November 1955: the fight over citizenship and the Walter-McCarran Act

Vol. 41, No. 22, November 25, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Questions of citizenship and immigration law ran through this eight-page issue. The JACL Washington office warned that dual nationals, mainly Nisei in Japan, had to clarify their status before a December 24 deadline or risk losing U.S. citizenship. Mike Masaoka announced he would testify on December 1 before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on changes to the Walter-McCarran Act, and his Washington Newsletter argued that the unified quota proposal would still discriminate against Asians. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson pledged to work for the evacuation claims amendment at the Pacific Northwest District Council convention in Tacoma.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about Yankees interest in Japanese ballplayers, and Larry S. Taji looked at how Nisei vote in 1956. Chapter news covered preparations for the 14th biennial National JACL Convention in San Francisco, a Nisei War Memorial Center planned in Sacramento, and a page of bowling, football and fishing results.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Juvenile Delinquency, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Senate subcommittee report found over 1.3 million children came to police attention in 1954, with about half in juvenile courts, a 39 percent increase over 1948. The editorial warns that without progress in controlling delinquency, the nation will pay dearly for a generation that neither respects the law nor fears its consequences.
• From the Frying Pan: Hot Stove Leaguers, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa comments on reports that the New York Yankees may sign two Japanese ballplayers who would need a year of seasoning, possibly with Denver’s Triple A farm team. He also describes Japanese-manufactured ramie cloth, a strong vegetable fiber used in towels and textiles.
• Yours Truly: Radio Advertising, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda comments on the overload of radio commercials in Southern California and the appeal of FM stations without commercials. He also shares a personal anecdote about a finger injury and typewriter keys.
• Holiday Greetings and Thanksgiving Musings, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The column celebrates Thanksgiving leftovers and lists chapters that met the deadline for holiday issue ads. It also offers comments on the UCLA-USC game and a formal dress tradition.
• My Boy, Dana Mori, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The column announces the birth of a son named Dana to the Mori family and reflects on the experience of fatherhood and kitchen duties. It is a personal family note.
• Vagaries: Nisei Vote in ’56, by Larry S. Taji, page 8. Taji argues that Nisei vote independently based on economic interests rather than racial blocs, citing Hawaii’s 1954 elections. He analyzes the 1956 presidential landscape including Stevenson, Kefauver, and possible Republican candidates.
• Washington Newsletter: Unified Quota System, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka examines the unified quota alternative to the national origins formula, proposed by the President’s Commission and Sen. Lehman and Rep. Celler. He argues that it would still discriminate against Asians and proposes a separate Europe-Africa and Asia division.

National

• Question Arises on Status of Dual Citizen in Japan Whose Citizenship Being Clarified, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Washington office warned that dual nationals, mainly Nisei in Japan, must clarify their status or explain their stay abroad before a December 24, 1955 deadline under the Walter-McCarran Act or risk losing U.S. citizenship. Officials said Nisei in the United States are generally not affected and that the warning was primarily aimed at Japan residents.
• Masaoka to Testify Dec. 1 Before Sen. Kilgore Hearing on I&N Law; JACL Statement Being Prepared, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka announced that the JACL statement on needed changes to the Walter-McCarran Act is being prepared and that he is expected to testify on December 1. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearings opened with testimony from labor, religious, and economic groups, and Sen. Lehman introduced an omnibus bill to rewrite the act.
• Costa Rica Clarifies Travel Visa Restriction Situation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Costa Rican Consul General Jose F. Carballo stated that visa restrictions based on race have fallen into total disuse, with exclusion applying only to gypsies and coolies. He replied to a Hokubei Shimpo story about discriminatory visa listings in a Pan American airline guide.
• Senate Hearings Continue on Immigration Act; Masaoka to Testify, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Continuing hearings featured testimony from labor, religious, and economic groups, and Sen. Herbert Lehman described his omnibus bill S. 1206 to rewrite the Walter-McCarran Act. Sen. Watkins, author of the Refugee Relief Act, also joined the hearings, and the subcommittee recesses for Thanksgiving.
• Judge Also M.C. for Issei Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Judge John F. Aiso will emcee a Tribute to New Citizens program sponsored by the Commodore Perry Post of the American Legion and the Downtown JACL chapter in Los Angeles. The event honors naturalized Issei.

