Vol. 29, No. 8, August 20, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue
A new court challenge to California’s alien land law led the August 20, 1949 issue. The Civil Rights Defense Union of Northern California and the Legal Defense Fund of Southern California decided to start a test case after the Oyama decision. Marion Tajiri reported on the Tokyo Rose trial, where two former prisoners of war testified for Iva Toguri d’Aquino and Judge Michael J. Roche denied a motion for acquittal. Togo Tanaka’s column asked whether courts truly deliver liberty and justice for all.
The 8-page issue also covered Terri Hokoda’s crowning as queen of Los Angeles Nisei Week, an editorial on Senator McCarran’s hold on the Judd bill, and Galen Fisher’s move against Karl Bendetsen’s possible army appointment. Bill Hosokawa wrote two columns, Jobo Nakamura described a hot summer night on Chicago’s near-North Side, and the sports page followed Japanese swimmers at the national AAU meet.
What’s in this issue
National
- Plan to Initiate Supreme Court Test of Alien Land Law in California, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Civil Rights Defense Union of Northern California, with the Legal Defense Fund of Southern California, decided to initiate a new test case of California’s alien land law. The case aims to challenge the state’s escheat proceedings against property purchased by alien Japanese parents for citizen children, following the Oyama decision.
- Judge Roche Denies Defense Motion for Acquittal Verdict, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge Michael J. Roche denied the defense motion for a directed acquittal in the Tokyo Rose treason trial. The defense argued the government lacked proof of intent and overt acts, while prosecutors said intent was a factual question for the jury.
- Galen Fisher Initiates Move to Oppose Appointment of Bendetsen to High Army Post, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Galen Fisher said he will oppose any attempt to appoint Karl Bendetsen, director of the 1942 mass evacuation, as assistant secretary of the army. Fisher cited Bendetsen’s prejudiced attitude toward Japanese Americans and his claims about their loyalty.
- Ruling Permits Longer Japan Visits by Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 2. New regulations approved by U.S. military officials in Japan allow 60-day visitors to obtain extensions of an additional sixty days. The visits may now include friends as well as relatives.
- National JACL Opposes FHA Plan for Segregated Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Federal Housing Administration proposed allowing local authorities to build segregated slum clearance projects, which the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee called a backward step. Representatives of several minority groups criticized the proposal at a meeting in Washington.
- Hawaii Legislature Discards Proposals to Exclude Non-Citizen Workers, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Proposed anti-alien legislation to bar non-citizens from stevedoring work during the Hawaiian longshore strike was dropped after opposition from unions and employers. The final strike bill contained no discriminatory provisions against aliens.
Military & Veterans
- Two Ex-POWs Aid Defense in Trial of Tokyo Rose, by Marion Tajiri, page 1. Two former prisoners of war testified for the defense in the Tokyo Rose trial, describing the Zero Hour program and Iva d’Aquino’s conduct. Their testimony detailed wartime brutality and their claim that the program was designed to undermine Japanese propaganda.
- Memorial Pool Dedicated in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A new swimming pool in Wahiawa, Hawaii, was dedicated to the 21 local men who died in World War II. A plaque bearing their names was unveiled at the ceremony.
- Court Rules Nisei Retains U.S. Rights Despite Japan Army Service, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Federal Judge J. Frank McLaughlin ruled that William S. Ishikawa remains an American citizen despite serving in the Japanese army, since the service was compelled by Japan’s draft law. The decision allows Ishikawa to remain in the United States.
Commentary
- With Liberty and Justice for All, by Togo Tanaka, page 2. Tanaka recounts a Nisei who renounced citizenship and forgot the closing words of the Pledge of Allegiance. He contrasts this with a Chicago police court scene where a Southern Black youth is harshly dismissed, questioning whether courts truly uphold liberty and justice.
- Nisei Helps Christen New Stratocruiser, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Takayo Tsubouchi, a Hyde Park high school senior, took part in christening the Northwest Airlines Stratocruiser Chicago at the municipal airport. The event was reported as a community milestone.
- McCarran’s Tactics Block Judd Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that Senator McCarran’s obstruction has stalled the Judd bill, which would remove racial discrimination from immigration and naturalization laws. It urges bipartisan pressure to move the bill out of the Judiciary Committee.
- Getting Settled in the New House, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa describes his family’s move to a Denver neighborhood, including the children’s introductions to neighbors and a window-breaking incident that led to friendship. He reflects on how his children are learning about their Japanese identity.
