Issei win the right to become citizens, February 1954

Vol. 38, No. 9, February 26, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue

Citizenship for Issei was the news of this eight-page issue. The Attorney General told the INS to go ahead with naturalizing Issei men whose cases had been held up over World War I draft status. The paper credited Rep. Francis E. Walter and JACL’s Mike Masaoka, and an editorial praised the attorneys Yonemura, Abe and Kanemoto. Ryozo Kado, a Los Angeles builder of 51 grottoes and shrines, became a citizen on Lincoln’s Birthday, and Harry Kurimoto, a Seattle Boy Scout commissioner, took his oath on Feb. 15. Another story described a backlog at the Los Angeles INS office.

Columns ranged widely. Mike Masaoka wrote on the new tax bill, Lawrence Nakatsuka on race relations in Hawaii, and Larry Tajiri on the dancer Yuriko Kikuchi and the actor Richard Loo. Bill Hosokawa described life with a son home with the mumps. Chapter news came from Stockton, Berkeley, Monterey and Mile-Hi, and Genichi Ohashi reported on Japanese Canadians in Steveston, B.C.

What’s in this issue

National

• Victory for Issei Naturalization Cases, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Attorney General instructed the INS to proceed with naturalization of Issei male applicants whose cases were held up over World War I draft status. Rep. Francis E. Walter and JACL representative Mike Masaoka are credited with the victory.
• Rep. Walter Cited in Expediting of Order to Push Citizenship Petitions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Attorney General instructed the INS to proceed with naturalizing Issei male applicants held up over World War I draft status. The change followed the Goodman decision and JACL advocacy.

Community

• Man Who Helped Youth in Americanism Naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry Kurimoto, a Seattle Boy Scout commissioner, became a citizen at a Federal Court ceremony. His son Robert is an Eagle Scout and junior assistant Scoutmaster.
• Nisei Jewelers Robbed of $5,300, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three armed youths tied up jewelry store owners Frank and Irene Noda and fled with about $5,300 in jewelry. The bandits also looted cases, the show window and cash drawers.
• Culver City Grotto Builder Naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ryozo Kado, Los Angeles landscaper and builder of 51 grottoes and shrines, became a U.S. citizen on Lincoln’s Birthday. He plans a pilgrimage to Lourdes with his daughter in May.
• Issei Citizens Cited for Increase of Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco INS district office expects a large rise in naturalizations in Northern California this year. Officials estimate about 18,000 aliens will be naturalized under the Walter-McCarran Act.
• Nisei Sisters to Join Ringling Circus, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese circus performers Fujiko and Haruko Shiba will join Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus. Fujiko is a unicyclist and Haruko a high-wire artist.
• Chapter Memo, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Brief chapter news from Cleveland, Mile-Hi, West Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Placer County, San Francisco, and Arkansas Valley JACL chapters. Items include events, membership drives, and blood bank appeals.
• George Baba Elected as Stockton JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. George Baba was chosen to lead the Stockton JACL for 1954 and succeeds Sam Itaya. The chapter took second place in the NCWN Chapter of the Year contest.
• Berkeley CL Installation Dinner-Dance Plans Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Berkeley JACL will install its new cabinet at a March 5 dinner-dance at Mira Vista Country Club. Entertainment and ticket outlets are listed.
• Mile-Hi JACL Teams to Canvass District for National Red Cross, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Florence Uyeda and Will Hasegawa were appointed district co-majors for the Denver American Red Cross drive. The JACL team will canvass an eight-block area of the community.
• Monterey CL Troop 47 Wins President’s Award for Judo Demonstration, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Boy Scout Troop 47, sponsored by the Monterey Peninsula JACL, received the President’s Award for a judo demonstration at a Scout-o-Rama. The troop also enjoyed a ski trip to Yosemite.
• 1000 Japanese Canadians Return to Prewar Fishing Community Near Vancouver, by Genichi Ohashi, page 6. About 1,000 Japanese Canadians have resettled in Steveston, B.C., a fishing community south of Vancouver. Businesses and homes have been re-established since the ban on Pacific coast residence was lifted.
• So. Calif. Appliance Co. Opens Larger New Store, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Southern California Appliance Co. held an open house at its new 23,000 sq. ft. store at 348 E. 1st St. in Los Angeles. Co-proprietors Frank Ninokawa and Kiyomi Takata are JACL members.
• PSW Regional Office Personnel Deputized to Register Voters, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tats Kushida and Blanche Shiosaki were deputized to register Nisei and naturalized Issei voters before the April 15 deadline. The article lists the six classes of persons who must register or re-register.
• Fashion Show in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A fashion show featuring women over 50 was planned at the Grace Methodist auditorium in New York. It was announced by Mrs. Chosuke Miyahira.

JACL

• Mas Satow in First Revisit of Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Director Mas Satow will speak in Salt Lake City on March 2 about the 10-point national legislative program. The visit is his first since National Headquarters moved back to San Francisco.

Military & Veterans

• Medic Awarded Bronze Star for Heroism in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sgt. Alfred H. Namba of Salt Lake City received the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in Korea. He exposed himself to mortar fire to rescue a wounded officer and provided first aid.

Commentary

• The New Tax Bill, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews the administration’s tax proposals and the arguments of opponents over defense spending and consumer relief. He frames the debate as a clash between two theories of taxation.
• Business of Race Relations, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. Nakatsuka examines questions about racial friction in Hawaii, including land restrictions, hiring preferences, and the lack of a fair employment law. He concludes Hawaii is doing well in race relations despite handicaps.
• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka’s column in this issue covers the new tax bill and related congressional debate. It is a regular feature of the Washington JACL office.
• New Era in Transpacifica, by George Inagaki, page 2. Inagaki praises Japan Air Lines’ press flight program and its public relations effort. He sees JAL as a symbol of Japan’s efforts to reestablish itself economically.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda reviews reports on GI babies and Japanese brides of American servicemen. He describes the work of American committees seeking homes for orphans.
• Bottleneck in Issei Naturalization Process, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Letters from Tats Kushida and Ken Dyo of the PSW JACL described a serious backlog at the Los Angeles INS office. Congressional members pledged to press for more examiners and staff.
• Honolulu Newsletter, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka questions racial practices in Hawaii, including land restrictions and job advertisements. He cites former 442nd officer Mitsuyoshi Fukuda’s view that Hawaii’s race relations are improving.
• Chicago Corner, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Sakurada reports on brotherhood awards given to Japanese Americans in Chicago. He also notes community items and Nisei achievements in the city.
• Editorials: 5-F Case Victory, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial celebrates the INS decision to proceed with the 5-F naturalization cases. It credits Rep. Walter, Judge Goodman, and Nisei attorneys Yonemura, Abe, and Kanemoto.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa humorously recounts his young son Pete’s mumps and his toy helicopter and blocks. He also reflects on telephone calls at home as his children grow.

Arts & Entertainment

• King and I Misses Yuriko, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri profiles Nisei dancer Yuriko Kikuchi, who played a featured role in The King and I and sailed with the Martha Graham company for Europe. He traces her career from Gila River to New York.
• Richard Loo Hollywood Portrayals, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri discusses Chinese American actor Richard Loo’s roles and Hollywood’s typecasting of Asian characters. He also covers Tetsu Komai’s villain roles and Toshia Mori’s career.

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