Immigration law and citizenship in January 1953

Vol. 36, No. 2, January 9, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

Immigration and naturalization ran through the front page of this eight-page issue. A Presidential Commission report backed JACL-ADC positions on equality in naturalization and repeal of the Oriental Exclusion Acts, while criticizing much of the Walter-McCarran Act. Rep. William A. Barrett introduced a bill to repeal that act. Eddie Shiosaka, a Los Angeles airport attendant, regained his citizenship by a special act of Congress, with help from Vice President Alben Barkley. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter and the editorial “Better ‘n nothing” took up the new Congress and the law.

Elsewhere, eleven Nisei were sworn in as county supervisors in Hawaii, and Lawrence Nakatsuka reported on it. Bill Hosokawa wrote about a parakeet in “From the Frying Pan,” and Wilson Makabe, a 442nd veteran, described a trip through Europe. Harry K. Honda’s column, a new monthly literary page, and the national JACL bowling tournament round out the issue.

What’s in this issue

National

• JACL-ADC stand on immigration supported, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Presidential Commission on Immigration and Naturalization endorsed the JACL-ADC positions on equality in naturalization and repeal of the Oriental Exclusion Acts while criticizing much of the Walter-McCarran Act. The report also distinguished Japanese immigration needs from those of other Asian groups.
• Veep untangled red tape for stranded Nisei to reach U.S. by Dec. 24, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eddie Shiosaka, a Los Angeles airport attendant born in Seattle, regained his citizenship under a special act of Congress but needed help getting home. Vice President Alben Barkley untangled the passport delays and Shiosaka reached Hawaii by the deadline.
• State Dep’t denies temporary ban on issuance of visas, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The State Department’s Visa Office denied that consular officers had been ordered to suspend non-immigrant visas, contrary to reports from California. The Washington JACL-ADC office was informed that consular offices were instructed to honor immigrant visas issued under the old law until April 1, 1953.
• No rush reported in Portland for naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oregon’s immigration office reported no rush of Japanese aliens seeking citizenship under the new law effective Dec. 24. An estimated 1,000 persons in Portland may be eligible under the McCarran Act.
• Former immigration policy fomented illwill for U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The President’s Commission report cites the Japanese exclusion clause of the 1924 Immigration Act as a source of costly illwill and militarism in Japan. The repeal of exclusion in 1952 showed that immigration policy can be a positive factor in foreign policy.
• Recommend Japanese be included in 100,000 extras, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Commission’s proposed 100,000-person annual priority for refugees does not extend to Asians except possibly Japanese. The Washington JACL-ADC noted the Commission viewed Japanese immigration problems as distinct from other Asians.
• Sen. Knowland optimistic for Hawaiian statehood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. William F. Knowland said after meeting with President-elect Eisenhower that he has every reason to believe Hawaii will gain statehood at an early date. He added that Alaskan statehood was not discussed.
• Rep. Barrett introduces bill to repeal Walter-McCarran Act, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. William A. Barrett of Pennsylvania introduced a bill to repeal the new Walter-McCarran immigration act and revert to prior laws. The article argues that the act’s few desirable features are outweighed by its discriminatory provisions.
• Occupation baby count in Japan only 5,013, not 200,000, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Japan’s Welfare Ministry announced it could identify only 5,013 occupation babies, far below earlier estimates. Mrs. Miki Sawada questioned the accuracy, noting many births occurred without medical help.
• 20,000 cherry tree seeds sent from Japanese schoolchildren to U.S. cities, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Japanese schoolchildren gathered 100,000 cherry tree seeds as a goodwill gesture, with shipments distributed to American cities including Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles. Chicago park officials plan to nurture the seeds, though success in the climate is uncertain.

Military & Veterans

• Radio operator assigned to Greek Air Force killed in Korea plane crash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pfc. Franklin Naruaki Izuo of Honolulu, a Nisei radio operator assigned to a Greek Air Force transport, was among 14 killed when the plane crashed after takeoff in southern Korea on Dec. 24. He had enlisted in the Air Force in 1951.
• Third Nisei qualifies for submarine duty, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Fireman-engineman Uyeda, aboard the USS Scabbardfish, is believed to be the third Nisei to qualify for submarine duty in the U.S. Navy. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1951.
• 442nd veteran revisits Europe, by Wilson Makabe, page 5. Former 442nd veteran Wilson Makabe, now studying in Europe, describes his impressions of Trieste, Munich, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Venice. He compares cities and costs while noting Nisei soldiers stationed in Germany.

