Hawaii’s statehood vote and MGM’s film on the 442nd

Vol. 30, No. 4, January 28, 1950. 8 pages. View this issue

Two stories shared the front page of this eight-page issue. In Hawaii, 46 Japanese Americans were among 243 candidates running for delegate seats at a constitutional convention to draft a state constitution, as Lawrence Nakatsuka reported from Honolulu. In Hollywood, Mike Masaoka accepted a role as technical advisor on MGM’s film Go For Broke, about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Larry Tajiri described the film’s plans on page 4. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee also asked some 250 national groups to oppose Karl Bendetsen’s appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Army.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about a road trip through Nebraska and Colorado, and the sports pages covered Nisei swimmers, basketball players and bowlers, along with a dispute over the American Bowling Congress’s white-males-only rule. News from San Francisco and Sacramento dealt with fair employment and police hiring, and chapter installation dinners ran on pages 4 and 7. A reminder on page 1 gave the March 15 deadline for contraband property claims.

What’s in this issue

Community

• 46 Japanese Americans Enter Election Campaign in Hawaii For Constitutional Convention, by By LAWRENCE NAKATSUKA, page 1. Forty-six Nisei are among 243 candidates running in Hawaii’s territorywide elections for delegates to a constitutional convention that will draft a state constitution. The convention is expected to speed congressional approval of statehood.
• Nisei Family Loses Home in Marin Fire, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nisei family lost their Belvedere apartment home in a $90,000 fire on January 10. The Yokotas and their son lost nearly all their belongings.
• Appoint Nisei Deputy Sheriff in Placer County, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike M. Yego, former Placer County JACL president, was appointed a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Kenison. He is believed to be the first Nisei deputy sheriff in California.
• Claims Recipient Makes Donation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tokuji Tokimasa, the first recipient of a payment on his evacuation claim, donated $20 to the JACL. He thanked the organization for its efforts in securing the claims legislation.
• Nisei Contribute to Success of U.S. Occupation of Japan, Roger Baldwin Tells Chapter, by By MITSU YASUDA, page 2. Roger Baldwin told the New York JACL installation dinner that Nisei have helped make the Japanese response to occupation more positive than the German response. He urged Nisei to extend their civil rights work to broader democratic movements.
• Okinawa Visits Now Permitted, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Army now allows 60-day visits to relatives on Okinawa, restricted to relatives only. Visitors must bring at least 800 pounds of food for their stay.
• Appoint Nisei Special Agent for Fruit Exchange, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Shig Nishimoto of Penryn was appointed a special agent by the Pacific Fruit Exchange, believed to be the first Nisei in Placer County to hold such a post with a major shipper. The Placer JACL hoped other fruit companies would follow with higher-level Nisei employment.
• Japanese Diet Members Feted In Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Visiting Diet members from Japan were honored at a banquet of the Southern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce attended by about 100 people. Speakers including Eiji Tanabe and John Aiso described the achievements and legislative goals of the JACL.
• Publisher Speaks At Orange County Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. J. Frank Knebel, former 5th Army public relations officer, was the main speaker at the Orange County JACL installation of its 1950 cabinet. Elden Kanegae was installed as president before more than 100 attendees.
• Los Angeles Opens ADC Fund Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Los Angeles ADC chairman Katsuma Mukaeda launched the 1950 ADC fund drive with Issei and Nisei leaders at a January 23 meeting. Committee members were given receipt books and brochures.
• Progress in Race Relations Told by California Authority, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Richard W. Dettering reported that 1949 was a major year for race relations in California, with ten new civic unity groups formed. He credited the hometown approach and growing minority participation for the progress.
• Dayton Chapter Holds Installation Of ’50 Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Dayton JACL installed Dr. James Taguchi as 1950 president and his cabinet at an installation dinner on January 14. Entertainment and dancing followed the ceremony.
• San Mateo Sets 1950 Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Mateo County JACL will run its membership drive from January 23 to February 15 under co-chairmen Bob Sugishita and Hiroshi Ito. The chapter also plans a bowling tournament in March.
• New Englanders Hold New Year’s Eve Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The New England JACL held its New Year’s Eve party at the Boston International Institute, featuring a Japanese dinner and a talk by ex-Col. Paul Rusch on conditions in Japan. A joint barn dance with the Hawaiian Club was planned.
• Sumio Doi Named To Tree Fruit Advisory Board, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nisei orchardist Sumio Doi was named to the advisory board of the California tree fruit agreement, the first Nisei to hold such a post. The board sets size, quality and container standards for intrastate fruit shipments.
• Sacramento Chapter Conducts Inquiry Into Police Force’s Refusal of Nisei Applicant, by P.C. Staff, page 8. James Aki Watanabe, who ranked 15th on the Sacramento police eligibility list, was reportedly refused appointment because of his Japanese ancestry. Sacramento JACL president Mits Nishio is investigating the department’s stated reasons.
• Ontario Hosts IDC’s Initial Meet of Year, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Intermountain District Council met in Ontario, Oregon, under new chairman Joe Saito. Delegates pledged support for the national membership campaign and discussed repeal of the Idaho alien land law.
• French Camp Outlines Tentative Program, by Kay Nojiri, page 8. The French Camp JACL outlined its 1950 calendar, including membership drive, voter registration, community events and a harvest dance. A general meeting featuring a film on present-day Japan was scheduled for January 27.
• Name Nisei Manager of Drug Store, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Benny Matsuda was named manager of the Owl Rexall drug store on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. He previously operated his own pharmacy in Watsonville before evacuation.
• Nisei Churches Prepare For Kagawa Visit, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Chicago Nisei churches formed the Nisei Christian Laymen’s Council to prepare for an anticipated visit by Japanese Christian leader Toyohiko Kagawa. Saburo Takeshita was named chairman.

