The Mercedian, 1-5

Vol. 1 #1: June 9, 1942

Page 1: 4516 is the population of the camp. The Center Manager states some policies. 65 people have left for the sugar beet fields in Montana. The center manager has left to assume duties in Idaho as the state administrator of the WRA. The “Bachelor's Quarters” ward is discussed.

Page 2: The names of the paper staff are given, and there's an article about the canteen. There's an editorial, an article on new meal tickets, one on a girl being knocked out by a baseball when she was standing too close to the batter, an article that no colored lights are allowed, and one saying kitchen helpers are needed.

Page 3: This is a Recreation page, and has an article about a dance that was held, musicians are needed, a handcraft note, an article on weight-lifting, various musical groups are underway, a thank-you to the director of recreation, a pre-school nursery has been established, an article on reading, and an article about the procedure for getting married.

Page 4: Church services are listed, as are ward officers. flag ceremonies where held, an article on girls signing up for sports, an article on draft-age men having to file change of address information, the firemen don't have a truck, there are thirty police, an article on badge numbers, an article about health, and I think an article about school graduates, although I'm not sure since the article was almost unreadable.

Page 5: The Sports page. Articles about baseball and wrestling.

Page 6: An article about blackouts, an article telling residents they are not to talk to the sentries, furniture will be distributed, an article about fuses being blown, and an article about visiting rules for friends.

The 10 Commandments of the camp.

Page 7: An article on classes in English for the Issei; an article on scouting, an article about a children's rally, an article about information bulletin boards, an article that jobs are still available, items are being obtained to set up a barbershop, and there's a cartoon.

Page 8: See below.

A map.

Vol. 1 #2: June 19, 1942

Page 1: An article about the new camp director, and an article about the Commissioner of Welfare.

Page 2: An article; an article on men who need to sign up for the draft; an article about transferring to a center housing relatives; a listing of the paper's staff; a personal article about a resident; and an article entitled Round the Center which general news about places in the center.

Page 3: The Recreation Page, with an article on go and shogi, an article about a concert, a baby girl is born, a list of the Administrative Staff, an article on commercial art, an article about locking doors and having a record of one's possessions, men are needed for dancing partners, an article on a variety show, and an article on films that will be shown.

Page 4: An article about claiming post office packages, an article about not putting up posters without permission, and posters must be in English only; an article about someone who died; an article advising people to have money on hand if they relocate; an article on first aid; an article on banking hours, an article on water usage, and an article on girl athletes.

Page 5: A sports page with various articles on baseball, but also an article about electing ward representatives, an article on keeping small boys out of the showers after 3 P.M., and an article about someone who had money stolen while they were in the shower.

Page 6: See below.

A map.

Vol. 1 #3: June 23, 1942

Page 1: An election for ward representatives will be held. There will be a variety show, commissioners have been appointed, and payday will be soon.

Page 2: An editorial about the election; tips to follow in case of a fire; three articles about people who died; the newspaper staff; a birth; and an article on the Lost & Found.

Page 3: An article about scouting; one about pre-school; the library has opened; an article about knitting; two articles about dancing, and one personal article about a resident.

Page 4: The sports page with articles on baseball and volleyball.

Vol. 1 #4: June 26, 1942

Page 1: The election that was held is declared void (and this isn't the first time a camp held an election with all the results thrown out). There's an article about school graduates, and a dance. Movies will be shown. There's an article on Japanese books and magazines being taboo. There's an article about the Manzanar newsletter. There was a marriage. There's an article on the daily “check up” on residents. There's an article on someone who died.

This is not the first time I have seen this type of arrangement of news stories. The election is thrown out, to be followed by new rules and/or bans of certain items and/or daily roll calls. It's like the powers-that-be led the residents on about an election and democracy and all of that, then voided the election and punished the residents for having one. I don't see how this could be a mere coincidence.

As far as the people in San Francisco making the decision that the election was void, it seems to me that any such group would have known about the election in advance and would have ruled that it shouldn't be held, rather than waiting until an election would actually be held and then telling everyone that the results would be thrown out.

Page 2: There's an article on a puppy, and an article about people transferring to Tule Lake. The hospital has been improved; there was an article about the camp in a newspaper; an article about pop bottles not being returned and lying around; four official notices, and a listing of the paper's staff.

Page 3: The Recreation page. A column called the Roving Reporter about various things in camp (including the pop bottle problem); an article about orange juice for pre-school kids; an article on the Young Buddhists Association; an article on the recreation fun; an article about one person who had died; an article about more arrivals in camp; there may be some kind of parade, and there's another personal article about one of the residents.

Page 4: The sports page with articles on sumo, baseball and judo; a baseball schedule; a Board of Directors to handle any league problems has been picked, and there's an article about a grandfather passing out cigars when his grandson was born.

Vol. 1 #5: June 30, 1942

The paper's masthead.

Page 1: An article about students graduating; a revised election; an article about coupon books; an article about men needing to register for the draft; an article about fourth of July celebrations.

Page 2: The Roving Reporter column; official notices; the graduation article from the first page continues; two articles on people thanking others for expressions of sympathy, and there's an article about a parking law violator.

Issei are barred from voting.

Page 3: An article about a talent show; an article about what's going on in other camps; there will be a race for people over 200 pounds; an article about salt tablets, and two articles about music.

Page 4: Articles about baseball, wrestling and sumo.



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