JACL Headquarters returns to San Francisco, 1953

Vol. 36, No. 4, January 23, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL National Headquarters was heading back to San Francisco, its prewar home, after eleven years in Salt Lake City. National president George J. Inagaki announced the move, and director Mas Satow said it would likely happen by March 31. The three-story building at 1757 Sutter St. will be shared with the Northern California regional office and the chapter. Elsewhere, naturalization petition forms were still unavailable at Immigration and Naturalization offices, and L. Nakatsuka looked at Hawaiian statehood and what it could mean for Nisei in politics.

Issei citizenship classes began in Seattle, and a report put evacuation claims awards at nearly $20 million. Saburo Kido wrote about Nisei stranded in Japan. Mike Masaoka offered two columns on the new Congress. Chapter installation news came from Monterey, Salt Lake City, Palo Alto and Los Angeles, and sports pages covered bowling and weightlifting. This 8-page issue ran 58 articles.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• San Francisco Again National Headquarters Site, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Headquarters will return to San Francisco after eleven years in Salt Lake City, following acceptance of the San Francisco chapter’s invitation. The three-story building at 1757 Sutter St. will be shared with the Northern California regional office and the chapter.
• Chicago Round Table Discussions on Long-Range Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Chicago JACL chapter opened a series of round table discussions to set its long-range program at Olivet Institute. Leaders including Abe Hagiwara and Dr. Randolph Sakada led the discussions.

Military & Veterans

• Fresnan Cited for Action in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shigeru G. Tsudama of Fresno received the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant for meritorious service in Korea with the 40th Infantry Division. His superiors credited his knowledge of enemy tactical dispositions with producing successful counter operations.
• Nisei Among Record Class of Air Force OCS Grads, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Second Lt. Paul S. Mori of Honolulu was among 500 men and women graduating from the Air Force officer candidate school at Lackland Air Force Base, the largest class in its history.
• Membership in Proscribed Organizations Not Automatic Grounds for Deportation, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that membership in organizations designated as totalitarian is not automatically grounds for deportation, though active participation may be. Two Los Angeles Issei cases were decided under the 1948 JACL-sponsored law.

National

• Naturalization Petition Forms Still Unavailable at INS Offices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Official N-400 naturalization forms remain unavailable at Immigration and Naturalization offices nationwide. JACL offices are providing mimeographed work sheets and Japanese-translated forms free of charge, with volunteer assistance offered on a limited basis.
• Signs Most Encouraging for Hawaiian Statehood This Year, by L. Nakatsuka, page 1. Southern senators reportedly will not filibuster the Hawaiian statehood bill, removing a major obstacle, and pro-statehood leaders have made it a priority. The author also discusses the political opportunities statehood would open for Hawaii’s Nisei.
• Hawaiian Statehood and the Nisei Political Future, by L. Nakatsuka, page 3. The article examines how Hawaiian statehood could open congressional and state offices to Nisei politicians such as Senator Wilfred Tsukiyama. It notes the reluctance of Nisei to draw attention to the Japanese question that once fueled anti-statehood opposition.
• Issei Citizenship Classes Begin in Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Citizenship classes for Issei will be held at the Nikkeijin Kai Hall and Edison Vocational School in Seattle. Over 300 people signed up, according to former JACL chapter president Kenji Okuda.
• Alien Report Required by Jan. 31 Under New Immigration Act, by P.C. Staff, page 3. All Japanese aliens must file an Alien Address Report Card by January 31 under the new Immigration and Nationality Act. Penalties for failure to report or register are severe, and the Washington JACL ADC office explained the requirements.
• Congressman Proposes Temporary Ban on Immigration, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Senator Allen J. Ellender of Louisiana called for a temporary halt to immigration to the United States to conserve food supplies. He argued the country may not produce enough food for its own people.

