Poston (Continued)
Each unit was self-governed within the guidelines established by the Poston
Administrator. The communal unit revolved around the internees housed in a block of
fourteen (14) barracks, mess hall, laundry and ironing room, as well as segregated
latrine and shower facilities. Each block elected a manager and council
representative who met with the unit administrator weekly or as needed.
The double roofed, tar papered barracks were 20 feet wide by 100 feet long. Thin
wall boards partitioned the barracks into 20 feet by 24 feet rooms, each room housing
a family of up to eight internees.
Those who worked were paid for a 48-hour work week. There was a maximum salary
of $19.00 per month for professionals, such as doctors, managers, and teachers, $16.00
per month for blue collar workers, cooks, bakers, truck and tractor drivers and
warehousemen, and $12.00 per month for laborers.
Health care was provided by internee medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses
and nurses aides. A hospital was maintained in unit 1 and clinics in both units II and III.
School administrators and teachers were hastily recruited from throughout America,
but many of the instructors were internees who were either college students or high
school graduates. Classes ranged from pre-school through twelfth grade. Initially,
classes were held in designated empty barracks. Later, classes were held in adobe
shcool buildings constructed with bricks made by the internees. Adult education
classes in English were provided for the issei, first generation Japanese-Americans,
and were very well attended.
Many internees brought with them packets of garden and vegetable seeds. The small
garden plots between the barracks were so successful that a full-scale irrigated
farming program was instituted. The harvest from these farms yielded bountiful crops
of melons and assorted vegetables. A chicken ranch and a hog farm were also
successfully established and maintained.
As internees settled into the routine of camp life, spiritual life was strengthened.
Church services were conducted for Buddhists, Christians and those of other faiths.
In order to cope with the boredom of confinement, internees searched for and
developed many pursuits. Talents were unleashed to create many paintings, haiku, and
other works of art. Periodic talent shows and movies provided entertainment. Baseball
and basketball were the two most popular sports with competitive block teams vying
for unit and all-Poston championships. A weekly newsletter was published to give
instructions and to report events within each camp unit.
