The JACL’s 12th biennial convention and a new president, George Inagaki

Vol. 35, No. 1, July 5, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

The 12th biennial JACL convention in San Francisco was the main subject of this issue. George Inagaki of Venice, Calif., was elected national president, succeeding Dr. Randolph Sakada, and Los Angeles won the 1954 convention. The National Council kept regional offices open through the next biennium, launched a drive to revive the JACL Endowment Fund, and urged a compromise formula for larger evacuation claims. Reports also covered the JACL’s part in passing Issei citizenship legislation, with Dr. Monroe Deutsch and Dr. George Togasaki among the speakers.

Other pages carry the Nisei of the Biennium award for Minoru Yasui, the council’s eight-point civil rights program, and the resignation of Pacific Citizen editor Larry Tajiri. Bill Hosokawa and Lawrence Nakatsuka contributed columns. Sports coverage, including Tommy Kono’s Olympic weightlifting place and the convention’s bowling, golf and fishing events, fills much of the second half.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Elect Inagaki New President Of National Body, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Inagaki of Venice, Calif., was elected national JACL president at the 12th biennial convention in San Francisco, succeeding Dr. Randolph Sakada. The new officers were installed at the convention banquet, and Los Angeles won the bid for the 1954 convention.
• Council Vote to Retain Regional Offices During Transitional Period, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National Council approved a modified budget that keeps regional offices open through the next biennium, with their future left to district councils after October 1953. The council also launched a drive to revive the JACL Endowment Fund and voted changes affecting the Pacific Citizen.
• San Francisco Hosts Biggest JACL Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 12th biennial JACL convention in San Francisco drew more than 750 persons, making it the largest in the organization’s history. Heavy attendance was reported at the outing, opening ceremonies, banquet, and Sayonara ball.
• JACL Honors Past Prexies at Luncheon, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Past national presidents and their wives received certificates, sapphire pins, and ruby pins for service to the JACL at a delegates luncheon. Recipients included Dr. T. T. Yatabe, Saburo Kido, and Mike Masaoka.
• Council Moots Citizenship Day for Issei Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National Council discussed a possible mass Issei Naturalization Day to encourage citizenship and improve public relations. The council also accepted the resignation of Pacific Citizen editor Larry Tajiri, effective October 1.
• Plan Continuance of JACL’s Public Relations Programs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National Council authorized continuing its public relations program against racially derogatory wartime films on television. It also approved printing 10,000 additional brochures and encouraged chapters to aid voter registration without partisanship.
• Togasaki, Who Helped Found JACL, Amazed at Its Growth, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. George Togasaki, a founding member of the JACL and president of the Nippon Times, expressed amazement at the organization’s growth since the 1920s. He urged Nisei not to become apathetic and to help bridge understanding between the United States and Japan.
• Eight-Point Program on Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The National Council endorsed an eight-point civil rights program including statehood for Hawaii, a federal fair employment law, and anti-poll tax and anti-lynch legislation. It also sought investigation into facilitating expatriation for dual citizens.

National

• JACL Plays Important Role in Obtaining Passage of Issei Citizenship Legislation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A last-minute JACL campaign, including 120 telegrams to senators, helped the Senate override the President’s veto of the omnibus immigration and naturalization law by one vote. The success turned the convention’s theme into a celebration of victory.
• Wartime Friend of Nisei Asks Japanese Americans to Work for All Victims of Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Monroe Deutsch, a defender of the Nisei during World War II, urged Japanese Americans to fight discrimination against all Americans in his keynote address at the JACL convention. He called the 1942 mass evacuation a disgraceful violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.
• Hawaii’s Issei Hail Passage of Law, Official Declares, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tetsuo Oi, Hawaii’s representative at the convention, said about 39,000 Hawaiian Japanese became eligible for citizenship under the McCarran-Walter Act. He said the law gave Issei a sense of equality before the law.
• Nisei Can Play Significant Role in Asia, Says Togasaki, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. George Togasaki told the JACL banquet that Nisei are uniquely suited to interpret American democracy to Japan and the Far East. He said new global tensions should be a challenge to Americans of Japanese ancestry.
• Non-Discrimination Works as Hiring Policy, Is Report, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The State Department of Employment office in East Los Angeles reported that non-discrimination hiring is working, with less than one percent of job orders cancelled over racial restrictions. Many minority workers have found suitable jobs in recent months.
• Nisei GI Agent Reported Burned by Fire Bomb, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Nisei counter-intelligence corps agent was burned when a homemade fire bomb was thrown at his jeep during Korean-led rioting in Fukuoka, Japan. The report was brief.

