PETER MORIMOTO AND HIS DECISION TO MOVE TO ST. LOUIS AFTER THE WAR

The following is an excerpt from an oral history taken from Peter Morimoto in 1981. In this section, he discussed with the interviewer why he chose to settle in Saint Louis after leaving the camp at Tule Lake.

MORIMOTO: Well, as I said, I was a leader of the people and administration office, Mr. Best and some people asked me, "Morimoto, you are the leader of this camp and the people, they don't want to go out, you know. So we pay you all your traveling expenses, so why don't you go out by yourself; look around all Midwestern cities and Eastern cities." So, they bought me train ticket. So I stopped by Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, all those cities. Met college presidents and church leaders and chamber of commerce president. Then I ask those people if they accept Japanese people if they get out from the camp. So all I ask in those cities and they said, "Yes." "Send them in."

WAX: Can you remember when this was when you were doing this?

MORIMOTO: 1945. . .

WAX: I would think this would be early 1945. . .

MORIMOTO: No, end of 1945.

WAX: Oh, end of 1945.

MORIMOTO: Yes, right after the war.

WAX: and to find places. . .

MORIMOTO: Then all cities; none of the cities object, you know; they welcome. So, I returned to Tule Lake. I wrote the newspaper article, big article and I talked to all different mess halls. You do not afraid; don't be afraid to get out; they'll welcome. Then, encourage all the people. Don't stay out; war has end. You people have to get out. . . earlier the better. But I got the best impression from St. Louis, so I moved here.

WAX: So, you thought that was the best place to go.

MORIMOTO: Well, I got a good impression from Washington University's Chancellor, Baptist Church minister, Chamber of Commerce president, all those people they encouraged me. So I told people. Some people said, "If you Mr. Morimoto go, I'll go with you." So, some people came out with me to here. I told all the different mess halls, you know, told all the people, you don't have to be afraid, because there are a lot of job openings; they will accept you. So, I told them.