Brides bills, a Hawaii judgeship and the Korean War: July 1, 1950

Vol. 30, No. 26, July 1, 1950. 8 pages. View this issue

Immigration law and the first weeks of the Korean War ran through this eight-page issue. President Truman signed 24 private laws admitting Japanese brides and children of American citizens, and the McCarran bill to admit about 760 wives and minor children of servicemen cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawrence Nakatsuka reported that Tom Okino won the Bar Association of Hawaii’s endorsement for circuit judge, which would make him the first Nisei judge in the territory. Mike Masaoka said the JACL would watch how the Korean crisis affected Japanese Americans, and Larry Tajiri recalled a prewar afternoon in Seoul.

Also inside: Tajiri’s editorial on the future of the JACL, which stood at 9,185 members. Bill Hosokawa marked the Lafcadio Hearn centennial, and Elmer R. Smith recalled the 1940 national convention in Portland. Court rulings on the California Alien Land Act and four Nisei strandees, essay contest details, and a full page of sports fill out the issue.

What’s in this issue

National

• Tom Okino May Be First Japanese American to Become Circuit Judge in Hawaii, by By LAWRENCE NAKATSUKA, page 1. Tom Okino, a 43-year-old Honolulu attorney, won the Bar Association of Hawaii’s endorsement for circuit judge, which would make him the first Nisei judge in the territory. His nomination now goes to the Justice Department and then to the President and the U.S. Senate for confirmation.
• JACL Official Keeps Tab on Korea Situation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka, JACL ADC legislative director, said the JACL will closely monitor the developing Korean War for its possible impact on Japanese Americans. He also noted the crisis could delay the Senate-House conference on the Walter Resolution.
• President Signs Private Bills for GI Brides, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The President signed 24 private laws admitting Japanese brides, wives, and children of American citizens, the largest group of such laws ever signed at one time. The laws nearly double the number admitted through private legislation during the entire Eightieth Congress.
• Absence of Two Legislators Forces Delay in House-Senate Conference on Walter Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House-Senate conference on the Walter resolution probably cannot meet until after July 10 because Reps. Gossett and Sen. McCarran were called home. Staff said remaining conferees will not meet until all members are present.
• Supreme Court Sets October Hearing on Issue of Alien Land Act, U.N. Charter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California Supreme Court agreed to hear a case in which a lower court held the U.N. Charter overrides the Alien Land Act, with the state contesting that ruling. The court will hear arguments in October in Los Angeles.
• Canada Lumber Firm’s $69,000 Tops Canadian Evacuation Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Canadian government announced loss payments totaling about $1,200,000 to Japanese Canadians for losses from the 1942 evacuation, with the top award going to a Vancouver Island lumber company. Payments await authorization by Parliament.
• Four Nisei Strandees Regain Citizenship by Court Action, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Federal Judge D.E. Metzger restored American citizenship to four Nisei strandees in Los Angeles court rulings. Two had served in the Japanese army and two in the navy, and the judge found their service was not voluntary.
• McCarran Bill Will Permit U.S. Entry of 750 Wives, Children, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The McCarran brides bill, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would admit roughly 760 Japanese wives and alien minor children of American servicemen as nonquota immigrants. The Judiciary report says the bill removes the racial bar in this limited category.
• Senate Legal Experts Seek Answer to Question Posed by California Land Law Ruling, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Senators debated whether the California appellate decision holding the Alien Land Act invalid under the U.N. Charter could affect many state and federal laws. Sen. Forrest Donnell warned that treaties might expand federal power over matters previously left to the states.
• Extend Deadline for Nisei to Claim Japan Farm Lands, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The deadline for American citizens of Japanese ancestry to claim farmlands in Japan was extended to November 20, according to Honolulu representative Taisaku Kojima. Only persons who renounced Japanese citizenship before October 20, 1946, or never held it may claim property.
• Senate Committee Approves Statehood for Two Territories, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee reported out statehood bills for Hawaii and Alaska by votes of 9 to 2 and 8 to 2. JACL ADC director Mike Masaoka praised the action, arguing that denying Hawaii statehood would undermine America’s standing in Asia.

Military & Veterans

• Japanese Bride of Ex-GI Admitted Under Presidential Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Truman signed a private bill admitting June Noda, a Canadian Nisei wife of Long Beach veteran Loman, who had been barred by immigration restrictions. The couple’s infant son Julian was born in May, and the family will now reunite in California.
• First Nisei Serves on Jury in Utah Murder Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Franklin Sugiyama of National, Utah, served on a twelve-man jury that convicted Joe Trujillo of first-degree murder. It is the first time a Nisei has served as a juror on a murder case in Utah.
• California Congressman Names Nisei Corporal to West Point, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cpl. Glenn K. Matsumoto, appointed by Rep. Thomas H. Werdel, will become the second Nisei to enroll at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He served with the 441st Counter Intelligence Corps and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal.

