Housing discrimination, new Issei citizens and JACL chapter news

Vol. 42, No. 15, April 13, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

Racial discrimination in housing was the subject of both lead stories. Frank Chuman wrote that the pattern persists in new Southern California tracts, and that the federal government should withdraw loan guarantees from lenders who practice it. A second front-page piece argued that realtors and lenders used codes of ethics and selling restrictions to keep minorities out. Elsewhere, Larry S. Tajiri traced the anti-Japanese movement in California up to the 1913 Alien Land Law, and Mike Masaoka analyzed the Lane Evacuation Claims Bill.

Much of the issue turned to newly naturalized Issei: voter registration in Gardena, voting-machine demonstrations in Chicago, a recognition dinner in Long Beach, and Denver Issei laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Chapter installations ran in several cities, and the 14th Biennial convention in San Francisco drew steady preparation news. Bill Hosokawa and Harry K. Honda wrote columns, and 442nd reservists received their wartime shoulder patch.

What’s in this issue

National

• Government Urged to Promote Integration in Housing as Well as in Schools, by Frank Chuman, page 1. Racial discrimination in private housing persists, especially in new Southern California tracts, despite the 1948 Supreme Court decision. The editorial urges the federal government to withdraw FHA, VA and state loan guarantees from lending institutions that practice discrimination.
• Racial Discrimination in Home-Buying, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Realtors, subdividers and lenders have used codes of ethics and selling restrictions to keep racial minorities out of housing. The Pacific Citizen argues this contradicts national policy against racial discrimination.
• 30,000 Americans Visit Japan During 1955, by P.C. Staff, page 2. About 30,000 Americans traveled to Japan in 1955, and Pacific travel rose 30 percent over 1954. Early indications suggest a further increase in 2026 travel.
• 82 Refugees from Japan Arrive by Air, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Eighty-two Japanese emigrants, the largest group ever to leave Japan by air, arrived in San Francisco en route to California farm jobs. They were admitted under the 1953 Refugee Act and came from the typhoon-devastated Kagoshima area.
• Hawaii Statehood Gets First Mention on Senate Floor During Tax Debate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. During debate on repealing the federal travel tax to Hawaii and Alaska, Senate Minority Leader William Knowland predicted statehood was not too far off but likely must wait for a new Congress. Senators Morse and Kuchel also spoke in favor of statehood for both territories.

Community

• Alameda JACL Aids in Red Cross Fund Drive, by Grace Hayashi, page 2. The Alameda JACL chapter raised $138.50 for the American Red Cross drive, surpassing last year by $50. The chapter also announced a spring bass derby and a tentative second derby later in the year.
• Denver Issei Home for Aged Contemplated, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese Association of Colorado is considering a home for aged Issei who lack care or housing. The association has leased a 11-room hotel on Larimer Street to provide family-style meals for residents.
• Georgia Sansei Wins County Spell-Down, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Donna Ozaki of Woodbine, Georgia, won the Camden County spelling championship and a $25 savings bond. She advanced to the district finals after defeating students from three other county schools.
• Ex-Portland CL Head Attends Medical Seminar, by Shizuko Ochiai, page 2. Dr. Toshio Kuge, a former Portland JACL president, is attending an armed forces obstetrics and gynecology seminar at Walter Reed Hospital. He is also visiting the grave of his brother, who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Philadelphia JACL Directory Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Philadelphia JACL plans to publish a Directory of Japanese Families in Philadelphia and Vicinity by September 1. Advertising will be solicited to defray costs.
• Electronic Gadget Sounds Like Bagpipe, by P.C. Staff, page 2. D. M. Sugimoto, a Nisei student at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, demonstrated an electronic square-wave oscillator that emits bagpipe tones. The device may be used for tuning real bagpipes.
• Salt Lake Market Owner Thought Stick-Up Was April Fool Joke, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fred Aoki, owner of Fred’s Market in Salt Lake City, was robbed of about $100 by a gunman on Easter Sunday evening. Aoki initially thought the holdup was a joke until the man revealed a Luger pistol.
• Name Nisei to U.S. Raisin Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jack Noda of Denair was nominated as alternate grower representative from Stanislaus County to the Federal Raisin Advisory Board. He is one of 20 men already serving on the board, and the new term begins May 1.
• Special 88th Anniversary of First Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii Being Planned, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Former Hawaii residents in Tokyo are planning a June 18 celebration marking the 88th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. A compilation of historical data about the 1868 pioneers is also planned.
• Milwaukee JACL Installs Momoi as President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. James Momoi was installed as Milwaukee JACL president at the chapter’s inaugural dinner, which also launched the annual membership drive. The article profiles the new cabinet, including vice-president Taka Naruo and treasurer Shiro Shiraga.
• Ex-Spokane Engineer Heads Milwaukee Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article profiles James Momoi and other members of the new Milwaukee JACL cabinet, including their occupations and backgrounds. The cabinet features engineers, a sales secretary, and several delegates.
• Oxnard JACL Installs Officers at Annual Dinner-Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Toru Tura, past president of the Southwest Los Angeles JACL, installed the new Ventura County JACL officers at Oxnard’s annual dinner-dance. Entertainment was presented by the Kabuchi troupe.
• Angeleno Who Lived in Denver During Wartime Guiding East Los Angeles JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The East Los Angeles JACL 1956 cabinet is profiled, led by president Fred Takata, a former Denver resident. Members include a range of business professionals, artists, and secretaries.
• Convention Tempo, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Francisco Chapter is hosting the 14th Biennial National Convention and has seen enthusiasm grow with new program items including an Issei forum and youth forum. Membership drives are underway in several chapters.
• Warmup Duplicate Bridge Tourney for CL Meet Held, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The team of Dr. Wilfred Hiura and George Clem Oyama won the first warmup bridge tournament for the National JACL convention. The tournament was held in the Nichi Bei Times bridge room.
• Long Beach Chapter to Honor Naturalized Citizens on April 22, by Nobie Narita, page 5. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL will hold a New Citizen Recognition dinner honoring newly naturalized citizens. Mayor George Vermillion will speak and show slides from his trip to Japan.
• Gardena CL Registers 50 Issei as Voters, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Some 50 Issei were registered as voters at the Japanese Community Center in Gardena. Representatives of the Democratic and Republican Japanese American clubs spoke on behalf of their parties.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. Willie Funakoshi was elected president of the Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles. The newsletter also reports on Taro Kanow receiving a 30-year county service pin and on the Nisei Week festival booklet’s financial results.
• Chicago CL Helps New Issei Citizens Learn Voting Technique, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Chicago JACL and JASC plan demonstrations with voting machines and forums for over 800 naturalized Issei. The programs will help new citizens register and understand party platforms.
• Chicago JACL Officers Profiled, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Profiles of the 1956 Chicago JACL cabinet include president Dr. Frank Sakamoto and several vice-presidents, treasurer, and secretaries. The cabinet also includes four delegates.
• Livingston Fruit Exchange Re-Elects Ohki President, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Robert Ohki was re-elected president of the Livingston Fruit Exchange at its annual dinner meeting in Modesto. Fred Hashimoto was again named manager and the 1955 season was described as one of the biggest.
• Speaker on Stained Glass Slated for Phila. JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Crosby Willit will speak on stained glass at the Philadelphia JACL meeting on April 27. A report on the EDC conference will also be presented.