Community

• Magnuson Pledges to Work for Claims Amendment OK, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson pledged to work for passage of the evacuation claims amendment at the Pacific Northwest District Council convention in Tacoma. He also congratulated 59 newly naturalized citizens and urged Issei to take a vital role in America’s future.
• Denver Youth Files Application for Air Force Academy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kenneth Namba of Denver filed his application for the Air Force Academy with Rep. Byron G. Rogers, who may nominate 10 candidates. The report highlights Namba’s academic and athletic activities at Manual High School.
• Plant Physiologist Willy M. Iritani Appointed to Illinois Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Willy M. Iritani, a former Fulbright scholar from Colorado A&M who studied in Japan, was appointed to a professorship in plant physiology at the University of Illinois. He will pursue a Ph.D. there.
• Nippon Cuisine Including Daikon, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. About 30 Nisei women attended a Denver Nisei Mothers Club meeting where Mrs. Jinzo Noda demonstrated Japanese cooking, including carving daikon into flowers. The column notes younger Nisei daughters’ interest in traditional cuisine.
• Lindsay C. of C., by P.C. Staff, page 2. Yosh Imoto was one of five new directors installed by the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce. The brief reports this local appointment.
• Successful Bazaar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The second annual Grace Methodist Church Oriental bazaar in Livingston was held Nov. 12 and was considered a success by Rev. Wesley Yamaka. Co-chairmen were named in the report.
• Arvada Restaurant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dick Yanase, formerly chef at T.K. Pharmacy lunch counter, opened Jim’s Cafe in Arvada, Colorado on Nov. 15. The restaurant was previously operated by his father.
• Baron Goto Heads U.H. Agricultural Extension Service, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Baron Y. Goto was appointed director of the University of Hawaii Agricultural Extension Service, succeeding Harold A. Wadsworth. Goto previously directed the International Cooperation Center and spent time on government assignment in Far East countries.
• Nisei, Divorcee in Double Suicide, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Police reported the deaths of George Inada and Virginia Paschall as a double suicide found in a car in Highland Park. The couple had planned to marry but faced family objections.
• Chicago Christmas Program, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 4. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago will present its 14th annual Christmas Around the World programs, including a Japanese dramatization of early Christianity in Japan arranged with the JACL and Japanese American Service Committee. Twenty nationality groups will perform.
• Dedication Planned for Sacramento Nisei War Memorial Center, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sacramento Nisei War Memorial Center plans a formal dedication Dec. 11 after purchasing the Flower Garden restaurant. The board of directors and incorporation details were announced.
• Seattle Racial Remarks and Chinese Land Reform, by Budd & Arlene Fukei, page 4. The Seattle column criticizes NAACP field secretary Ruby Hurley’s remark about taking matters into their own hands after the Emmett Till case. It also comments on Chinese mainland collectivization replacing the earlier land division plan.
• PNW District Council Installs New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Kelly Yamada was elected chairman of the Pacific Northwest District Council at its Tacoma convention. Thomas Hiroshi Semba spoke for the new citizens and the Seattle chapter won the DC Chapter of the Year plaque.
• JACL Credit Unions Seek Membership Increases, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL Credit Union and Cal Neva JACL Credit Union held a joint dinner meeting to discuss increasing membership and participation. The San Francisco group has 250 members and over $150,000 in assets.
• Omaha JACL Women Serve Sukiyaki, Odori Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Omaha JACL women’s committee served sukiyaki to guests of the Public Power District women’s division. K. Patrick Okura told the JACL story and kimono-clad girls offered dance entertainment.
• Mile-Hi to Participate in Bill of Rights Day, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Denver’s Mile-Hi JACL will participate in Bill of Rights Day observances on December 15, with Irvin Matsuda representing the chapter. The chapter joins 51 national organizations in the observance.
• Holiday Hors d’Oeuvres, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Chef Pierre Coste demonstrated holiday hors d’oeuvres at the JACL Women’s Auxiliary monthly meeting in San Francisco. The French specialty and American dishes were featured.
• Sonoma County Chapter Activities in December Spotlight Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL chapter will hold its annual election on Dec. 2 and install officers at a New Year’s dinner. Nominations for a most active member award are being accepted.
• San Mateo Chapter New Year’s Eve Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Mateo JACL will hold a New Year’s Eve dance at the Buddhist Hall with music by Charlie Stern’s orchestra. William Takahashi is league chairman.
• Central CCDC Convention Program, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The sixth annual Central California District JACL Council convention in Fresno on Dec. 3 to 4 includes a bowling tournament, speakers including Mas Satow, and a banquet with Mike Masaoka. George Abe is general chairman.
• Yankees Wind Up Nippon Tour 15-1-0, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The New York Yankees completed their goodwill tour of Japan, winning 15 of 16 exhibition games and tying the other. The tour drew more than 350,000 Japanese fans.
• Los Angeles Nisei Week Festival Accounts Show Surplus, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nisei Week festival accounts for 1955 showed a surplus of $199.03, with total income of $5,362.24 against expenses of $5,163.21. Funds were designed to support building a community center.
• Congressman McDonough Lauds Issei at Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Over 500 new citizens were honored at a testimonial co-sponsored by the Southwest Los Angeles JACL and VFW Post 9938. Congressman Gordon L. McDonough praised the contributions of the Issei.

