Vol. 43, No. 4, July 27, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue
Five weeks before the 14th biennial National JACL Convention in San Francisco, the paper was getting ready. National JACL President George Inagaki wrote of an Oregon family vacation while convention plans moved ahead. Sharon Nishimi of Sacramento was crowned Miss National JACL of 1956 in Palo Alto. Maxwell Rabb, adviser to President Eisenhower on minority problems, agreed to speak at the September 3 banquet. Jerry Enomoto reported on the pre-convention rally, and Harry K. Honda previewed the 1000 Club party.
Other pages followed the claims of the World War II incarceration (often called internment), as newly qualified claims were set to be processed first. Mike Masaoka wrote of the confirmation of Masaji Marumoto to the Hawaii Territorial Supreme Court and of JACL’s push for more Japanese refugees. Bill Hosokawa, Lorry S. Tojiri and Mary Oyama had columns, and sports covered Art Kono’s tennis title.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Only 5 Weeks ’til Convention, by George Inagaki, page 1. George Inagaki, National JACL President, writes about his family’s vacation to the Oregon country while he prepares for the upcoming National JACL Convention. He plans to stop in San Francisco to check on convention preparations before returning home.
- Sharon Nishimi of Sacramento Crowned Miss National JACL of 1956, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sharon Nishimi, a 20-year-old from Sacramento, was selected Miss National JACL of 1956 over five other candidates at the NC-WNDC pre-convention rally in Palo Alto. She will serve as official hostess at the 14th biennial National JACL Convention in San Francisco.
- Max Rabb to Be Guest Speaker at Convention Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Maxwell Rabb, Secretary to the Cabinet and adviser to President Eisenhower on minority problems, accepted an invitation to speak at the 14th biennial JACL convention banquet in San Francisco on September 3. Mike Masaoka noted Rabb’s helpfulness to JACL on civil rights and evacuation claims matters.
Military & Veterans
- Ft. Lupton Nisei Win Colorado GOP Assembly Posts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Floyd Koshio, Lee Murata, and Frank Urano were elected delegates to the Weld County Republican Assembly in Colorado, with Jim Ishida and Amy Urano named alternates. The article notes the Ft. Lupton Nisei’s growing civic and political involvement.
- Masaji Marumoto to Be Associate Justice of Hawaiian Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Senate confirmed Honolulu Nisei attorney Masaji Marumoto as associate justice of the Territory of Hawaii Supreme Court after a favorable Judiciary Committee hearing. He is the first Nisei nominated and confirmed to that court, following Judge Ben Tashiro’s federal appointment.
Incarceration & Redress
- Newly Qualified Internee Claims to Be Processed First by Government, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Claims made compensable by the Lane-Hillings Act will be processed first by the Department of Justice, with compromise offers made where applicable. Most newly eligible claims belong to west coast internees and corporations of Japanese ancestry, and officials expect quick settlements for awards under $100,000.
National
- Racial Bias of Realty Board Subject in Damage Test Cases, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two damage suits in South Gate superior court challenge the Southeast Realty Board’s expulsion of two members for negotiating sales to minorities. ACLU counsel A. L. Wirin argues the cases will affect realty boards nationwide with similar rules.
- San Francisco C. of C. Endorses Proposition 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce board of directors endorsed state ballot Proposition 13, which would repeal the Alien Land Law from state statutes. The endorsement was announced the previous week.
- Adjournment Week, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka previews the final week of the 84th Congress, covering pending bills on housing, foreign aid, civil rights, and social security. He also notes the expected confirmation of Masaji Marumoto as the first Nisei associate justice of the Hawaii Territorial Supreme Court.
- JACL Urges Amendment to Authorize More Japanese Refugees to Enter U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mike Masaoka urged senators to transfer unused nonindigenous refugee visas under the 1953 Refugee Relief Act to qualified Japanese refugees who have US sponsors. He argued the program is an effective answer to Communist propaganda and should not be allowed to lapse.
Commentary
- From the Frying Pan: Nisei 110% Americans, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes Japanese novelist Hiroyuki Agawa, who is touring America on a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship and was impressed by American kindness. Agawa was puzzled by Nisei who seemed to deny their Japanese heritage, which he considered a sign of deep inferiority.
- Change of Pace, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Harry K. Honda previews the Chicago 1000 Club’s Roaring ’20s themed party Funzapoppin’ and looks ahead to the 1000 Club whing-ding at the San Francisco convention. He praises the Chicago chapter’s humorous program as a model for future 1000 Club gatherings.
- Equality in Housing, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. Lorry Tojiri argues that Nisei still face denial of housing despite the 1948 Supreme Court ruling against racially restrictive covenants, which segregates them into substandard districts. He cites Denver survey findings and examples of discrimination in California suburbs and calls for early action.
- Perspectively Yours, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Jerry Enomoto reports on the NC-WNDC pre-convention rally at Rickey’s Studio Inn in Palo Alto, including the business sessions and a convention skit. He describes the Miss National JACL coronation of Sharon Nishimi and praises the runners-up for their sportsmanship.
- Southwester, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Tats Kushida apologizes for circulation problems at the Pacific Citizen office and introduces new circulation manager Miki Fukushima. He also shares notes on his backyard harvest and other personal items.
- Los Angeles Newsletter, by Mary Oyama, page 7. Mary Oyama shares an anecdote from actor Teru Shimada about working as a schoolboy in San Francisco and a Japanese cook who sailed with Jack London. She then reflects on the old fears of anti-Japanese discrimination and encourages Nisei to attend JACL convention sessions.
Community
- San Benito JACL Float Wins Again in Fiesta Rodeo, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Benito County JACL float won the Joe Jacinto Memorial Trophy for the second time at the Fiesta Rodeo parade in San Juan Bautista, decorated with fresh flowers under the theme Fiesta Fellowship. A third win would give the chapter permanent possession of the trophy.
- Portland JACL Schedules Pre-Convention Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Portland JACL will hold a pre-convention meeting on August 9 at the Nikkejin Kai, where Makoto Iwashita will handle national JACL registrations. The meeting is open to both Issei and Nisei wishing to learn more about the 14th biennial convention.
- NC-WNDC Chapters Hold Quarterly Business Session at Palo Alto, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Delegates from Northern California JACL chapters met at Rickey’s Studio Inn and pledged to maintain the district’s annual budget of $20,808 for two fiscal years. They also adopted a new individual recognition award and discussed convention proposals, with Marysville JACL awarded the November meeting.
- Chicago JACL 1000ers Savor Memories of Roaring Twenties at Funzapoppin, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 5. Shig Wakamatsu, writing as Gal Friday, recounts behind-the-scenes preparations for the Chicago 1000 Club’s Funzapoppin’ party, praising the enthusiastic participation of local members. The article credits the many volunteers and performers who made the evening a success.
- Miss Japan Yoshie Baba Not Among Finalists at Beauty Congress, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reports that Japan’s entrant Yoshie Baba did not reach the semi-finals of the International Beauty Congress in Long Beach, and suggests Japanese judges should better prepare future candidates. Carol Morris of Iowa was crowned Miss Universe.
Sports
- Placer JACL Takes Half League Lead, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Placer JACL’s baseball club remained in contention for the second-half title after beating Grass Valley 15 to 1, with Chris Christin pitching a three-hitter. The team trails only the undefeated Placerville Bartletts in the semi-pro league standings.
- Kono Wins Pacific Northwest Net Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Art Kono of Seattle won the men’s singles title at the 65th Pacific Northwest tennis tournament in Tacoma, defeating Jim Watson of San Francisco 6-2, 6-1. The article is a brief report on the tournament result.
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