Community

• Cleveland Plans ADC Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Cleveland JACL set a $1,000 goal for its ADC fund drive, to begin in the second week of August with house-to-house solicitation. Chairman Helen Nakagawa stressed that ADC work remains necessary despite passage of the McCarran bill.
• Idaho Falls JACL Holds Annual Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Idaho Falls JACL held its annual picnic at Shelley High School grounds, with a range of games and prizes. The chapter also donated booths in honor of Korean War veterans.
• Two Scenes Only Mentioned in Convention Coverage, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Convention coverage described Chicago resettlers and convention events across several pages. Remaining details were limited in the OCR text.
• Scrap Drive Ends, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Livingston-Merced JACL netted a $200 profit from its recent scrap iron drive. The chapter asked members to keep saving metal for future drives.
• JACL Delegate Wins Air Race to Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tom Takemura won the second Henry Ohye trophy air race from Los Angeles to San Francisco, held just before the JACL convention. The Nishina brothers finished second and Al Kushihashi third.
• Editorial on Nisei Wins Award for Watsonville Newspaper, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Watsonville Register-Pajaronian received national honorable mention for its editorial column, which defended Japanese Americans and told the story of the 442nd. Judges praised its thinking on racial prejudice.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL Urges Compromise Plan for Larger Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Council urged extending the three-fourths compromise formula to larger evacuation loss claims, noting over $12,000,000 in government checks were being sent. Roughly 7,000 claims totaling $80,000,000 remained, and the council commended the Justice Department for expediting the program.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Dancer Crowned Queen of 442 Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Michiko Iseri, a dancer from The King and I, was crowned queen at the 442nd Association’s second annual reunion dance in New York City. Herbert Blum, rescued in the 442nd’s rescue of the lost battalion, was introduced during the evening.
• Min Yasui Named Winner of JACL Nisei of Biennium Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Minoru Yasui of Denver was named the JACL Nisei of the Biennium at the convention banquet for his civic service and his 1942 challenge to the curfew and evacuation laws. Other distinguished achievement awards went to honorees in arts, sports, farming, and other fields.
• WAC Lieutenant Wins Promotion, by P.C. Staff, page 4. First Lieutenant Sadie Yoshizaki of Honolulu received silver bars at Camp Roberts. She serves as assistant adjutant of a Women’s Army Corps service unit.

Commentary

• Mike Goes to the Dogs, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa humorously recounts his son Mike’s enthusiasm for betting on greyhound races at the Mile High track. The column satirizes the family’s losses and the lessons learned about gambling.
• Honolulu Newsletter: On Being a Foreigner Abroad, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. Honolulu newspaperman Lawrence Nakatsuka reflects on American tourists who struggle to accept their role as foreigners while traveling in Europe. He argues that Americans should adapt to local customs and money systems like guests do.
• Japanese in the Americas: Peruvians and the War, by Elmer R. Smith, page 8. Elmer Smith examines the integration of Japanese into Peruvian society before and during World War II. He describes how Japanese assets were frozen and public hostility grew after hostilities began.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei Sports Roundup, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tommy Umeda won the California bantamweight title with a seventh-round knockout over Keeny Teran. The column also covers Nisei prospects for the Olympic swimming team and Nisei success in bowling.

Sports

• Tommy Kono Wins Place on U.S. Olympic Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tommy Kono of Sacramento became the first mainland Nisei to make the 1952 U.S. Olympic weightlifting team by winning the 148-pound class. He set a new national snatch record of 253.5 pounds.
• Placer Beats Roseville in Tenth Inning, by Homer Takahashi, page 6. The Placer JACL ball club won a tenth-inning game 4 to 3 over the Roseville Merchants on a wild pitch. Charlie Oseto made a key catch and George Goto pitched the route.
• Men Take Back Seat at JACL Convention Fishing Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Eighteen anglers caught 27 Chinook salmon on the convention deep sea fishing derby. Midori Kitajima caught the largest fish, and the women were declared the champions.
• Kengo Takano, Yoko Hishikawa Win Singles Bowling Events, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Kengo Takano and Yoko Hishikawa won the men’s and women’s singles bowling events at the JACL convention tournament. Doubles and mixed doubles winners were also announced.
• Min Yoshizaki Wins Convention Golf Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Min Yoshizaki of Los Angeles won the championship flight of the JACL convention golf tournament with a low gross score. The San Francisco chapter won the chapter team match.
• Chicago Bowlers Dominate Midwest YACL Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Chicago bowlers took most honors at the JACL Midwest bowling tournament held at Marigold lanes. Jim Kishida of Cleveland took the all-events prize.

Obituaries

• Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A list of deaths of Japanese Americans in June 1952 was reported in vital statistics. The entries include name, age, and location.

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