Community

• M-Day from Salt Lake City Likely Mar. 31; 11-Year Stay Ended, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL director Mas Satow said the move of National Headquarters from Salt Lake City to San Francisco will likely occur by March 31. Careful planning is needed because moving records and equipment is far more complex than in 1942.
• Seattle Nisei Lawyer Donates $1,000 to Endowment Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle attorney William Y. Mimbu contributed $1,000 to the JACL Endowment Fund. The announcement was made by Seattle JACL chapter president Dr. Kelly Yamada.
• See Hawaii Statehood Method for Improving Relations in Pacific, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An Oregon senate memorial urged Congress to grant quick statehood to Alaska and Hawaii, arguing it would improve relations with Asian-Pacific peoples. The measure would also increase legislative and elective opportunities for minority groups.
• Elect 2nd Nisei Boy Berkeley High President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Katayama was elected president of the Berkeley High School student body, the second Nisei to hold the office in three terms. He is active in local Bussei circles.
• Nebraskan Escapes Death in Narrow Bridge Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lynn H. Hayano of Henry, Nebraska narrowly escaped death when his car collided with a truck on a narrow bridge near Scottsbluff. He told state patrolmen he expected the oncoming vehicle to wait until he crossed the bridge.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Li’l Tokio Ready for Two New Banks, by Henry Mori, page 2. Two Japanese branch banks, Sumitomo and Bank of Tokyo, are opening in Li’l Tokio. The column also covers the return of Shonien figure Yasuko Kusumoto and rising scrutiny of imported soy sauce.
• Montebello Issei Donates Cherry Trees to City Park, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Miyosaku Uyematsu of Montebello donated 30 Japanese cherry trees to the city of Los Angeles, which were transplanted in Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park. He had grown cherry trees as a hobby for 25 years.
• Monterey CLers Install Young Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Monterey Peninsula JACL chapter elected George T. Esaki as president and installed a younger cabinet at its New Year dance. Regional director Haruo Ishimaru presided over the installation.
• Southern Alameda County JACL Installation Tonight, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Southern Alameda County JACL chapter installs its 1953 cabinet at a dinner in Niles, with Judge E. A. Quersma as guest speaker. The event also includes presentation of the Outstanding Member award.
• Salt Lake City JACL Installation Dinner-Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Salt Lake City JACL chapter announced a dinner-dance on January 30 to install its new cabinet led by Dr. Shig Matsukawa. The committee and cabinet members are listed.
• Northern Wyoming Chapter Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tom Ujifusa was elected president of the Northern Wyoming JACL chapter, with a largely younger cabinet. The chapter plans an Americanization class, membership drive, and a community party.
• Sam Tanase President of United Citizens League, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Santa Clara County JACL (United Citizens League) installed Sam Tanase as president at a dinner in Palo Alto. The new cabinet and board of governors were also introduced.
• Sequoia JACL Plans Installation Party, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shozo Mayeda will be installed as president of the Sequoia JACL chapter at a January 31 party in Palo Alto. Councilman William Werder of Redwood City will be the main speaker.
• Chapter Memos, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Brief updates from several JACL chapters including New York, Seattle, Mile-Hi Denver, and Chicago, covering dance plans, alien address report assistance, bridge tournament results, and a film screening.
• Los Angeles Chapters Set Inaugural Date Feb. 27, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Nine Los Angeles County JACL chapters will hold a joint installation ceremony during the Inaugural Ball on February 27 at the Hollywood Park Country Club. The participating chapters are listed.
• Box Containing ’52 Business Records Stolen, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Seattle hotel operator Yukio Furukawa had his car stolen with a box containing all of his 1952 business records and employee tax statements. Police recovered the car but the records were missing.
• Chicago Bowlers Plan Jan. 31 Dance to Finance Squad, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Chicago bowling team, defending its national JACL title, will travel to San Francisco for the national tournament, and a benefit dance on January 31 will help finance the trip. Abe Hagiwara also sought chapter support for a Chicago bid for the 1954 tournament.
• Golden Gate Park Japanese Tea Garden Restored to Its Name, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, renamed Oriental Tea Garden during the war, was returned to its original name. A stone lantern of peace presented by Japan was dedicated on the occasion.
• Yosh Tashiro Joins Winnipeg Free Press as Photographer, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Yosh Tashiro, a Nisei photographer, joined the Winnipeg Free Press as its first accredited Nisei newscameraman in Canada. He will also supply photographs to weekly papers across Canada.
• Buddhist Church Reports $75 Theft to Police, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Buddhist church reported a $75 theft from a drawer to police. Samuel P. Kingsbury was also elected president of the church board for 1953.
• Denver Doings, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Denver news includes the arrival of Rev. Waichi Oyanagi at the Community Service Methodist Church and membership drive plans led by Harry Sakata. The column also mentions departures and visits among local JACL members.
• JACL Credit Unions Underused by Members, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges members to use the four JACL credit unions, which offer low interest rates and free loan protection insurance. It notes large cash balances in credit union checking accounts indicate underutilization.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reflects on the Eisenhower inauguration viewed on television and the change from Democratic to Republican administration. He discusses the new Congress and the influence JACL chapters, especially in California, may have on legislation through Republican leaders.
• Denver Dateline: Mile-High Adopts Challenging Punch Line, by P.P., page 2. The Denver JACL chapter adopted the slogan Mile-High Miles Ahead for 1953 under new president John Noguchi. The column profiles local leaders and reports on chapter activities.
• Tokyo Newsletter: Reputation of Nisei Improved in Japan After Visits by Masaoka, Kido, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama reports that visits by Mike Masaoka and Saburo Kido improved the image of Nisei in Japan, which had been damaged by postwar perceptions. He also describes royal and political developments in Japan.
• Denver Dateline: Eisenhower Congress Analysis, by Mike Masaoka, page 5. Masaoka assesses the 83rd Congress, noting the Republicans’ thin margin and likely emphasis on investigations. He argues that California’s Vice-President Nixon and Senator Knowland give JACL chapters unusual influence on national legislation.
• Editorial: Truman and Communism, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial reviews the record of President Truman as he leaves office, praising his decisions to lift exclusion orders and support Japanese Americans. It credits him with resisting world communism through Point Four, NATO, and the Korean intervention.
• Sectional Misconceptions, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Honda reflects on past regional rivalries among Nisei communities on the West Coast that have faded since the evacuation. He also comments on his son’s school voting and the changing times.
• From Pins to Automobiles, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. The column addresses a Sacramento bill to legalize gambling by charitable organizations and the widespread use of raffles and door prizes. Honda questions where the legal line should be drawn between charity lotteries and public gambling.
• Very Truly Yours: Population, Trivia, and Names, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Honda’s column touches on population trends from the 1950 census, lighthearted trivia items, and a Los Angeles columnist’s search for a baby name. Each item is brief and commentary-style.