Incarceration & Redress

• Nisei War Bride Japanese Citizenship Story Removed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Nisei woman who voted in postwar Japanese elections applied for expeditious naturalization under Public Law 515 while her case is pending. The question of whether Section 350 applies to her remains unresolved.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei War Memorial Center Dedication Planned Dec. 11, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Plans are advancing for the dedication of the Sacramento Nisei War Memorial Community Center, tentatively set for Dec. 11. The board purchased the former Flower Garden restaurant at 1515 4th Street rather than building new.

Arts & Entertainment

• Mother, Sir Film on Japan Occupation Life, Many Nisei Signed for Picture, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Allied Artists reported signing 29 Los Angeles area Issei and Nisei for Walter Wanger’s film Mother, Sir, which stars Joan Bennett and Gary Merrill and includes Shirley Yamaguchi. The story follows an army wife and her daughter in occupied Japan.

JACL

• Convention Preparation Stepped Up, Chairmen Named, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Preparations are underway for the 14th biennial National JACL Convention at the Sheraton-Palace Hotel, Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 1956. Jerry Enomoto, general chairman, announced committee appointments.

Sports

• Second Defeat for Seattle Li’l League Team Means Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Coach Frank Yamashita’s Fighting Irish lost the Seattle Little League city title game 20-6 to Laurelhurst. The Irish had won the American conference with five wins during the season.
• Jamanaha, 47, Set to Defend Titles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Norman Tamanaha, a 47-year-old Hawaii distance runner who won four long-distance championships last season, will defend his titles in four meets during the 1955-56 season. The schedule includes the Waikiki race, the 10-mile race, the 15.5-mile race, and the Hawaiian marathon.
• Canadian Nisei to Roll for First Time in ABC National Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Canadian Nisei bowlers are expected to compete for the first time in the ABC Congress tournament, with two Nisei squads entered. Yuki Ode, president of the Toronto Nisei Bowling League, announced the entries.
• Nisei Star of L.A. High Football Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Los Angeles High School football team, featuring five Nisei linemen and two Nisei backfield starters, finished the season undefeated and unscored-upon in the Southland. Several players were singled out for their performances.
• 746 Series Spark San Jose Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sequoia Nursery and the Sacramento Bowl women’s team won the team championships in the Nisei Invitational bowling tournament held over Veterans Day weekend. Jack Suhama rolled a 746 series to take first place in men’s singles.
• Ann Arbor Fullback Named Prep All-Star, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ernie Ushiro, Ann Arbor High fullback, was named to the 1955 all-city football team by radio sportscaster Bob Ufer. Each member received a silver football medal.
• 30-lb. Striped Bass Landed in Richmond-El Cerrito JACL Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Willie Nieda of Ashland won the gold trophy by landing a 30-pound striped bass in the first Richmond-El Cerrito JACL derby at Frank’s Tract. Other prize winners were named despite bad weather.

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