Flood relief and the 1956 JACL convention plans

Vol. 41, No. 27, December 30, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Flooding in Northern and Central California at Christmas shaped this eight-page issue. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council started a relief fund and advanced $500 to the Marysville JACL, while a countrywide search went on for Ben and Yoshino Kusaba, missing since December 22. An editorial and a page 8 article called for federal action on disaster insurance. JACL also looked ahead: “Changing Perspectives” was chosen as the 1956 National JACL Convention theme, and the search for the Nisei of the Biennium began.

Other pages cover Mike M. Masaoka’s testimony on the return of wartime vested property, a Chicago JACL statement on housing discrimination, and the registration of aliens due in January 1956. Kumeo Yoshinari wrote on Chicago’s growth as a JACL chapter, and a history of the Midwest JACL ran on page 4. Chapter news came from Seattle, Omaha, Fowler, Salinas and Mid-Columbia, and a piece on California’s Alien Land Law appeared on page 8.

What’s in this issue

Community

• NC-WNDC Aids Flood Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council launched a relief fund and advanced $500 to the Marysville JACL after flooding devastated Northern and Central California during Christmas week. Other chapters with members affected by the floods were also named as contributions were solicited.
• Fear Nisei Couple Dead in California Flood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A countrywide search was underway for Ben and Yoshino Kusaba, missing since leaving West Sacramento on the night of December 22 during heavy rain. Friends and authorities, aided by the Coast Guard and local Buddhist church members, were combing the Sacramento River levee area.
• Mas Satow to Address San Luis Valley Installation Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Director Mas Satow will be the main speaker at the San Luis Valley JACL installation banquet on January 15 at Mt. Blanca Supper Club. The event will highlight the chapter’s plans for the coming year.
• Webberville Welcomes Dr. Ted Karikoma, by Carl Edward T. Myers, page 3. The Webberville, Michigan Lions Club helped bring Dr. Ted Y. Karikoma, a Nisei osteopathic physician and 442nd veteran, to the village to fill a long-unmet need for a resident doctor. After initial hesitancy, the community embraced him and his family.
• Stockton Restaurateurs File $80,000 Damage Suit Against Landlord, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ed and Ora Nishimoto, operators of Ed and Ora’s restaurant in Stockton, sued their landlord Howard E. Harrison for allegedly turning off utilities to force them out of business. They seek $20,000 in general damages and $60,000 in punitive damages.
• Past Decade Witnesses Growth of Chicago Among Top JACL Chapters, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 4. The Chicago JACL chapter grew from under 100 members in 1945 to become the nation’s largest chapter, surpassing 1,000 members at times. The chapter’s achievements include sponsoring the 1950 national convention and a national bowling tournament.
• Seattle Elects Matsuoka as 1956 Chapter President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. James Matsuoka was elected president of the Seattle JACL at its December 13 meeting, succeeding Howard Sakura. An installation dinner for him and his cabinet was tentatively scheduled for January 20.
• Fowler JACL Year in Review 1955, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fowler JACL recounted its 1955 activities, including a prize-winning Fresno District Fair booth, a Nisei sports school, and scholarship awards. The chapter’s year also included community outreach and new Issei citizens joining the membership.
• Salinas Recalls NC-WN Quarterly as Best Event of Year, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Salinas Valley JACL hosted the third quarterly Northern California-Western Nevada District Council meeting on August 7, featuring a golf tournament, banquet, and dance. National JACL President George Inagaki was keynote speaker.
• Mid-Columbia Auxiliary Hosts 150 at Yule Party, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Mid-Columbia JACL Auxiliary hosted a Christmas potluck party for over 150 children and young people in Hood River. Santa Claus, played by Ray Yasui, distributed gifts to the youngsters.
• Omaha Elects Matsunami 1956 Chapter President, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Manuel Matsunami, former first vice-president, was elected president of the Omaha JACL, succeeding Frank Tamai. The election took place at the December 17 meeting.
• Chicago JACL Tim Kozuma Dies of Heart Attack, by P.C. Staff, page 6. James Kozuma, active in Chicago JACL bowling circles, died unexpectedly December 22 after suffering a heart attack. He had directed the 1954 National JACL Bowling Tournament in Chicago and was remembered for his role in removing racial restrictions from the American Bowling Congress.
• Christmas Cheer Campaign Aids Southern California Families, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The eighth annual Christmas Cheer campaign distributed gifts and cash to 289 persons of Japanese ancestry in Southern California. Officials reported $2,487 donated, with $247 distributed through the program.
• Cleveland Jr. Matrons Hold Christmas Party, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Over 150 youngsters and their parents attended a Christmas party hosted by the Cleveland Jr. Matrons at the First Methodist Church. Several local groups contributed funds and services to the event.
• Gardeners Oppose State Licensing Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Northern and Southern California gardeners testified against a proposed state bill to license landscape workers before an Assembly subcommittee in Los Angeles. Opponents argued the fee would raise prices and that older Issei would be unable to pass English-language examinations.