Incarceration & Redress

• Plight of Stranded Nisei Understandable, by Saburo Kido, page 3. Kido argues that Nisei who lost U.S. citizenship while stranded in Japan acted under wartime compulsion and should not be condemned. He describes the four categories of stranded Nisei and calls for legislative relief.
• Nearly $20 Million Awarded in Evacuation Claims Program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nearly $20 million has been awarded to evacuees under the JACL ADC-sponsored Evacuation Claims Act since 1948, most of it through compromise settlements in 1952. Mike Masaoka said JACL ADC will press for early payment of the remaining $6.5 million.
• Issei Who Sought Draft Exemption Due to Alienage Ineligible for Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Denver immigration officials explained that Issei who answered yes to question 14 on Form N-400 may be ineligible for naturalization if they applied for draft exemption based on alienage. The JACL office noted that most Issei were classified 4-C during World War II and likely unaffected.
• Journey Through Japan: Plight of Stranded Nisei, by Saburo Kido, page 3. Kido describes the difficulties of Nisei stranded in Japan who lost citizenship through wartime circumstances. He notes long passport processing delays and proposes legislative amendments to restore their citizenship.
• Outline Procedure for Japanese Dollar Bondholders, by Eugene Ellery, Jr., page 5. Ellery explains the procedure for holders of Japanese dollar bonds to tender their securities to Fiscal Agents under the September 1952 agreement. The plan extends maturities by ten years and provides for payment of past-due coupons.

Sports

• Coachella Valley JACL Host for Pacific Southwest District Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Coachella Valley JACL chapter will host the first quarterly meeting of the Pacific Southwest District Council on February 22 in Indio. The program includes a canal tour, date gardens, and a luncheon followed by a business session.
• Expect 10 Bowling Teams from Denver at S.F. Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Up to 10 Denver teams may compete in the seventh annual National JACL bowling tournament in San Francisco, February 27 to March 1, according to Shig Teraji.
• L.A. Nisei Wrestler in Hawaii Seeking Titles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Los Angeles wrestler Hisao Tanaka is working out in Honolulu, aiming to regain the Ring Magazine belt and Hawaiian heavyweight title he held in 1951. He had been competing in Texas under the name Duke Keomuku.
• Linebacker Yagi Wins San Jose State Letter, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tom Yagi, a sophomore center, was among 31 varsity lettermen in football at San Jose State College. He took over first-string duties midseason and is expected to hold a key position next season.
• Albi Weightlifter Wins in LA AAU Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Itsua Morinaka lifted a total of 600 pounds to win the 132-pound division of the local AAU weightlifting meet. He is the current Pacific Coast 132-pound champion.
• Denver AA Six-Team Basketball Season Opens, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Denver’s Nisei AA basketball season opened with Pilgrim Hornets St. Methodist Church defeating Johnny Down’s five in a six-team league opener. Additional scores and standings are reported.
• Tamanaha Sets 2-Mile Record, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Norman Tamanaha set a new 2-mile record of 10 minutes 19.6 seconds in the Hula Bowl on January 11, knocking 15.3 seconds off the former mark.
• Lodi AIC Accepted in Sacramento Rural League, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Lodi AIC semi-pro baseball nine has been accepted into the Sacramento Rural League, with a win over last year’s champion Lodi Guild Wines already on its record. Larry Williams is league president.
• Miyasato Bowls 196 Average, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Honolulu bowler Taro Miyasato won his second straight match and maintained a 196 average. Additional bowling briefs appear on the page.
• Tommy Kono Narrowly Misses World Record, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tommy Kono of Sacramento lifted a total of 880 pounds in the weightlifting meet, narrowly missing the 900-pound world record by 20 pounds. He teamed with Clyde Emrich in an exhibition in London.

Obituaries

• Deaths and Vital Statistics, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Brief death notices list Issei and Nisei from Sacramento, Alameda, Monterey, Hollywood, and other communities, along with surviving family members. Also included are births, weddings, and engagements.
• Ex-Seattleite GI Dies in Canal Zone Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Pfc. Dick Sueyoshi Nakashima, 22, a former Seattle resident, died January 12 while serving in the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone. He is survived by siblings in Los Angeles and San Diego.

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