Military & Veterans

• Denver Issei Group Allowed to Place Wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Seventeen newly naturalized Issei from the Mountain-Plains area laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after obtaining a special permit. The group was touring the eastern United States during a cherry blossom tour.
• 442nd Reservists Wear Wartime Shoulder Patch, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Reservists of the 442nd Infantry Regiment received the wartime regimental insignia to wear on their uniforms starting April 1. Lt. Gen. Bruce C. Clarke presented the patches at Ft. DeRussy in Honolulu.
• Yoshi Oyakawa Loses AAU Titles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei swimmers Ford Konno and Yoshi Oyakawa lost their National AAU titles at the Yale University pool indoor championships. George Breen and Al Wiggins were among the winners.

JACL

• Eastern District Council to Meet at Seabrook for 2-Day Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL chapters on the Eastern seaboard will gather in Seabrook, New Jersey, for a two-day Eastern District Council convention. The program includes a chapter clinic, a general assembly, a banquet-dance, and preparation for the national JACL convention.
• National Director’s Report, by Masao W. Satow, page 5. Satow reports on the San Francisco Chapter’s preparations for the 14th Biennial convention and membership progress nationally. He also summarizes district council meetings and a fair employment practices campaign in San Francisco.

Commentary

• From the Frying Pan: Japan Trade Exhibit, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Trade representatives Genzo Maezawa and Charles Von Loewenfeldt planned a Japan Trade Exhibit in Denver for July featuring lacquerware, ceramics, and a complete Japanese house. The exhibit is intended to build long-range American interest in Japanese culture and goods.
• Very Truly Yours: Club Names Change, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda observes that Japanese American community organizations are renaming themselves after the naturalization of many Issei, as seen in the switch from kenjinkai to keiyukai and nikkeijinkai names. He notes these changes reflect the growing political participation of Issei voters.
• Vagaries: Alien Land Law, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri traces the anti-Japanese movement in California, from labor-backed exclusion campaigns and the 1906 school segregation controversy to the 1913 Alien Land Law. He argues the movement combined racism, economic interests, and political opportunism.
• Perspectively Yours, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Enomoto reports on plans for a youth panel titled ‘What does JACL mean to me?’ and a youth social at the 14th Biennial convention. He also previews the convention outing at Matassi Ranch near San Jose.
• The Northwest Picture: Charles E. Fisher, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Ogawa remembers Charles E. Fisher, a Washington landowner who supported Japanese farmers and later opposed the Remember Pearl Harbor League’s efforts to block evacuee return. Fisher’s death was reported by Maki Yamada.
• Tokyo Topics: Told for First Time, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Murayama profiles Earl M. Finch, a champion of Nisei GIs during 442nd RCT training at Camp Shelby, and attorney A. L. Wirin, who is investigating Nisei citizenship cases in Japan. Wirin successfully pleaded the Fujii citizenship case.
• Very Truly Yours (continued), by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Honda continues his discussion of Japanese American organizations adopting new names after Issei naturalization. He also describes a family picnic in the San Jacinto mountains and teriyaki outing.
• Washington Newsletter: Lane Claims Bill, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Masaoka analyzes the Lane Evacuation Claims Bill, which lets the Attorney General settle remaining claims without the 25% penalty and provides Court of Claims appeal rights. He notes the bill expands eligible claimants but leaves restrictive loss formulas in place.

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