Nisei called before the Hawaii Communism inquiry, and the claims delay

Vol. 30, No. 16, April 22, 1950. 8 pages. View this issue

Twelve Nisei were among the 32 witnesses called in the first week of the House un-American activities committee’s hearings in Honolulu, and Lawrence Nakatsuka reported that six refused to answer questions about Communist affiliations. Honolulu supervisors called for Richard Kageyama to resign from the board. Page one also followed the slow evacuation claims program: Edward J. Ennis announced a three-point JACL plan, and an editorial asked the Justice Department for clear rules on proof and allowable losses.

Senator Pat McCarran’s omnibus bill on immigration quotas and delays for the Walter resolution in the Senate also made the front page. Inside are Bill Hosokawa’s column on Japan and neutrality, John Y. Yoshino on the needs of aged Issei, an editorial on Ben Kuroki’s new newspaper, and a sports page that covers Nisei bowlers and the American Bowling Congress’s whites-only clause. Eight pages in all.

What’s in this issue

National

• More Nisei Witnesses Face House Contempt Charges in Hawaii Communism Inquiry, by By LAWRENCE NAKATSUKA, page 1. Six Nisei refused to answer questions about alleged Communist activity during the House un-American activities committee hearings in Honolulu. Honolulu supervisors called for the resignation of Richard Kageyama from the board after his admitted past Communist membership.
• Hawaiian Legislator Denies Communist Party Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thomas Tagawa, an ILWU official and Hawaii territorial representative, testified he has never been a Communist Party member. He admitted attending a meeting at Thomas Yagi’s home but said it was for social functions.
• McCarran Omnibus Bill Will Erase Race Restrictions from Nation’s Immigration Laws, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Pat McCarran introduced an omnibus bill proposing immigration quotas for previously excluded Asiatic-Pacific countries. JACL’s Mike Masaoka said the bill incorporates amendments from the Walter resolution and Judd bill.
• Senate Committee Approves Nomination Of Dillon Myer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate Interior committee unanimously approved Dillon S. Myer, former wartime head of the evacuee relocation program, as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Myer is currently director of the Institute of Inter-American Affairs.
• Hawaii Group Gives Dinner For Legislator, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Honolulu’s Japanese community honored Rep. Francis E. Walter, author of the naturalization equality resolution, at a testimonial reception. Walter said he expected the Senate to pass the measure.
• Invite Masaoka To Chair Discussion At Citizenship Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka was invited to chair a discussion group at the Fifth National Citizenship Conference in Washington, May 20-24. JACL representatives Harold Horiuchi and Lily Yasuda will also attend.

Community

• President of Junior C of C, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Minol Ota was named president of the Lovell Junior Chamber of Commerce in Wyoming. He previously served as treasurer and also heads the Northern Wyoming JACL.
• Fashion Show Will Be Held At JACL National Convention, by By EILEEN NAGATOMO, page 1. Nisei fashion designers will participate in a tea and fashion show during the September JACL national convention in Chicago. The event will be held at the Congress hotel with fifteen models displaying the fashions.
• Oak Ridge Officials Clear Nisei Medic on Atom Project, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oak Ridge security officials said the refusal to clear Dr. Jerry K. Aikawa was due to a misunderstanding about dual citizenship. JACL’s Joe Grant Masaoka had protested, arguing Nisei could not renounce Japanese citizenship under American law.
• Honolulu Nisei Form New Transportation Company in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Honolulu Nisei formed the Aloha Car Rental Co. to operate car rentals in Tokyo and Yokohama, the first foreign corporation licensed for such business in Japan. The company plans to start with 25 cars and grow to 100.
• Nisei Hold Cherry Blossom Festival in Nation’s Capital, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Several hundred Nisei in the eastern United States held their own cherry blossom festival at the Watergate in Washington, D.C. Sponsors hope it will become an annual event.
• Rep. Douglas Urges Lump Payment on Evacuee Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rep. Helen Gahagan Douglas favored lump-sum payments to evacuees for average losses rather than the slow claims process. She said she planned to recommend this to Justice Department officials.
• Ellis Community Center Plans Forums on Community Issues, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Ellis Community Center in Chicago is hosting a series of forums on tension and race relations, starting with a discussion of air crime featuring Jesse Owens. A second forum on housing and politics is scheduled for May 7.
• Canadian Official Completes Inquiry Into Evacuee Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Justice Henry I. Bird filed his report concluding the Canadian government’s inquiry into evacuation property losses of Japanese Canadians. Of 1,434 claims seeking about $7 million, 102 were disallowed or abandoned.
• Ask Congress To Restore Claims Program Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL’s Mike Masaoka urged the Justice Department to press Congress to restore budget cuts to the evacuation claims program. He also called for procedures to speed claims processing.

