's a sort of odd cartoon about Manzanar's best-dressed man. The next issue of the paper will be a guidebook. Firemen got a truck.

Page 3: The editorial board and staff members are listed. There's an article about volunteers, and one about young people from Terminal Island. The post office has been reorganized, and there's an editorial about jobs.

Page 4: Two burros have been named camp mascots.

An interesting article. Another article on men needing to register, and an article on an appendectomy.

Page 5: The total population of the camp is 3309, with 3000 more due in soon. There will be a dance instruction class, and a music class. Cleaning supplies can be picked up. There's an article about some newlyweds.

Page 6: There's an article about mail delivery, and an article about registration for men, continued from page 1. Block leaders have been named, and Saturday's baseball schedule is listed.

Page 7: The Information Branch has opened a new office. There will be a baseball double-header. Girls and women will hold a social, and there's two articles about girls recreational activities. A Protestant Choir is starting up. There's results of volleyball and baseball.

Page 8: The entire page is about baseball results.

Vol. 1 #5: April 25, 1942

Page 1: A camp mail delivery department has been established, and there's a couple more articles on the 3000 arrivals expected shortly. Nurse's aides are urgently needed.

DeWitt and others visited the camp.

Page 2: A listing of the editorial board and newspaper staff. A welcome to the new arrivals (who actually aren't there yet.) An article on how to find a job. An article on the military registration, one on the need to get sick people out of the apartment they are in, and a short one on service groups using extended hours.

Page 3: Shipping items into the camp is now okay. New arrivals are to be registered at 14-15, the article says. I assume that's years of age? There will be a meeting of mothers to help them learn how to properly feed their children. Inventory of all government-owned materials has been finished. Block leaders have named a Constitution Committee. An open house will be held. Mothers and young children are urged to sit at certain tables in the mess. Screens are planned for the apartments.

Page 4: Construction on the camp is almost done.

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A map.

Page 5: Other than the (sort of) map, there's an article on details of the 'model community.'

Another map, sort of.

Page 6: There are six articles related to the health center and other health matters. A census has shown that women and girls are in the minority.

Page 7: Fire instruction needs new recruits. Church services schedule. The police squad is seeking older applicants. The recreational schedule. Recreation unit managers. A dance will be held.

A funny cartoon.

Page 6: The sports page. Several articles on baseball, and two on volleyball.




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