The loss of Galen Fisher, and claims and address reports in early 1955

Vol. 40, No. 1, January 7, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

News of Galen M. Fisher’s death at 81 led the paper’s first issue of 1955. Fisher worked for over half a century toward better Japan-U.S. understanding and founded the Fair Play Committee to aid Japanese Americans during the World War II incarceration (often called internment). An editorial and a column by Haruo Ishimaru also paid tribute to him. Cameron H. King, the former San Francisco registrar of voters who sent absentee ballots to Nisei at Tanforan in 1942, was remembered as well.

Elsewhere in these eight pages, a House subcommittee’s 15 recommendations on evacuation claims were reported, with comment from Mike Masaoka. Issei and war brides were reminded to file the Alien Address Report during January. JACL National President George Inagaki named his one resolution for the year, and Bill Hosokawa reviewed the television play Presento. Sports and chapter news from Chicago, Orange County and Sacramento fill out the issue.

What’s in this issue

Obituaries

• Galen Fisher Dies at 81, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Galen M. Fisher, who worked over half a century for better Japan-U.S. understanding, died January 2 at age 81. He founded the Fair Play Committee to aid interned Japanese Americans during World War II.
• Cameron King Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cameron H. King, former San Francisco registrar of voters, died December 11 in New Jersey. He sent absentee ballots to evacuated Nisei voters at Tanforan in 1942 despite pressure to deny them the franchise.
• Nisei Champion Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bernard Keble Sandwell, a Canadian author, teacher and editor who championed Canadian Japanese, died December 8 at age 78. He often pleaded for better race relations.

Community

• Icy Curve Hospitalizes Salt Lake Churchman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. and Mrs. Tetsuo Saito of Salt Lake City were injured when their car skidded on an icy Oregon highway curve near Baker. Both were reported in satisfactory condition.
• Utah VFW Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lyle Kurisaki was installed as first commander of a new Nisei VFW Post 9416 in Salt Lake City. A full slate of officers was also named.
• Another Investigating Congress, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The Washington Newsletter predicts the 84th Congress will continue investigations, with Democrats likely to probe Administration policy. It frames the investigations as groundwork for the 1956 elections.
• Honolulu Newsletter: ’54 in Review, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Honolulu Newsletter reviews 1954 highlights, including Democrats taking control of the Territorial Legislature and Nisei winning offices. It also covers Delegate Joseph Farrington’s death and the growing school enrollment.
• San Francisco Leader Contributes $1,900 to JACL on 51st Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Issei leader Frank M. Nonaka presented $1,000 to JACL to mark 51 years in the United States and his recent citizenship. JACL’s Victor Abe and Haruo Ishimaru accepted the gift.
• Chicago JACL May Set New Membership Mark by Enrolling Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chicago JACL president Kumeo Yoshinari hopes to enroll recently naturalized Issei to surpass the chapter’s membership record. He also seeks closer ties with other Japanese organizations.
• Orange County Installation and Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Orange County JACL announced membership drives and an installation banquet on February 4. Ken Uyesugi will serve as chairman of the event.
• Recommendations of Claims Group Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The House subcommittee’s remaining recommendations include compensating transportation and property expenses and validating late-postmarked claims. The full Judiciary Committee will consider the matter in the new Congress.
• Korean Educator Family Reunited After 61 Years, Honored at Salt Lake Concert, by Alice Kasai, page 4. Dr. Alexius Ree, a University of Utah chemistry professor, was reunited with his family in Salt Lake City under the McCarran Act. He had assisted the Salt Lake JACL’s ADC drive with Japanese publicity.
• Scene from the Golden Gate: PNW Tour Finis, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Regional director Haruo Ishimaru reports on visits to Pacific Northwest chapters and prospects for new chapters in Quincy, Yakima Valley and White River Valley. He also pays tribute to Galen Fisher.
• New Year’s Eve in Honolulu, by Mary Oyama, page 5. Mary Oyama describes a New Year’s Eve in Honolulu, including encounters with servicemen and a centipede in her hotel room. She also recounts the spectacular midnight fireworks across the islands.
• Sacramento JACL Bowling Tourney Slated Feb. 12-13, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The sixth annual Sacramento JACL and Nisei Bowling Association handicap tournament will be held at Alhambra Bowl. Entry is limited to JACL members with a February 1 deadline.
• A Flying Start, by Harry Honda, page 7. The Southwest column reports JACL offices helping Issei complete the I-53 address report. It previews an Issei testimonial banquet in Arizona honoring new citizens.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Five Headliners, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reviews the five biggest 1954 events affecting Japanese Americans, including smog, the Bikini H-bomb, Issei voting, mass naturalization and Hawaii statehood. He also notes family news.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Jet Pilot Risks Life Crashing Plane Outside Town, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Minoru Yahanda parachuted from his disabled jet after ordering his radar observer to bail out, then steered the plane away from homes. Norwell, Mass., newspapers praised his quick thinking.