Military & Veterans

• Japanese Fete Nisei Veterans At Tokyo Party, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team serving with the occupation force were honored at a garden party in Tokyo hosted by the city. Speakers praised the unit’s combat record in Italy and France.
• Walter Resolution Backers Face New Delay in Obtaining Senate Action on Proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Efforts to bring the House-approved Walter resolution to a Senate vote were blocked on the consent calendar due to parliamentary objections. JACL’s Mike Masaoka said he expects the resolution to come up again within 30 days.

JACL

• Ennis Reveals 3-Point JACL Program to Expedite Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edward J. Ennis announced a three-point plan to speed evacuation claims payments, including hiring David McKibbin as amicus curiae. He criticized the slow pace and excessive documentation demands of the claims office.
• Northern California JACL Chapters Will Back Queen Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California and Western Nevada district council will sponsor a candidate for the National JACL convention queen contest in Chicago. Funding will come from a treasury appropriation and chapter assessments.
• JACL Recognitions Group Nominates Okada for Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Recognitions Committee nominated Hito Okada for a leadership award. The citation credits him with fundraising as national treasurer and growth of the organization as president.

Commentary

• Clearcut Claims Policy Needed, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that the evacuation claims program has stalled due to unclear policy, excessive proof demands, and inadequate congressional funding. It calls on the Justice Department to announce clear rules on allowable losses and required evidence.
• The California Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 4. California appealed the Masaoka case, in which a superior court ruled the alien land law unconstitutional. The editorial says the appeal will lead to a final determination of whether the state can bar ownership based on race.
• Ben Kuroki Goes to Press, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes Ben Kuroki as the new owner and editor of the York Republican, a Nebraska weekly. It reflects on his wartime service and the rewards and burdens of small-town newspaper life.
• Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This column notes that James Shigeta, a University of Hawaii student, advanced to the grand finals of Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour. It also reports on Sessue Hayakawa’s first postwar Japanese film and plans for a Japanese version of Les Miserables.
• The Fishing Industry Looks Southward, by P.C. Staff, page 5. California fish canneries are investigating Mississippi Gulf Coast sites near Pascagoula for new tuna operations. The column cites lower labor costs, taxes, land prices, and market proximity as reasons, while noting segregated schooling concerns.
• The Aged Issei: Economic Situation Underlies Problems of Needy Group, by John Y. Yoshino, page 5. Yoshino, a social caseworker, argues that the problems of aged Issei are primarily economic, worsened by wartime losses and lack of social security coverage. He urges community and family solutions and more tolerance toward the aged.
• Neutrality Is the Magic Word, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa observes that postwar Japan now favors neutrality and opposes American military installations on its soil. He also reflects on a backyard apple tree and strawberry garden as signs of spring.

Sports

• Nekota May Coach Oregon Frosh Swimmers, by P.C. Staff, page 6. This sports roundup reports on Tom Nekota’s possible coaching role at Oregon and Nisei athletes across swimming, wrestling, boxing, baseball, and track. It highlights Nisei performances in junior college and high school competition.
• Watanabe Loses But Runs Fast Race, by P.C. Staff, page 6. UCLA’s Bob Watanabe finished third in the 100-yard dash against California and lost the 220 to Don Anderson, who set a meet record. The roundup also notes Jody Maruyama’s strong performance for Occidental’s freshmen.
• Yonamine Plays First Base for Bees, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Wally Yonamine played first base as the Salt Lake Bees beat Stockton 5 to 4 in a 13-inning game. He recorded a hit, two runs, and two stolen bases.
• Miyasato’s Hit Helps BYU Beat Utah University, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jimmy Miyasato singled with the bases loaded in the tenth inning to lift BYU over Utah 5 to 3. He also had two hits in an earlier BYU win over Utah.
• Cleveland Team Wins in Ohio Bowling Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Cleveland Mercury 20 bowlers took team honors at an intercity bowling tournament sponsored by the Cleveland Nisei Athletic Association. Cleveland bowlers also swept the top places in the all-events competition.
• Seattle Bowlers Fair Play Campaign to ABC, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Seattle City Bowling Association instructed its delegates to push the American Bowling Congress to remove its whites-only clause at the May convention. The effort follows the ABC’s ruling against Boeing’s all-Nisei team.
• California Awaits ABC Action On “Whites Only” Restriction, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Deputy Attorney General Ralph Scott said the ABC should modify its constitution soon, and state suits in New York and Wisconsin were being considered. The actions aim to block the Congress from operating in those states.

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