The 1952 election aftermath and the Walter-McCarran Act

Vol. 35, No. 19, November 7, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

The morning after the 1952 election set the tone for this eight-page issue. An editorial titled “America” reflected on what the vote meant and asked for fair play and unity after the contest. Reports followed on the Eisenhower victory: a telegram from Gen. Eisenhower expressing pride in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Vice President-elect Nixon’s call for a permanent Nisei advisory committee. In Hawaii, 29 of 42 Nisei candidates won office, as L. Nakatsuka reported. The Walter-McCarran Act ran through several pieces, including Dick Akagi’s testimony to the President’s Commission, Premier Yoshida’s advice to Issei in America to naturalize, and a page 6 editorial defending JACL’s efforts to override the presidential veto.

Harry K. Honda argued that civil rights should not be a partisan issue. Bill Hosokawa and Roku Sugahara wrote columns, and the Editor’s Mailbox carried letters from Bill Enomoto and Frank Chuman. The Nisei Servicemen’s Bureau in Los Angeles asked families to host servicemen for Thanksgiving.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Editorial: America, by H.H., page 1. The editorial reflects on the meaning of the election and the role of citizens in a democracy. It urges fair play and unity after the political contest.
• Editor’s Mailbox: Hayakawa and Eisenhower Victory letters, by Bill Enomoto; Frank Chuman, page 5. Readers criticized a Penman column on Hayakawa as being in poor taste and pledged support to Eisenhower after the election. Frank Chuman, chairman of Nisei for Stevenson, pledged cooperation with the new administration.
• Editorial on the Walter-McCarran override fight, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial defends the JACL’s efforts to override the presidential veto of the Walter-McCarran Act. It argues that the bill granted Japanese equal immigration and naturalization rights where no alternative existed.
• Around the Weather from the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa reflects on dreams of travel and salt water while reviewing a train history book. He notes the overlooked role of Chinese laborers in opening the West.
• In Manhattan: Nickel and the Automat, by Roku Sugahara, page 7. Sugahara describes the Horn and Hardart Automat in New York, where nickels still buy some items. He notes the food is tasty even as prices have risen.

National

• Premier Yoshida urges Issei in U.S. to take advantage of citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Wilfred Tsukiyama reported that Japanese Premier Yoshida urged Japanese aliens in America to naturalize under new law. The premier’s advice was relayed after a social call last month.
• Hilo ‘Hinomaru’ case convictions valid, Hawaii supreme court rules, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Territorial Supreme Court upheld convictions of three Big Island men for possessing a Japanese flag on Emperor Hirohito’s birthday in 1946. The court held the offenses occurred during the state of war before the proclamation took effect.
• Permanent Nisei Young Republicans urged by Nixon, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eiji Tanabe reported that a permanent Nisei Young Republican club is being formed after the Eisenhower victory. Vice President-elect Nixon urged a permanent Nisei committee to advise him on issues.
• 29 out of 42 Nisei succeed in Hawaiian general elections, by By L. NAKATSUKA, page 1. Twenty-nine of 42 Nisei candidates won Territorial and County offices in Hawaii’s general election. Several incumbents lost, while the number of newcomers elected was considered encouraging.
• Honolulu attorney opens Japan office to advise stranded Nisei on citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Attorney Katsuro Miho left Honolulu to open an office in Japan advising Nisei who lost U.S. citizenship. A suit was filed in federal court on behalf of Masanori Namba seeking restoration of citizenship.
• Cite Walter-McCarran omnibus significant milestone in U.S. law, by By DICK AKAGI, page 2. Richard Akagi told the President’s Commission that the Walter-McCarran Act’s removal of racial bars is a significant milestone. He urged that objections to the law be withheld until its provisions are tested.
• Wartime evacuation a blessing in disguise for Canadian Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese minister Katsushiro Narita said Canadian Japanese have found economic opportunities despite prejudice after wartime evacuation. He noted about 2,000 of 20,000 had returned to Vancouver.
• Partisan civil rights promises fail to stand the test, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Honda argues that civil rights is a nonpartisan issue and that voting records of both parties show shifting commitments. He cites statistics showing Republicans and Democrats have both failed to consistently support rights legislation.

Community

• Invite GIs for Thanksgiving, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Servicemen’s Bureau in Los Angeles launched a program asking families to host servicemen for Thanksgiving. Families were asked to contact Mrs. George Morinaga.
• Satow to address Placer banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL director Masao Satow will speak at the Placer County JACL’s 12th annual goodwill banquet on Nov. 12. About 300 guests are expected.
• Nisei rescues two firemen stunned by ammonia blast, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Charles Kitamura of Hamilton, Ontario, saved two firemen overcome by ammonia gas from a faulty valve. He donned a gas mask and pulled them from the fume-laden area.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei signs contract with disc company, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii Nisei singer George Shimabukuro signed a recording contract with Columbia after his earlier hit sold over 100,000 copies. He traveled to Japan and is studying Japanese with composer Raymond Uattori.
• Eisenhower conveys pride in 442nd, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Kelly Yamada released a telegram from Gen. Eisenhower expressing pride in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and support for minority rights. The telegram responded to Yamada’s request for his views on civil rights.
• Salinas Nisei linguist aids Korean interrogation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Lt. Thomas Shiratsuki of Salinas translated English interrogation reports into Korean during battles on Sniper Ridge. The mass interrogation of Chinese prisoners was conducted by a front-line team.
• Marine Corps general pins Purple Heart on Korean vet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Marine Pfc. Sueichi Oshita of Kaimuki received a Purple Heart from Maj. Gen. F. Christian Schilt at Tripler Army Hospital. He was wounded by a grenade explosion in Korea.
• Schofield Barracks GI awarded Bronze Star, by P.C. Staff, page 8. M/Sgt. Masao Higa was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service at Schofield Barracks. The citation covers service from October 1950 through August 1951.

Arts & Entertainment

• Juilliard school of music accepts Tokyo bev, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Violinist Kenji Kobayashi was accepted by the Juilliard School in New York after cancelling a Toronto engagement for surgery. Toshiya Eto was also set for a Carnegie Hall concert.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.