Evacuation claims bill sent to the President, and the 14th Biennial ahead

Vol. 42, No. 26, June 29, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

The evacuation claims bill led the news. Helen Mineta reported that the House concurred with the Senate amendment capping the Attorney General’s compromise authority at $100,000, sending the JACL-COJAEC bill to the President. Mike Masaoka wrote of the Senate floor support from Senators Dirksen and Magnuson, and of four years under the Walter-McCarran Act. National President George Inagaki looked ahead to the 14th Biennial convention in San Francisco, and headquarters released its four-day program for Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.

Other pages follow the community. Elmer Ogawa reported nine records broken at the JACL Nisei Relays. The Los Angeles County fair employment proposal was tabled by a 4-1 vote. Notice was given that the Watkins Act for Nisei who voted in Japan’s elections expires July 20. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Lorry S. Tajiri and Tats Kushida round out the issue, with chapter news, scholarships and outings.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Looking forward to the S.F. convention, by George Inagaki, page 1. JACL national conventions are described as more demanding and memorable than other organizational conventions, with delegates working hard in council sessions. The 14th Biennial in San Francisco is anticipated as the best yet, with the council room highlighting leaders from every Nisei community.
• Perspectives: Chicago corner and Vagaries columns, by Lorry S. Tajiri, page 3. Lorry Tajiri profiles Henry Okawa, a former Japanese actor and aviator who now serves as Man Friday to director Daniel Mann on MGM’s Teahouse of the August Moon. Bob Okazaki reports from the set on Machiko Kyo and Marlon Brando filming in Culver City.
• Sou’Wester column, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Kushida reports on the first Hi-Co conference for incoming Nisei freshmen sponsored by Los Angeles JACL chapters, along with a JACL panel on Nisei problems and the Los Angeles County fair employment debate. The column also covers the JACL Nisei Relays and recent community activities.
• From the frying pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa relays observations from Chinese journalist Lee Chia about Americans facing global leadership responsibilities, Chinese survival philosophy, and Japanese cycles of industry after reaching goals. The column also covers Marco Liang’s failed pedicab venture in Denver.
• Very truly yours: Informed membership, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Editor Harry Honda reflects on the past volume of the Pacific Citizen, including vandalism to the circulation office and positive reactions to the 25th anniversary issue. He discusses how the paper is produced and the need to better inform the national JACL membership.
• Walter-McCarran act, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka assesses four years of the Walter-McCarran Act, noting that many predicted harms did not occur and that thousands of Asians gained citizenship and immigration rights. He argues the JACL should continue advocating for equal immigration opportunities from the Far East.
• Washington newsletter: Mieko Kosobayashi, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka bids farewell to Mieko Kosobayashi, secretary of the Washington JACL Office, who resigned to accept an Air Force assignment in Japan. He praises her helpfulness and conscientious work over five years.

JACL

• 14th Biennial convention program announced by JACL headquarters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National Convention Board released the four-day program for the San Francisco convention at the Sheraton-Palace Hotel, Aug. 31-Sept. 3. Events include a special national board meeting, National Council sessions, committee forums, a golf tournament, an outing, and a closing banquet and Sayonara ball.
• JACL convention pre-registrations urged; 13 chapters order $20 package deals, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Nearly 50 pre-registrations for the 14th Biennial JACL Convention have been received, with 13 chapters ordering $20 package deals. Special Sheraton-Palace hotel rates and registration details were announced for delegates and boosters.

National

• House concurs with Senate on evacuation claims amendment bill, by Helen Mineta, page 1. The House approved a Senate amendment capping the Attorney General’s compromise authority over evacuation claims at $100,000 and sent the JACL-COJAEC sponsored bill to the President. Mike Masaoka expressed gratification and said JACL’s major legislative objective for the 84th Congress was achieved.
• Name Morikawa to high church post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American Baptist Convention elected Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa of Chicago as second vice-president, the first non-Caucasian to hold such a board position. He was previously honored by JACL with a Distinguished Community Leadership medallion.
• Expiration date of Watkins Act for Nisei voting in Japan elections due July 20, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Watkins Act, allowing expedited naturalization for Nisei who lost citizenship by voting in postwar Japanese elections, expires July 20, 1956. Affected Nisei are urged to apply before the deadline.
• ACLU scores federal housing program lag, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the federal housing program for lagging behind other antidiscrimination efforts. It urged Congressional committees to hold local hearings on the effects of segregated housing.
• American Legion magazine brands Hutchins with academic suppression, by P.C. Staff, page 3. An American Legion magazine article accuses Robert Hutchins of suppressing Morton Grodzins’ book Americans Betrayed, which critically examined the wartime evacuation of Nisei. The article describes how William Couch was fired from the University of Chicago Press for refusing to suppress the book.
• Los Angeles county FEPC proposal tabled by 4-1 vote; CLers introduced for bill, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to take the proposed county fair employment ordinance under advisement, effectively delaying action. Tats Kushida and Saburo Kido presented arguments in favor of the measure.
• Yego brothers win county political posts; Tad goes Republican, Masayuki Democrat, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tadashi Yego was elected to the Placer County Republican central committee, filling the seat of his late brother Tom M. Yego. Another brother, Masayuki Yego, was elected to the Democratic central committee in the June election.
• Senators Magnuson and Dirksen support evacuation claims bill on Senate floor, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Senators Dirksen and Magnuson spoke in support of the evacuation claims bill, describing its provisions for compromise settlements and eligibility for corporate and West Coast internee claims. Masaoka thanked them and expressed hope the House would concur with the Senate amendment.