Community

• 11 Nisei county supervisors sworn into office in Hawaii, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 1. Eleven Nisei were sworn in on Jan. 2 as members of county boards of supervisors across Hawaii, including two new members on the Honolulu board. James M. Morita was also named Honolulu City Attorney, and Arthur Akinaka was reappointed Building Superintendent.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 2. Henry Mori offers a light-hearted column on Angelenos returning to work after the holidays, the Christmas carillon at City Hall, and a rise in gasoline taxes. He also comments on writing for other publications.
• Oregon Nisei president at Univ. of Idaho dorm, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tad Kuga, a former Ontario high school student, was elected president of Pine Hall, a men’s dormitory at the University of Idaho. He is also active on several athletic teams and student activities.
• Title cleared for Fresno Home for Aged purchase, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Fresno Buddhist Church’s deed contract for a planned home for the aged between Fowler and Parlier was completed by a title insurance firm. The home will be named Asoka Home.
• Seattle-born boys in Kobe presented induction notices, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two Seattle-born brothers who returned to Japan with their parents 15 years ago received notices from the Seattle draft board to report for pre-induction examinations. A U.S. Army medical officer in Osaka examined them and the consulate in Kobe was involved.
• 161 Issei graduate from citizenship class in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 3. 161 Issei completed a 10-week Americanization class conducted in Japanese under the San Francisco city school system at the First Evangelical and Reformed Church. Dr. Edward Goldman praised the students and the JACL for cosponsoring the classes.
• Coroner’s jury fails to place blame on faulty diagnosis in baby’s death, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Los Angeles coroner’s jury found negligence in the death of a 17-month-old boy from a ruptured diaphragm but did not determine who was responsible. The baby had been sent home after being treated at an emergency hospital.
• Seattle service station robbed on Christmas, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jack Kudo, part owner of a Seattle service station, was robbed at gunpoint by a masked man on Dec. 22 who took $85. The robber forced the victim into a back room before fleeing.
• Turnaway crowd jams Honolulu victory fete, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 500 prospective citizens attended a citizenship luncheon in Honolulu sponsored by the Naturalization Encouragement Committee to celebrate the McCarran law. Seven speakers including Territorial Governor Oren E. Long addressed the crowd.
• Former Prince Konoye’s son sends word from Soviet PW camp, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fumitaka ‘Butch’ Konoye, eldest son of the late Prince Fumimaro Konoye, sent a Red Cross letter from a Soviet camp, ending seven years of silence. He expressed hope to return and live in California with his mother and sister.
• Infant revived by police after gas leak in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Police administered artificial respiration to the infant daughter of a Korean veteran and his Japanese war bride after gas fumes overcame the family in their apartment. Another tenant in the building died in the incident.
• Former Seattle interpreter for immigration service now prospective U.S. citizen in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jack K. Yasutake, a 62-year-old Issei who worked 23 years as a government interpreter in Seattle, is now eligible to naturalize in Chicago under the new law. He heads the Resettlers Committee, which offers citizenship classes to Chicago’s estimated 4,000 Japanese aliens.
• Fairy Sakai selected as DAR Good Citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Fairy Sakai, a Los Angeles-born student at Monroe High School in Michigan, was chosen as the school’s Good Citizen of 1952 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was selected from six finalists voted on by the student body.
• Tokyo youth gives good neighbor policy new twist in Georgia school, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tony Tanaka, a 26-year-old Tokyo-born student, is helping cuban exchange student Leo Gonzales learn English and American customs at Georgia Southwestern College. Tony was brought to the U.S. by Maj. D. W. Ivey, whom he had served as interpreter in Tokyo.

In-Depth

• Given Ph.D. for study on family adjustment of Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Yuki Kimura received her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago for a dissertation comparing adjustments of Japanese Issei in Hawaii and Chicago. She is now temporarily employed by the Family Adjustment Agency in Chicago.
• Japan’s new constitution and democratic growth, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A continuing travel report examines the challenges facing postwar Japan, including centralized government, the rearmament debate, and the replacement of the chrysanthemum emblem with the hinomaru. The author warns that thought control is emerging amid Communist fears.

JACL

• ADC legislative objectives set, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka outlined five legislative objectives for the 83rd Congress, led by Hawaiian statehood, as mandated by the JACL national council. Other goals include completing evacuation claims payments and restoring citizenship to Nisei who lost it by voting in Japanese elections.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter: Nisei concern over new Republican-dominated Congress on so-called civil rights legislation surveyed, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews the 83rd Congress, noting the Republican 80th Congress first enacted post-war benefits for persons of Japanese ancestry. He concludes that the makeup and leadership of the new Congress do not suggest favorable inclination toward civil rights legislation.
• Nikkei View: Table is turned, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Editor Harry Honda reflects on the format change of the Pacific Citizen and on reader requests for Japanese recipes. He comments on Nisei attitudes toward Japanese food and assimilation.
• Literary experimental page announcement, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pacific Citizen announces a new monthly literary page for original work by Nisei writers and artists, edited by Mrs. Kats Kunitsugu. Submissions of verse, prose, sketches and reviews are invited.
• Better ‘n nothing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that partial improvements to the McCarran-Walter immigration act are preferable to full repeal, citing Sen. Humphrey’s view that any step forward is better than none. It notes the act removed racial bars to naturalization.
• Unpaid claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial notes that many evacuation claimants still await payment of roughly $5,000,000 in awards. It argues this shows the necessity of maintaining JACL-ADC watchdog representation in Washington.
• From the Frying Pan: Addition: Parakeet, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa humorously describes his family acquiring a parakeet for Christmas and the secrecy involved in keeping it from the children. He also recounts a colleague’s job interview anecdote in New York.

Arts & Entertainment

• Madame Butterfly theme wins Rose Parade prize, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Glendale float recreating Madame Butterfly in a Japanese garden won the sweepstakes prize at the 1953 Tournament of Roses. The brief notes the float’s win.

Sports

• Pacific Coast bowling tournament expects record turnout, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The seventh annual National JACL men’s and women’s bowling tournament in San Francisco, Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, is expected to draw about 90 teams. Organizers, led by George Inai, outlined the schedule and entry details.
• Roy Higa to draw in rugged 10-rounder with Nippon lightweight champ, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Honolulu boxer Roy Higa fought Japanese lightweight champion Masaji Akiyama to a 10-round draw in Tokyo. It was Higa’s fourth bout in Japan since he arrived last July.
• Wally Yonamine greets daughter born Dec. 27, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hawaiian athlete Wally Yonamine became a father when his wife gave birth to their first child, a girl, at Queen’s Hospital. Mother and daughter are reported doing fine.

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