Vol. 29, No. 11, September 10, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue
Two stories shared the front page of this eight-page issue. The JACL, along with the ADC and other organizations, planned to go on record against Karl R. Bendetsen’s nomination as assistant secretary of the army, because he headed the wartime evacuation program. Marion Tajiri reported from San Francisco on Iva Toguri d’Aquino, who took the stand in her own defense at her treason trial and described her life in Japan during the war. A third story told how Sei Fujii and several organizations agreed to pursue both legislative and court action against California’s Alien Land Law.
Elsewhere, Judge William Denman’s criticism of the 1942 mass removal, and the Tule Lake renunciants’ restored citizenship, appeared on page 4. Page 3 carried Lawrence Nakatsuka’s report from Honolulu, and Iwao Kawakami’s column on the Tokyo Club of Little Tokyo ran on page 5. Sports pages followed Wally Yonamine’s Honolulu Warriors and Nisei baseball and bowling, and a short story by Den Morey ran on page 6.
What’s in this issue
National
- Report JACL Will Oppose Nomination of Bendetsen to Key Army Department Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL, ADC, and other organizations will formally oppose Karl R. Bendetsen’s appointment as assistant secretary of the army due to his wartime role heading the evacuation program. Masaoka says Bendetsen has never publicly renounced prejudicial statements made during the war.
- Mrs. d’Aquino Tells Own Story at Trial for Treason, by Marion Tajiri, page 1. Iva Toguri d’Aquino testified in her own defense at her treason trial in San Francisco, denying she acted against the United States and describing her wartime life in Japan. She said she kept her American citizenship despite pressure from Japanese police to renounce it.
- Senator Kefauver Named to Senate Judiciary Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Estes Kefauver has been appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee, succeeding J. Howard McGrath. The committee, which handles naturalization and immigration legislation, is studying the Judd bill and Walter resolution.
Incarceration & Redress
- Joint Conference Group Meets with Fujii on Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representatives of several Japanese American organizations agreed with Sei Fujii to pursue both legislative and judicial means to invalidate California’s Alien Land Law. A supplementary test case may be sponsored to address citizens’ rights as well.
- Evacuation Decision Denounced by Judge Denman, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Judge William Denman condemned the 1942 mass evacuation of Japanese Americans while affirming restored citizenship for three Los Angeles women who renounced nationality at Tule Lake. The article notes the San Francisco Chronicle’s coverage and the possibility of a new test case.
Military & Veterans
- Masaoka Will Attend Reunion of Famed 34th, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka returned to Washington after a West Coast trip discussing a court test of California’s alien land laws. He plans to attend the 34th Infantry Division reunion, where he will ask the division to urge Congress to pass immigration and naturalization equality laws.
- Eight Nisei Forced to Run Rock Gauntlet at Peekskill Concert, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eight New York Nisei attending the Paul Robeson concert in Peekskill were pelted with rocks and insulted by a protesting mob while leaving the event. Several suffered minor injuries as vehicle windows were shattered.
Community
- Nisei Driven Cars Involved in Highway Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Nisei-driven cars collided on Highway 99 near Stockton on Sept. 5 after one driver pulled into traffic from a side road. The other driver lost control and skidded into the first car.
- Honolulu Japanese Chamber Group Votes Non-Communist Oath for Membership, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce voted to require all members to take a non-Communist oath to counter perceptions of Communist influence among Japanese in Hawaii. Members say the measure is needed because Nisei are again being pressured to prove their loyalty.
- Seek Foster Homes for Nisei Children in Los Angeles Area, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Six children of part-Japanese ancestry are up for adoption and twelve need foster homes in Los Angeles, according to Sam Ishikawa of JACL ADC. A meeting on the adoption process is planned for Sept. 14.
- Chicago JACL Will Offer Free Evacuation Claims Service, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago JACL and ADC will offer free help filing evacuation claims on three Tuesdays and Thursdays in September and October. The service is limited to claims of $2500 or less, with larger claims referred to attorneys.
- Final Plans Made for Midwest District Meet in Ohio City, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Cleveland JACL has completed arrangements for the First Midwest District JACL Convention on Sept. 17 and 18, featuring speakers including Mike Masaoka and Cleveland’s mayor. The convention will also include a queen contest and events at multiple Cleveland venues.
Commentary
- Walter Resolution Action, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Walter resolution, which would prohibit denial of naturalization based on race, is expected to reach the full Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 12. Its passage through the consent calendar may be the only path before the session ends.
- Tokyo Club: The Underworld of Little Tokyo, by Iwao Kawakami, page 5. The column traces the history of the Tokyo Club, an organization that ran gambling and vice activities in Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo and influenced community affairs. It describes how its power declined after political reform and wartime disruption.
- Seattle Unions and the Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The column surveys how Nisei have been treated by Seattle-area unions, noting improvements for some workers and continued exclusion for others. It cites specific examples of union membership and pay practices affecting Nisei businesses and employees.
Arts & Entertainment
- Crain Learns About Race Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Actress Jeanne Crain discusses her role as a Black woman in the film Pinky and what she learned about racial prejudice. She argues that children learn bigotry from parents and could grow up more tolerant.
In-Depth
- A Short Story: The Gambler’s Fate, by Den Morey, page 6. A gray-haired stranger tells the narrator how horse-race gambling destroyed his marriage and home. His story ends with his wife’s own intuition-based picks leading to their divorce.
Sports
- Yonamine Scores as Hawaiians Defeat Wilmington Clippers, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Wally Yonamine and Henry Abreau led the Honolulu Warriors to a 21-0 win over the Wilmington Clippers, their first victory of a mainland tour. Yonamine returned from a concussion to score the first touchdown.
- San Jose Zebras Take Two-Game Series from San Fernando Aces, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Jose Zebras swept two games from the San Fernando Aces in Northern California Nisei baseball action on Sept. 4 and 5. Pitchers John Horio and Mas Kinoshita led the wins.
- Harley Kusumoto Wins Singles Title, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Harley Kusumoto of Los Angeles won the singles championship at the first Nisei State Fair bowling classic in San Francisco on Sept. 3 and 4. Mike Murotsune and James Sakamoto took the men’s doubles title.
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