The first evacuation claims payment and the Tule Lake renunciants

Vol. 29, No. 25, December 17, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

The government’s first payment under Public Law 886 for losses from the 1942 mass removal of Japanese Americans from the Pacific coast led this issue. A Los Angeles man received $303 for lost office furnishings and books, and an editorial called it the start of the program’s final phase. William H. Jacobs of the Justice Department urged claimants to correct any reduced claims before the deadline. The front page also reported that about 500 former Tule Lake renunciants in Japan may regain U.S. citizenship, with attorney Wayne Collins noting a January 19, 1950 deadline for the government’s final decision.

Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka returned to Washington to lead the JACL-ADC push for the Walter Resolution, and Bill Hosokawa wrote about Haru Kasai coming to America. Hawaii’s first Nisei candidate filed for the statehood constitutional convention, and a Missouri jury call went to Suzie Yamashita. Eight pages of chapter news and sports round it out.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • U.S. Pays First Evacuation Loss Claim, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The government made its first payment under Public Law 886 to a Los Angeles evacuee, Tokuji Tokimasa, for lost office furnishings and books. The ceremony highlighted the completion of the machinery for adjudicating evacuation loss claims.
  • Renunciants Expect Return to U.S. Citizenship as Result of Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Roughly 500 Japan-based former Tule Lake renunciants may regain U.S. citizenship under a court ruling, with the Yokohama consulate processing applications. Attorney Wayne Collins said the government has until January 19, 1950 to make a final decision.
  • Orchardist Files Big Claim, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sumio Doi of Newcastle, California filed one of the largest Placer County claims under the Evacuation Claims Act. His family’s orchard was targeted by terrorism in January 1945 when hoodlums attempted arson and dynamiting.
  • Japanese Canadian Evacuees Claim $7 Million in Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Canadian evacuees of Japanese ancestry filed over $7 million in property claims, with hearings by Justice Bird nearing completion. Payments are expected to begin in 1950 after his report to the Minister of Justice.
  • No Definite Advantage Seen in Reducing Evacuee Claims to $2,500 Figure, by P.C. Staff, page 2. William H. Jacobs of the Justice Department said reducing substantial claims to the $2,500 limit offers no advantage in processing speed. He urged claimants to correct any claims reduced due to false information before the filing deadline.

Community

  • Judge Crosby’s Death Recalls Decision in Parlier Evacuee Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Justice of the Peace Lucien Billingsley Crosby died after a long illness, recalled for his 1945 dispute with Interior Secretary Harold Ickes over a sentence involving a Parlier farmer. Crosby defended his decision as a community arrangement to prevent further violence.
  • Nisei Girl First Oriental to Serve on Missouri Jury, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Suzie Yamashita became the first person of Oriental ancestry called for jury duty in Missouri. She is an accountant and active member of the St. Louis JACL chapter.
  • Collect Food for Miner’s Families, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei residents of Corinne, Utah collected and sent a truckload of food and clothing to unemployed miners’ families in Park City. The effort was administered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Deseret News.
  • San Jose Buddhists Will Publish Album, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Local Buddhist organizations in San Jose plan to publish a pictorial album of the anniversary celebration next spring. Phil Matsumura will edit the book with a staff of volunteers.
  • Alice Morihiro Elected President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Alice Morihiro was elected president of the Cleveland JACL chapter in its closest election ever. A new cabinet was installed at a December gathering attended by about 100 people.
  • Parents Back Refusal of Group to Return to School Classes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Thirty-seven students at the St. George Continuation School in Ontario went on strike after Nisei teacher Richard Takimoto was fired. Their parents supported the petition demanding an explanation for the dismissal.
  • Japanese American Group Will Support Program of AFL Organizers Woo Gardeners, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The AFL Service and Maintenance Union Local 399 pursued organizing approximately 2,000 Japanese American gardeners in Los Angeles. The rival Associated Gardeners of America withdrew from competition and backed the AFL gardeners’ division.
  • Ellis Community Center Will Hold Christmas Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Ellis Community Center in Chicago will hold its second annual Christmas program at St. James Church on December 23. The Sunday school, Workcampers, and choir will present songs, drama, and a manger tableau.
  • Want Ad Overcomes Prejudice as Nisei Family Finds Home, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Imoto family, a Nisei couple with three children, found housing in North Hollywood after a newspaper advertisement describing their family drew thirty replies. The story was reported in the Nisei Progressives’ publication The Independent.
  • Reelect Kazumi Oura as President of Milwaukee Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kazumi Oura was reelected president of the Milwaukee JACL chapter for 1950 at the annual election. His cabinet members and a December 24 Christmas party were also announced.
  • Nisei Killed in Collision at Lodi Crossing, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Clarence Hiroshi Nishizaki, 19, was killed when his pickup was struck by a passenger train at a Lodi crossing. Witnesses said the crossing signal was operating and the train sounded warnings before impact.
  • Toronto University Group Will Make Films About Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The University of Toronto Film Society plans a semi-documentary on the wartime mass evacuation of Japanese Canadians, with shooting scheduled for early 1950. The script follows a typical Japanese Canadian family through the evacuation.
  • St. Louis JACL Sponsors Festival of Japanese Culture, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The St. Louis JACL chapter’s Japanese Festival on December 4 drew 1,035 visitors with flower arranging, lectures, films, and fashion modeling. Organizers described the event as a tremendous success.
  • Missing Nisei Girl Found, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kimiko Yamazaki, a 16-year-old Hawaiian Nisei girl who disappeared in Japan, was located in Sendai in Hokkaido after a nationwide search. She had planned to return to Hawaii to join her uncle.
  • Goal of $25 Thousand Set for ADC Fund Campaign in Pacific Southwest District, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Delegates to the JACL Pacific Southwest District Council unanimously approved a $25,000 goal for the 1950 ADC fund drive in Southern California. The campaign is planned for January through February, and Mike Masaoka reported on legislative developments.

