JACL’s case on the Walter-McCarran immigration law, 1955

Vol. 41, No. 23, December 2, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

The JACL’s verdict on the Walter-McCarran Immigration and Nationality Act ran through this issue. An editorial explained why the league backed the omnibus bill despite its flaws, and Helen Mineta reported on the statement JACL gave the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee. It praised the act’s gains for Asian immigrants and Issei naturalization and recommended roughly ten changes, among them abolishing the national origins quota system. Tamotsu Murayama told the story of the Yanagi family, whose immigration from Japan was held up by years of delay.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Mountain-Plains District Council convention in Denver, and Larry S. Tajiri profiled Mike Masaoka. Masaoka’s own Washington newsletter looked ahead to the next session of Congress. Other pages cover an ICC order against segregation in interstate travel, Ben Kuroki’s purchase of a Michigan weekly, and about 700 people honoring new Issei citizens at Patriotic Hall.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• JACL’s statement on the I&N law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL issued a favorable evaluation of the Walter-McCarran Immigration and Nationality Act after three years of operation. The editorial explains the organization’s reasoning for supporting the omnibus bill despite its flaws.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reflects on the JACL Mountain-Plains District Council convention in Denver, noting that Nisei concerns have merged with general American problems like drought and farm prices. He also describes conversations about teen-age children and profiles several members including a Denver body and fender specialist.
• Yanagi snafu’d, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Murayama recounts the years of bureaucratic delays facing the Yanagi family, who were sponsored for immigration to the United States from Japan. Just as their visas seemed secured, they were told Mrs. Yanagi must first regain citizenship, leaving the family devastated.
• Soviet intentions, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The editorial assesses the failed 1955 Geneva summit and subsequent Soviet positions, concluding that Soviet ‘peaceful coexistence’ is a propaganda line. It notes the continued division of Germany and Korea as evidence of Cold War tensions.
• Los Angeles newsletter: Family reunion, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reports on Mrs. Tatsuka Okamoto’s admission to the U.S. after decades in Japan, and on the re-admission of repatriate Mrs. Suga Kamibayashi as a returning resident. He also recounts the accidental death of 11-year-old Alan Kubota on his first hunting trip.
• Mile-Hi visitor, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri profiles Mike Masaoka, describing his political acumen and bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. He recounts the JACL’s achievements since the 1946 Denver convention and expresses concern that Nisei complacency could weaken the organization.
• Washington newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka previews the 84th Congress’s Second Session, outlining Senate Majority Leader Johnson’s 13-point Democratic legislative program. He notes that immigration revision is unlikely and reports on Japan’s merger into the Conservative Party under Prime Minister Hatoyama.

National

• El Centro school system adopts non-segregation policy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal suit charging racial segregation in El Centro schools was dropped after the district adopted a non-segregation policy. The stipulation was agreed to by the plaintiffs, who had charged that Negro and Mexican pupils were restricted to only two schools.
• Guaranty of Asia immigrant equal consideration with others, JACL pleas, by Helen Mineta, page 1. The JACL presented a statement to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee praising the Walter-McCarran Act’s gains for Asian immigrants and Issei naturalization. It recommended roughly ten changes, including abolishing the national origins quota system and granting retroactive Asian quotas.
• Ben Kuroki buys Michigan weekly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei airman and newspaperman Ben Kuroki purchased the 83-year-old Williamston Enterprise weekly in Michigan. Kuroki flew combat missions in Europe and over Japan during World War II.
• ICC order to end segregation in travel faces opposition in four Dixie states, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Interstate Commerce Commission banned segregation on interstate trains, buses, and waiting rooms, but officials in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana vowed to continue enforcing state segregation laws. Texas railroad officials indicated they would comply with the ruling.
• Nat’l JACL bowling tourney invites out, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Salt Lake JACL Men’s Bowling Association announced the 10th annual National JACL bowling championships to be held March 1-4 in Salt Lake City. Tournament chairman Choppy Umemoto invited Nisei bowling leagues nationwide to attend.
• Hawaii delegate fears communism issue again, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Delegate Elizabeth P. Farrington told the Kauai Chamber of Commerce that Hawaii would have a better chance at statehood if it were not tied to the Alaska statehood bill. She warned that communism would again be raised as an issue when statehood is considered in Congress.

Community

• Eat lots of sashimi, juicy tomatoes if you want to live to 100, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Honolulu centenarian Shusaburo Kuwada credits sashimi and ripe tomatoes, and avoidance of liquor, tobacco, and meat, for his long life. He celebrated his 100th birthday with a party in November.
• If and when Hawaii gets statehood, JACL due vote of thanks, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Clair Engle told the Placer County JACL chapter dinner that Hawaii would owe the JACL a vote of thanks if statehood is achieved. He traced the league’s 25-year history and credited the Nisei military record with helping to eliminate discriminatory laws.
• Bill for gardening professional code due 2nd hearing, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A second hearing on a proposed state maintenance gardeners licensing bill is scheduled for Dec. 22 in Los Angeles. George K. Nakamura of the Northern California Gardeners Association said his group will testify in opposition.
• California, here I come, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 4. Chicago correspondent Smoky Sakurada describes his trip to California with the Knutson family, where he met JACL director Mas Satow and local members in Hayward and Monterey. He also mentions Chicago advertisers and businesses supporting the Pacific Citizen.
• Downtown L.A. chapter, Perry Post testimonial to Issei citizens draws 700, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Some 700 attended the Tribute to Our New Citizens at Patriotic Hall, jointly sponsored by the Downtown JACL and the Commodore Perry Post. Speakers included Saburo Kido and Joseph M. Farber, and citizenship cards were presented to naturalized Issei.
• Bussei of Year named by Coast District YBA, by P.C. Staff, page 7. George Abey was honored as Bussei of the Year at the 10th annual Coast District YBA regional meeting in San Jose. Ruby Tsubouchi of Monterey was crowned Miss Coast District YBA for 1956.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei GI close-up, by Budd & Arlene Fukei, page 4. The Fukeis praise Jack Jarvis’s Seattle Post-Intelligencer column ‘Footnotes To History,’ a series of 221 GI stories from World War II. They suggest a similar first-person account of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team could be produced for its 1958 reunion in Seattle.
• Ishida named all-city defensive halfback, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Billy Ishida, a 5-foot-1 Garfield High School player, was named to the Seattle all-city defensive first team as a halfback. He helped lead Garfield to a 19-0 victory over Lake Washington in the Thanksgiving Day classic.

JACL

• Intermountain District Council convention in Ontario, Oregon, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Intermountain District Council’s eighth biennial convention in Ontario, Oregon, featured national director Mas Satow’s keynote on JACL’s quarter century. The convention also installed George Sugai as chairman and honored Idaho State Senator Vernon Daniel for repealing the alien land law.

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