Letter from Lincoln Kanai to Milton Stover Eisenhower, Director, War Relocation Authority, June 31, 1942

; copys 3

iy EN ROUTE TO CHICAGO, NEW,YORK, WASHINGTON, D.C.

- 23 Mailing address?

a 5757 University Avenue

Chicago, Illisois

June 31, 1942

Mr. Milton Eisenhower, Director

War Relocation Authority

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Eisenhower'

There are many things that I have been thinking about but here

are a few , and I am sure that you will appreciate the findings and

observations in the Mid-west as I came through meeting with state

officials, Governor's committees, presidents of colleges, business

men, farmers, writers, Church people, and observed the position of

people that have evacuated out to Colorado and vicinity from the |

west coast before the freezing orderses ;

On the other hand, I shal. 1 appreciate the chance to confer with

you in Washington, D.C., if and when I get there. (Depends on my

dwindling funds, ) |

The alarming reports of the colleges and their statement that

they will not take students into their colleges in many localities

have been giving erroneous opinions that the colleges are not willing

to cooperate. Gontrarily, individual consultation with the 135 chan-

cellors and presidents convinces me that they are all willing to co-

operate and that they needed some contact person so that policies

and preliminary direction could have been explained, as well as a

general policy of an equitable distribution of the students in all

the colleges of the mid-west , or away from Pacific Coast areas.

Therefore, a general objective policy with reference to the college

students is now necessary as well as some form of appropriation co- |

mmensurate to their keep in the camps, I am enclosing the recommen-

dation to the National Student Relocation Committee whoe general

offices are in Philadelphia, Incidentally, let me cormmend your fore~

- in relegating the student problem to the Priends Service Co-

mm Ce

In the meantime, I have been encouraged witht the attitude of

the large bulk of people who are still in a position of doing all

they can in bringing about. an equitable distribution of individual

resettlement in the mid-west, especially witht the need of skilled

work and farm help in various sections of the country.

Enclosed is another memo explaining my approach to the matter,

and which has helped to subdue even the most rabid and outspoken

politician. : :

I do hope that the recommendation for appropriations that you

sent in for approval on the Relocation projects for the year 1943

and presented by the President to Congress on June 9th,1942, has

been approved. |

Appreciating your responsiblity on the outcome of this great

task of caring for such a multiple of human needse

Yours vory truly, Lincoln Kandi