Immigration act rules, a Hawaii trial and the JACL endowment fund

Vol. 35, No. 20, November 14, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

The new Immigration and Nationality Act was the main subject of this 8-page issue. Government officials confirmed it would take effect Dec. 24, and the Attorney General released a 194-page first draft of regulations, open to public comment for 30 days. The JACL-ADC Washington Office reported on both. Page 3 also carried a magazine’s forecast that Congress would change the law little in 1953. In Hawaii, three Japanese American jurors were sworn in for the trial of seven alleged Communist Party leaders, and L. Nakatsuka wrote about the 442nd Veterans Club and its neutrality on candidates.

On page 4, Sam Ishikawa explained the safeguards for the JACL endowment fund at a San Francisco meeting, and a second story listed its five purposes. Harry K. Honda’s column on candidates’ names and Bill Hosokawa’s column on pheasant hunting appeared on pages 5 and 8. Sports on page 6 covered Nisei in Japanese pro baseball, judo and ice hockey.

What’s in this issue

National

• Three AJA jurors sworn into trial of seven alleged Communist Party leaders of Hawaii; prosecution starts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Japanese American jurors were sworn in for the trial of seven alleged top Communists in Hawaii. Prosecutor John C. Walsh outlined the government’s case, which is expected to last three months.
• Government quiets West Coast rumors over postponement of start of immigration act, by JACL-ADC Washington Office, page 1. Immigration and Naturalization Service officials confirmed the new Immigration and Nationality Act will take effect Dec. 24 as scheduled. Forms and regulations will reach field officers about two weeks in advance.
• New I&N regulations draft out, by JACL-ADC Washington Office, page 1. The Attorney General issued a 194-page first draft of regulations implementing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which removes racial barriers against Asians. The public has 30 days to submit comments, and the JACL-ADC Washington office will study the rules closely.
• Sensational Nisei-made film on A-bombed Nagasaki children to be banned, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japan’s Ministry of Justice reportedly banned export distribution of a film about A-bombed Nagasaki children, deeming it likely to create ill-feeling abroad. The film was a cheap quickie that did well domestically but received poor reviews from critics.
• JACL accorded credit for asking Issei to be drafted, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL’s 1940s campaign asking that Issei be drafted into the armed forces was described as the best thing the organization ever did, according to speaker Henry Kasai of Salt Lake City. The remarks came at a Idaho gathering celebrating the passage of the Walter-McCarran omnibus immigration bill.
• National magazine predicts little change in new immigration act in ’53, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Quick Magazine predicted Congress will not materially change the McCarran-Walter Immigration Act despite criticism from both presidential candidates. The magazine reported this view in its current issue.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei organizations may tangle with policy to endorse candidates, by By L. Nakatsuka, page 1. The 442nd Veterans Club in Hawaii faced controversy after a bulletin editorial appeared to endorse candidates despite the club’s neutrality policy. Club leaders reaffirmed their stance against endorsing candidates while noting the issue will likely recur.
• Pilot missionary: Dec. 7 attack leader here in U.S. as Sky Pilot, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Capt. Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the Pearl Harbor air attack, is now a Christian missionary touring the U.S. for Sky Pilots of America combating juvenile delinquency. He described the attack planning and his conversion to Christianity while awaiting war crimes trial.