National

• Ask National Groups Protest Appointment of Bendetsen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee asked some 250 national organizations to oppose Senate confirmation of Karl Bendetsen as Assistant Secretary of the Army. Masaoka’s letter cited Bendetsen’s wartime evacuation record and his prejudiced conduct toward Japanese Americans.
• S.F. Officials Reject Anti-Bias Law for County, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco board of supervisors rejected an FEPC ordinance 7 to 4 while pickets demonstrated outside. A vote on alternate proposals was scheduled for the following Monday.
• Supervisors’ Vote Seen as Temporary Setback to FEPC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry L. Kingman predicted the San Francisco anti-FEPC vote was only a temporary setback. He argued employment discrimination has grown since the federal FEPC ended in 1945.
• Deadline Nears for Filing Claims on Contraband Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Claims for loss of contraband property such as radios, cameras and weapons must reach the Justice Department by March 15 under Public Law 17. The JACL ADC urged claimants to request forms directly from the department.
• See Little Likelihood of Early Senate Action on Proposal For Equality in Naturalization, by J. H. GORDON, page 2. Senate action on the Walter Resolution, which would grant naturalization to about 90,000 aliens of Asiatic ancestry, appears unlikely for the next two weeks. Masaoka noted the resolution is stalled on the calendar pending a call of the calendar.
• Private Bill Asks Permanent Residence For Canadian Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sen. Elbert D. Thomas introduced a bill allowing Canadian Nisei Yukie Nishimura Okubo to enter the United States as a permanent non-quota immigrant to join her American citizen husband. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
• Minority Group Member Quits San Francisco Housing Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. H. B. Henderson resigned from San Francisco’s urban redevelopment agency at Mayor Robinson’s request after backing nondiscrimination in the Western Addition housing project. James E. Stratten was named as his successor.

Obituaries

• Three Nisei Drown in Maui Shore Tragedy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three prominent Maui Nisei, Gilbert Hotta, Harold Fujimoto and Dr. Hideo Tamura, drowned on January 16 when a huge swell swept them off rocks while fishing. Tamura had recently attended the American Dental Association convention.

Military & Veterans

• Saga of Famed Nisei Regiment Will Be Told in Film Proposed For 1951 Release By Studio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka accepted an invitation to serve as technical advisor on MGM’s forthcoming film Go For Broke about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He said the film could erase remaining prejudice against persons of Japanese ancestry.
• Nisei Welcome On L.A. Force, Says Official, by P.C. Staff, page 8. LA Police Chief A. W. Worton told a JACL delegation he would welcome Nisei applicants, particularly veterans who served in his Marine intelligence unit. Open police examinations were announced with applications due March 2.
• Earl Finch, “One Man USO,” Still Aiding Nisei Veterans, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Earl Finch, a Hawaii resident who has long assisted Nisei veterans, is promoting a 1953 convention of the 442nd Veterans Club. He also plans a Japan trip to explore business opportunities for Nisei veterans.

