CHAPTER IV, SECTION 1 Shortages were experienced in some items, due partially to an underestimation of populations; also, the impracticability of attempting to estimate sizes and tastes of newcomers; a run on Contractor-operated stores because of shortages in the PX at Fred and in the Canteens of Task Force vessels contributed to other shortages. In spite of these problemsit is believed that, when all factors are considered, the Camp Store op- eration was satisfactory. at no cost. During the peak of the operational period, shift work was required to maintain schedules and overtime was required only in those cases where it was necessary to make up lost time because of equipment failures. These cases were few, and overtime, therefore, was kept at a minimum. BARBER SHOPS. SNACK BARS. A snack bar operated at Elmer was well patronized. This bar sold light meals, sandwiches, coffee, and fountain drinks, and on Sunday morning a late breakfast was available at reasonable prices. Experience with this operation indicated that the relocation and expansion of this facility during the interim period will con- tribute to morale, inasmuch as this facility is high on the popularity list. During previous Operations, barber services were provided by volunteer barbers who worked during free time from their regular.tasks. In response to requests from Users, barbers were placed under contract and were employed at both Elmer and Nan. This permitted the furnishing of barber services from 0800 hours to 2000 hours which could not generally be done with volunteer barbers. The use of contract barbers provided a needed service but entailed a heavy expense that should be appraised be- fore the next Operation. The 75-cent charge POST OFFICE. During the interim period, H&N-operated APO 435 served as the central facility for all activities except Fred. In the operational period, APO 437 at Elmer and APO 436 at Nan were activated with Armed Forces personnel. During this period, the H&N facilities functioned primarily as distribution centers. However, to provide for a more workable system for transfers of money than waspossible under existing postal regulations for postal money orders, Holmes & Narver, acting as a subagent, sold American Express Money Orders at each camp postal facility. This was satisfactory in every respect. Cooperation between the Armed At Elmerfacilities were available for repair of torn clothing and replacement of zippers Forces and H&N-operated facilities was excellent, and the services provided met satisfactorily the requirementsof the Operation. LAUNDRY. A completely outfitted laundry was operated at Elmer only, but the service of this laundry was made available to personnel at all sites and finished laundry was provided within four to five days to all sites. Throughout the Opera- tion, no limitations were placed on the quantity of finished laundry service for each individual. Automatic-type washing machines were in- stalled at all temporary camps. These were operated by H&N personnel and provided spun- dry service within 24 hours. This service met with favor and was widely used. Washing of radioactive-contaminated cloth- ing was accomplished at the laundry on Elmer in a machine set aside solely for this use, and in Bikini Atoll on the Rad-safety barge. The washing of contaminated clothing was under the guidance of Rad-safety personnel. for a haircut resulted in a loss of approximately $150 per week during the peak of operations at Elmer; however, weekly records indicate that a $1 charge for haircuts would cover present labor costs. OFF-ATOLL CAMPS. Off-atoll camps operated by H&N were located at Wotho, Ujelang, Utirik, and Rongelap. Each camp was provided with the required messing and housingfacilities and was furnished a limited supply of Camp Store and bar items. Only package sales of alcoholic beverages was permitted. Resupply for the camps was effected through a schedule of seaplanes with weekly calls at each camp. The operation of these camps was, in general, satisfactory; however, the fre- quency of emergency requests for cold storage items indicated an increase in reefer capacity at each site would be desirable for future Operations. PEST CONTROL. A continuous and effective campaign was conducted against insects and rodents. General area spraying was done on a regular schedule at all occupied sites and was supplemented by spot spraying as needed. Malathion was used for general area work and spot spraying outside of living and working spaces; Chlorodane-base spray was used for inside spraying. For rodents both trapping and poison were used. Trapping was considered less efficient than poison because of the large number of man-hours required to run trap lines daily. Warfarin poison stations required tending only when they were emptied and could be used to reduce the rodent popu- lation of uninhabited sites, in preparation for occupation, by setting out stations in advance. Page 409