Nisei war dead remembered and a vote on Proposition 13

Vol. 43, No. 18, November 2, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

Two subjects ran through this eight-page issue: remembrance of the Nisei who died in World War II, and the campaign over California’s Proposition 13. On page 1, P.C. Staff reported on Tad Masaoka’s address at Arlington National Cemetery, where services honored the 442nd Combat Team dead. Jeanne Konishi described the Salt Lake City JACL’s memorial service held in rain and snow. Several California newspapers endorsed Proposition 13, the measure to repeal the alien land law, and chapters in San Francisco and Sonoma County described their brochure mailings.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about tourism to Japan and the rain that ended a dry spell in Denver. Larry S. Tajiri looked at discrimination within minority communities, and Sam Ishikawa’s Washington Newsletter weighed the issues facing Nisei voters. Chapter news came from Detroit’s 10th anniversary, Cleveland, Chicago and Fowler, with bowling and golf results on page 6.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• 442nd Veteran Recalls Spirit of Combat Team, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tad Masaoka spoke at Arlington National Cemetery during Nisei Soldier memorial services honoring the 442nd Combat Team dead. Gravesite services were held for the 20 Nisei buried there and for the 668 killed in World War II and nearly 200 killed in Korea.
• Salt Lakers Remember Nisei War Dead Despite Dreary Cold Weather, by Jeanne Konishi, page 1. Despite rain and snow, a surprising number attended Salt Lake City JACL’s Nisei Soldiers memorial service at the City Cemetery. The service commemorated the rescue of the Lost Battalion by the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
• Sumner Nisei Becomes First DeMolay Master Councilor, by P.C. Staff, page 7. George Ota became the first person of Japanese ancestry to head the Sumner Chapter of the Order of DeMolay. He is the son of a Puyallup Valley JACL life member.

Community

• Students Help Blot Out Hallowe’en Vandalism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Denver’s All City Student Council pledged support for efforts to prevent Hallowe’en vandalism. Student representatives described school dances and talks to elementary students promoting sensible holiday observance.
• Berkeley Dentist Promoted to Lt. Col. in Army Reserve, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. George M. Tsukasaki, who served in Europe with the 4th Evacuation Hospital, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. He is chief of dental services at the 352nd General Hospital.
• Sonoma County Issei JACLers in Campaign to Distribute Brochures, by P.C. Staff, page 2. For the first time, Issei members of the Sonoma County JACL took an active part in the Proposition 13 campaign. They helped pay postage and address campaign materials.
• Japan Tourism Booming, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Tourism to Japan is surging due to prosperity, fast air travel, and promotions, straining accommodations. Many American servicemen and veterans also hope to visit Japan.
• Prop. 13 Brochure Praised by Artists, Workers, Executives, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Proposition 13 brochure produced by the Southwest and national JACL drew praise from commercial artists and civic leaders. The art work was contributed by Arnold Fujita, with copy by Mrs. Terry McFadden.
• Cincinnati JACL Holds Hallowe’en Social, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fifty local JACLers, five warbrides, and their husbands attended the Cincinnati chapter’s Hallowe’en social. Robert G. Sand, a chapter member, was a candidate for the Ohio state legislature.
• San Diego Campaign for Shonien to Start, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Tad Imoto announced a San Diego fundraising campaign for the Shonien child care center in Los Angeles. A Japanese movie benefit was tentatively planned for Nov. 17.
• Student-Price Tickets for S.F. Auxiliary Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco JACL Auxiliary announced student tickets at $1 for its Fun for Funds benefit dance on Nov. 10. Regular admission is $1.50 at Booker T. Washington Center.
• Alameda JACL Holds Pre-Election Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sim Togasaki explained the state propositions to Alameda JACL members in both Japanese and English. Japanese travelogue films were also shown at the meeting.
• Nisei Dress Designer Wins in Wool Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hisae R. Noguchi of Sacramento won the San Francisco district Make It Yourself with Wool contest. She will compete in the state finals at Disneyland on Nov. 15-16.
• Cleveland’s Belated ’56 Drive Successful, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Cleveland JACL signed 252 members for 1956 with more pledges pending. Strong response from newly naturalized Issei was highlighted.
• Southwest L.A. JACL Voters Night Attracts 150, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Over 150 people, half of them naturalized Issei, attended the Southwest Los Angeles JACL voters’ education night. Speakers including Frank Chuman explained the state propositions.
• CCDC Sponsors Political Rally for First Time, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Central California JACL District Council held a political rally in Selma chaired by James Miyamoto. It was the first time the CCDC staged such an event since the Nisei Voters League disbanded.
• S.F. JACL Membership Nears 1,200 Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL chapter rolls reached 1,195 names as of October 1 in its membership program. Program chairman Wally Kagawa presented a pictorial resume of chapter activities.
• Palo Alto Bowlers Win Sonoma County Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Palo Alto team took first place in the second annual handicap bowling tournament hosted by Sonoma County JACL. Individual and doubles winners were also recognized.
• Teague Wins Top Honors in Honolulu Bowling, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dot Andrade was a close runner-up for the Star-Bulletin Bowler of the Week after a strong 663 series. Soon Chan Mow was recognized for his improvement in the Honolulu JACL league.
• East L.A. JACLantern, by Henry Mori, page 7. The East Los Angeles JACL held its third annual Hallowe’en dinner-dance at Eleda restaurant with national and regional officials attending. Entertainment and skits by members were highlighted.
• Nisei Realtors Offer Custom Homes, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Crenshaw Development Co. offered 25 modern custom homes on Norton Avenue in southwest Los Angeles. The homes range from 1,700 to 2,300 square feet with a choice of seven plans.
• Las Vegas Nisei Wins Housing Fight After Half Year, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Jerry Ushijima of Las Vegas finally closed on his GI home after months of racial obstruction. American Legion and JACL intervention with federal agencies and lenders resolved the matter.
• Statue of Liberty Birthday Celebrated with JACL Participation, by Sam Kai, page 7. The JACL joined 70 organizations in lighting candles on a birthday cake at the Statue of Liberty’s 70th anniversary. The event launched a fundraising drive for the American Museum of Immigration.
• Nisei Magistrate Jails Driver With Loud Muffler, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Magistrate George K. Hasegawa sentenced a 19-year-old driver to 90 days for common nuisance over a defective muffler. The case was reportedly the first such sentence in Hawaii.
• Fowler 1st Chapter to Offer ’57 Slate, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Fowler JACL nominated Frank Sakohira for president in 1957 at its general meeting. The chapter also finished mailing 1,500 Proposition 13 pamphlets.