Arts & Entertainment

• Actress Bride of Nisei Officer Impresses Hollywood Studio, by By BERYL KENT, page 2. Japanese actress Mitsuko (Mitzi) Miura, wife of Capt. George Goda, impressed talent scout Ivan Kahn during a studio visit at Twentieth Century Fox. Miura, a veteran of more than 60 Japanese films, is considering Hollywood offers while awaiting her husband’s return.
• Nisei Film: MGM’s Go For Broke Gets Under Way, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. MGM announced a film about the 442nd produced by Dore Schary and written and directed by Robert Pirosh. The film will also depict the evacuation and relocation centers, and studio officials hope to use hundreds of 442nd veterans.

JACL

• Takahashi Named President of French Camp JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bob Takahashi, newly named chairman of the Northern California-Western Nevada district council, was reelected president of the French Camp JACL chapter. The chapter also announced its full slate of officers and committee chairmen.
• Research Work Undertaken In JACL History Project, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Prof. Elmer R. Smith and anthropology graduate Seiko Kasai began researching JACL files for a book-length history of the organization. The project will include interviews with early Nisei leaders and a new national JACL editorial board was named.

Commentary

• Visitors from Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The writer observes that Japanese delegations visiting the United States under Army and State Department programs now appear humble and seek out Nisei, unlike prewar emissaries. The piece concludes Nisei will play a major role in future US-Japan relations.
• Song For the Dejected, by George Furiya, page 5. A poem reflecting on peace, love and longing in ordinary American scenes, reprinted from Bandwagon. It moves through imagery of New Jersey apples, summer dresses and battles of the heart.
• Going Out on the Road, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa recounts traveling through Nebraska and Colorado, finding good Japanese American-run restaurants and meeting Nisei tenant farmers who were productive sugar beet growers. He notes Japanese Americans throughout the Rockies are doing praiseworthy work.

Sports

• Nishimoto Swims for Oregon Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Joe Nishimoto is expected to be a standout breaststroke and freestyle swimmer in the Pacific Coast conference this year. The item also notes other Nisei swimmers coached by Soichi Sakamoto.
• Goto Now a Marked Man on the Court, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Goto, named outstanding player in California junior college basketball, was closely guarded after leading Placer College to a state championship. The item also covers several other Nisei athletes.
• Takayesu Named Most Valuable Gridder, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Saburo Takayesu, a 442nd veteran and co-captain of the University of Hawaii Rainbows, was voted the most valuable player on the 1949 team. Other Nisei athletes in Hawaii and the mainland are also noted.
• Star Coffee Keglers Hit 2992 Scratch Series in Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The league-leading Star Coffee team recorded a 2992 scratch series in the 17th round of the Salt Lake JACL bowling league. George Kishida and Mike Nakamura posted top individual scores.
• American Bowling Congress, Beset By Legal Actions, Defends “White Males” Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The American Bowling Congress defended its white-males-only membership policy against legal actions by New York and Illinois. New York Attorney General Nathaniel Goldstein moved to bar the organization from operating in the state.
• Priest Hails N.Y. Action on ABC Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Father Charles Carow, a bowling executive, praised New York’s attempt to bar the American Bowling Congress over its racial exclusion policy. He called the white-only rule illegal and against moral teaching.
• Hyde Park Catches Plaisance in Chicago Bowling League Race, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Hyde Park Restaurant tied Plaisance Cleaners for the Chicago Nisei bowling league lead after winning a 3-1 match. Jun Oishi led with a 668 series.

Incarceration & Redress

• Nisei Pacifist Will Continue Refusal to Pay Military Taxes, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Katsuki James Otsuka, released from federal prison for refusing to pay war taxes, vowed to continue his nonviolent resistance to war. Supporters at a Yellow Springs testimonial meeting praised his stand.

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