Getting ready for the 1956 JACL convention in San Francisco

Vol. 43, No. 6, August 10, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

The 14th Biennial National JACL Convention, set for San Francisco over Labor Day weekend, shaped this eight-page issue. An editorial reminded readers that it was less than three weeks away. Vi Nakano wrote about the pre-convention round-up at Gyosei Hall, Thomas Toyama covered the Central California dinner in Fresno, and chairman Jerry Enomoto described his tour of the Central Valley. Rep. John F. Shelley’s remarks to Congress about the convention were printed in full. A count of registrants, a panel on JACL’s future and a special Issei session were also announced.

Outside the convention, Masaji Marumoto was sworn in to the Hawaii Supreme Court, and Mike Masaoka planned to attend both the Democratic and Republican conventions to press for statehood for Hawaii and civil rights planks. Columns came from Bill Hosokawa, Harry K. Honda and Tamotsu Murayama, and sports pages covered the Nisei Week golf tournament.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Greenhouse Owners Sue Flood Control District, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Warren and Henry Hayashi, Oakland greenhouse operators, are suing the Alameda County Flood Control District for about $77,000 in damages to their azalea plants and property after December 1955 floods. The complaint alleges negligence for failing to repair a levee break that caused repeated flood damage.
• Round-up Frolic for Convention, by Vi Nakano, page 1. The San Francisco JACL pre-convention round-up at Gyosei Hall drew more than 200 people for a western-themed evening of square dancing, singing, skits, and door prizes. Chairman Yone Satoda and committee members organized the successful event that previewed the 14th Biennial Convention.
• Issei Truck Driver Sixth Victim of Ridge Route Mishap, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Keitaro Koike, 65, of Orosi was killed when his loaded produce truck rolled over him on the Ridge Route incline north of Castaic. He had stopped to check the brakes when the truck moved forward down the slope.
• Private Bill Almost Lost in Last Week of 84th Session, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A private bill granting permanent residence to Yaeko Nishizawa, a 20-year-old adopted daughter of naturalized Issei parents, was nearly lost during final congressional action. Mike Masaoka located the bill in time for both houses to concur.
• Prize Winners Named by Richmond-El Cerrito JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Richmond-El Cerrito JACL held its fourth annual picnic at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley on July 29, drawing a large turnout. Prize winners were announced by Jim Kimoto and George Sugihara.
• Omaha CLers Hold Early Summer Fetes, by Mrs. Robert Nakadoi, page 4. The Omaha JACL honored four graduates with a party in June and held a chapter picnic at the Omaha Home for Boys. Ronald Misaki became the first Jackson School student to be installed as an Eagle Scout.
• Central California JACL Pre-Convention Rally, by Thomas Toyama, page 4. More than 15 JACL women attended the Central California District Council dinner meeting at the Desert Inn in Fresno, where Sharon Nishimi was introduced as Miss National JACL. Convention chairman Jerry Enomoto presented convention plans.
• Over 200 Registered for 14th Biennial JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 5. As of August 5, more than 200 people had registered for the 14th Biennial JACL Convention, including 36 chapters and 52 non-official delegates. The article lists official delegates and booster registrants by chapter.
• Chicago Corner, by Smoky H. Sokurada, page 6. A Japan Book Exhibition opened at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, and Nisei Christians planned a September rally on the theme ‘Choose You This Day Whom You Will Serve.’ Rev. C. F. McCall, born in Japan, will be the keynote speaker.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori profiles Gongoro Nakamura, a Los Angeles Issei lawyer and community leader selected as Mr. Pioneer of 1956 for Nisei Week. Nakamura has long assisted the community, often without payment, and is active in the JACL and Republican politics.
• Scouts Observe 25th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 celebrated its 25th anniversary with ceremonies at City Hall and Koyasan. Fifteen members were promoted to Eagle Scout, a record for the Los Angeles Boy Scout Area Council.
• Salmon Derby for Convention Set, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Convention attendees can enter a salmon fishing derby outside the Golden Gate on September 1, organized by chairman March Dobashi. The $7 entry fee includes boat reservations, and Yamato Garage will award a trophy for the largest catch.
• Western Style Theme Order of Day at Convention Sunday Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The convention outing on September 2 at Blackberry Farm in Monte Vista will feature games, skits, a western barbecue dinner, and dancing under the stars. Frank Dobashi chairs the outing committee, which is included in the convention package deal.

