Vol. 35, No. 16, October 17, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue
A housing dispute in San Jose drew most of the attention in this eight-page issue. Neighbors on Thornton Way withdrew their petition against the sale of a home to Sam Yoshihara, a 442nd veteran, and said they would welcome his family. National JACL president George Inagaki pledged help to anyone facing housing discrimination, and a Medal of Honor winner, Carlos Ogden, publicly backed Yoshihara. Two editorials and reprints from the San Jose News and the San Jose Mercury discussed the case.
The new Walter-McCarran law ran through several stories. A JACL regional hearing in Los Angeles took up its effect on immigration and naturalization, an editorial urged volunteers and citizenship classes ahead of its December 24 start, and a federal judge ruled on Nisei stranded in Japan. Bill Hosokawa wrote from Seattle, and a Silver Star citation for M/Sgt. Norman S. Suzuki appeared on page 2.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Thornton Way residents withdraw protest selling house to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Neighbors on Thornton Way in San Jose withdrew their petition opposing the sale of a home to Sam Yoshihara, a 442nd veteran of Japanese ancestry. The neighbors claimed the protest was a misunderstanding and said they would welcome the Yoshihara family.
- 7,000 mile goodwill tour stopped short at Guatemala border, trio turns back, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A three-man goodwill flight in the Spirit of Johnstone was halted when Guatemala refused entry to the crew, which included Al Kushihashi. The flyers had planned to visit several Central and South American countries before the border incident ended the trip.
- At 23, lad who sneaked out to take piano lessons now manages own piano tuning, repair business, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Edwin T. Suzuki of Honolulu manages the Hawaii Piano Co., having started piano lessons secretly at age 13 and built his business from a small shop. He now sells, tunes, and reconditions pianos.
JACL
- National JACL stands ready to assist even non-members discriminated against because of race, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL president George Inagaki pledged the organization’s help to anyone facing housing discrimination, including non-members like Sam Yoshihara. He also commended the San Jose JACL chapter and regional director Haruo Ishimaru for their handling of the case.
Military & Veterans
- Medal of Honor winner, veteran and civic groups support Yoshihara, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Congressional Medal of Honor winner Carlos Ogden and several veterans groups, civic organizations, and the county Democratic committee publicly backed Sam Yoshihara after the housing petition. Yoshihara said he was unsure whether he wanted to live among neighbors who did not want him.
- Charges alone, silences machine-gun positions, by P.C. Staff, page 2. M/Sgt. Norman S. Suzuki of Kahului, Maui, was awarded the Silver Star for charging and silencing two enemy machine gun positions in Korea on May 18, 1952. His actions broke up a flank attack and helped his platoon take its objective.
National
- U.S.-style campus government could break Red hold on Japanese students, by P.C. Staff, page 2. John Yashiro, vice-president of the International Student Association of Japan, argued that American-style campus democracy could weaken Communist influence over Japan’s student government. He attributed the Communist hold to economic hardship, the lack of political alternatives, and a habit of deference to authority.
- Kawakita death ruling upheld again in court, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to reconsider the appeal of Tomoya Kawakita, convicted of wartime treason, leaving his death sentence in place. His attorney said he would ask Judge William Mathes to modify the sentence.
Incarceration & Redress
- Federal judge rules Nisei strandees in Japan did not lose citizenship, by L. Nakatsuka, page 3. Federal Judge J. Frank McLaughlin ruled that three Hawaii-born Nisei did not lose U.S. citizenship by serving in the Japanese army or voting in Japanese elections. Attorneys advised stranded Nisei to return to U.S. territory before the Walter-McCarran law takes effect December 24.
Commentary
- Seattle fog and people (Bill Hosokawa column), by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa describes a trip to Seattle, comparing its fog and humidity with Denver’s dry climate. He also mentions news about Larry Tajiri, Denver adoption listings, and minority advances in the country.
- Two Nisei collaborate on sequel volume on evacuation and resettlement study, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Salvage, the second volume of the Japanese American Evacuation and Resettlement Study, examines Nisei who resettled in the Midwest and East in 1943 and 1944. It includes fifteen life histories written with the assistance of Charles Kikuchi and James Sakoda.
- Editorial: Prejudices disappearing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises the quick withdrawal of opposition to Sam Yoshihara’s home purchase in San Jose and the broad public support he received. It argues that such a reversal would not have been possible in earlier years.
- This is the beginning, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges prompt action to process Issei naturalization applications under the Walter-McCarran law effective December 24. It proposes using Nisei volunteer interpreters and JACL-sponsored citizenship classes to prevent long delays.
- Case of Sam Yoshihara (guest editorial reprint from San Jose News), by San Jose News, page 8. The San Jose News praises Sam Yoshihara’s military service and notes the petition by neighbors against his home purchase. It hopes the neighbors will come to accept the Yoshihara family.
- Airing of prejudices (guest editorial reprint from San Jose Mercury), by San Jose Mercury, page 8. The San Jose Mercury editorial says the opposition to the Nisei veteran’s home purchase was newsworthy because it was unusual, and that hundreds of citizens rallied behind him. It expresses hope that race prejudices will eventually disappear.
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