Vol. 37, No. 23, December 4, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
A federal court case about citizenship led the news. Harry G. Matoba, a longtime Issei resident, asked the court to recognize his right to become a citizen after he was denied because of a 5-F draft classification in World War I. Judge Knous took the arguments under advisement, and the outcome was expected to affect many Issei men. A second article on page 2 followed the testimony. The JACL Mountain-Plains convention in Denver also drew coverage: Mike Masaoka honored Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura at the banquet, and Larry Tajiri and an editorial wrote about the meeting.
Elsewhere, Harry K. Honda asked whether the Nisei had a crime problem, and Tamotsu Murayama reported on Rep. Walter H. Judd and Japanese immigration. Sports pages followed Seattle’s Jim Suzuki and the San Luis Valley bowling team. Floyd Koshio and Jim Ushio were elected district council chairmen.
What’s in this issue
National
- Draft Question in Citizenship Case Argued in Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal court heard arguments on whether Issei Harry G. Matoba, classified 5-F during World War I, may be denied U.S. citizenship. The outcome, taken under advisement by Judge Knous, is expected to affect many Issei men in similar situations.
- Judge Firm in Punishing Stowaways, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge Jon Wiig sentenced three stowaways to jail terms of six to twelve months after they hid aboard the President Wilson from Japan to Honolulu. The judge said publicity had made heroes of earlier stowaways and encouraged others to break federal law.
- Acquit Nisei of Red Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Honolulu jury found Yoshito Ishikawa innocent of charges that he concealed Communist party background when applying for government jobs. Defense attorneys argued the earlier meetings in Kauai were ordinary union gatherings.
- Outcome of Matoba 5-F Alienage Status Awaited, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Government examiner Westdahl testified that Matoba met all requirements but was denied citizenship because of his 5-F record, with no documentary proof he had requested exemption. Attorney Edward Ennis argued Congress intended the 1952 Nationality Act to make citizenship available to all aliens regardless of ancestry.
- Judd and Japanese Immigration, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Rep. Walter H. Judd told the Pacific Citizen Japan Bureau during a Tokyo visit that he had sought a 2,000-person annual quota for Japan. Japanese Diet member Chuichi Ohashi asked Judd to support emigration and ship charters to relieve Japan’s population pressure.
Community
- Excitement Aboard Ship Proves Very Expensive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Navy sailor and his Japanese bride lost about $500 in savings when his wallet was misplaced during a collision at Seattle. The couple had only about $20 left between them.
- Driver of Car Ramming Station Wagon Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The driver of a sedan that struck Minoru Tanaka’s station wagon from behind was thrown from his car and killed when it overturned. Tanaka and his wife escaped injury.
- Point-4 Trainee Program in Hawaii Could Boost U.S. Foreign Policy in Asia, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Hawaii’s interracial democracy may become a showcase for Point Four trainees from undeveloped Asian areas. Miss Mary Gresham is surveying plans for a Foreign Aid Trainee Program at the University of Hawaii.
JACL
- Haruo Ishimaru Resignation Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Executive Board accepted Haruo Ishimaru’s resignation as Northern California JACL regional director, effective once a successor is appointed. Ishimaru pledged continued support for JACL work regardless of his staff status.
- Floyd Koshio New Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Floyd Koshio of Fort Lupton was elected chairman of the Mountain-Plains JACL district council for 1953-55. Other officers were installed and delegates voted to maintain the regional office for two more years.
- Jim Ushio of Murray Elected Intermountain Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 6. At the Intermountain District Council convention in Pocatello, JACL President George Inagaki warned members to guard constitutional liberties. New officers including chairman Jim Ushio were installed at the closing dinner-dance.
Military & Veterans
- 300 Mountain-Plains Honor Nisei Medal of Honor Winner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some 268 diners at the Mountain-Plains JACL convention banquet in Denver honored Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura. Mike Masaoka delivered the main address, recalling the 442nd’s heroism and urging Nisei to serve America by understanding Japan’s position in Asia.
Commentary
- Representatives of Nisei Gain Recognition in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Henry Sakemi and Ken Uchida represented their industry organizations at Washington conferences on farm labor and cattle issues. Both are longtime JACL leaders who have served as chapter presidents and district council chairmen.
- Is There a Nisei Crime Problem?, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda reviews a Los Angeles JACL panel discussion on juvenile delinquency and notes that Nisei arrest figures, while modest, show a worrying trend. He argues chapters should work with other agencies because crime is a community problem.
- Around Chicago and Personals, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Sakurada’s column reports on Chicago community activities, including church sewing projects, a Housing Conference ticket sale, and new Issei worship times. It also includes personal notes on Nisei residents and professionals in the area.
- Vagaries: Kira of Suspicion Mongers, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri draws on Mike Masaoka’s Denver speech to argue that the suspicion and fear that led to Nisei incarceration threaten the nation again. He cites the Radulovich case as an example of guilt by association and urges adherence to due process.
- The Nisei Have Come of Age, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises the adult quality of the JACL Mountain-Plains convention in Denver, including its guests and participants. It notes that Nisei have made remarkable progress in a decade, moving from mistreatment to respected acceptance.
Arts & Entertainment
- Gomen Nasai Composer Returns to Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Jack Melick, composer of the popular Gomen-Nasai, returned to Tokyo hoping to succeed as an entertainer and composer. He also works as a booking agent in the Far East for a New York entertainment concern.
Incarceration & Redress
- Nisei Painter Captures Lives of Mexico Indians, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Makoto Oike, a Los Angeles-born Nisei painter, traveled among Indian tribes of southern Mexico and portrayed their lives and spirit on canvas. His New York exhibit drew attention to his work.
Sports
- Seattle’s Sterling Suzuki, by George Yoshinaga, page 6. Nisei halfback Jim Suzuki played a standout game for Queen Anne in the Seattle-state prep football title contest, which Olympia won 7 to 6. Suzuki left with a broken arm after leading his team to a 6-0 lead.
- San Luis Keglers Win Mountain-Plains Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Luis Valley JACL bowling team took first place in the first Mountain-Plains tournament held in Denver. Individual and doubles winners were also recognized with trophies and prizes.
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