Tax refunds and the March 15 deadline for evacuation claims

Vol. 34, No. 4, January 26, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

Money owed to Japanese Americans was the main business of this 8-page issue. Federal tax refund lists from the Denver office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue included more than 100 Issei and Nisei names, and the Justice Department set March 15 as the deadline for compromise claims over wartime evacuation losses. Only about 7,000 of an estimated 19,000 eligible claims had come in. Mike Masaoka reported the JACL’s call for early Senate ratification of the Japanese Peace Treaty, and an editorial urged claimants to act before the deadline.

Other pages follow Bill Hosokawa’s visit to Nisei farmers in Platteville, Colorado, and Larry Tajiri’s column on wrestlers who play on a stereotype. Hiroshi Kashiwagi tells of a Kyogen bus tour. Sports pages cover Bill Nishita’s contract in Japan and the national bowling tournament in Denver. Chapter installations fill much of page 2, and the 12th biennial national convention in San Francisco is announced.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • Hundreds of Nisei Eligible for U.S. Income Tax Refunds; Denver Office Lists Names, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal tax refund lists released by the Denver office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue include more than 100 Issei and Nisei names. The lists cover refunds due from 1943 through 1948, and the addresses may be outdated because many evacuees have relocated.
  • Homes of Nisei Affected by Denver Project, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Twenty-seven families of Japanese ancestry are among 286 who must move if the Denver Housing Authority builds the new Curtis Park project. A meeting held Jan. 21 explained the plans, and the authority said no tenant would be evicted until satisfactory housing is found.
  • Mass Evacuation Should Not Happen Again, Says Paper, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oregon Statesman editorialized that the 1942 mass evacuation of Japanese Americans should be remembered so it does not happen again. The editorial was prompted by a Portland case in which Nisei renunciant Yoshio Murakami seeks restoration of citizenship.
  • Tule Lake Renunciant Asks for Restoration of Rights Forfeited in Segregee Camp, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yoshio Murakami, who renounced his citizenship at Tule Lake, asked Federal Court in Portland to restore his citizenship, saying he feared violence from pro-Japanese inmates. A similar case had been decided in his favor, and no ruling is expected for several weeks.
  • Million and Half Dollars Authorized for Payment of Evacuation Claims in 1951, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Justice Department authorized $1,585,711.81 in evacuation claims payments in 1951, with the bulk going to compromise settlements. Analysis by the JACL ADC showed compromise claimants recovered a higher percentage of their claimed amounts than adjudicated claimants.
  • Disclose Names of Initial Recipients of Claims Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL ADC released the names of the first 105 evacuee claimants to receive compromise settlements in 1951, all recorded as paid by the Treasury Department. Those who have not received checks were asked to contact the Washington ADC office.

National

  • Government Sets Deadline for Compromise Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department set March 15 as the deadline for submitting wartime evacuation claims under the compromise plan. Only about 7,000 of an estimated 19,000 eligible claims have been submitted so far, and officials warned attorneys may be reassigned if claims do not arrive.
  • Early Ratification of Japan Peace Treaty Urged by JACL, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. In a statement to Senator Tom Connally, the JACL urged prompt Senate ratification of the Japanese Peace Treaty. The statement argued that Japan is a natural ally in the Far East and that delay benefits the Communists.
  • House Judiciary Committee Urges Favorable Action on Equality in Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The House Judiciary Committee favorably reported the Walter omnibus immigration and naturalization bill, which keeps the JACL-backed equality provisions intact. Masaoka expects House debate may follow after reports are prepared, and the Senate hopes to take up the companion McCarran bill.

Military & Veterans

  • Remains of Two Nisei War Dead Home for Burial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense reported the return of two Nisei soldiers killed in Korea, Sgt. Jimmie Mayemura and Pfc. Tadashi Obana. Their bodies arrived at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation aboard the Marquette Victory.
  • Three Nisei GIs Listed as War Casualties, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense reported three more Nisei casualties in Korea, one killed in action and two wounded. The names of the soldiers and their families were listed.

Obituaries

  • Nisei Trainee Dies at Navy Base of Heart Attack, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bill Kizuka, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Kizuka of Watsonville, died of a heart attack at the San Diego Navy Base on Jan. 15. He had graduated from Hartnell College and volunteered for the Navy, and funeral rites were held at Westview Presbyterian Church.
  • Union President Hails Issei Redcap Who Gave Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Willard Townsend, president of the CIO Transport Service Employees Union, praised Seattle Issei redcap Takejuro Shigemura for donating savings to establish college scholarships in memory of his son killed in the U.S. Army. Townsend contrasted Shigemura’s loyalty with Walter Winchell’s wartime attacks on Japanese Americans.

