A new visa rule, the 442nd remembered, and the 1954 elections

Vol. 39, No. 19, November 5, 1954. 12 pages. View this issue

A change in visa rules led this 12-page issue. State Department officials told the JACL Washington Office that an alien would no longer be barred from entry for a single misdemeanor conviction carrying a limited penalty, as explained by Scott McLeod and Rep. Francis Walter. The front page also covered Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida’s 14-day visit to the United States and Maj. Orville G. Shirey’s address at the Nisei Soldiers Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery, which recalled the 442nd. The full text of his speech runs on page 2, next to Mike Masaoka’s analysis of the 1954 congressional election.

Inside are Larry Tajiri’s column on housing prejudice and Bill Hosokawa’s election afterthought, along with dinners several JACL chapters planned for newly naturalized Issei. Other stories include a Ninth Circuit ruling on Nisei citizenship, a Cornell study of Navajo farming led by Dr. Tom T. Sasaki, and sports news from Arizona and Golden Gate Fields.

What’s in this issue

National

  • New Law Does Not Bar Aliens for Single Petty Offense, State Dept. Says, by P.C. Staff, page 1. State Department officials told the JACL Washington Office that visa applicants will not be barred for a single misdemeanor conviction carrying limited penalties. The new criteria reflect the intent of Congress in Public Law 770, as explained by Scott McLeod and Rep. Francis Walter.
  • Yoshida Spending 14 Days in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida arrived in the United States after visiting several European nations to promote amicable relations. He will meet with the President and government officials before departing for Japan on Nov. 11.
  • U.S. Supports Japan’s UN Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The United States urged support for Japan’s renewed application for United Nations membership. Japan submitted a formal written request to Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, though past attempts have been blocked by the Communist bloc.
  • Appellate Court OK Nisei Citizenship in Kaifuku Process, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Edwin Shiego Fukumoto did not lose U.S. citizenship by recovering Japanese nationality during the war. The court found his act was not voluntary.

Military & Veterans

  • Fighting Spirit of 442nd Recalled at Nisei Soldier Memorial Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Maj. Orville G. Shirey keynoted the Nisei Soldiers Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery, recalling the 442nd’s spirit. The annual observance honors Nisei war dead from World War II and Korea.
  • Japanese Army Conscripts’ U.S. Citizenship Cleared by Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge William Byrne ruled that four Nisei forced into Japanese army service retained U.S. citizenship because their service was coerced. Attorney David McKibbin noted such judicial remedies are no longer available under the 1952 Immigration Act.
  • Text of Maj. Orville Shirey’s Address: 442nd Infantry Became a Great One on a Ridge in France, by Maj. Orville G. Shirey, page 2. Shirey recounts the 442nd’s combat record and the rescue of the Lost Texas Battalion in the Vosges mountains. He argues the lessons of the regiment about the price of freedom must be periodically relearned.
  • Sgt. Togo Sugiyama’s Posthumous Distinguished Service Cross, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sgt. Togo S. Sugiyama, killed in Italy in 1944, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. His citation describes his actions in destroying enemy positions before he was killed.

Commentary

  • Election Results, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka analyzes the 1954 congressional election, noting Democrats regained the House and may control the Senate. He outlines committee chairmanships and the implications for Nisei and Issei interests.
  • Very Truly Yours: 1955 Automobiles, by Harry Honda, page 2. Honda discusses the 1955 automobile models and the competition among Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. He notes the industry’s efforts to sell cars to a market already well supplied.
  • Chicago Corner, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Sakurada reports on the new American Bar Association Center in Chicago and other local news. The column also covers Chicago JACL events and community notes.
  • Tats Kushida: The Sou’wester, by Tats Kushida, page 9. Kushida comments on election results and on planned Issei dinner programs in the Pacific Southwest District. He also covers Gardena Valley benefit movies and Long Beach JACL activities.
  • Editorials: Off-Year Elections and Housing Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The editorial reflects on the split-control result of the 1954 elections and the motives behind voting. It also praises FHA administrator Albert Cole’s stance against housing discrimination.
  • Election Afterthought, by Bill Hosokawa, page 12. Hosokawa criticizes the bitterness of political campaigns and the superficial sportsmanship afterward. He suggests politicians’ conduct damages public trust in democracy.
  • From the Frying Pan, by Larry Tajiri, page 12. Tajiri writes about roasting chestnuts and notes Japanese naval officers training at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. He contrasts the Denver Post’s past hostility with its more tolerant present.
  • Vagaries: Housing Prejudice, by Larry Tajiri, page 12. Tajiri examines the persistence of housing discrimination through realtor practices and the decline of enforceable restrictive covenants. He notes that FHA-sponsored projects have been among the few integrated housing options.