National

  • Washington State Clarifies Nisei Eligibility for Bonus Payment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Washington attorney general ruling clarified that Nisei veterans who were bona fide state residents remain eligible for the state veterans’ bonus. Eligibility depends on intention, so those who did not abandon Washington residence qualify.
  • Quick Settlement of Housing Issue Over Racial Occupancy Urged by Civic Unity Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Edward Howden of the Council for Civic Unity urged quick resolution of the dispute between the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Housing Authority over nonsegregation policy. He criticized the Authority for soliciting opposition to the nondiscrimination resolution.
  • Students in Canada City Protest Firing of Nisei Instructor, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Students described Richard Takimoto as a good teacher who showed interest in them beyond the classroom. School chairman L. R. Rillet said the dismissal concerned cooperation, not character.
  • First Nisei Files as Candidate for Seat in Hawaii’s Coming State Constitutional Convention, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Rep. Thomas T. Sakakihara became the first Nisei to file as a candidate for the Hawaii state constitutional convention scheduled for April 4. The convention will draft a constitution for statehood without prior congressional authorization.
  • Masaoka Returns to Capital to Open Walter Bill Campaign, by I. H. Gordon, page 5. Mike Masaoka returns to Washington after a national tour to lead the JACL-ADC effort to pass the Walter Resolution in the Senate. The resolution was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee but blocked by Senator Russell’s objection.

JACL

  • Plan New JACL District Council in Central California, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Formal organization of a new Central California JACL district council is expected at a February 5, 1950 meeting in Fresno. Five chapters now in the Northern California-Western Nevada district will form its nucleus.

Commentary

  • Claims Program Enters New Phase, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Citizen editorial welcomes the first evacuation claims payment in Los Angeles as the program enters its final phase. It notes that efficient service can be given to claims filed early and easily verified.
  • Local Option in Public Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial criticizes San Francisco’s housing authority for refusing to adopt a nonsegregation amendment despite the FHA ruling against racially restrictive covenants. It urges adoption of the non-discrimination amendment in the public interest.
  • Three Radio Commentators, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial contrasts three radio commentators: Upton Close, who defended Nisei loyalty after Pearl Harbor but later drifted right; John B. Hughes, who urged mass evacuation; and Chet Huntley, who consistently supported Nisei rights. It praises Huntley’s ongoing advocacy.
  • Haru Kasai Comes to America, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa describes how Haru Kasai, a Japanese teenager whose father helped American prisoners in Osaka, will be sponsored by Henry Schmidt of Greybull, Wyoming. The column treats the story as an example of humanity’s finer side.
  • Brotherhood Needs Salesmanship, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that brotherhood causes need professional public relations methods like those used in commerce. It cites the wartime work that eased tensions before evacuee return as a model.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Tomi Kanazawa Wins Critics’ Praise in Coast Opera Role, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Nisei soprano Tomi Kanazawa received unanimous praise from San Francisco critics for her performance as Cho-Cho-San in Madame Butterfly with the Pacific Opera Company. Critics noted her youth, beauty, and authentic movement.

Sports

  • Nisei Guards Aid Sacramento Jaycee, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sacramento JC’s first-string Nisei guards Harry Kuwabara and Norman Yasui contributed to a good football season. The column also lists other Nisei junior college players and Hawaiian stars expected in a charity bowl game.
  • Vicki Draves Overcomes Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Sport magazine article profiles Vicki Manalo Draves, Olympic diving champion of Filipino and English ancestry, who overcame discrimination in pursuit of her career. The column also recounts Sammy Lee’s experiences with prejudice in diving.
  • Chicago Huskies Meet Hawaii in All-Oriental Cage Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago Huskies and the Hawaii NAU All-Stars are scheduled to meet in the feature first-round game of the third annual All-Oriental national basketball tournament in San Jose. The tournament runs from December 22 through Christmas Day.

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