Commentary

• Only Resolution, by George Inagaki, page 1. JACL National President George Inagaki sets his one resolution for 1955: to do all he is supposed to do. He also plans an extensive visit to JACL chapters during the year.
• Very Truly Yours: New Year’s Day, by Harry Honda, page 2. Editor Harry Honda reflects on a quieter New Year’s Eve among Nisei in Los Angeles, noting the postwar generation has mellowed. He describes parties, dances and family celebrations.
• A True Friend, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial reprinted from Shin Nichi Bei mourns Galen Fisher, a true friend of the Japanese people who stood up for them during the hysteria after Pearl Harbor. The writer notes JACL leaders relied on his advice.
• Honolulu Singer Looms as Japanese Stage Hit, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Honolulu-born singer James Higeta is gaining popularity with Japanese audiences after appearing on the Nichigeki stage. He previously sang in Hollywood and New York clubs.
• A Factor, by Jobo Nakamura, page 6. A Nisei writer reflects on the negative stereotype of Nisei held by Japanese people after a visit to Japan. He describes being labeled namaiki despite efforts to present a decent front.
• Editorials: Land Reform, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises Wolf Ladejinski’s land reform work in Japan after his recall was followed by a new assignment in Viet-Nam. It hopes security stigmas can be eased.
• 84th Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that predictions of gloom for the divided 84th Congress are not supported by history. It suggests the Congress may be more bipartisan than expected.
• Presento, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa reviews the television play Presento, starring Shirley Yamaguchi, Don Taylor and Pat Crowley. He finds its comedy good-natured despite some Japanese stereotypes.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa shares anecdotes about Nisei with confusing or Anglicized names, including Charles Kambe, John Maki and Newton Wesley. The column is lighthearted and reflective.

National

• 15 Recommendations Favoring Claimants Made for Hillings Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House Judiciary Subcommittee issued 15 recommendations on evacuation claims, many paralleling JACL’s suggestions by Mike Masaoka. They include recognizing management expenses, internee claims, and corporate claims.
• Alien Address Reports Due This Month, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese aliens, including unnaturalized Issei and war brides, must file an Alien Address Report with immigration in January 1955. The Washington JACL Office outlined the in-person filing procedure.
• Control of Senate, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Washington Newsletter examines rumored GOP efforts to force a Senate control vote as the 84th Congress convenes. It also speculates on leadership changes and Democratic contenders.
• New Refugee Relief Act Head Appointed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tyler Thompson was named administrator of the Refugee Relief Act program, succeeding Antonio Micocci. Existing policies will continue while Thompson studies the program.
• Address Report Due Within January, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Aliens who fail to file the Alien Address Report during January 1955 risk custody and deportation. Those returning from abroad must report within 10 days of their return.

JACL

• Our National Director Reports, by Masao Satow, page 2. National Director Masao Satow reports on new chapter officers and praises the CCDC convention. He announces a PSWDC chapter clinic and urges presidents to read the Pacific Citizen.

Sports

• Nisei Prep All-America Selections Announced, by George Yoshinaga, page 6. The second annual Shin Nichibei selection of high school Nisei All-America was announced after input from coaches and sportswriters. The team includes players from California and Arizona.
• 700 Series Rolled by Taka Asaba of Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Taka Asaba posted the first 700 series in Seattle Nisei bowling history in the Commercial League. Seventh Ave. Service took the team title.

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