1935: California bills threaten the Nisei, and JACL chapters grow

Vol. 7, No. 82, March 1935. 4 pages. View this issue

Bills in the California Legislature were the lead story of this four-page issue. Several measures aimed at aliens ineligible for citizenship, covering land, registration and fishing licenses, threatened the future welfare of the second generation, and attorney Walter Tsukamoto was watching the legislation in Sacramento. Congress was also weighing immigration bills, and JACL executive secretary Saburo Kido raised with immigration officials a plan to admit returning Nisei by predetermination certificate. An editorial condemned a San Francisco newspaper’s story about secret military drilling, and the Brawley JACL helped obtain a written denial of it.

Much of the issue shows JACL growing. New chapters formed in Salt Lake City, Concord, El Paso and the San Gabriel Valley, and Seattle began preparing to host the 1936 national convention with a staging of Chushingura. Also here are a Sacramento benefit show for a veterans’ naturalization bill and a literary sketch called “The Pontiff Ponders His Small Delights.”

What’s in this issue

National

  • Bills Pending in Calif. Legislature May Hurt Second Generation Welfare, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several California bills targeting aliens ineligible for citizenship, including land, registration, and fishing license measures, threaten the future welfare of the second generation. Attorney Walter Tsukamoto is monitoring the legislation in Sacramento.
  • Congress Ponders Immigration Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congress is considering bills including funds to return unemployed Filipinos, a proposed ten-year immigration suspension, and stricter deportation provisions. Bills granting citizenship to alien veterans are also before the House.
  • Labor Dept. to Consider Pre-Determination Method for Returning Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Labor is considering admitting returning second generation citizens through predetermination certificates rather than birth certificates. JACL executive secretary Saburo Kido raised the proposal with immigration officials.
  • Fantastic Story of California Japanese Secretly Drilling for War Given Lie, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A San Francisco Chronicle feature claiming 1,000 Japanese Americans secretly drilled for war was denied by the alleged source, B.A. Harrigan. The Brawley JACL investigated and helped obtain the written denial.

Community

  • Seattle Preparing for National Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle will host the fourth biennial JACL convention in 1936, a homecoming for the organization. Tura Nakamura chairs preparations, which begin with a two-night presentation of Chushingura in April.
  • Northern California Convention Plans Outlined, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fresno is preparing a three-day Northern California district convention over Labor Day with discussions on economics, legal-political, and social topics. Financing options under consideration include chapter assessments and voluntary donations.
  • San Francisco Board Holds Monthly Session, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco chapter board met to plan upcoming months and appointed new officers including a treasurer and corresponding secretary. Several league members and press representatives attended.
  • Utah’s First JACL Group Formed at Salt Lake Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Utah’s first JACL chapter was formed at a mass meeting in Salt Lake City with Joe Masaoka as president. The Reimei Kai youth organization dissolved to support the new chapter.
  • Fresno League Forms New Orchestra Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Fresno American Loyalty League organized an orchestra that performed before 800 people in Reedley and hopes to perform at the Northern California convention. Members are listed by instrument.
  • Concord Starts New JACL Chapter With Over 40 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 3. More than forty second generation members gathered in Concord to inaugurate a new JACL chapter with officers installed at the ceremony. The movement had support from the first generation.
  • San Francisco Group Bills Bridge Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco JACL announced a bridge tournament to be held April 6 at the Japanese YWCA hall. Entries were due to T. Domoto or Dr. Kahn Uyeyama by March 23.
  • SF Paper Offers Money Suggestion for Okei Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese-American News proposed a festival during the Sacramento state fair to raise funds for preserving Okei’s grave. The festival would include sports tournaments and a historic pageant.
  • Placer JACL Will Give Cherry Trees at Arbor Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Placer County JACL will donate flowering cherry trees to Auburn for Arbor Day, following a national convention resolution. Six new members were introduced at the meeting.
  • Chushingura Will Be Presented for Convention Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle JACL will present two acts of Chushingura on April 20 and 21 as the first step in preparing for next year’s national convention. The all-girl second generation cast will repeat its earlier performance.
  • Northwest Will Hold Second Generation Count, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Northwest district council board asked member chapters to conduct a census of second generation members to address vocational issues. A study of fraternal insurance was also initiated.
  • Seattle JACL Plans Invalids’ Program at Firlands Apr. 5, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle JACL will present its first social welfare program at the Firlands sanatorium on April 5. Tura Nakamura directs a program of songs, instrumentals, and dance.
  • Seattle’s Chapter Has New Districts, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle JACL adopted a five-district plan with a new precinct officer structure to operate more efficiently. The second and third districts cover the Japanese community.
  • Watsonville’s Juniors Start Citizen League, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Watsonville Junior Citizens’ League held its inaugural meeting for young people aged 16 to 21 at the local Japanese Presbyterian church. Appointive officers were named and a constitution was presented.
  • Iseri, Leader in JACL, Opens Firm to Pack, Ship Peas, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tom Iseri, president of the Valley Civic League, co-founded the Kent Pea Growers Company with Tooru Kuramoto. Iseri is the first second generation member to enter vegetable packing and shipping.
  • San Gabriel Valley JACL Inaugurated, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Gabriel Valley JACL was officially inaugurated at an inaugural dance on March 15 at the El Monte Odd Fellows hall. Second generation talent performed as intermission numbers.

