Evacuation claims, Nisei war dead come home, and Hawaii's elections

Vol. 27, No. 20, November 13, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue

Evacuation claims ran through this eight-page issue. Edward J. Ennis answered reader questions on the claims law, the Eastern JACL district planned a Boston meeting, and JACL chapters received documents to help claimants. The Nisei Veterans Association asked whether medical costs from wartime breakdowns could be recovered. On page 3, remains of 55 Nisei war dead returned from Italy aboard the Lawrence Victory, with next-of-kin listed for each soldier. Lawrence Nakatsuka reported that 22 Japanese Americans won office in Hawaii, and Larry Tajiri’s editorial discussed the results.

Elsewhere, the arraignment of Mrs. Iva Toguri d’Aquino, accused as “Tokyo Rose,” was postponed again. The Los Angeles JACL chapters formed a coordinating council. Bill Hosokawa’s column explained his protest vote for Norman Thomas. Sports pages followed Wally Yonamine in Honolulu and a state Nisei bowling tournament in San Jose.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

Arraignment of Mrs. Iva Toguri d’Aquino Postponed for Second Time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge Michael Roche postponed the arraignment of Mrs. Iva Toguri d’Aquino, accused as ‘Tokyo Rose,’ for two weeks. Her attorney Wayne Collins plans to seek dismissal of the treason indictment on grounds of her Portuguese nationality through marriage.
Japanese American Population of Minnesota Drops to Tenth of Peak During Wartime, by Dick Kleeman, page 2. A Rev. Daisuke Kitagawa report for Gov. Youngdahl’s commission finds Minnesota’s Japanese American population has fallen to a core of 750 to 1,000, mostly in the Twin Cities. The report describes community history, religious affiliation, and assimilation.
JACL Chapters Get Documents to Assist Evacuee Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL chapters received the first of several documents to help claimants under the Evacuation Claims law. The material includes claims forms, background information, and translations, and JACL will not evaluate the legality or value of claims.

Community

Organize Council to Coordinate L.A. JACL Activities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles Coordinating Council of the JACL was formed on Nov. 2 to unify the activities of local chapters. Dr. Tom Wada was named chairman, with representatives from several Los Angeles-area chapters.
Misao Takata Congratulated as Parlier Harvest Festival Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Misao Takata, sponsored by the Pacificans, was crowned queen of the Parlier, Calif., Harvest Festival after being chosen from seven entries. She was the only Nisei entry and helped judge the children’s pet parade.
Nisei Ex-Officer Leaves for States with Actress Bride, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Goda, a California Nisei and former first lieutenant, departed Yokohama with his bride, Japanese stage and screen star Mitsuko Miura. The couple planned to settle in California.
Change of Heart, by Den Morey, page 5. A seventeen-year-old girl, Hideko Arada, returns home late expecting a scolding from her mother, then grows frightened when her mother is missing. She learns her mother was only at a hospital for a company physical and resolves to change her behavior.
Nisei Sportsmen in Hawaii Offer Scholarship to Swimmer, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A group of Honolulu Nisei offered to fund a University of Hawaii scholarship for Japanese swimming star Konoshin Furuhashi. Furuhashi said he would consult his family before deciding.
Pereiras Win Bowling Meet in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 8. San Jose’s Pereira team won the second annual state Nisei bowling tournament with a 2925 team series. Individual honors went to bowlers from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

Obituaries

Kitaro Miyasaki Dies at Sugar City Home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kitaro Miyasaki, 66, died after a long illness at his home in Sugar City, Idaho. He is survived by seven sons, three daughters, and fifteen grandchildren.
Final Rites Held for Aged Victim of Vanport Disaster, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Final rites were held in Portland for Mizuno, 77, a retired photographer and painter who died in the Vanport flood. His body was recovered from a rubbish pile on Nov. 1.

