JACL protests lead TV stations to drop offensive films, and a land law ends

Vol. 34, No. 19, May 10, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

The JACL’s campaign against racially offensive television was the lead story. CBS and NBC, along with several local stations, pledged to cooperate, and WTVJ of Miami cancelled wrestling films after the JACL protested. Larry Tajiri’s column looked back on the campaign. California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown announced the state would not appeal the court ruling striking down the Alien Land Law, and an editorial called the decision forthright.

Also inside: Mike Masaoka’s letter defending the Walter-McCarran immigration bills, as the Senate set debate on the omnibus measure for May 13. The Justice Department cancelled deportation orders against 302 wartime renunciants. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the job market Nisei faced in the 1930s, and the sports pages followed Tommy Kono’s weightlifting title. Several pages cover chapter news and plans for the national convention.

What’s in this issue

National

• TV Networks Assure JACL of Elimination of Racially Offensive Programs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The CBS and NBC television networks, along with several local stations, pledged cooperation with the JACL in eliminating racially offensive films and programs. WTVJ of Miami cancelled wrestling films featuring Japanese-descent wrestlers in response to the JACL’s protest.
• Widow of Nisei TV Cameraman Seeks Right to Stay in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Keiko (Kay) Inouye, widow of a Nisei television cameraman killed in Japan, is awaiting congressional action on a bill to grant her permanent residence in the United States. She had come to America on a student visa and hopes to remain with her late husband’s family.
• California Will Not File Appeal on Alien Land Act, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown announced the state would not appeal the California Supreme Court decision striking down the Alien Land Law. He cited the law’s unconstitutionality under the 14th Amendment and the 1948 Oyama decision.
• Belief Non-White Purchasers Depreciate Property Values Called False by U.S. Agency, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Federal Housing Administration reported that opposition to non-white homebuyers based on fears of lowered property values is an economic delusion. FHA studies found minority purchases often raise neighborhood values.
• Masaoka’s Letter Supporting Walter’s Omnibus Bill Read Into Congressional Record, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Rep. Francis Walter entered into the Congressional Record a letter by JACL legislative director Mike Masaoka rebutting a New York Times editorial opposing the omnibus immigration bill. Masaoka argued the bill’s removal of Asian exclusion and naturalization race bars represents substantive progress, not mere technicality.
• Justice Department Cancels Deportation Orders Against 302 Wartime Renunciants, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Acting Attorney General Phillip B. Perlman cancelled removal orders against 302 Nisei renunciants following a Supreme Court opinion that enemy alien status ended with the Japan peace treaty. The order does not affect their citizenship status, which is being determined in the courts.
• Senate Slates Consideration of Omnibus Proposal, Rebuffs Move to Postpone Debate, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Senate scheduled debate on the McCarran omnibus immigration and naturalization bill for May 13 after rejecting Sen. Herbert Lehman’s motion to delay. Sen. Lehman and allies sought hearings on their substitute bill.
• Opponents Seek to Delay Early Senate Consideration, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senate liberals led by Sen. Herbert Lehman tried to delay consideration of the McCarran omnibus bill until hearings could be held on their substitute measure. Mike Masaoka of the JACL warned that postponement would effectively kill the bill this session.
• Five-Year Old Joins Parents in U.S. Via Act of Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Five-year-old Rhoda Akiko Nishiyama arrived in New York after a special act of Congress allowed her to join her parents. Her father is a Lafayette College senior who was a former Japanese navy ensign.
• President Signs Ten Bills to Permit Entry, by P.C. Staff, page 7. President Truman signed ten private bills granting entry or adoption rights to persons of Japanese ancestry. The bills were sponsored by several congressmen and included relief for a widow and her children.

Military & Veterans

• Parents Informed of Cpl. Hirata’s Death in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Defense Department informed the family of Cpl. Louis Mitsuru Hirata, a 442nd Combat Team veteran, that he had died in action in Korea. Hirata had been listed as missing since August 1950 and left a widow and a young son.
• Report Nisei Soldier Killed in Korean War, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL office reported Cpl. Louis M. Hirata as killed in action and Master Sgt. Harry H. Yoshioka as wounded in Korea. Both casualties were listed by the Department of Defense.
• All-Nisei Post of VFW Organized in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An all-Nisei post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is being formed in San Francisco, with Frank H. Dobashi as temporary commander. The charter has already been approved, joining existing all-Nisei posts in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Hanford.