Community

  • Kurokis Sell Newspaper in Nebraska, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ben and Shige Kuroki sold the York Republican to Jack D. Tarr, who assumed ownership with the Jan. 17 issue. The Kurokis had bought the paper in 1950 and produced a record 48-page special edition during their tenure.
  • Los Angeles Group Holds Installation of ’52 Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Edison Uno and his cabinet were installed at the East Los Angeles JACL general meeting on Jan. 24. The new officers reviewed a proposed chapter constitution and discussed ADC, membership, and social activities.
  • Eden Township Holds Installation Service for New Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Keichi Shimizu and his cabinet were installed by the Eden Township JACL at a dinner-dance on Jan. 11. Carl Ekoos gave a talk on heritage, and a plaque was awarded to Mrs. Kazue Sakai for her blood drive work.
  • Sacramento Chapter Assists Issei on Address Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sacramento JACL helped about 250 Issei report their addresses to the Justice Department under the McCarran Act. The chapter is also planning an Easter dance and a community picnic, and its membership committee aims to top last year’s total of 275.
  • Nine Children Join Parents’ Golden Wedding Celebration, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Matsujiro Asai celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in New York with all nine of their children present. The Issei couple settled in Houston and sent all their children through Cornell University.
  • Denver JACLers Give Blood for Red Cross Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Denver JACL members made their first group blood donation to the Red Cross on Jan. 14 under chairman Tsuyako Takata. Fourteen more volunteers are scheduled, and additional donors are urgently requested.
  • Sumiko Kato Given Nurse Teaching Post, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sumiko Kato of Warm Springs was appointed clinical instructor of nursing education at San Jose Hospital. She previously served as head nurse and is a graduate of St. Marks Hospital School of Nursing and the University of Utah.
  • Washington Chapter Issues Membership Drive Challenge, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Washington, D.C. JACL challenged the Philadelphia and Seabrook chapters to membership contests and proposed a three-way challenge against New York. The chapter framed the drive as crucial to the national slogan Security through Unity.
  • Cage Group Seeks Queen for 17th Annual Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Salt Lake JACL Basketball Association is sponsoring a queen contest in conjunction with its 17th annual Nisei basketball tournament. Entries for single girls of senior high age or older are due to Fumio Kasai by Feb. 3.
  • Name Utah Student to Honor Society, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Joe Amano, a senior at the University of Utah and World War II veteran, was selected for Phi Beta Kappa. He majored in basic biological sciences and is now enrolled in the College of Medicine.
  • More JACL Chapters Name Cabinets for 1952 Terms, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Cabinet officers were announced for several JACL chapters including Orange County, Eden Township, Selma, New York, Placer County, Salinas Valley, and Tulare County. Each chapter’s new president and officers were listed.
  • Young Buddhists Plan for District Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Coast District YBA will host the 1952 Western Young Buddhist League convention in San Jose on Feb. 22-24. Abbot Koshio Ohtani, spiritual leader of Japanese Buddhists, will attend, and a basketball tournament and queen contest are planned.
  • Peninsula Group Forms Newest Chapter of JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Residents of South San Mateo County organized the Sequoia JACL, serving Redwood City, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. Harry Higaki was elected to lead the chapter, and a joint installation dinner with the San Mateo JACL was scheduled.
  • Valentine Dance to Climax Meeting of District Council, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Eden Township and Southern Alameda County JACL chapters will co-host the Northern California-Western Nevada district council meeting on Feb. 10, climaxed by a Valentine dance in Hayward. Admission is $1 and Nisei servicemen are admitted free.
  • Hosokawa Talks to Lions Club, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bill Hosokawa, Sunday Magazine editor of the Denver Post, spoke to the Platteville Lions Club about his Korean War correspondent experiences and Asian developments. He spoke at the invitation of John Kiota.
  • Fresno ALL Hears Talk on Korea at Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Jin Ishikawa was installed as president of the Fresno American Loyalty League, with Captain Michael Murphy speaking on Korea at the ceremony. Other officers and guests of honor were also introduced.
  • Nisei Patents Cart for Berry Picking, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hiro Ninomiya, a local berry farmer, patented a steel-frame picking cart designed with his brother Joe to ease the work of strawberry picking. The cart is made of steel with a wooden wheel and handle.
  • Open House Party Starts New Year for Philadelphians, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Philadelphia JACL held a New Year’s Day open house for more than 100 guests, serving traditional Japanese New Year dishes. Parlor games, dancing and bridge concluded the evening.
  • Silver Stars Presented to Kin of Nisei GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Next of kin of Hawaiian soldiers of Japanese ancestry received Silver Star and Bronze Star medals at Fort Shafter for Korean War service. Recipients included families of Sgt. Sueo Tsunoda, Corp. S. Hiyahara, and Lt. Roy T. Nakashima.

