Passing the McCarran-Walter Act: what it meant for Nisei and strandees

Vol. 35, No. 21, November 21, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

The new immigration law shaped much of the news in this eight-page issue. National Director Masao Satow spoke on passage of the McCarran-Walter bill at the Placer County chapter’s goodwill banquet. Attorneys A.L. Wirin and Fred Okrand explained how the new McCarran Act will make it harder for strandees in Japan to regain citizenship, and urged them to act before it takes effect Dec. 24. In Denver, some 250 Coloradoans gathered to celebrate the Walter-McCarran Act. Harold Tokuzo Gordon wrote that the struggle against racism continues, and S.I. Hayakawa answered critics of his earlier letter.

Also inside: the JACL Christmas Cheer project and plans for the National Testimonial Banquet at the Biltmore Hotel on Dec. 6, casualty reports from Korea that listed Nisei soldiers, and an editorial on a $1,000,000 JACL endowment fund. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Roku Sugahara and Harry K. Honda round out the issue.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Los Angeles chapter plans digging outing at Lake Lopez, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Southwest Los Angeles chapter announced a digging outing at a site near San Luis Obispo for Sunday members. Transportation and reservation details were provided for participants.
• Christmas Cheer project off to flying start, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Club Service Bureau’s annual Christmas Cheer project named its 1953 co-chairmen and assigned committees to collect money, food, and toys. Solicitation letters have gone to southland organizations and churches.
• Goodwill banquet attended by 300 at Placer County JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some 300 people attended the Placer County chapter’s 12th annual goodwill banquet in Roseville, where National Director Masao Satow spoke on passage of the McCarran-Walter bill. Civic leaders from state, county, and local government were guests.
• Pacific Southwest CLers slate fourth meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council’s fourth quarterly meeting will be held at the International Institute in Boyle Heights. It will be followed by supper and a social program hosted by the East Los Angeles JACL.
• Banquet ticket sales picking up for National Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ticket sales for the National Testimonial Banquet at the Biltmore Hotel on Dec. 6 were improving, with fewer than 200 general tickets remaining. Notable Southland guests accepting invitations were also listed.
• Oriental theme at Indio benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Coachella Valley JACL members in kimono provided an Oriental theme for the Indio Chamber of Commerce benefit program on the Cochran-Odlum ranch. Japanese lanterns, fans, and parasols decorated the event.
• Teenagers steal car of Hanford Nisei, abandoned, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two teenage escapees from the Kings County jail stole Howard Yamamura’s car and abandoned it after a series of moves. They were apprehended in San Diego after a hitchhiker turned them in.
• 250 Denver Issei sign for naturalization class, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An estimated 250 Issei registered at the Japanese Hall in Denver for Americanization classes sponsored by the Nikkei Association. Issei from nearby Brighton also attended to inquire about naturalization.
• Chicago Nisei attorney victims protest light sentence of brief case burglar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese American victims in Chicago protested the five-year probation given to the burglar Morris Washington, who admitted narcotics addiction. The judge reversed his ruling and rescheduled the hearing for Dec. 2.
• Baron Goto honored for outstanding agricultural service, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Y. Baron Goto, associate director of the University of Hawaii Agricultural Extension Service, was honored in Washington by Epsilon Sigma Phi. He was one of 16 agricultural leaders recognized nationally.
• Transit operator awarded $100 for decade of no-accident driving, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Honolulu Rapid Transit operator Thomas T. Furushima was commended by company president George N. Voorhees for ten years of accident-free driving. He received the customary $100 award.
• Insurance plan endorsed by group of Northern California JACL agents, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Council announced a group insurance plan for JACL members with reduced rates. Participating agents from several chapters pledged support under a supervisory committee.
• ADC reaches $1,000 quota, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Anti-Discrimination Committee’s Cleveland chapter reported progress toward its $1,000 quota with prospects still pending before year’s end. Final donor totals were still being collected.
• 3½-year-old tot gets fingers caught in escalator rail, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Little Jimmy Takakuwa had his right hand caught in a San Francisco department store escalator for nearly an hour before firemen freed him. Doctors at Letterman General Hospital said his fingers would be saved.
• Great Books discussion club organized by Clevelanders, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei in Cleveland formed a Great Books Discussion Club that meets twice monthly at the International Institute. The first session will discuss Thucydides’ History, led by Fred Ikeda.
• Yule card sales for war orphans benefit go over top; second printing ordered, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 442nd Veterans Club in Honolulu sold out its first printing of Christmas cards for the War Orphans Scholarship Fund and ordered 3,000 more. Club members designed the cards and donated all services.
• Pediatrician opens L.A. office, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. James N. Yamazaki, a pediatrician and former physician at the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission in Nagasaki, opened an office in Los Angeles. He is also an instructor in pediatrics at UCLA.
• Dr. Shig Matsukawa elected president of Salt Lake City JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Optometrist Dr. Shig Matsukawa was elected president of the Salt Lake City chapter for 1953 along with his cabinet. The nomination dinner program included opera selections and vocal performances.
• Coloradoans hold victory celebration, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Some 250 Coloradoans gathered at Japanese Hall to celebrate passage of the Walter-McCarran Immigration and Nationality Act. Speakers included Denver JACL president Roy Mayeda and regional director Min Yasui.
• Intermountain District Council business meeting date changed to Nov. 29, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Intermountain District Council moved its business session to Nov. 29 in Idaho Falls, where officers will be elected and installed. Bowling tournament entries are arriving from several states.

