Vol. 34, No. 2, January 12, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue
Congress and the Nisei were the main subjects of this 8-page issue from January 1952. The House Judiciary Committee planned to table the JACL ADC-endorsed bill restoring citizenship to Nisei who voted in post-war Japanese elections until the Supreme Court acted. Mike Masaoka set out the ADC’s ten-point legislative program, led by ending racial discrimination in immigration and naturalization law, and the paper reported President Truman’s support for several of the same measures.
Also inside: the town of Bruyeres, France, acknowledged the JACL’s gift flag for the 442nd memorial, and four more Nisei casualties from Korea were reported. Larry Tajiri reviewed the film Japanese War Bride, Bill Hosokawa wrote on the anti-Chinese expulsions in Seattle and Tacoma, and Elmer Smith looked at minorities and crime statistics. Sports pages covered Japanese pro teams scouting Nisei players and a Boise bowling tournament.
What’s in this issue
National
- Congress to Table Action on Nisei Stranded Citizenship Proposal Until Supreme Court Acts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Judiciary Committee will table the JACL ADC-endorsed bill restoring citizenship to Nisei who voted in post-war Japanese elections until the Supreme Court rules on the issue. Mariko Kuniyuki’s appeal to the Supreme Court may resolve whether such voting cost citizenship.
- President Urges Passage of ADC-Endorsed Measures, by P.C. Staff, page 1. In his State of the Union message, President Truman urged early ratification of the Japanese peace treaty, civil rights legislation, and statehood for Hawaii. The Washington JACL ADC noted these measures align with its ten-point program.
Military & Veterans
- Bruyeres Will Fly Gift Flag From JACL Over Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The mayor of Bruyeres, France, acknowledged receipt of an American flag sent by the JACL, to be flown over the memorial to Japanese American soldiers of the 442nd. The town pledged to maintain the cemetery and honor the liberators.
- Nisei Sergeant Aboard Missing Transport Plane, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sgt. Y. M. Mikami of Lodi, Calif., was among those aboard a missing C-47 transport believed crashed near Eureka, Calif. Search parties located wreckage on a mountain elevation after the plane disappeared Dec. 26.
- Army Identifies Two Nisei GIs Killed in War and Two Wounded, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense reported four more Nisei casualties in Korea, two killed in action and two wounded. The notices were relayed to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington.
- Fresno Soldier Wins High Army Combat Award, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Corp. Frank Y. Yamamoto of Sanger, Calif., was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action near Satae-ri, Korea, on Sept. 23. He also received the Purple Heart.
JACL
- JACL ADC Outlines 10-Point Legislative Objectives for Second Session of Congress, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka announced the JACL ADC’s ten-point legislative program for the second session of the 82nd Congress, led by elimination of racial discrimination in immigration and naturalization laws. Other priorities include Hawaii statehood, evacuation claims funding, and ratification of the Japanese Peace Treaty.
Community
- Nisei Driver Killed as Truck, Train Collide, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mitsumasa Murata, 20, was killed when the truck he was driving was struck by a Pacific Electric train near Long Beach on Jan. 6. The truck was dragged along the track for nearly 200 yards.
- Ishimaru to Speak at Alameda JACL’s Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Haruo Ishimaru will be the principal speaker at the Alameda JACL chapter’s annual installation dinner on Jan. 20. New officers including Dr. Roland S. Kadonaga as president will be installed.
- Pocatello Installs New JACL Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 8. New officers of the Pocatello JACL were installed at the group’s annual dinner-dance at the Colonial Inn in Blackfoot. George Sato was named president, with Mike Yamada as vice-president.
Commentary
- Freedom of Choice, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial condemns the America Plus initiative in California, which would give employers and property owners the right to discriminate by race or ancestry. It warns that the measure would be a death blow to civil rights and urges opposition.
- The Unprejudiced Grave, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial recounts how a Phoenix cemetery delayed burial of Pfc. Thomas C. Reed, a Negro veteran, by demanding notarized letters for the veterans section. Public outrage forced the cemetery to change its policy.
- College Students From Japan, by Roku Sugchore, page 5. The writer describes about 500 Japanese government-sponsored exchange students studying in the United States, mostly in the New York area. He argues Nisei are well placed to serve as interpreters between the two countries.
- From the Frying Pan: It Happened to the Chinese, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa recounts the 1885-86 anti-Chinese expulsions in Seattle and Tacoma, drawing on Murray Morgan’s book Skid Road. He highlights Judge Thomas Burke’s courageous speech defending the Chinese.
- Box-Score on Race Relations: Minorities and Crime, by Elmer Smith, page 5. Elmer Smith argues that belief in higher minority crime rates rests on flawed statistics and discriminatory justice practices. He cites a Utah study showing persons of Japanese ancestry had the lowest crime rate in the state.
Arts & Entertainment
- Go for Broke! Box-Office Hit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Variety listed Go for Broke! among the most profitable films of 1951 and it will be released in Japan. The column also notes news on several Nisei-related film projects.
- Japanese War Bride, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri reviews the 20th Century Fox film Japanese War Bride, starring Shirley Yamaguchi and Don Taylor, which addresses discrimination against Japanese Americans in Salinas. He praises its drama and notes the Nisei characters, especially Lane Nakano’s role as a wartime strandee.
Sports
- Japanese Pros Scout Nisei Ball Players, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japanese professional teams are recruiting American players, including Nisei such as Bill Nishita and Fibber Hirayama, following Wally Yonamine’s success. Teams may pay up to $5,000 per year for foreign players.
- Salt Lake Entry Wins Team Championship at Boise JACL Annual Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Okada Insurance of Salt Lake City won the team event at the third annual Boise Valley JACL handicap bowling tournament held December 27-29. Individual and doubles winners were also announced.
Incarceration & Redress
- Congress Begins Study of Naturalization Equality Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rep. Francis E. Walter told JACL ADC that his Omnibus Immigration and Naturalization Bill would be among the first considered by the House Judiciary Committee. The bill would repeal racial discrimination in immigration and naturalization.
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