Community

• Nisei Student Wins Medal at Georgetown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Teruji Shimabukuro, a junior at Georgetown University, received the W. Coleman Nevils gold medal for the highest record in foreign relations. He had previously represented the school at a State Department student-professor seminar.
• Clifford Sugimoto Elected President at California School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Clifford Sugimoto, 16, was elected student body president of Mountain View Union High School for the coming fall term. He will be the first Nisei to hold that office at the school.
• Georgianna Honda Leaves to Attend Citizenship Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Georgianna Honda left Denver for the 1950 Encampment for Citizenship in Fieldston, N.Y., on a scholarship sponsored by the Denver JACL chapter. The chapter advanced $75 toward her traveling expenses.
• Nisei Honor Student Wins Fellowship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Richard Isamu Tanaka of Richmond was named recipient of the $900 Arthur Gould Tasheira fellowship for 1950-51 at the University of California. He graduated in electrical engineering with a 2.96 grade point average.
• Chicago Youth Finds $100 Bill in Search for Happy Ending, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ten-year-old Lee Wesley found a $100 bill tucked in a library book, which he returned through his school principal. The money belonged to a classmate who had forgotten it in the book, and Lee declined a reward.
• Membership May Hit 10 Thousand, Says JACL Official, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL national director Mas Satow predicted membership will reach 10,000 within weeks after announcing it had reached 9,185. The Northern California-Western Nevada district has the largest membership, and the Chicago chapter is the largest single chapter.
• Nebraska Churchies Raise Funds for Japan University, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Parishioners of two small Japanese American churches in western Nebraska contributed $100 to International Christian University in Japan. The funds came from members of St. Mary’s mission in Mitchell and St. George’s mission in North Platte.
• Nisei Congratulate Council President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Three Nisei attended a dinner honoring James Fresque on his election as president of the Denver city council. George Furuta spoke for the Nisei and noted Fresque’s role in securing council endorsement of the Walter resolution.
• Senate Judiciary Committee Reports Out Bill to Admit Japan Brides of U.S. Soldiers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously reported out a bill admitting spouses and minor children of soldiers and veterans as nonquota immigrants. The JACL ADC estimates some 700 Japanese wives and children would be immediately affected.
• Nisei Growers Enter Feature Exhibit in County Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Nisei Growers of Washington Township entered a feature booth in the Alameda County Fair agricultural competition. The booth carried the fair theme of rural living and was decorated by committee members.
• Kushida Tells Nisei Story at Schools in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tats Kushida, regional director of the JACL Los Angeles office, led workshops for Los Angeles city school faculty on Japanese American background and problems. His presentations covered employment, housing, education, and JACL efforts for equality.
• Attorney Will Collect Data on Nisei Strandees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Attorney Henry J. Tsurutani and Assistant U.S. Attorney Arline Martin will travel to Japan to take depositions on prewar conditions and whether Nisei strandees served voluntarily in the Japanese army. The trip had been postponed from April due to funding shortages.
• Essay Contest Announced on Theme for JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 3. An essay contest on the convention theme Blueprint for Tomorrow will be held in conjunction with the JACL national convention in Chicago. Prizes of $100, $50, and $25 in savings bonds will be awarded to the top three entries.
• Two Nisei Win Election to Posts at Utah Girls State, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mitsuye Kawata of Greenriver and Margine Sakoda of Arthur were elected as representatives at the Utah Girls State. They represented Truman City and Roosevelt City respectively.
• Honolulu Nisei Winner of Ted Mack Amateur Hour Thanks Hawaii Statehood Supporters, by P.C. Staff, page 3. James Shigeta, winner of national amateur contest, dedicated his victory to Hawaii statehood prospects and his family’s service. He plans to use the $2,000 prize to complete his University of Hawaii education.
• Ask Housing for Fellowship Group Visiting Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Denver JACL seeks Issei and Nisei families to house four student members of the annual Lisle fellowship deputation team visiting August 3 to 6. The team hopes to stay in the Japanese American community.
• Denverites Hold Annual Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Denver JACL members held their annual picnic at Dedisse Park with fishing, pie-eating, golf, and children’s contests. Prizes were donated by local businesses and co-chairs Mami Katagiri and George Matsumoto were thanked.
• Issei Leaders to Be Honored at JACL Council Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacific Southwest JACL district council will hold a testimonial dinner honoring Issei ADC leaders at the Chase Hotel in Santa Monica. The honorees contributed to the fight for naturalization rights for Issei.
• Shinko Ensemble Gives First Public Concert, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Shinko ensemble of Chicago performed its first public concert May 27 and 28, including the premiere of Spring in Manzanar by Roy Nakama. The program also featured an Inca dance by talented Peruvian Nisei.
• Eden Township Sponsors Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The local JACL sponsored its annual community picnic at Crown Canyon Park with games, prizes, swimming, and free refreshments. Min Yonekura chaired the event.