Community

• Teenage gang war breaks out, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four carloads of teenagers from southwest Los Angeles attacked a Koshakus meeting at the International Institute with zip guns, injuring two boys. The attackers were identified as the Dominators, a group without an adviser or sponsor.
• Gardenans honored, by Henry Mori, page 2. The Gardena Chamber of Commerce honored Japanese American pioneers who resettled in the Gardena Valley since 1945 at a banquet attended by over 200 people. Honorees included business leaders, professionals, and veterans.
• Mother rejoins family in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Ishino Wada, 73, returned to Japan to rejoin her seven children after nearly 25 years apart, following a delayed visa application. Senator Thomas Kuchel and the American Legion helped expedite her return as a non-quota resident citizen.
• Ft. Lupton scholar named for award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nancy Kumiko Tanaka of Ft. Lupton, Colorado, was nominated for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship. She graduated valedictorian with a 4.77 grade average and plans to study biological sciences at Colorado A&M.
• Delano chapter honors June 1956 graduates, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Delano JACL honored five local Nisei graduates at a weiner bake at Memorial Park. LoRayne Honbo was voted outstanding senior girl, and two grammar school graduates received American Legion awards.
• Pasadena CL to push membership drive into San Gabriel Valley, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pasadena JACL board discussed extending its membership drive into the San Gabriel Valley and planned other chapter activities. The chapter’s June meeting featured an optometrist speaking on eye care.
• National travel pool proposed for JACL convention delegates by Eastern District, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Eastern District Council proposed a national travel pool to equalize convention travel costs among chapters, with two alternate plans approved for submission to the national convention. The council also urged continuing the Washington D.C. office and reestablishing a New York office.
• Yamato Sukiyaki cited by Holiday magazine, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Holiday Magazine selected Ken Ishizaki’s Yamato Sukiyaki House in San Francisco for its Dining Distinction award, the only Japanese restaurant among 71 establishments chosen. It marks the owner’s second consecutive award.
• Seattle Nisei loses confiscated property in Telephone Company stock, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sono Hoshi, stranded in Japan during the war, lost stock held by the Alien Property Custodian after missing the claims deadline. Her story, first reported in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, highlights the plight of citizens treated as enemy aliens.
• Hollywood JACL beach party at Playa del Rey, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Hollywood JACL announced its annual beach party for July 8 at Playa del Rey, open to members, families, and friends. Activities include swimming, a picnic, and an evening weiner roast.
• Orange County carnival at Buena Park tomorrow, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Orange County Inter-Club Council hosts its second annual judo tournament and carnival at Buena Park Recreation Park. Proceeds fund a scholarship for an outstanding Nisei high school graduate.
• Chicago CL seeks Issei membership, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Chicago JACL extended invitations to about 800 recently naturalized Issei to join the chapter. The letter explained JACL’s role in passing the law enabling their naturalization and urged membership to support a strong national organization.
• Lake Yosemite site of Livingston-Merced outing, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Livingston-Merced JACL announced its annual Lake Yosemite outing at Scott Island on July 7, featuring boating, swimming, and refreshments. Committee members for the event were listed.
• Red Cross worker feted by Portland friends, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Mary Minamoto, recently returned from a Red Cross assignment in Japan, was welcomed home by Portland friends at dinners and parties. She is now assigned to the American Red Cross Pacific Area headquarters in San Francisco.
• Hardy Portland JACLers picnic under cloudy sky, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Portland JACL members held a picnic at George’s Dock despite a forecast of rain, enjoying fishing, crabbing, and swimming as the sun broke through. The gathering was a successful outing for the hardy group.
• PSWDC plans full day for pre-convention delegates July 29, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL is hosting the PSWDC pre-convention rally on July 29 at Hollywood Rivera Club, with business sessions, beach activities, a dinner, and a dance. A children’s program and committee roster were also announced.
• Sanger JACL awards first scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sanger JACL presented its first annual scholarship to Stan V. Saroyan at the Sanger High Senior family night. The chapter also honored recent graduates from several local high schools at Bruce’s Lodge.
• Nisei-owned alleys in L.A. air as Vogue bowl doomed, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A planned civic auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, with a 1960 target date, threatens Vogue Bowl and Angelus Bowl, which host numerous Nisei bowling leagues. Paul Uyemura expressed concern that these leagues will need new homes.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei struggle in scouting told in book, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rice E. Cochran’s book Be Prepared includes a chapter about a Nisei scout named Masaji and his struggle to find fellowship in a scout troop. The chapter is presented as part of the book’s broader story.

Military & Veterans

• Nine records broken in JACL Nisei Relays, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. The fifth annual JACL Nisei Relays at Rancho Cienega saw nine records broken, including John Kanaya’s high jump of 6 ft. 1/4 in. and Victor Mitsuno’s double victory in the 440 and 880. Team and individual results for open and junior divisions were reported.

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