Fair employment, the Judd bill and Memorial Day, 1949

Vol. 28, No. 21, May 28, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

The fight against discrimination ran through this issue. A California Assembly committee killed the fair employment practices bill sponsored by Assemblyman George D. Collins, and an editorial called the loss a blow to Nisei job prospects. Support for the Judd bill, which would extend naturalization rights to about 88,000 Orientals, appeared in Rep. Walter Judd’s own appeal and in editorials from the Imperial Valley Press and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Chicago and Milwaukee passed their ADC fund goals, and Los Angeles chapters led the membership race with 582 members.

Memorial Day shaped the middle pages. George Sawada’s 1943 letter to his father from Camp Shelby ran on page 2, and the paper reported remains of 13 Nisei war dead returned for burial, along with a monument to 61 Southern California Nisei. Columns by Larry Tajiri and Bill Hosokawa, a 442nd memoir by T. Takeshi Ohye, and the Los Angeles mayoral race over Little Tokyo and Mayor Bowron’s 1942 remarks also appeared. Page 6 carries sports.

What’s in this issue

National

  • California Legislature Stymies Move for State Commission On Fair Employment Practices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A California Assembly committee voted to kill the fair employment practices bill sponsored by Assemblyman George D. Collins. Other anti-discrimination measures, including a Negro-sponsored National Guard integration bill and an alien land law repeal, also stalled in committee.
  • Chicago Tops Goal in ADC Fund Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chicago’s ADC fund drive exceeded its $12,000 goal by $510, with $10,000 already sent to JACL-ADC headquarters. Executive secretary Dr. Matsusaburo Kuki reported on the 1,525 contributions received.
  • Imperial Valley Paper Supports Judd Legislation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Imperial Valley Press editorialized in favor of an early Senate vote on the Judd naturalization bill. The editorial argued the measure fits democratic principles and noted a Nisei Medal of Honor winner’s mother was denied citizenship.
  • California Assembly Passes Bill to Repeal State Ban Against Interracial Marriage, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Assembly passed a bill to repeal the anti-miscegenation law, bringing state law in line with a 1948 Supreme Court ruling. The article also reports the first marriage license issued to a person of Japanese ancestry marrying a Caucasian and a Nevada City mixed marriage.
  • Tokyo Rose Defense to Call Five Nisei as Witnesses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The defense in the Tokyo Rose trial of Iva Toguri d’Aquino will subpoena 17 witnesses, five of them Nisei. Defense attorney Wayne Collins said 40 to 60 depositions from the Far East would be ready when trial begins July 5.
  • Mrs. D’Aquino Leaves Jail to Visit Dentist, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Iva Toguri d’Aquino, awaiting trial for wartime treason, left county jail for the first time in eight months to visit a dentist. She was accompanied by a Justice Department agent and her father.
  • Rep. Judd Urges Early Senate Action on Naturalization Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Walter Judd urged Senate action on his bill to extend naturalization rights to about 88,000 Orientals and remove race restrictions from immigration law. He argued the 1924 exclusion law helped turn Japan toward militarism.
  • Los Angeles AFL Will Fight Race Bias on Local Level, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles Central Labor Council approved creating committees to combat racial intolerance at the local union level. Speakers said the program is meant to educate members against discrimination.
  • Citizenship Denial to Issei Deplored by St. Paul Paper, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The St. Paul Pioneer Press editorialized in support of the Judd bill, calling Issei denied citizenship ‘exiles at home.’ The editorial quoted a wounded Nisei veteran’s argument for parental naturalization.