Community

• Initiate Memorial Fund for Children of Nisei Minister, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago Committee for the Samuel Takagishi Memorial Fund is appealing for contributions to establish an educational fund for the late pastor’s three children. Donations are due by June 30, 1952.
• Portland Holds Election Rally for Nisei Voters, by Mary Minamoto, page 2. A voters rally sponsored by the Portland JACL and Veladas will be held May 13 to acquaint Nisei voters with candidates and ballot measures before the May 16 primary. Speakers include Monroe Sweetland and William Robison, and sample ballots will be distributed.
• San Diego Area Farmer Flies Kite in Honor of Abe Lincoln, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Issei farmer Saburo Muraoka of Chula Vista flew a 36-square-foot kite bearing a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on Boy’s Day to inspire his sons to emulate Lincoln’s characteristics. He explained the Japanese custom and his hopes for his family.
• Name Rose Kaji to Represent S.F. Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rose Kaji was selected Miss San Francisco JACL by popular vote at the chapter’s coronation dance. She will represent the chapter at the Miss Homecoming finals in Redwood City on May 18.
• Nisei Girl’s Death Reported to Be From Natural Causes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Police listed the death of 25-year-old Nisei waitress Helen Nogawa, found in her Los Angeles apartment on May 2, as resulting from natural causes. She had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia and anemia.
• Extend Deadline for Names of Issei Pioneers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The deadline for submitting names of Issei pioneers for the National JACL Convention’s Pioneer Night Program has been extended to May 20. Those honored will include Issei aged 70 or over who arrived before 1905 or 1910.
• South Alameda JACL to Honor Mothers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Southern Alameda County JACL will hold its annual Mother’s Day tea on May 10 at Hansen Hall with games, refreshments, and entertainment. The oldest mother present will be honored.
• Placer County’s Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Martha Iwasaki of Placer County JACL was chosen to represent the chapter at the Miss Homecoming eliminations in Redwood City. The winner will preside at the national JACL convention in San Francisco.
• Bias in Housing, Cemeteries Cited as Seattle’s Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George H. Revelle, Jr., chairman of the Washington State Board Against Discrimination, identified racial restrictions in private housing and cemetery lot sales as Seattle’s major discrimination problems. He noted progress in employment and public accommodations.
• Berkeley Football Star Serves as Honorary Mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yosh Katsura, Berkeley High student body president and football star, served as honorary mayor of Berkeley during the first Youth in Government day. He chaired a model session of the city council.
• Isle Democrats Pick 3 Nisei as Delegates, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Three Nisei were elected to Hawaii’s six-man delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Rep. Mitsuyuki Kido received the highest vote total.
• Hold Rehearsal for Vocal Chorus, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Combined Bay Region Vocal Chorus will hold weekly Sunday rehearsals in preparation for performing at the opening ceremonies of the 12th Biennial National JACL Convention. Frank Ono is director and names of participants are listed.
• Salinas JACL Sponsors Girl in Rodeo Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Salinas Valley JACL is sponsoring seven-year-old Denise Houston as its candidate in the Salinas Junior Rodeo queen contest on May 17.
• Southwest Chapters to Hold Pre-Confab Rally in Guadalupe, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A JACL pre-convention rally for the Pacific Southwest District Council will be held May 25 in Guadalupe, co-hosted by San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria Valley chapters. The program includes recreation, a business session on convention issues, and a dance.
• San Mateo JACL to Honor Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Mateo JACL will honor Issei over age 70 with a special dinner followed by an entertainment program open to the public. Co-chairmen Shig Takahashi and Ben Mayeda are coordinating the event.
• Chicago Resettlers Propose Meeting of Japan War Brides, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago Resettlers Committee is asking Japanese war brides in Chicago to contact the agency about a proposed meeting to discuss adjustment help. Friends are asked to submit names of newcomers.
• Widow of Nisei GI Arrives in Hawaii to Attend Funeral, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mrs. Fumi Nishiyama, a Japanese war bride of five months, arrived in Hawaii for the reburial of her husband, Cpl. Kenichi Nishiyama, killed in Korea. She will return to Japan after a two-month visit.
• Colorado Youth Goes to Scotland as Farm Envoy, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Paul Hoshiko, a Kersey beet farmer, was selected for the International Farm Youth Exchange program and will live with a Scottish farm family. He will depart June 25 and spend four months in Europe.
• Stockton Student Enters Finals of Bank’s Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lily Y. Ogino, a fine arts student at Stockton High, is a finalist in the Bank of America Achievement Awards program for San Joaquin County. The finals are on May 16.
• Newest JACL Unit to Host Council Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Sequoia JACL in Redwood City will host the quarterly meeting of the Northern California-Western Nevada district council on May 18. The event includes a dinner dance and the crowning of Miss Homecoming.
• Mam’selles Sponsor Chinese Food Class, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Chicago Mam’selles held an instructional session on Chinese cooking led by Ben Moy. A second session is scheduled for May 18 due to the first session’s success.
• Plan Pre-Confab Bridge Tournament in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A second warm-up bridge tournament for the National JACL Convention will be held May 16 at the Buchanan Street YM-YWCA. Dr. Pearce Hiura chairs the bridge event, with winners of the first warm-up listed.

