Nisei jobs, alien land law fights and restrictive covenants in 1946

Vol. 23, No. 11, September 14, 1946. 8 pages. View this issue

The postwar fight over jobs, land and housing ran through this 8-page issue. The State Personnel Board did not contest the reinstatement of 25 Nisei civil service workers who had been discharged on blanket disloyalty charges, and a final decision was expected within a month. A. L. Wirin argued that California’s Alien Land law may be unconstitutional, and a state appeals court upheld the right of Japanese aliens to lease property in the Stockton theater case. Mike Masaoka and Wirin were set to join a radio forum on alien land ownership. Editorials took up veterans groups, the California test case and restrictive covenants.

Elsewhere, a survey found hostility toward Japanese Americans decreasing. South Pasadena’s use of restrictive covenants since 1941 drew attention, and two Nisei GIs were refused entry into Canada at the border. Other items include Miné Okubo’s drawings on exhibit in Pasadena, a Nisei teacher in Turkey, and Sam Aoki’s return after service with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Sports and chapter news fill the back pages.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • Reinstatement of Nisei Civil Service Workers Indicated as State Fails to Press Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The State Personnel Board did not contest the reinstatement of 25 Nisei civil service workers originally discharged on blanket disloyalty charges. A final decision is expected within a month.
  • Court to Rule on Length of Duration Lease, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Santa Barbara Superior Court was asked to determine whether a wartime ‘duration’ lease ended with the evacuation. The defendant Shimizu contends the lease terminated upon his return to the coast.
  • Government Files Gen. DeWitt’s Appeal in Evacuation Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. District Attorney appealed a ruling holding Gen. John L. DeWitt liable for damages in the Wilcox case. Judge Pierson Hall had found the military evacuation illegal.
  • Los Angeles Suburb Seeks Ouster of Non-White Resident, by P.C. Staff, page 2. South Pasadena’s city attorney has inserted restrictive covenants into property deeds since 1941 to keep the city exclusively white. The city manager confirmed the policy was adopted to satisfy a demand from a local association.
  • Nisei Files Suit to Recover Property Seized by Custodian, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kazuichi Hashimoto filed a second suit against the Alien Property Custodian to recover property seized after the war began. He plans to reopen his marine hardware business.
  • State Nisei Employees to Appeal Discharges at L.A. Hearing, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seven Japanese Americans fired from California civil service after Pearl Harbor will testify on their own behalf at a September 17 hearing in Los Angeles. Their cases were originally set for September 11.
  • Evacuees Urged to Claim Articles at Marshal’s Office, by P.C. Staff, page 3. U.S. Marshal J. S. Denise urged persons of Japanese ancestry to reclaim property surrendered under 1942 contraband regulations. The items include radios, firearms, and other goods held in Seattle.
  • KKK Signs Drawn on Barn of Returned Evacuee in California, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A handmade placard reading ‘Beware KKK’ was posted on a garage used by Henry Tsurutani in Ocean Park. Police believe neighbors posted it to intimidate him in a property boundary dispute.

Military & Veterans

  • Japanese American Soldiers Refused Entry Into Canada, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Nisei GIs of the 2nd Infantry Division were denied admittance to Canada at the border because of their ancestry. Their Caucasian companion was allowed to pass.
  • Saga of Jito Chinen: Nisei Officer Keeps Promise to See Parents of Dying GI, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Lt. Jito Chinen of the 100th Battalion promised a dying Nisei soldier he would visit the man’s parents in Japan. Chinen fell ill again after reaching Tokyo and was evacuated to a New York hospital.