Community

  • Milwaukee JACL Goes Over Top in Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Milwaukee JACL exceeded its $500 goal for the statewide ADC fund drive by nearly $150. Co-chairmen and participating cities in the drive were named.
  • Sumio Hirano Wins Los Angeles Finals in Legion Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sumio Hirano, a Polytechnic high school student, won the Los Angeles city finals of the American Legion essay contest. He also received a Reader’s Digest valedictorian award for scholarship.
  • Denver Nisei Will Take Part in Memorial Day Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Denver JACL and Cathay Post No. 185 of the American Legion will hold Memorial Day services honoring Nisei war dead at the Tri-State Buddhist church. Speakers and participants were announced.
  • City Will Help Little Tokyo Tenants, Says Mayor Bowron, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mayor Bowron told Nisei audiences the city would help find housing for Little Tokyo residents displaced by Civic Center demolition. He also addressed charges by opponent Lloyd Aldrich’s supporters that he advocated mass evacuation in 1942.
  • Veterans Group Formed to Support Aldrich Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Japanese American veterans committee backing mayoral candidate Lloyd Aldrich circulated a handbill quoting Mayor Bowron’s 1942 remarks about rounding up Japanese Americans. The group listed its supporting veterans.
  • NVA Disclaims Tie With Aldrich Group In LA Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Nisei Veterans Association said it has no connection with the Aldrich veterans committee and makes no political endorsements. The NVA said the similar name caused confusion.
  • Valedictorian Named, by P.C. Staff, page 2. June Hoshiko was named valedictorian of the graduating class at Fresno high school. She will speak at graduation exercises.
  • 400 Hilo Residents Hear Talk by JACL ADC Official, by James S. Maeda, page 3. About 400 Hilo residents heard Mike Masaoka, national legislative director of JACL ADC, discuss congressional legislation affecting residents of Japanese ancestry. His talk was also broadcast on local radio.
  • Ishikawa Takes Lead in Socialist Party Campaign in West, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Joseph Ishikawa of the University of Nebraska is leading an effort to consolidate Socialist Party locals in the Rocky Mountain area into a regional organization. The proposed group would include several western states.
  • Uyeda Sisters At Celebration for Folklore Magazine, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dancers Haruko and Tomeko Uyeda will perform at the seventh anniversary celebration of Viltis, a folklore magazine, in Chicago. Their recent performances and background were described.
  • Baptist Church in Seattle Celebrates Golden Jubilee, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Japanese Baptist church in Seattle celebrated its 50th anniversary with Nisei and Issei programs and banquets. Former members attended from across the country.
  • Alameda Nisei Couple Suffers Double Tragedy, by P.C. Staff, page 8. George and Terry Ushijima of Alameda lost their 13-month-old daughter after an operation, then their home burned less than 48 hours later. The couple escaped by jumping from a second-story window.
  • Nisei Appear at Cleveland Tea, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Three Cleveland Nisei women in Japanese costume represented the local Japanese American community at a UNESCO-related tea sponsored by the Cultural Gardens of Cleveland. The event opened a UNESCO educational conference.
  • Union League Favors Judd Bill Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Chicago’s Union League Club endorsed the Judd bill for naturalization equality after presentations by Nisei James Kidwell and Tats Kushida. The club’s board officially approved the endorsement.
  • Lilly Yuriko Namba Chosen for National Scholastic Society, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Oregon State student Lilly Yuriko Namba was accepted into Phi Kappa Phi, a national scholastic honor society. She also received an honorable mention for the Lipman Wolfe award.
  • Recreational Group Uses Facilities of El Centro Church, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A new multiethnic teen recreation group, the Cosmopolitan Club, formed in El Centro and uses the former Japanese Buddhist church as headquarters. Membership is open to youth of several ancestries.

JACL

  • LA Forges Ahead In Membership Race With Chicago JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles JACL chapters led the membership race with 582 members, compared to Chicago’s 372. Individual LA chapter totals were listed.
  • Sugihara, Hirose, Hayashi, Iwasaki Will Be Candidates for EDC Chairmanship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL chapters of the Eastern District Council submitted candidates for EDC chairman, including incumbent Ina Sugihara. Candidates for other offices were also named ahead of the October convention.
  • Large Crowds Hear Masaoka On Isles Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka’s speaking tour in Hawaii for the JACL ADC fund drive drew large crowds on several islands. He stressed that Hawaiian statehood and naturalization rights for Japanese aliens were one fight.

Military & Veterans

  • Remains of 13 Nisei War Dead Returned to U.S. for Burial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Army announced that remains of 13 Nisei combat veterans from the European theater were returned to the United States for reinterment. The list of war dead and their next-of-kin was published.
  • Col. Hanley of 442nd to Speak at Seattle Memorial Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Col. James Hanley, former commander of a 442nd battalion, will speak at Seattle’s Memorial Day services at Lakeview cemetery honoring Nisei war dead. A monument with names of Nisei heroes will be unveiled.
  • Tribute to Gold Star Mothers Planned by Los Angeles YBA, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles Young Buddhist Association will hold a memorial service honoring Gold Star mothers and dedicating a bronze plaque with names of Buddhist war dead. Several fallen Buddhist Nisei soldiers were listed.
  • Monument to Nisei War Dead of Los Angeles Area to Be Unveiled on Memorial Day, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A marble monument honoring 61 Southern California Nisei who died in World War II will be unveiled at Evergreen cemetery on Memorial Day. The monument was purchased in Carrara, Italy, and will be unveiled by Mrs. Nawa Munemori.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Memorial Day, 1949: Let It Be For Me — Once In Glory, by George Sawada, page 2. A letter written by Nisei soldier George Sawada to his father from Camp Shelby in 1943 expresses his love and gratitude for his father’s sacrifices after the mother’s death and family’s evacuation. The letter is offered as a Memorial Day tribute to America’s soldier dead.