Commentary

• Masaoka Letter Supporting Walter-McCarran Bills, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka, JACL national legislative director, wrote to the New York Times defending the Walter-McCarran immigration bills against an editorial that called their reforms merely technical. He argued the Asia-Pacific Triangle formula and naturalization provisions are meaningful advances.
• A Forthright Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown for declining to appeal the state supreme court’s ruling striking down the Alien Land Law. It argues the law symbolized prejudice and its demise recognizes the worth of Japanese immigrants.
• Race Bias Hit Paralyzing Blow, by Los Angeles Daily News, page 4. A reprinted Los Angeles Daily News editorial hails the California Supreme Court’s ruling striking down the Alien Land Law as a major blow against racial discrimination. It also notes the decision’s respect for treaty obligations and urges acceptance of equality.
• The JACL and Television, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri reviews the JACL’s campaign persuading television networks and stations to bar wartime films depicting Nisei as spies and racially provocative wrestling matches. He praises the industry’s responsive replies from CBS, NBC, and others.
• Assimilation of Nipponese Immigrants Delayed in Brazil, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Elmer R. Smith examines why Japanese immigrants in Brazil have remained a distinct group, citing cultural differences, nationalism, rural social structure, cooperative colonization, and family authority. He notes signs of change in urban areas.
• Not Like the Old Days, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the difficult job market Nisei faced in the 1930s compared with 1952, when an airline advertised for Nisei mechanics. He argues economic opportunity is fundamental to other freedoms.

Sports

• Hirayama Still Runs the Bases, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Fresno State captain Fibber Hirayama continues his base-stealing success, with 37 steals last season, and Fresno split a doubleheader with USC. The team’s Harvey Zenimura leads in batting.
• Nakamura Homers for Reedley Victories, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Reedley College’s Jim Nakamura hit home runs in recent wins, drawing attention from pro scouts. Fresno JC’s Ben Yano and other Nisei players also had strong performances.
• Nishita Wanted to Play for U.S. Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Pitcher Bill Nishita reportedly delayed signing with a Japanese club while hoping for an American offer. He signed with the Yomiuri Giants after assurances he could accept any offers for his services.
• Hawaii Has New Nisei Schoolboy Star, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Fifteen-year-old Ronald Honda broke Ford Konno’s junior record in the 220-yard freestyle at the Hawaiian AAU indoor meet. Konno withdrew from the University of Hawaii meet to prepare for the Olympic Games.
• Maekawa Will Duck Olympic Tryouts, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Choken Maekawa, the Hilo high school boxer who suffered a knockout at the National AAU tournament, will not enter Olympic tryouts. Higami is managing judoist Masa Kimura’s tour.
• Portland Nisei Kegler Wins Trip to Hawaii in Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jim Furukawa won round-trip plane tickets to Hawaii and a ten-day vacation in a Portland tournament at Palace Bowl. Other Portland Oriental league bowlers also posted strong results.
• Kono Wins U.S. Junior Title, Betters World Weight Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tommy Kono of Sacramento won the national AAU junior weightlifting title in the 148-pound class, lifting 815 pounds to surpass the world record. Kazuo Izumi of Sacramento took the 132-pound title.
• Hawaii Raises Funds to Send Nisei Runner to U.S. Tryouts, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Norman Tamanaha, who finished fifth in the Boston Marathon despite severe cramps, qualified for Olympic marathon tryouts in Yonkers, N.Y. Hawaii supporters moved to raise funds for his trip.
• Placer Nisei Lose 1st Game in Loop Play, by Homer Taki, page 7. The Placer-Nevada JACL baseball team lost its first game of the season in extra innings to Roseville on May 4. Joe Simon’s relief pitching and Wes Nomura’s home run were highlights.
• Sim Nambu Wins Northern California Nisei Golf Crown, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sim Nambu of San Francisco won low gross honors at the fourth annual Northern California Nisei golf tournament in Sacramento. Kiyoshi Tsuda of Sacramento won low net.
• Los Angeles Nisei Hold Second Place in State Pinfest, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Atlas Vegetable, a Nisei bowling team in Los Angeles, placed second after the opening weekend of the California State bowling tournament. Lloyd Hahn led the team with a 602 series.

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