JACL

• Supervisor Kageyama Fights Impeachment Proceedings, by By LAWRENCE NAKATSUKA, page 2. Honolulu supervisor Richard Kageyama, an admitted former Communist, is circulating 130 petitions seeking public support against impeachment efforts. Attorneys say the petitions carry no legal weight and would have only psychological effect.

Obituaries

• Mrs. Sugimoto, Writer of U.S. Best-Seller, Dies in Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Etsu Sugimoto, who lived in the United States for nearly forty years and authored the best-selling book A Daughter of the Samurai, died in Tokyo at age 76. She taught Japanese language and history at Columbia University and later devoted herself to writing.

Arts & Entertainment

• Tomi Kanazawa Plans Concert Tour of Sweden This Summer, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei soprano Tomi Kanazawa has summer engagements including Madame Butterfly in Cincinnati, a Minneapolis Symphony concert, and a Sweden tour with her husband. She was previously the first Cho-Cho-San on television.
• Honolulu Nisei Student Wins National Radio Amateur Title, by P.C. Staff, page 3. James Saburo Shigeta of Honolulu won the Original Amateur Hour contest on national radio and received a $2,000 first prize from Old Gold cigarettes. He is a University of Hawaii junior majoring in English and dedicated the win to his family’s service.
• Fujimura to Get Degree, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Thomas H. Fujimura will receive his Ph.D. from Columbia University this month. He has taught English and literature at the University of Connecticut and Queens College.

Commentary

• The Future of the JACL, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial asks whether the JACL should keep its centralized national structure or decentralize, now that many prewar goals are nearly achieved. It argues the organization must decide whether to revert to a social role or remain a national civil rights body.
• An Afternoon in Seoul, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri recalls a prewar visit to Seoul under Japanese occupation, where he was shadowed by a policeman who treated him as a suspect. He reflects on Korea’s long suffering under foreign rule as the Korean War begins.
• Minority Week, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This short column notes California’s recent appointment of a Negro school principal after years of barring minority teachers. It also quotes UN official Ralph Bunche on American democracy.
• Bannerlines in Boxcar Type, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa contrasts alarming Korean War headlines with trivial newspaper items and jokes about national drinking habits. He also comments on actress Shirley Yamaguchi and a repaired toy gun.

In-Depth

• Lafcadio Hearn Centennial, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa marks the 100th anniversary of Lafcadio Hearn’s birth by describing his life, his marriage to a Japanese woman, and his prolific writing on Japan. He recommends Hearn’s works to Nisei readers for their insight into Japanese culture.
• Forty-Three Chapters Sent Delegates to Portland Meet, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Smith recounts the 1940 JACL national convention in Portland, attended by 573 delegates from 43 chapters. The convention addressed national defense, dual citizenship, and employment discrimination, and its resolutions shaped the organization’s wartime positions.

Sports

• Kobayashi Will Swim in Nakama Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. This sports roundup reports on Nisei baseball, basketball, and bowling across the West Coast and Hawaii. It highlights Keo Nakama’s swimming meet and several Nisei athletes’ notable performances.
• Nakamura Whiffs 13 in Five Innings, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Southpaw Jiro Nakamura struck out 13 batters in five innings as the San Jose Zebras lost to the San Francisco Regal Pales. The team also added Hawaiian football star Dick Hadama to its lineup.
• Matsumoto Hits .522, Plays Three Positions for New York School, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Paul J. Matsumoto, captain of Riverdale school’s baseball team, hit .522 and was offered a contract by the New York Giants organization. He plans to attend Holy Cross College instead.
• Yonamine Breaks Into Big Time With Hit Spree Against Boise, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Wally Yonamine raised his Pioneer League average with multiple hits as the Salt Lake Bees won three straight games. He has played in 52 of the team’s 54 games with 68 hits.

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