Community

  • Toshiko Senda Accepted as Staff of San Francisco School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Miss Toshiko Senda becomes the first Nisei teacher in the San Francisco school system this fall. She holds a master’s degree from Columbia University.
  • Nisei Lieutenant Weds Former WAC in Tokyo Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Atsuko Mori, a former WAC, married Lt. Gunji Moriuchi in a ceremony in Tokyo. The couple plans to return to the United States after his service ends.
  • Colorado Nisei Survives A-Bombing of Hiroshima, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Katsumi Nagamoto of Swink, Colorado, survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima while stranded in Japan. He describes the moment the bomb fell and how his house collapsed on him.
  • Washington Democrats Urge Claims Bill, Removal of Racial Naturalization Restrictions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington State Democratic convention approved a resolution calling for an Evacuation Claims Commission and removal of racial restrictions from naturalization laws. George Minato spoke in support of the measure.
  • Relatives Can Aid Return of Stranded Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Procedures were outlined by which relatives in the United States can pay passage for Nisei stranded in Japan. The process runs through the War Shipping Administration and American President Lines.
  • 25 Issei Pledge Aid to Cincinnati JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Twenty-five Issei became honorary members of the Cincinnati JACL chapter at its September 7 meeting. Thomas Matsuzawa explained the proposed naturalization bill and application procedures.
  • Chicago Chapter to Hear Talk on Politics, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Donald Du Sold of the Independent Voters of Illinois will speak to the Chicago JACL on making votes count. The talk is scheduled for Sept. 18 at the Bahai assembly center.
  • Nisei Propose to Reactivate JACL in Gardena, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sam Minami and Yo Kobata are working to reorganize the former Gardena Valley JACL chapter. The effort is part of a broader reactivation of Southern California chapters.
  • First Japan Visitor Urges Nisei to Take Occupation Jobs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rev. Mrs. Tamaki Uemura, the first Japanese civilian permitted to leave Japan since the war, spoke at a Cincinnati Nisei-Issei forum. She encouraged Nisei to take government occupation jobs in Japan.
  • War Veterans Still Excluded, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A report that Japanese Canadian veterans were exempt from coastal restrictions was in error, the New Canadian reported. Veterans remain subject to the restrictions, though they do not need travel permits.
  • Canadian Girl Wins Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Alberta Okazaki of Calgary won the Alberta provincial scholarship for three years of tuition at Queen’s University. She had earlier won a Calgary Grade 12 honor.
  • Nisei Scientist Aids Research on Penicillin, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Kiyoshi Higuchi of the University of Wisconsin helped develop a method of producing better penicillin using acid fertilizers on mold. The findings were reported to the American Chemical Society.
  • Dr. George Abe Takes Post at Psychiatric Hospital in Ohio, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. George Abe, recently discharged from the Army as a captain, joined the staff of Longview state psychiatric hospital in Cincinnati. He served in psychiatric service during the war.
  • Nisei Dentist Opens Office in Cincinnati, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Theodore Nishijima opened a dental practice in Cincinnati and is the first Nisei dentist in the city. He is also an instructor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
  • Gretchen Feiker Is Vibrant Force in Nisei Community, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Gretchen Feiker, director of the YWCA USO in Washington, has built strong ties with Nisei servicemen and hostesses. She was named to the Washington JACL advisory board.
  • Petition for JACL Charter, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Nisei in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul drew up a petition for a new JACL chapter charter. Mrs. Mickey Kuroiwa has been active in planning the group.
  • Little Theater Opens New Season, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Chicago Nisei little theater group announced its new season, which includes a three-act play by Moliere. Members will meet at a local hall for the fall program.
  • Seattle Students Seek Interracial Recreation Program, by P.C. Staff, page 6. 152 Nisei college and high school students petitioned for an interracial recreation program at the King Street Center in Seattle. Plans are being drawn based on their suggestions.
  • San Jose Zebras Defeat Nisei GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Jose Zebras defeated the Presidio Nisei GI team 5 to 2 in a hard-fought game at Municipal Stadium. Henry Honda allowed only seven hits for the Zebras.
  • Ogden JACL Committee Chosen to Consider Future Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Ogden JACL appointed a committee to consider whether the chapter should continue affiliation with the national JACL. The committee will report at the October meeting.
  • Sam Aoki Returns From Overseas Duty, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sam Aoki, former president of the Salt Lake JACL, returned home after 18 months of duty in the European theater. He had served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
  • Salt Lake Club Groups Name Queen Candidates, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Salt Lake City YBA and JACL groups selected candidates for the Nisei queen contest. The event is scheduled for Friday, October.
  • Cathay Post Nine Suffers Two Defeats in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Cathay Post baseball team of Denver lost both games of a doubleheader to Murray and Salt Lake Merchants. Shig Teraji hit a homer for Cathay Post.