Commentary

  • Postscript: Togo Tanaka Answers Opponent’s Charge He Urged Mass Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mayor Fletcher Bowron of Los Angeles denied that residents of Little Tokyo would suffer from redevelopment and addressed charges that he advocated mass evacuation. A column recounts a conversation with a former Justice Department colleague about evacuation maps and the claim behind them.
  • Postscript for Memorial Day, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial urges Americans to honor the war dead of all races by respecting the living veterans and families of the fallen. It argues the greatest tribute is ensuring the survivors receive the respect they deserve.
  • Marginal Employment Opportunities, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial condemns the California legislature for killing fair employment proposals and argues job discrimination is central to minority discrimination. It cites Seattle and San Francisco statistics showing Nisei concentrated in service and operative jobs.
  • Japan Learns About the 442nd, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri reports that Japanese media and pro-democratic groups are using the story of Pvt. Sadao Munemori and the 442nd to illustrate democracy. He notes a Japanese writer’s book on the 442nd and an Army film, The Nisei Story.
  • Evacuation Issue in L.A., by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri examines how the mass evacuation charge against Mayor Bowron has entered the Los Angeles mayoral race. He notes that Carey McWilliams and a former WRA officer endorsed Bowron for his cooperation in the return of evacuees.
  • Vagaries, by Roku Suschore, page 4. A miscellany of brief notes covering Nisei artists, a new Nisei magazine, a Chicago perfume business, and other personal news. Items include Isamu Noguchi’s exhibit and Katsuhiko Haida’s income.
  • Something That Should Be Said, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa criticizes Australia’s immigration minister Arthur Calwell for denying entry to Filipino-born U.S. Army veteran Lorenzo Gamboa on racial grounds. He argues the United States’ own exclusionary history makes the Judd bill urgent.

Obituaries

  • Remember Father, by Roku Suschore, page 5. The writer recalls his father, a pioneer Issei who died in 1924 at age 39, and describes his strict discipline, emphasis on education, and hard early life. The column reflects on the disappearing generation of Issei.

In-Depth

  • Vignettes from Europe: The First Battle, by T. Takeshi Ohye, page 5. A 442nd veteran recounts his first battle in the mud and mountains of France in October, describing the night march, the enemy fire, and the fear before combat. It is the second in a series of his memoir articles.

Sports

  • San Jose Nisei Team Captures Judo Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Jose Buddhist church all-Nisei judo team won the first San Jose College open invitational tournament on May 21. The team accepted a challenge for a dual meet against Southern California judo clubs.
  • Hanford Nisei Win Mid-State Pin Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Hanford Nisei team won the second annual Mid-State bowling tournament at Fresno with a handicapped series of 2944. Individual award winners were also listed.
  • Hawaii Weightlifters Second in AAU, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The all-Nisei weightlifting team from Nuuanu YMCA in Honolulu placed second in the AAU championships at Cleveland. Individual placings for Richard Tomita, George Yoshioka, Donald Uchimura and Harold Sakata were noted.
  • Okagaki Takes Part in Triple Play as Spartans Win Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Jose State’s Tom Okagaki had two hits and four runs as San Jose lost the first game to Fresno State but won the second to take the CCAA championship. Relief pitcher George Abo also appeared.
  • San Jose Zebras Defeat Fresno, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Jose Zebras defeated the undefeated Fresno Nisei All-Stars 9 to 6 in a Northern California Nisei baseball league game. Chi Akizuki and George Hinaga shared batting honors.
  • Henry Aihara Takes Second in Broad Jump at Modesto Relays, by P.C. Staff, page 6. USC broad jumper Henry Aihara placed second at the Modesto Relays, less than an inch behind the winner. High school athlete Jim Tsuda tied for second in the high jump.
  • Joe Tom Candidate for Oregon Quarterback Spot, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Joe Tom, a Hawaii-born Nisei, is one of three candidates to replace Norm Van Brocklin as University of Oregon quarterback. Coach Jim Aiken praised his passing and running ability.

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