Community

  • Seeing-Eye Dogs Now Trained in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei optometrist Dr. James H. Ogawa started a local training program for seeing-eye dogs in Honolulu. Two locally trained dogs were presented to blind residents, sparing them the costly Mainland training trip.
  • California Washington Petroleum Corp. Stock Offering, page 3. The corporation offered California residents 200,000 shares of stock to fund drilling on 1,344 acres of oil and gas leases in Washington. Drilling was planned to begin by the start of the coming year.
  • Denver Issei Called for Naturalization Today, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Thirty-five Issei were scheduled to be sworn in as U.S. citizens at the Denver Federal District Court. R. S. Tani served as official interpreter for the Japanese-language oath.
  • Mile-Hi Chapter Shoots for 1,000 Members in ’55, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Denver Mile-Hi JACL began its 1955 membership drive with a goal of 1,000 members, aided by newly naturalized Issei. Harry Sakata was appointed membership chairman.
  • Chicago Builder Advised Nisei Oppose Self-Segregated Living, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Abe Hagiwara, JACL public relations chairman, advised a Chicago builder that local JACL leaders opposed self-segregated housing developments. The proposed westside neighborhood was investigated and found to be changing in composition.
  • Pasadena Invites Over 200 Issei to Citizens Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pasadena JACL mailed invitations to over 200 Issei from citizenship classes for a Nov. 13 banquet honoring new citizens. Early reservations were requested due to limited seating.
  • Placer County JACL Ready for Gala Goodwill Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Placer County JACL scheduled its 14th annual Goodwill Dinner in conjunction with the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council meeting. Committee chairmen were assigned for the event.
  • East Los Angeles CL Dinner-Dance Hallowe’en Festive Air, by John Watanabe, page 6. The East Los Angeles JACL held a Hallowe’en dinner-dance honoring Sam Furuta with a sapphire pin. Janet Okimoto was presented a loving cup for her convention participation.
  • Modifications of Strict Japanese Buddhist Rituals in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 7. Rev. Ernest Shinkaku Hunt describes how Buddhist services in Hawaii adapted to Nisei needs with English hymns, pews, and revised marriage ceremonies. He explains the changes made to serve a Western-raised generation.
  • Inspiring Church, by Mary Oyama, page 8. Mary Oyama describes a visit to the Harris Memorial Methodist church in Honolulu, led by Rev. Harry Komuro. She recounts the interracial congregation and her stay at a historic downtown hotel.
  • Esther Rhoads Talks Before Canada Audience, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Esther Rhoads, former English tutor to Crown Prince Akihito, spoke on Japan in Toronto. Japanese Canadian groups honored her at a banquet.
  • Civic Unity, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 9. Ishimaru and Evelyn Merson promote the California Federation for Civic Unity convention at Asilomar Dec. 3-5. The convention will address housing discrimination and fair employment practices.
  • Suggests Winning Title for Essay Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Shiz Komura won a prize for suggesting the winning title Vote and Keep America Free for a Van Nuys essay contest. The contest was sponsored by Builders Emporium.
  • New Berkeley Issei Citizens to Be Honored at Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Berkeley JACL will honor newly naturalized Issei at a banquet on Nov. 12 with keynote speaker Dr. Monroe E. Deutsch. Local civic leaders and JACL officials are scheduled to attend.
  • Mile-Hi JACL Bridge Club Holds First Officially Franchised Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Toshiko Ring and Sam Y. Matsumoto won the first officially franchised duplicate bridge tournament of the Mile-Hi JACL Bridge Club. The club planned a mixed pairs tournament for November.
  • Award Teenager Exchange Club Boy of the Month Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Lester Hashiguchi, 14, was named Boy of the Month for September by the Seattle Exchange Club. He was recognized for his industriousness, trustworthiness, and activity at the Bellevue Boys Club.
  • Democratic Club Formed, by P.C. Staff, page 10. A Japanese American Democratic Club was organized in Los Angeles with Attorney Frank Chuman as interim chairman. The group plans to affiliate with the county Democratic committee.
  • Newly Naturalized Issei Dinner Programs, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Several JACL chapters planned dinners honoring new Issei citizens in the Pacific Southwest District. Guest speakers included national JACL officers and Washington representative Mike Masaoka.
  • Plan Rest Home for Aged Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 11. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California was urged to purchase a San Fernando Valley rest home for aged Issei without family care. The social welfare department would lead the project.