Community

• Chicago chapter’s inaugural ball set for Nov. 29, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL will hold its seventh annual Inaugural Ball at the Knickerbocker Hotel on Nov. 29, featuring installation of 1953 cabinet officers. Tickets are $5 per couple and music will be provided by Johnny Edwards and his orchestra.
• Over 100 delegates converge on Reno, hear Mas Satow discuss JACL goals, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Over 100 delegates attended the No. California-Western Nevada District Council quarterly meeting in Reno, where a constitution revision was discussed. National JACL director Mas Satow spoke at the Sunday banquet on the organization’s progress and goals.
• Japan farm students surprised at work women contribute to community, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Three visiting Japanese agriculturalists were surprised by how active American women are in home and community life during their Stockton-area visit. They toured Edison High School’s agricultural program as guests of a local farmer.
• All-time high in Nisei enrollment at McGill U., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Thirty-three students of Japanese ancestry are enrolled at McGill University in Montreal this year, the largest Canadian Nisei enrollment ever. The group includes 12 new students across engineering, liberal arts, science and commerce.
• Shonien fund drive for WLA postponed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Shonien Home Building fund drive has reached the halfway mark toward its $25,000 goal with about 300 volunteers canvassing Los Angeles homes. The West Los Angeles portion was postponed until January 1953 at the request of local women’s groups.
• Yoshihara case aftermath: realtor quits; ex-employee sues, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A former salesman, John F. Mercado, filed a $200,000 defamation suit against realtors Harry and Ray Hoefler in connection with the Sam Yoshihara housing dispute. Mercado claims Hoefler publicly made false statements about his firing and conduct.
• Tokyo television official in America seeking exchanges on kinescope films, by P.C. Staff, page 3. John S. Tanaka, managing director of the Television Corporation of Japan, met with local Hawaii television officials about exchanging kinescope material. Japanese television began operations in its infancy after being started by four major industrial groups.
• Sam Yoshihara decides to abandon plans to move to Thornton Way, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Disabled Nisei veteran Sam Yoshihara decided to abandon plans to move into a Thornton Way residence after neighbors protested. His attorney said the decision followed advice from his family.
• Placer County CL nine given jackets, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Members of the Placer County JACL baseball club received jackets for their participation in the Placer-Nevada semi-professional league. Supporters also received silver buckles at the dinner held in Danisio.
• Fowler CL float wins first place, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fowler JACL chapter’s float won top honors among organizations in the 20th annual Fowler Fall Festival parade. It was the first time since 1941 that the Japanese community entered a float in the event.
• Eastbay JACL sponsors Americanization class for Richmond area Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Eastbay JACL is recruiting 20 Issei students for Americanization classes conducted in Japanese at Harry Ells Junior High School in Richmond. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings with no registration fee.
• French Camp JACL plans Nov. 21 community affair, by P.C. Staff, page 5. French Camp JACL has planned a gala event for Nov. 21 with committees handling decorations, prizes, and entertainment. Members are preparing for the community celebration.
• Salt Lake City chapter slates nominations dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Salt Lake City JACL chapter will hold its nominations dinner at Temple Square Hotel, with nominations accepted by postcard from members. Reservations are being handled by several committee members.
• Canadian sailor vows nothing will interfere with own marriage plans, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Able Seaman John Kobayashi of Fort William, Ontario, plans to marry Kazuko Ishimura, a Hiroshima survivor, after earlier attempts were blocked by permission issues and family objections. He vowed nothing would stop the marriage this time.
• Chicagoans sponsor child care series for Nisei mothers, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A child care discussion series for Nisei mothers began Nov. 12 at the Chicago Resettlers Committee building, with sessions through early December. Speakers include psychometrist Leonard Hersher and social worker Estelle Gabriel.

Arts & Entertainment

• Unusual Christmas cards designed by handicapped Nisei girl in 70 stores, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rose Hiraga, a paralyzed Nisei artist, has her Christmas card designs sold in over 70 stores across 52 cities nationwide. Her bold, simple designs earned a prize in a textile design contest earlier this year.

JACL

• Safeguards for JACL endowment fund explained at San Francisco meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sam Ishikawa, associate National JACL director, outlined safeguards for the endowment fund funded by evacuation claim awards, including a Bank of America trust agreement. Withdrawals require approval of 75 percent of chapters in good standing.
• JACL Endowment Fund purpose: five-fold, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL Endowment Fund, first conceived 20 years ago, aims to continue JACL work, build a reserve for emergencies, aid economic development, provide scholarships, and fund a permanent headquarters. The fund would be invested with only income used, with a goal of possibly one million dollars.

Commentary

• The longer name, by By Harry K. Honda, page 5. Columnist Harry Honda examines the claim that candidates with longer names lose elections, reviewing presidential results since the 1890s. He finds five exceptions in 16 elections, noting the theory breaks down under closer scrutiny.
• Hunting for pheasant, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa recalls his father’s unsuccessful pheasant hunting efforts and the family’s parade of hunting dogs. He describes a comical attempt to hit a pheasant with a car during a Wyoming drive.
• Tokyo soothsayer scores again: Ike and Hawaii, by Harry Shiramizu, page 8. Hawaii Times writer Harry Shiramizu notes that Tokyo prognosticator Donsho Kodama correctly predicted Eisenhower’s election and Yoshida’s premiership. He speculates on a possible Eisenhower stopover in Hawaii and the upcoming Territorial gubernatorial race.

Sports

• Four islanders in Japanese pro baseball and winter fishing derbies, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei players Wally Yonamine, Bill Nishita, and Jyun Hirota are resting in Hawaii after their seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, and will join the team for spring training in California. Japanese Americans also won prizes in Seattle and Southern California salmon and perch fishing derbies.
• Nisei gets $100 World Series slice, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Yosh Kawano, a Seattle-born Nisei equipment manager, received a share of the World Series pool from the Chicago Cubs. He previously served as clubhouse manager and spent years working in major league clubhouses.
• San Jose State judo team belts California, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Coach Yosh Uchida’s San Jose State varsity and junior varsity judo teams defeated the University of California team in a meet at Berkeley. Both Spartan squads won three matches, lost one, and drew one.
• Nisei pro ice hockey player scores for Nutmegs, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Frank Toyota, the only professional ice hockey player of Japanese ancestry, scored two goals in four games with the New Haven Nutmegs before being sent to the Hershey Bears. Toyota is property of the Boston Bruins.
• Furuhashi decides to hang up his fins, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hironoshin Furuhashi, who set 32 world and Japanese swimming records, announced his retirement from competition. He placed last in the 400-meter freestyle at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

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