National

• Membership Fails in Postal Transport Union Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A proposal to end racial exclusion in the National Postal Transport Association failed by one vote at its San Francisco convention. Nisei postal workers remain excluded under the union’s membership ban.
• Guatemala, Venezuela to Accept Japan Emigres, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Japanese government officials left for Guatemala and Venezuela to arrange details of Japanese emigration. Both countries have agreed to receive permanent settlers.

Incarceration & Redress

• Editorials Urge Yes Vote on Proposition 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several California newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Examiner, endorsed Proposition 13 to repeal the alien land law. Numerous civic groups and officials also backed the measure.
• San Francisco Chapter Mails Out 10,000 Pieces, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco JACL mailed about 10,000 Proposition 13 brochures to local organizations and voters. Chapter members also sought endorsements and held a meeting with Chinese community leaders.

Commentary

• Your Vote—Democracy at Grass-Root Level, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial urges every qualified voter to go to the polls, noting both Eisenhower and Stevenson agreed on this point. It argues that voting by Nisei and Issei strengthens democracy at the grassroots level.
• From the Frying Pan: No Pin-ups Here, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. A mother mailed a pinup magazine to her son in the army, only to learn pinups are forbidden at his camp. The column uses the anecdote to reflect on modern attitudes and military life.
• Good News, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Denver received its first measurable precipitation in 66 days, a welcome relief for drought-stricken farms. Nisei and Issei farmers in the area were cheering the rain.
• Minorities in Glass Houses, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. A lawsuit against the Gilroy Hot Springs, a Japanese-operated resort, alleged discrimination against Negro guests. The column argues Nisei must avoid discrimination against other minorities and combat bigotry within their own community.
• About Nisei Boat Owners, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The column observes the growing number of Nisei boat owners in the Northwest and Columbia River region. It notes the Northwest’s status as boating capital and Nisei participation in power and sail boating.
• Washington Newsletter: Special Issues of Interest to Nisei Voters, by Sam Ishikawa, page 8. The column argues voters must cut through campaign slogans to understand the issues. It identifies Hawaii statehood, civil rights, immigration reform, foreign policy, and trade as key concerns for Nisei voters.

JACL

• PC Holiday Issue Deadline Approaching, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters are asked to submit reports and names of old-time JACLers for the Holiday Issue dated Dec. 21. Chapters are also reminded to submit annual 1000 Club contributions during November.
• Board Administration Proposed for Chicago Chapter, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 4. The Chicago JACL considered constitutional amendments placing chapter administration under a 20-member board. The change was proposed to address difficulty in finding nominees for office.
• Detroit Chapter Celebrates 10th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Over 100 attended the Detroit JACL 10th anniversary dinner-dance where Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe, first national JACL president, recounted early hardships. Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams was among the guests.

Arts & Entertainment

• Michi Kobi Handed Top ‘Teahouse’ Role, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Michi Kobi was cast as Lotus Blossom in the City Center production of The Teahouse of the August Moon opening in New York. Shirley Yamaguchi was replaced because alien actresses must wait six months between roles under Actors’ Equity rules.
• Nisei Pianist Shows Promise in Debut, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pianist Lily Miki made her Town Hall concert debut in New York and showed professional technique. A New York Times critic noted her tone and interpretation still needed development.

Sports

• George Ura Captures Nisei Golf Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Ura of Watsonville won the sixth annual California Nisei Open at Pebble Beach with a 161 total. Min Yoshizaki and Roy Hashitani placed second and third in gross scores.

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