- Willie Takes Up Farming, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa humorously recounts his cousin Willie’s failed attempt at scientific farming in Los Angeles, from a stubborn horse and broken plow to a costly garden overrun by weeds and bugs. Willie insists the setback is only temporary.
Community
- St. Louis JACL Members Plan Weekend Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The St. Louis JACL chapter plans a two-day outing at Montebello, Missouri, on August 27 and 28. Reservations for seventy people are being taken with recreational facilities and meals provided.
- Undertake Study of Adjustment of Former Tuleans in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Anthropologist Marvin K. Opler, who was community analyst at Tule Lake, is studying how returned Tuleans readjust in Hawaii. The study is funded by a Social Science Research Council Fellowship and will conclude before he joins Stanford University.
- Idaho Falls JACL Float Wins First Prize in War Bonnet Parade, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Idaho Falls JACL float, designed by Fred Ochi, won first prize in the annual War Bonnet parade on Aug. 10. Thirty members spent four nights building the float featuring a bucking horse.
- Terri Hokoda Crowned Queen Initiates Nisei Week Celebration in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Terri Hokoda, a 24-year-old fashion designer, was crowned queen of the Los Angeles Nisei Week festival at the coronation ball on Aug. 13 before an overflow crowd. She was chosen by a panel of Hollywood judges from seven finalists.
- Nisei Week Queen Televised, Visits Wounded Veterans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Queen Terri Hokoda appeared on KFI-TV and visited Nisei veteran patients at Birmingham General Hospital in Van Nuys. She invited them to participate in Nisei Week festivities.
- Nisei Week Queen Terri Hokoda Crowned, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Terri Hokoda, a Hollywood fashion designer, was named queen of the 1949 Los Angeles Nisei Week after a six-week contest. Her six attendants and the coronation ball drew an overflow crowd of 1,400.
- Behind the Nisei Week Festivities, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial reflects on Los Angeles’ first postwar Nisei Week as a sign of returned evacuees regaining their economic footing. It notes that housing discrimination and temporary living conditions still need attention.
- Hawaii Girl Swimmers Predicted to Win National Titles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Coach Soichi Sakamoto predicts that Evelyn Kawamoto and Thelma Kalama will win multiple titles at the AAU outdoor swimming meet in San Antonio. Their predictions are based on strong trial times set before the team traveled to the mainland.
- Visitors from Japan Learn Lessons in Democracy from Nisei, Issei in Hawaii, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 8. Japanese visitors to Hawaii, including educators and officials, gain firsthand experience of democracy through the Issei and Nisei community. Their lectures also help Hawaiian residents understand postwar conditions in Japan.
JACL
- Southwest Area JACL Council Holds Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Southwest district council met in Los Angeles to discuss future responsibility for the regional JACL office and credit union plans. Dr. Roy Nishikawa was elected council chairman.
Arts & Entertainment
- Witnesses Say Mrs. d’Aquino Took Part in Conspiracy Against Radio Tokyo Aims, by Marion Tajiri, page 4. Former POWs Charles Cousens and Major Wallace Ince testified in defense of Iva Toguri d’Aquino at her Tokyo Rose trial, saying the Zero Hour was designed to entertain and boost Allied morale. Cousens described how she secretly aided POWs with food and medicine.
In-Depth
- The Summer Night Is Hot on the City’s Near-Northside, by Jobo Nakamura, page 5. Nakamura portrays a summer evening in Chicago’s near-North Side, focusing on the Nisei and Issei residents, shops, and restaurants. He captures the mix of loneliness and community in the tenement neighborhood.
Sports
- Japanese Swimmers Smash World Records at National AAU Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Japanese swimming team led by Hironoshin Furuhashi set multiple world and American records at the AAU meet in Los Angeles. Furuhashi won the 1500-meter free-style in a world record time.
- Hawaiian Legion Ball Team Loses in Regional Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The O’Dowda post team from Waipahu, Oahu, was eliminated by Hillsboro, Oregon, 6 to 5 in the semifinals of the Pacific Northwest regional tournament. Waipahu had earlier defeated the Idaho state champions.
- Fresno Downs San Jose in Playoff Game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Fresno Nisei All-Stars won the Northern California Nisei AA baseball championship by defeating San Jose 9 to 5. Lefty Fujioka scattered eleven hits for Fresno.
- Yonamine to Play Pro Football for Honolulu Warriors, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Wally Yonamine was released by his mainland football team and left San Francisco to play with the Honolulu Warriors. The Warriors are scheduled to tour the east coast this fall.
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