Vol. 25, No. 4, August 2, 1947. 8 pages. View this issue
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was reactivated as a U.S. Army reserve unit in a ceremony attended by 252 disabled Nisei veterans, and the front page told the story. An editorial on page 4 looked back at the record of the 442nd and the 100th Battalion in Italy and France. Elsewhere, the Senate tabled the Evacuation Claims bill until January 1948, a delay Mike Masaoka criticized, and Esther L’Ecluse described the push for the bill on Capitol Hill. A Civil Service decision to drop its ‘Japanese’ classification followed a JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee protest.
Other pages carried news of Representative Judd’s bill to remove race restrictions from the Nationality Act and a Los Angeles-area city dropping racial bars in municipal housing. Bill Hosokawa’s column “From the Frying Pan” turned to sukiyaki and Colorado restaurants. Page 6 gathered sports, from the Nisei Vets in Watsonville to Sam Ichinose’s flyweight claim. Chapter news came from Los Angeles, Chicago and San Benito.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- 442nd Infantry Reactivated as Army Reserve; 252 Disabled Nisei Veterans Watch Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team was reactivated as a U.S. Army reserve unit in a ceremony attended by 252 disabled Nisei veterans. The regiment, composed of Americans of Japanese ancestry, had earned seven presidential unit citations and numerous other decorations.
- Bill to Pay Losses Considered at Next Session in January, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Evacuation Claims bill passed by the House was held over for the next Senate session in January. Advocates said the delay postponed relief for evacuees trying to reestablish themselves.
- Reactivated 442nd Regiment Record Recalled, page 4. An editorial reflected on the combat record of the 442nd and 100th Battalion, which fought in Italy and France. It argued the men deserve recognition for their sacrifice and honorable service.
Incarceration & Redress
- Senate Tables Evacuation Claims Proposal Until 1948, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Senate postponed action on the Evacuation Claims bill until January 1948, leaving Japanese American evacuee property loss claims unresolved. JACL legislative director Mike Masaoka criticized the delay as a setback for evacuees seeking compensation.
- From Washington: Capitol Hill Push for Evacuee Losses Bill, by Esther L’Ecluse, page 5. Congress rushed to pass the Evacuation Claims bill before adjournment, but the measure was passed over and not taken up. The article describes the lobbying efforts of JACL-ADC staff in Washington.
- Evacuees Reimbursed for Property Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Several evacuees were confiscated and suffered losses from deportation and property seizures during the war. The article reports on reimbursement efforts for those affected.
JACL
- Discuss JACL Role in Community: Los Angeles Workshop Meetings, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Los Angeles JACL chapter leaders met in workshop sessions to discuss the chapter’s role in the community and programs relating to Nisei and interracial relations. The meetings were called by chapter president Frank Chuman.
Community
- San Benito JACL Elects New Officials, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Benito JACL chapter elected new officers at its meeting. The chapter continues its local activities.
- Chicago JACL Group Says New Chapter Is Biggest, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Chicago JACL chapter, with 431 members, was described as the largest chapter in the organization. New officers were installed at the chapter’s formal meeting.
- Civil Service Will Drop Use of ‘Japanese’ Classification in Employee Loyalty Standards, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The U.S. Civil Service Commission agreed to drop the ‘Japanese’ classification from employee loyalty standards following a protest by the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee. The change means individuals will be judged on demonstrated allegiance rather than ancestry.
- Kennedy Tells JACL Group Race Hate Campaigns Against Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Speakers at a JACL gathering described race hate campaigns directed against Nisei. The discussion addressed the continuing discrimination faced by Japanese Americans.
- Soya Sauce Returns to Bakersfield Cafes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Soy sauce impounded during the war was returned to Bakersfield restaurant tables after being held for years. Some of the impounded supply was to be destroyed.
- Hurt in Holdup, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Nisei company clerk was injured in a holdup after being attacked by a robber at a business. Authorities were investigating the incident.
- UC Women’s Dorm to be Reopened for Fall Semester, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The University of California women’s dormitory will reopen for the fall semester. The reopening benefits students including Nisei women returning to campus.
- JACL-ADC Requests Cessation of Deportation Orders Until Congress Acts, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee asked Congressional leaders to stop deportation orders against persons of Japanese ancestry until Congress acted on pending legislation. The request was made in letters to the chairmen of the Senate and House committees.
National
- California City Drops Racial Bars in Municipal Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Los Angeles-area city dropped racial restrictions in municipal housing after a campaign against racial discrimination. The change was hailed as a victory for JACL and ADC efforts.
- Rep. Judd Introduces Bill to Eliminate Race Restrictions From Nationality Act, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Representative Judd introduced a bill to remove race restrictions from the Nationality Act of the United States. The measure would end racial barriers to naturalization.
- Coast Magazine Notes Nisei Have Man-Sized Task in Reestablishing Selves on Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A West Coast magazine observed that Nisei face a formidable task in reestablishing themselves after the war. Business and community life were described as slowly recovering.
Commentary
- Negroes and Whites Alike Warned by Real Estate Code of Ethics, page 4. An editorial criticized a Peninsula real estate operator who said Negroes and Chinese should not live in the area south of San Francisco. The writer condemned racially restrictive covenants as inhumane.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa offers a lighthearted account of sukiyaki and Chinese meals, reflecting on Colorado dining and the food he enjoys. The column mixes humor with observations about local restaurants.
Sports
- Nisei Vets Team Wins in Watsonville, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Nisei Vets team came from behind with a three-run rally in the third inning to defeat Freedom 4-5 in Watsonville league play. The win strengthened their position in second-half standings.
- Nisei Entered in Midget Races in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei athletes were entered in midget races at Salt Lake City. The report covers their participation in the upcoming competition.
- Nisei Swimmers Lead Monterey Bay Team to Army Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei swimmers led their team to an Army title, with Los Angeles natator winning two events. The article reports on the competition results.
- Joe Kamiya Named President of Youth Group at Lake Tahoe Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Joe Kamiya was elected president at a Lake Tahoe youth conference. Other cabinet members and group leaders were also named.
- Sam Ichinose Claims Flyweight Title for Protege, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sam Ichinose, manager of a boxer, claimed the flyweight championship for his protege after the British board stripped Jackie Paterson of his title. Paterson had failed to make weight for the championship bout.
- Issei-Nisei Teams Continue ADC Fund Drive in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Issei and Nisei volunteer teams in Chicago continued the ADC fund drive, reporting encouraging results from their solicitation efforts. Organizers said the response was deeply gratifying.
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