JACL

  • Confab Minutes, by Masao W. Satow, page 5. National Director Satow reports on the release of the official minutes from the national convention and the completion of follow-up planning. He also covers district council meetings and upcoming chapter events.
  • Joint Eastern-Midwest District Council Convention Set for 1955, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Washington D.C. chapter announced plans for the first joint EDC-MDC convention in March 1955, featuring sightseeing and congressional visits. Tad Masaoka chairs the convention planning.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Violinist Feature for Stockton Concert, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Nisei violinist George Nagata was scheduled to perform with the Stockton Symphony Orchestra next spring. It will be his fourth appearance with the orchestra.
  • Hollywood Bowl Rites, by Henry Mori, page 11. Over 8,000 applicants were scheduled to become U.S. citizens at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Hollywood Bowl. Commodore Perry Post 525 provided ushers, and Issei Kinjiro Tanaka was invited to a White House reception.

In-Depth

  • Navigators of ‘Humme! Hummel’ Lured Back to Search for Derelict, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Petersen returned to the China Straits to find the wreck of their junk Hummel Hummel, lost on a reef in 1941. They recovered pieces of the ship and recalled their 1938 Pacific voyage.
  • Cornell University Study of Navajo Indians Under Nisei Ph.D. Guidance, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Dr. Tom T. Sasaki directs a Cornell program studying Navajo adoption of Western agricultural methods at Fruitland, New Mexico. The project prepares for the Navajo Dam irrigation project and emphasizes the human aspects of change.

Sports

  • Beefy Assistant Coach Mitokawa Doing Good Job at Peoria High, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Ray Mitokawa, second Nisei to become a high school coach in Arizona, helped Peoria High football improve to a winning record. His defensive and line coaching contributed to the team’s success.
  • Jockey Taniguchi Spilled in Race, Injuries Slight, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Nisei jockey George Taniguchi was thrown from his mount Sir Bit at Golden Gate Fields but X-rays showed no skull fracture. He was reported in good condition after the accident.
  • Japanese Turf Pride Invited to Maryland Race, Cancels at Last Minute, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Japanese race horse Hakuryo was unable to compete in the Laurel International Stakes because it could not arrive and pass quarantine in time. The entry was owned by Hiroshi Nishi.
  • Fresno Nisei Tournament Golf Results, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Mako Satoda of Hanford won low net honors at the annual Fresno Nisei Golf Club tournament with a 132 total. Other prize winners were listed alongside the tournament details.

Obituaries

  • Vital Statistics: Births, Deaths, Marriages, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This column lists recent births, marriages, and deaths reported in Nisei communities across California, Arizona, Colorado and other states. Entries include names, locations and family members.

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