JACL

  • Matt Masaoka, Wirin Will Participate in Radio Forum, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL national secretary Mike Masaoka and attorney A. L. Wirin will argue the affirmative on whether aliens of Japanese descent should own land in California. The radio forum airs over KMPC in Los Angeles on Sept. 29.
  • JACL Official Attends Conference on Work Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masao W. Satow, special National JACL representative, attended a conference on employment problems of Japanese Americans and other minorities. The meeting was held at the U.S. Employment Service office.
  • Masaoka Will Speak at First Meeting of Venice Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka, national JACL secretary, will address the new Venice chapter at its first meeting on Sept. 22. George Inagaki and other regional officials will also speak.
  • National JACL Official Will Address L.A. Lawyers Guild, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka will speak to the Los Angeles Lawyers Guild at a September 24 luncheon. His southern California lecture tour includes several radio broadcasts and community meetings.
  • Myer to Speak at Washington JACL Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dillon S. Myer, former WRA director, will be the speaker at the inaugural banquet of the Washington JACL on Sept. 22. Several community leaders will be honored guests.

National

  • Escheat Cases Raise Novel Point on Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney A. L. Wirin argued that California’s Alien Land law may be unconstitutional because the legislature illegally delegated authority to Congress. Judge Ray B. Lyon indicated a ruling would come shortly.
  • Discuss Campaign on Alien Land Law in California, by P.C. Staff, page 1. G. Raymond Booth and Eiji Tanabe addressed a Southern California church group about the fight against Proposition No. 15. The measure would ratify amendments to the state Alien Land law.
  • Survey Finds Hostile Feelings to U.S. Japanese Decreasing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A National Opinion Research Center survey found that hostility toward Japanese Americans is declining, with twice as many adults considering the average Japanese loyal as disloyal. Education was the greatest factor in differences of opinion.
  • Canada Refuses Commercial Fishing Permits to Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two persons of Japanese race in British Columbia applied for commercial fishing licenses, but the Canadian government has not granted them. The information was disclosed by Fisheries Minister R. F. G. Bridges in the House of Commons.
  • Restrictive Covenants Written Into Property Deeds in So. Pasadena, by P.C. Staff, page 2. South Pasadena has used restrictive covenants since 1941 to bar non-Caucasians from owning or occupying property. The policy effectively excludes persons of Japanese and other non-white ancestry from the city.
  • Canadian Government Will Await Privy Council Ruling on Deportation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Canadian government will wait for a Privy Council decision on the deportation program for persons of Japanese ancestry before setting future policy. Labour Minister Humphrey Mitchell reported on the relocation effort.
  • Business Rights of Japanese Aliens Upheld by State Court, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Third District Court of Appeal upheld the right of Japanese aliens to lease property in California in the Stockton theater case. The ruling overturned two earlier superior court decisions.
  • Limited Postal Service Opened to Japan Islands, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Postoffice Department opened limited mail service to Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Hokkaido for letters and parcels. Parcels are limited to 11 pounds and one per week.
  • Lower Tribunal Decisions in Stockton Theater Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The appellate court’s decision on the Stockton theater case affects sales tax licenses held by Issei merchants. The ruling rejected the argument that abrogation of the treaty ended alien leasing rights.
  • California Candidate Raps Restrictive Property Practices, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Will Rogers Jr., Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from California, called for racial and religious equality in housing and economic opportunity. He attacked restrictive covenants barring non-Caucasian occupancy.
  • CIO-PAC Will Continue Fight Against Nisei Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Richard Lynden, San Francisco chairman of CIO-PAC, pledged continued opposition to discrimination against Japanese Americans. He urged support for Proposition 11 creating a state Fair Employment Practices Commission.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Pasadena Bookshop Exhibits Drawings, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Drawings by relocation center artist Miné Okubo are on display at a Pasadena bookshop through September 20. The exhibition features works from her forthcoming book.

Commentary

  • Veterans Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The chartering of segregated minority posts by the American Legion and VFW is criticized as isolating non-Caucasian veterans. The editorial contrasts this with the American Veterans Committee’s stance against racially based posts.
  • California Test Case, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The appellate ruling in the Palermo-Stockton Theaters case affirmed the right of alien Japanese to lease commercial and residential property. The editorial explains the legal reasoning around the word ‘now’ in the Alien Land law.
  • Restrictive Covenants, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A coordinating council of civil rights groups launched a campaign against restrictive covenants in Los Angeles. The program aims to circulate anti-restrictive covenant documents and educate property holders.
  • Democracy in Far East: A Japanese American Teaches in Turkey, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Nisei teacher at the American Boys’ School in Talas, Turkey writes to a friend about his life and work there. He reflects on the role of education and American democratic ideals in the region.

In-Depth

  • ‘Nisei’ Who Met Lincoln, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Joseph Hiko, the second Japanese to come to America, met President Lincoln and was appointed an official of the U.S. government. The article recounts Hiko’s life and his link to the Manjiro and Delano families.

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