Vol. 43, No. 14, October 5, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue
The November 1956 election ran through this eight-page issue. A front-page editorial urged members and Issei to register and vote, and the San Francisco JACL planned a political rally for October 26. Saburo Kido called for a strong Yes campaign on Proposition 13 to repeal California’s Alien Land Laws, and the San Francisco JACL formed a committee under Harry Makita to mail about 10,000 brochures. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter looked at congressional races in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, where Japanese American voters might matter.
Other news included Patsy Takemoto Mink and Eddie Suzuki running for the Territory of Hawaii House of Representatives, and a Department of Justice program for Nisei renunciants. Henry K. Makino, a first-time delegate, wrote about the 14th Biennial JACL Convention. Henry Mori’s column covered stamp collecting, and a page of Nisei football results rounded out the issue.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Political Rally Oct. 26 and Vote Nov. 6, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL will hold a political rally on October 26 to discuss presidential, congressional, and state candidates and propositions. The editorial urges members and Issei to register and vote in the November 6 general election.
- Changing Perspectives: A First-Timer’s View of the National JACL Convention, by Henry K. Makino, page 5. Henry Makino, a first-time delegate from the Twin Cities, reflects on the 14th Biennial JACL Convention, praising its leaders and youth interest. He is disturbed by prejudice within JACL against temporary Japanese agricultural workers and calls for broader community outreach.
- Very Truly Yours: Issei Story Item and Final Notes, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda reports the death of Mrs. Yone Komoro and uses it to argue for an Issei Story project. He also notes deaths and community notes.
- Washington Newsletter: Congressional Campaigns, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka analyzes the 1956 congressional races and the balance of power in the Senate. He identifies key states, including California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, where Japanese American voters may matter.
Community
- Sansei Entering Hawaii Politics, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Patsy Takemoto Mink and Eddie Suzuki are candidates for the Territory of Hawaii House of Representatives, the first Sansei candidates noted by the Hawaii Times. Mink’s background as an attorney, professor, and civil rights protester at the University of Nebraska is described.
- Sakano Scores 109 of 110 in Oregon State Entrance Exam, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Theodore K. Sakano of Ontario, Oregon was the top scorer on Oregon State College’s English placement exam. He will major in chemistry.
- Raymond Okumura Named Night Editor of Daily Californian, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Raymond Okumura, a Fowler graduate student, was named night editor of the Daily Californian at the University of California. Earlier Nisei editors included Yori Wada and Peter Shinoda.
- Mt. Olympus JACL Meeting Uses Mardi Gras Theme, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mt. Olympus JACL in Salt Lake City held a Mardi Gras-themed meeting and social where single members acted as hosts. Convention reports were presented by delegate Kiyo Nishida.
- San Francisco JACL Forms Committee for Yes on Prop. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Francisco JACL formed a committee led by Harry Makita to support Proposition 13. The committee planned to mail about 10,000 campaign brochures and seek endorsements.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Inside Philately, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori discusses Japanese stamp collecting and a planned Japan-themed philatelic show by SESCAL. He also notes that the Nisei Week Festival finished with a small profit.
Incarceration & Redress
- Effective Campaign to Carry ‘Yes on Prop. 13’ Urged in Nisei Vernacular, by Saburo Kido, page 1. Saburo Kido urges a strong campaign for a Yes vote on Proposition 13 to repeal California’s Alien Land Laws. He argues the laws were racially motivated and that repealing them would repudiate past racism.
- Old Issei Estate Escheated to State Returned to Japanese Heirs, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Superior Court judge ordered the State of California to distribute an Issei woman’s estate to her heirs in Japan after it nearly escheated. Records dating back to 1812 were used to prove the heirs’ existence.
National
- Renunciants Follow JACL Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Justice adopted a liberalized program for Nisei renunciants consistent with the JACL convention mandate. JACL decided that legislative remedies are unnecessary for now because the administrative process should resolve cases individually.
Obituaries
- Mrs. Yone Komoro Dies, Mother of National President Hito Okada, by Mariko Sonoda, page 5. Mrs. Yone Komoro, mother of JACL national president Hito Okada, died July 4 at age 77 in Tacoma. A longtime friend recounts her life, including hardships and her Christian faith.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Gridders in Action, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Several Nisei high school and college football players had standout performances in early-season games across California and Hawaii. Notable players included Larry Iwasaki, Fred Tsutsui, and Richard Hadama.
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