Military & Veterans

• Casualties reported in Korea continue at high rate, page 1. The Defense Department reported 839 casualties in Korea, a high weekly rate that signaled a shortage of replacements. Several Nisei soldiers were listed as killed or wounded in action.
• Intelligence specialist conferred Bronze Star for Korean service, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Cpl. Seichi Watanabe of Waipahu received the Bronze Star for meritorious service as an intelligence specialist during nine months in Korea. The award was presented in Tokyo by the assistant commander of the 24th Division.
• Four Korean war veterans decorated at Ft. Shafter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Four soldiers received awards from Lt. Gen. John W. O’Daniel at Fort Shafter for duty in Korea. The honorees included Sgt. James Takemoto, who received the Bronze Star.

National

• Position of strandees in Japan clarified by attorneys, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorneys A.L. Wirin and Fred Okrand explained how the new McCarran Act will make it harder for strandees in Japan to regain citizenship. They urged strandees to act before the Act takes effect Dec. 24.
• Two alleged Nisei Reds described as warm-blooded Americans, by Larry Nakatsuka, page 2. Four Nisei are among seven defendants on trial in Honolulu under the Smith Act for alleged Communist conspiracy. Attorney A.L. Wirin described defendants Ariyoshi and Kimoto as loyal Americans who had suffered discrimination.

Arts & Entertainment

• Tokyo-born New York sculptor regarded most ambitious of one-show exhibitors, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sculptor Leo Amino, born in Tokyo, closed a one-man show at the Sculpture Center in New York. The article profiles his independent career and the museums that hold his work.

Commentary

• Wake up, Nisei, by Harold Tokuzo Gordon, page 4. Chicago JACL leader Harold Gordon urges Nisei to remain united and active after recent legislative victories. He argues that the struggle against racism continues and that loyal members must stay with the organization.
• Very Truly Yours: High Finances, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Columnist Harry Honda comments on tariffs on imported fish, foreign aid, and the economics of protection. He argues that American taxpayers subsidize a small number of domestic producers.
• Letter: A Rebuttal, by S. I. Hayakawa, page 5. S.I. Hayakawa responds to criticism of his earlier letter, defending the liberal press and faulting JACL for abandoning support for H.R. 403. He argues the JACL refused to compromise with other immigration advocates.
• Editorial: Endowment fund, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial argues that a $1,000,000 JACL endowment fund would stabilize the organization and end repeated annual fund drives. It calls for an educational campaign and personal follow-up to succeed.
• Rejoice Next Thursday, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa describes the family Thanksgiving turkey tradition and suggests his father learned American customs while working in American homes. He reflects on how Issei labor in American kitchens taught them family customs.
• From the Frying Pan: A Case in Public Relations, by Roku Sugahara, page 6. Roku Sugahara recounts a New York Issei restaurant owner refusing coffee to reporters on Election Day, damaging the community’s image. He contrasts this with a Seattle Nisei doctor whose public service helped the Nisei reputation.

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