JACL

  • Mass Nisei Choir To Be Organized for JACL Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A combined Bay Region Nisei mass choir will perform at the opening ceremonies of the 12th biennial National JACL convention in San Francisco, June 26-30. Frank Ono will direct the choir, with rehearsals beginning in February.

Commentary

  • Valley of the South Platte, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa describes visiting the farming community of Platteville, Colorado, where Nisei farmers and businessmen such as John Kiota, Harry Konishi and George Nishimoto are well integrated. He concludes that Nisei assimilation is working in rural Colorado.
  • Deadline for Compromise Offers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial urges claimants to submit compromise offers promptly before the March 15 deadline, noting that the compromise process has been moving quickly and fairly. It cautions that claimants with large claims over $2,500 should not compromise and that no one must accept an unfair settlement.
  • The Champ, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Brief minority-week item noting Joe Louis’s success in persuading the PGA not to bar Negroes from sanctioned tournaments. It also notes the proposed independence for Oregon coast Indian tribes and a Kansas City court ruling on segregated pools.
  • Nisei USA: Wrestlers and Public Relations, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri examines the Nisei sense of group responsibility and criticizes professional wrestlers of Japanese ancestry who exploit the treacherous Oriental stereotype for box-office appeal. He argues such antics, now broadcast on television, damage the favorable public relations Nisei have built.
  • Cultural Pluralists Stress Unity Within Diversity Idea, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Smith explains cultural pluralism as the principle of unity within diversity, arguing that social order should accommodate cultural variation rather than demand conformity. He outlines implications for majority and minority groups and lists activities that can foster intercultural understanding.

In-Depth

  • Take the Bus, See the World: Kyogen on Tour, by Hiroshi Kashiwagi, page 4. Kashiwagi recounts the Nisei Experimental Group’s bus trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco to present a program of Kyogen plays and his one-act drama The Plums Can Wait. He describes the mask-making, the bus ride, and performances at the Gyosei and in Berkeley.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Brief Hollywood and entertainment news items, including art direction for a Paramount film, Shirley Yamaguchi’s debut film Japanese War Bride, and Nisei roles in RKO’s Korean story. The item also covers a Nisei waiter’s testimony and a VOA Christmas broadcast.
  • Nisei and the Drama, by Bolen Supine, page 6. The columnist discusses the lack of Nisei playwrights and the difficulty of breaking into dramatic writing, while noting the Nisei novel in progress. He outlines basic principles of playwriting and describes several of his own unproduced play ideas.

Sports

  • Nishita Still Prospect for Majors, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bill Nishita, a Nisei pitcher who starred at California, is considered a prospect for U.S. majors via Japanese baseball. He lost a large bonus in 1950 by remaining loyal to Coach Clint Evans, and is now expected to pitch in Japan.
  • Honolulu Tourney Draws L.A. Entries, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Honolulu invitational bowling tournament conflicts with the National JACL meet in Denver, drawing several top Nisei bowlers away. The column also reports league standings and results from San Jose, Stockton, Salt Lake, and Sacramento bowlers.
  • Strong Cleveland Team Enters JACL Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Cleveland Nisei team captained by Francis Nihei will be the easternmost entry in the 6th annual National JACL bowling tournament in Denver. James Kozuma also reported Chicago likely sending three teams, with a team average of 885 for Cleveland.
  • Sacramentans Win Bowling Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sacramento bowlers took most honors in the Mid-Winter Nisei bowling tournament held at Downtown Bowl, though Tut’s Barbers of San Francisco won the men’s team event. Ken Yee and Aya Sato led their divisions.
  • Nisei Wrestler Loses Texas Title for Judo Chop Exhibition, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Duke Keomuka, a Nisei wrestler, knocked TV announcer Charlie Boland to the canvas with a judo chop during a live interview in Dallas. He was fined $100, placed on probation, and faces stripping of his Texas heavyweight title.
  • Nishita Will Play Pro Ball With Japan’s Mainichi Orions, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Bill Nishita accepted a contract with the Mainichi Orions of Japan’s Pacific League, passing on U.S. major league offers. Jyun Hirota also signed to play in Japan, and Ray Kaneshiro was set for a tryout.

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