Military & Veterans

Nisei Medal of Honor Winner Cited in New Army Book, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pfc. Sadao S. Munemori, the only Nisei to win the Congressional Medal of Honor, is featured in a new army publication. His body was being returned from Italy for reinterment in the United States.
First Nisei GI Will Be Buried on Okinawa, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pvt. Hideo W. Arakaki, a 442nd combat team veteran who died in an accidental shooting in Texas in 1945, will be reburied in the family tomb in Okinawa. He will receive full military honors.
Masaoka to Lead Chicago Discussion on Congress Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike M. Masaoka, JACL ADC national legislative director, will head a panel on congressional action at the second national Conference on Intergroup Relations in Chicago. The conference addresses problems faced by racial and religious minorities.
Return Remains of 55 Nisei War Dead from Italy for Final Burial in United States, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Remains of 55 Nisei war dead were returned from Italy aboard the Lawrence Victory, the largest such group to reach the continental United States. The page lists next-of-kin and home states for each soldier.
Nisei Veterans Association Asks Recovery of Evacuee Medical Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Nisei Veterans Association is seeking to determine whether medical expenses for mental breakdowns caused by evacuation are recoverable under the claims law. Assistant Attorney General Morison assured them such claims would receive careful consideration.
Remains of Idaho Brothers Returned for Final Burial, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The remains of Pvt. Raito Nakashima and Staff Sgt. Wataru Nakashima, Nisei brothers killed in Europe, are being returned for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Both were graduates of Pocatello high school.
JACL Takes Part in Armistice Day Rites at Arlington, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL participated in Armistice Day services at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where a Nisei veterans delegation placed a wreath. Flowers were also placed on graves of Nisei war dead including members of the 442nd.

National

22 Japanese Americans Win Territorial, County Political Posts in Hawaiian Elections, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 1. Twenty-two Nisei candidates won territorial and county offices in Hawaii’s November 2 elections, including two senators. Observers noted the campaign was largely free of racial appeals.
The Righteous Vote in British Columbia, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Canadian Japanese citizens in British Columbia may soon receive the franchise, following a Vancouver council recommendation. The editorial notes restrictions on movement and settlement remain until March 31, 1949.

Commentary

Questions on Evacuation Claims, by Edward J. Ennis, page 2. Edward J. Ennis, JACL ADC special counsel, answers reader questions on the evacuation claims law, covering lost insurance policies, powers of attorney, and fraud penalties. He notes the Justice Department does not issue advisory opinions.
Hawaii’s Political Maturity, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial argues that Hawaii’s elections show growing political maturity, with race-baiting candidates rejected and 22 Nisei elected. It contrasts Hawaii’s racial sophistication with the mainland and notes a University of Hawaii study on racial bloc voting.
Dear Yuri: This Is the Answer, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A column advises a would-be bookstore owner on discounts, startup capital, inventory turnover, and profit margins. It concludes that the business is viable but requires personality and commitment.
And One Vote for Thomas, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa, in his From the Frying Pan column, reveals he cast a protest vote for Norman Thomas in Denver’s 1948 election. He also reflects on the cost of shaving brushes and pifion nuts.
It Costs More to Shave, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa describes his shaving brush breaking and the higher prices of replacement brushes. He decides to keep using the stub.

Arts & Entertainment

Carolyn Oda Dances in Lake City Production, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Carolyn Oda danced in the Salt Lake City production ‘Light in the Dark,’ and will appear next in a University of Utah production of ‘Moon of the Face.’ She studies with Virginia Tanner and is a student at Horace Mann.

In-Depth

Search for Sessue Hayakawa, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Louella Parsons’ report of Sessue Hayakawa’s disappearance is shown to be exaggerated, as the silent film star has lived quietly in Paris throughout the war. The editorial traces his Hollywood career and his refusal to collaborate with Nazi film makers.

JACL

Eastern JACL Groups Meet on Evacuee Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Eastern District Council of the JACL will meet in Boston on November 27 to coordinate evacuation claims processing and promote the Judd Bill. Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka will address delegates.

Sports

Yonamine Stars as Honolulu Pros Triumph, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Wally Yonamine led the Honolulu Warriors to a 75-21 victory over the Hollywood Bears, passing for three touchdowns and scoring twice. The win was his best performance since leaving the San Francisco 49ers.
Nisei Golf Pro Wins 10th Spot in Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Toyo Shirai, a Nisei golf pro from Kauai, finished tenth in the $10,000 Hawaiian Open won by Cary Middlecoff. Shirai earned $350 with a four-round total of 293.

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