Cooperative Enterprises Serve Residents' Needs

Though in existence for little over a year, the Manzanar Cooperative Enterprises has grown to become a successful part of center life. With its objectives to supply members with goods and services of high quality at minimum cost and to establish methods of working together whereby people can solve their economic and social problems, the Co-op has knit life of the residents more closely together.

The Consumer Enterprises Division, under the WRA took over the first canteen when the Army Post Exchange withdrew. Under the supervision of Dr. William Bruce and associate, Lee C. Poole, the enterprise flourished. In September, 1942, it was formally turned over to the residents as an incorporated cooperative.

The cooperative has 7,145 paid members and is governed by a general congress and a board of directors. The management of the enterprises is entrusted to four persons selected by the board. These are: General Manager Hideo Okada; Assistant Manager F. K. Kurahashi; Treasurer Shigematsu Takeyasu, and Comptroller Sokichi Sugimoto.

The administrative staff of these four offices is composed of the following persons: M. Yashiki, head cashier; Hiro Ioki, chief accountant; Woodrow Wakatsuki, chief clerk; and Harvey Takeuchi, inventory clerk.

Operations of the Manzanar Cooperative Enterprises are divided into 14 departments in addition to the administrative staff. These are the warehouse section under the supervision of M. Ogi; canteen, M. Yoshii; general store, M. Hori; barber shop, M. Kamo; shoe repair shop, T. Shibata; beauty shop, Margaret Uyematsu; artificial flower shop and sporting goods, Min Watanabe; watch repair shop and laundry service, M. Seki; Photographic studio, Toyo Miyatake; moving pictures, S. Betsuin; and American Express Agency, Henry Kinoshita.

Preparing for the torrid summer weather by purchasing a straw hat at the general store is Mrs. Helen Bano assisted by Salesgirl Yaeko Yamamoto. One of the fourteen branches of the Co-op, the store is located at 21-14.

MARRY M. YOUNG
By I. M. CORN

Shadow owes its birth to light as does the Cooperative Enterprises owe its birth to the people. And behind this so-called dignified counter (protection) standing nonchalantly, taking the brunt of "the customer is always right" attitude are the efficient staff workers.

They call Hiroye Terasawa the head cashier but instead of hearing the clatter of money around her, you hear nothing but the chatter.

Jimmy Masuda rests his eyes daily on that cigarette lassie, Ida Mori, while resting on the comfortable shoe department seats.

Who is that "giggling gigolo?" It's none other than Shigemi Shimba.

Men are interesting to wait on. That's what Sasuye Mosoi who works in the men's department thinks. Incidentally she is the possessor of a powerful right. For protection? Chester Ito has been rationing his smiles.

Orchids to Janice Ishizuki who has been working at the canteen since its birth at 1-9-4. It was at the time operated by the Fort Ord army personnel.

A certain fireman is overdoing his torch for Haruna Torii.

Buckeye Eddie Oda's girl has been courting him... (this modern age)...

General Store Salesgirls Relate Their Daily Woes

To be a salesgirl at the general store is not a very pleasant task for there are all kinds of people in this community; polite, rude, unfair and the downright ornery ones.

When salesgirls were asked about their customers, most of them agreed that they would like them to be more polite. They try to make the customer believe that he's always right but____! Ladies often forget they ever were ladies and push, grab, shove and turn the store into a bedlam when dress materials arrive. During a shoe rush before shoe ration tickets were needed, the customers would buy shoes only to bring them back because they had become mismated during the rush.

Now that shoe rationing has started, customers have become choosey. They want better shoes. Many customers buy shoes one week and the next week come in to exchange them because of some better shoes newly in stock.