JACL

• Convention Theme Set: ‘Changing Perspectives’ for 1956 Biennial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco National Convention Board selected ‘Changing Perspectives’ as the 1956 National JACL Convention theme and proposed enlarging the planning committee meeting into a public forum. Convention Chairman Jerry Enomoto also announced the names of committee chairmen for the convention.
• Nisei of the Biennium Search Begins, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National Recognition Committee, under Dr. T. T. Yatabe, opened the search for the 1956 Nisei of the Biennium and invited nominations. The award will be presented at the San Francisco convention over Labor Day weekend, and the article notes the Mountain-Plains District’s strong record of winning national awards.

National

• Registration of Aliens Mandatory in January 1956, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL office reported that all Issei not yet naturalized must register during January 1956, with details on forms, timing, and penalties. Aliens absent from the country or with pending naturalization are also covered by the requirement.
• 1955 Immigration Statistics Released, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Preliminary INS statistics showed 3,984 immigrants from Japan were admitted in 1955, mostly as wives of U.S. citizens. The article also breaks down nonquota categories and notes the three-year anniversary of the McCarran-Walter Act..
• Sakamoto Memorial Services Held in Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Memorial services were held December 17 at the Tokyo Chapel Center for Jimmie Sakamoto, a longtime Nisei leader and former national JACL president who died in an accident. Speakers included George Togasaki, Tom Takagi, and Welly Shibata, honoring his leadership and courage.
• Testimony Urges Full Return of Wartime Vested Property, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. JACL submitted testimony to a Senate subcommittee urging full return or compensation of property seized during World War II under the Trading With the Enemy Act. The testimony argued that return would serve national interests and improve relations with Japan and Germany.
• Chicago JACL Testifies on Minority Housing Discrimination, by Abe Hagiwara, Mike Hagiwara, Harold Gordon, page 7. The Chicago JACL presented testimony to a House subcommittee describing housing discrimination faced by middle-income Japanese Americans in Chicago. The statement urged federal legislation to enable equal access to rental housing and federally insured loans.
• Political Stakes Rise in Second Session of 84th Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The article analyzes how the 1956 presidential and congressional election year will shape decisions in the Second Session of the 84th Congress. It identifies key issues including farm policy, taxes, immigration, and statehood for Hawaii and Alaska.

Military & Veterans

• Volunteer Fireman Sho Endow Jr. Named to Board, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sho Endow Jr., one of three Nisei on the Odell Fire Protection District volunteer department in Hood River, was named to a five-year term on its board of directors. He succeeds Ray Yasui, who had served three of his four years as board president.
• Flood Disaster Calls for Federal Action, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The article urges Congress to address the flood disaster that struck Northern California over Christmas by creating a federal disaster insurance program. It notes the particular hardship for Japanese Americans affected by the flooding.

Obituaries

• Harry Sakata, Mile-Hi JACL President, Dies of Cancer at 34, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry Sakata, 1955 president of the Mile-Hi JACL, died of cancer in Denver at age 34 after a family trip to Japan revealed his illness. He had farmed extensively in Brighton and was recently named honorary chairman of the Mountain-Plains District Council.
• In Memory of Harry Sakata, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Harry Sakata, president of the Mile-Hi JACL, is remembered as a dedicated chapter leader who worked tirelessly for the JACL despite his illness. He was posthumously elected honorary chairman of the Mountain-Plains District Council by delegates.

Commentary

• Sensible Traditions and Good Cheer: Frying Pan Column, by Frying Pan, page 2. The Frying Pan column reflects on a Christmas spent with family and the value of Japanese New Year traditions for settling debts and renewing relationships. It closes with a resolution to continue offering a lighter view of the Nisei scene.
• Holiday Issue Post-Mortem, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editor reflects on producing the 84-page Holiday Issue marking JACL’s silver jubilee, noting space constraints and the omitted story on Dr. T. T. Hayashi. He also previews a forthcoming five-year wrap-up by Professor Elmer Smith.
• Salute to Dr. Ruby Inouye, by Budd & Arlene Fukei, page 4. The Dateline Northwest column praises Dr. Ruby Inouye, a successful Seattle physician and mother who serves Nisei and Issei patients. The column also defends physicians against patient complaints by describing the long hours and burdens of medical practice.
• California’s Alien Land Law: A Relic to Be Repealed, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The article traces the history of California’s Alien Land Law from its 1913 origins through the 1920 initiative and its invalidation by the State Supreme Court. It notes that Assemblyman Edward Elliott’s measure will place repeal before voters in November 1956.

In-Depth

• Midwest JACL Story: Rediscovering America, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article traces the growth of JACL in the Midwest from the Chicago regional office opened in 1943 through the Midwest District Council formed in 1947. It highlights the chapters, biennial conventions, and the fight for legislative goals.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nacirema Productions Launches Low-Budget Films, by P.C. Staff, page 6. David Yokozeki, a Nisei attorney and Downtown L.A. JACL member, leads Nacirema Productions, which has invested in low-budget films including a western called Count the Dead. The company plans three productions in 1956, with Nisei businessmen offered investment opportunities.
• Home Again Screenplay Completed, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A screenplay adaptation of James Edmiston’s novel Home Again, written by Michael Blankfort, has been completed and features major roles for Nisei and Issei actors. The story depicts the evacuation and Heart Mountain camp experience.

Sports

• Nisei Bowling Tournament Set for Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Nisei bowling tournament is scheduled for March 1-4, 1956 in Salt Lake City, its fourth annual event. Tournament chairman Choppy Umemoto is leading preparations with local JACL and Nisei bowling groups.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.