JACL

  • San Francisco Plans JACL Choral Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco chapter announced a new choral group project chaired by Dr. Henry Takahashi. Interested second generation youths are invited to apply and further plans will be shared at the monthly forum.
  • SF J-ACL Forum Holds March Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco JACL Forum, chaired by Dr. Kahn Uyeyama, held its first meeting with Tamotsu Murayama describing his South America trip. The chapter also plans a choral group and bridge tournament.
  • Puyallup JACL’s Annual Dinner Set in Tacoma Apr. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Puyallup Valley JACL will hold its fourth annual banquet at the Tacoma Hotel on April 13, with the Northwest District Council board attending. Yoshioka, who resigned as president, will serve as toastmaster.
  • Mid-Columbia JACL Will Join National Organization Soon, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The former Hood River group adopted the Mid-Columbia chapter name and elected officers, planning to apply for national membership. Application will be considered at the next Northwest District Council board meeting.
  • Portland Supports Citizens’ Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Portland JACL, under new president Hito Okada, has about one hundred members and is preparing for the Northwest district convention and the national convention. Membership has increased steadily in recent months.
  • Placer County’s JACL Oratorical on April 27, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Placer County JACL will hold its fourth annual oratorical contest in Newcastle on April 27. Committee assignments for trophies, judging, and publicity were announced.
  • Texas Now Has First Citizens League Body, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Youths in El Paso organized the first JACL chapter in Texas, named the El Paso JACL, early in March. Willie Ando was elected president.

Commentary

  • An Unamerican Attack, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial condemns a San Francisco newspaper’s fabricated story about secret Japanese American military drilling as un-American and racially inflammatory. It argues such stories should be stopped before publication.
  • Futile Measures?, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial argues pending California bills aimed at first generation farmers and fishermen would be futile because immigration from Japan has ended and that population is aging. It calls for study of the actual situation before passing such laws.
  • A Homecoming Event, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial previews the fourth biennial JACL convention in Seattle, noting the city hosted the first convention in 1930. It praises the growth of the organization and the Seattle chapter’s readiness to host.

Arts & Entertainment

  • The Pontiff Ponders His Small Delights, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A literary sketch follows a university professor, the Literary Pontiff, as he reflects on small pleasures such as cool water, walks, sunsets, and the ludicrous. The piece is reflective and essayistic.

Obituaries

  • Setsu Tawa, Leader in L.A. JACL, Dead, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Final services were held for Setsu Tawa, an active Citizens’ League worker and convention delegate, who died from injuries after a fall. She was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Inota Tawa of Los Angeles.

Military & Veterans

  • Sacramento Show Finances Vet Fight, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A benefit movie show sponsored by the Sacramento JACL drew more than 1,400 attendees and raised funds to support a bill granting naturalization to Oriental American World War veterans. Two films were shown.

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