National

• Congress Informed of National JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. John F. Shelley of San Francisco entered remarks in the Congressional Record announcing the 14th Biennial JACL Convention in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend. He highlighted San Francisco’s historic ties to Japanese Americans and JACL’s development.
• First Degree Murder Charges Ordered, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A first degree murder charge was ordered against Kinney Tamaribuchi, a Michigan State freshman, for allegedly beating his seven-year-old son who died shortly after. Arraignment was set for September 10.
• Hawaii Supreme Court Installs Marumoto, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Masaji Marumoto was sworn in as associate justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, becoming the first Japanese American appointed to the territory’s highest court. He was nominated by President Eisenhower and unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
• 1,250 Japanese Immigrants Enter U.S. Past Year, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Immigration and Naturalization Service reported that more immigrants were admitted in the first half of 1956 than in any similar period since 1929. About 1,250 of the refugee admissions were adult and orphan refugees from Japan.
• Mike Masaoka to Attend GOP, Demo Confabs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Washington representative Mike Masaoka will attend both the Democratic and Republican national conventions to press for favorable party platform planks on foreign relations, immigration, statehood for Hawaii, and civil rights. He will then attend the JACL convention before traveling to Japan.
• Comparing Congresses, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka compares legislative statistics across the 80th through 84th Congresses, noting hours in session, bills passed, and nominations confirmed. He also previews the Democratic and Republican conventions and their likely vice presidential contenders.

JACL

• Panel Discussion Highlight of 14th Biennial Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Planning Committee will hold a panel discussion on the organization’s future at the convention on August 31. Chairman Pat Okura will moderate a discussion on whether JACL’s original purposes remain valid under ‘Changing Perspectives.’
• JACL Convention in Unprecedented Move, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. John F. Shelley’s Congressional Record remarks described the JACL convention theme and outlined its history from the 1929 founding meeting through the 1942 evacuation decision. He called on Congress to support constructive plans for Japanese Americans.
• San Francisco Host to National JACL Convention, by Rep. John F. Shelley, page 5. Rep. Shelley’s full Congressional Record remarks describe San Francisco’s historic role in Japanese American history and the convention’s program, officers, and theme of Changing Perspectives. He concludes by hoping the convention will produce forward-looking plans for Japanese Americans.
• Special Confab Session for Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The 14th Biennial Convention scheduled a special Issei meeting on August 31 where Mike Masaoka will speak on legislation affecting Issei. Yukio Kumamoto will chair the session, which is open to Issei delegates and members.
• Bunny-Hop, Fanko-Bushi of Past Confab Mixers May Be Usurped by Hula-Hula, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The convention opening mixer on August 31 at the Sheraton Palace will feature a Hawaiian theme, with a 30-girl hula chorus and a welcoming committee led by Sharon Nishimi. Viola Nakano is events chairman and Jimmy Blas’s orchestra will provide music.

Commentary

• Cuba Discrimination Denied by PSWDC Chairman Yokozeki, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Despite a Hokubei Shimpo report of racial discrimination against three Nisei girls entering Cuba, PSWDC chairman Dave Yokozeki said he experienced no racial discrimination on his honeymoon there. The article notes the three girls were detained and questioned while other American tourists were admitted without trouble.
• Looking at Japan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa observes that Nisei are too close to their own experience to write objectively about Japan. He praises James Michener’s Reader’s Digest essay for seeing the beauty and contradictions of Japan that Nisei visitors often missed.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Editor Harry K. Honda describes a lively Central California District Council pre-convention dinner at the Desert Inn in Fresno, which drew more than 95 attendees. He recounts the noisy, spirited evening featuring Miss National JACL Sharon Nishimi.
• Tokyo Topics, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Tamotsu Murayama criticizes a 50-year-old Japanese customs regulation that forced Frank Tomori’s family from Portland into a costly and frustrating delay with their car during their vacation. He also comments on Japanese Buddhism’s failure to support Nisei Buddhist efforts.
• Perspectively Yours, by Jerry Enomoto, page 5. Convention chairman Jerry Enomoto reports on a whirlwind tour of Central California with Haruo Ishimaru, Vi Nakano, and others, including dinner in Fresno and convention promotion in Livingston and Turlock. He also praises the successful San Francisco pre-convention round-up.
• The Northwest Picture, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa reports on the International Sportsmen’s Club salmon derby planned for Labor Day in Seattle, which expects 1,400 entrants. He also notes Seattle’s convention delegates and the Pacific Northwest district council representative.
• Very Truly Yours (Continued), by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Honda continues his column with observations from the Fresno dinner meeting and suggests the Holiday Issue feature JACLers with 20 or more years of service. He also mentions a Fukuoka Kenjinkai picnic where a hakujin sang Japanese songs.

Sports

• Nishita Optioned to Texas League, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Montreal Royals optioned Hawaiian Nisei pitcher Bill Nishita to Fort Worth Cats of the Double-A Texas League. Manager Greg Mulleavy hoped the lesser league would help him find his form after a 4-6 record and 4.97 ERA.
• 200 Vie for Nisei Week Golf Tournament Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 1956 Nisei Week Open golf tournament at Rio Hondo on August 19 drew about 200 entrants, the largest all-Nisei linkfest. Entry fee is $8 with registration due by August 13.
• Tooele Prep Captures Utah Jr. AAU Swim Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Toshio Imai, a 16-year-old from Tooele High, won the 100-meter freestyle in the Junior Intermountain AAU swimming championships with a time of 1:03.8. The win earned him national honors.

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