Vol. 40, No. 2, January 14, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue
A deadline shaped the front page of this eight-page issue. The Washington JACL Office reminded Japanese Americans that vested property claims against the Office of Alien Property had to be received, not just postmarked, by February 8, 1955. A related story covered a House Judiciary Subcommittee report on the JACL-initiated evacuation claims program, which recalled wartime hardships, praised the 442nd Combat Team’s record and recommended liberalizing the claims law. Statehood bills for Hawaii were introduced in Congress, and Mike Masaoka wrote about a proposed Marshall Plan-style aid program for Free Asia.
Elsewhere, Tamotsu Murayama examined the divide in Japan’s Socialist Democratic Party, and Harry Honda reviewed the film Seven Samurai. Bill Hosokawa wrote about two Japanese airline hostesses in Denver. Chapter news included an Idaho Falls carnival, a Boise bowling tournament, Eden Township installation plans and a talk by Father John Sasaki of Boys’ Town of Kobe.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Deadline for Filing Vested Property Claims Approaches, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL Office reminds Japanese Americans that the final filing date for vested property claims with the Office of Alien Property is February 8, 1955. Claims must be received, not postmarked, by that date to be considered timely.
- Subcommittee Report Recalls Wartime Hardships, 442 Record, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House Judiciary Subcommittee report on the JACL-initiated evacuation claims program described the hardships of wartime evacuation and praised the 442nd Combat Team’s military record. The report also recommended liberalizing existing evacuation claims law.
National
- Early Action on Hawaiian Statehood Bills Anticipated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Statehood bills for Hawaii were introduced in both the House and Senate of the 84th Congress, including HR49 by Mrs. Joseph Farrington and S49 by Sen. James Murray covering Hawaii and Alaska. The JACL supports statehood and expects prompt committee action.
Community
- Senate, House Judiciary Committees in 84th Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Harley Kilgore and Rep. Emanuel Celler are expected to chair their respective Judiciary Committees, which are important to Japanese Americans because of evacuation claims legislation. Both have supported JACL-sponsored bills in the past.
- Twin Cities UCL Credit Union Meeting Scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The United Citizens League credit union will hold its general meeting January 22 to announce the 1954 dividend. The credit union closed its second year with 55 members and a $600 net income from loan interest.
- Honolulu Newsletter: City Hall Squabble, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Four Nisei Honolulu supervisors clashed with newly elected Republican Mayor Neal Blaisdell over department head appointments. The dispute drew public scrutiny of Nisei officeholders.
- Idaho Falls Annual Carnival Jan. 22, Large Crowd Expected at Armory, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Idaho Falls JACL annual carnival at the local armory on January 22 will feature food, games, and prizes including an electric clothes dryer. Members from across the valley are expected to attend.
- No Puerto Rican Problem, Just Human Problems, N.Y. Clergy Told, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Joseph Monserrat of the Puerto Rico Migration Division spoke at the New York JACL installation dinner about Puerto Rican migration and overcrowding. He argued that Puerto Ricans face the same challenges as earlier immigrant groups.
- Parlier Aids Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Parlier JACL assisted Japanese aliens in completing their annual alien address reports at the Buddhist Church. Volunteers helped with the required filings.
- Eden Township JACL Dinner-Dance Jan. 22 for New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township JACL will install its 1955 cabinet at a dinner and dance on January 22 at the Hotel Leamington in Oakland. Civic leaders are expected to attend the event.
- Kobe Boys’ Town Founder Addresses Detroit CLers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Father John Sasaki, founder of Boys’ Town of Kobe, spoke to the Detroit JACL about his work caring for war orphans since 1947. He is traveling to South America as an appointee of Rome to serve as National Director of Immigration of Japan.
- Mile-Hi Chapter Recognizes Members; Sakata Named President, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mile-Hi JACL recognized members for their service during 1954 at a New Year’s Eve installation dinner. Robert Sakata was named chapter president for 1955.
- Cherry Blossom Tour Readied, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Aki Hotel Travel Service announced a spring Cherry Blossom Tour to Japan departing in March and April, led by Haruo Ishimaru. The 15-day itinerary includes Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Student Honors, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mori reports that Nisei students have won student body offices at several Los Angeles high schools, including Dorsey, Fremont, and Mount Vernon. He also notes that the Nisei Week Festival again ran a financial deficit.
Commentary
- Marshall Plan Assistance, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka describes a planned long-range economic aid program for Free Asia modeled on the Marshall Plan to counter communist infiltration. He argues Japan could serve as a technical workshop key to the program.
- Socialist Dilemma, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama examines the split between left and right wings of Japan’s Socialist Democratic Party over defense and communism. He also discusses the influence of Socialists on Japanese youth and labor ahead of coming elections.
- Very Truly Yours: Seven Samurai, by Harry Honda, page 2. Honda reviews the Japanese film Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa, praising its cast, photography, and action. He notes its acclaim and the tragedy of war it portrays.
- Nansei: A Phonetic Compromise, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Kushida coins the term Nansei to describe Japanese Americans across generations and argues for active JACL membership. He contends that members who serve their communities are not odd but admirable.
- Too Old at 45, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial responds to Secretary of Labor Mitchell’s remarks on workers over 45 being considered too old for employment. It urges employers to hire for ability and skill regardless of age.
- Japanese Charm, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa recounts how two Japanese airline hostesses impressed Denver reporters during a visit. He also relates a story from Allen Eaton about a citizen standing up to a postal clerk.
Arts & Entertainment
- Family in New Novel Recounts California Evacuation ‘With Guts’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. James Edmiston’s novel Home Again follows a Japanese American nursery family through the 1942 evacuation to their return. Masaoka praised the book, which Doubleday publishes January 20.
Sports
- Near $3,000 in Prizes Distributed at Boise Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The sixth annual Boise Valley JACL bowling tournament awarded about $2,835 in prize money and trophies. Electrical Contractors of Pocatello won team high scratch and handicap honors.
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