Vol. 43, No. 24, December 14, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue
With the Proposition 13 campaign over, the front-page editorial praised the chapters and the statewide committee that worked on it, noted that it passed by roughly 2 to 1, and urged JACL to keep up its public relations work. It looked ahead to youth and women’s auxiliary units and a permanent national headquarters. Dr. Roy Nishikawa spoke at the CCDC Convention in Fresno, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reported from his third trip to Tokyo.
Other pages covered Japan’s temporary farm laborers program, a possible rise in Japan’s immigration quota, and a reply from Tokyo lecturer Shingo Shibata to a Detroit News article. Chapter news ran on pages 3 and 4, with new officers named in Pocatello, Gardena Valley, Reno, Salt Lake and Arkansas Valley. Larry S. Tajiri wrote on the return of Mr. Moto, and Tats Kushida thanked the Holiday Issue volunteers.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- After Prop. 13, What Is Next?, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial praises the chapters and committees that worked on Proposition 13, which passed by roughly 2 to 1, and urges continued JACL public relations efforts. It also looks ahead to future activities, including youth and women’s auxiliary units and a permanent national headquarters building.
Community
- Service Organization Lecture Topic, page 1. Dr. Roy Nishikawa spoke at the CCDC Convention in Fresno on the need for service to community and nation. The article notes his timely topic was well received.
- Larry Tajiri Appointed Post Drama Editor, page 1. Larry S. Tajiri, former Pacific Citizen editor, was named drama editor of the Denver Post and head of its amusements section. He had worked at the Post for four years.
- Colorado Times Resumes English Section, by Roy Mikawa, page 1. The Colorado Times resumed its English section after a three-month suspension. Roy Mikawa of Kersey was named editor.
- San Francisco Solon Maloney Feted, page 2. San Francisco JACL honored retiring assemblyman Thomas Maloney at a testimonial dinner for his support of the repeal of the California Alien Land Laws. Maloney recalled his long association with Japanese Americans.
- Marysville Fetes Japan Farm Laborers, page 3. More than 200 young Japanese farm workers gathered at the Marysville Buddhist Church for an evening of food and entertainment sponsored by local organizations. It was the first large get-together for these new arrivals.
- Sansei Lass Vies for Berth on Gardena Float in Jan. 1 Parade, page 3. Naomi Kiyomura, a Gardena High senior, is competing in a donation-based popularity contest for a spot on Gardena’s Tournament of Roses float. She is the only Nisei among the finalists.
- Wife Starts Floral Arrangement Class, page 3. Jean Kuwabara, wife of Army Major Henry Kuwabara, opened a flower arrangement studio in New York. The venture gives her a creative outlet and prepares the family for civilian life.
- Pocatello JACLYNs Plan Christmas Party Dec. 22, page 3. The Pocatello JACLYNs are hosting a children’s Christmas program with Santa Claus at the local JACL Hall. Refreshments and gifts will be provided.
- Ugi Harada to Head Arkansas Valley JACL, page 3. Ugi Harada was named 1957 president of the Arkansas Valley JACL, succeeding George Ushiyama. Harada was the chapter’s first president when it was founded in 1950.
- Stockton Christmas Party to Invite Local Children, page 3. The Stockton JACL will hold its annual children’s Christmas party at the Buddhist Church social hall. Activities include games, singing, a short movie and gifts from Santa.
- Pocatello JACL’s Kato Named 1957 President, page 4. Novo Kato was elected to lead the Pocatello JACL cabinet for 1957, with installation set for a December dinner dance. Kato previously served as chapter president in 1944.
- Frank Shoji Named Livingston-Merced Prexy, page 4. Frank Shoji was elected president of the Livingston-Merced JACL cabinet for 1957 at a hamburger feed and dance. The event also welcomed local war brides.
- Marysville JACL Releases ’57 Nominations Slate, page 4. The Marysville JACL announced nominees for its 1957 officers and board members. Ballots were due early the following week.
- Seattle JACL Ballots Due by December 20, page 4. Official ballots for the Seattle JACL 1957 cabinet election are being mailed and must be returned by December 20. Voters should send them in promptly.
- Gardena Valley JACL 1957 Cabinet Named, page 4. The Gardena Valley JACL elected its 1957 cabinet and approved a twelve-member advisory board. Frank Kuida was named president.
- Pasadena to Install Officers at Dec. 22 Christmas Potluck, page 4. The Pasadena JACL will install its 1957 officers at a Christmas potluck party at Union Presbyterian Church. Attendees are asked to bring their own eating utensils.
- Ida Fukui Chosen as Reno Chapter President, page 4. Ida Fukui was named 1957 president of the Reno JACL, succeeding Henry Hattori. She will be assisted by a slate of new officers.
- Salt Lake JACL Officers Installed, page 4. Ichiro Doi was named 1957 Salt Lake JACL president, with a slate of officers installed. Members presented retiring president Rupert Hachiya with a luggage set in appreciation.
- APL Spends Millions Remodeling Trans-Pacific Liners, page 5. American President Lines is investing over a million dollars to upgrade the President Cleveland and President Wilson, including air-conditioning and new lounges. The renovated ships continue their trans-Pacific sailings to Japan.
- Southwest L.A. to Round Off ICBG Year with Dinner-Dance, page 6. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL will hold a dinner-dance featuring National JACL President Dr. Roy Nishikawa as speaker. Chapter awards and 1957 candidates will be presented.
- Christmas Cheer Reaches 77% of Goal, page 7. The Los Angeles JACL Box Lunch Social raised $190 for the Christmas Cheer Fund, bringing the total near its $2,000 goal. Donations were packaged for distribution at the Miyako Hotel office.
- New York Chapter to Vote in New Board of Directors, page 7. The New York JACL adopted a new constitution vesting executive power in a board of directors and holds its election meeting. Candidates for the board were nominated.
- Aged Issei Held for Chopping Co-Worker, page 7. Sheriffs arrested S. Oshika, 72, after he allegedly attacked a fellow farm worker with a hatchet in a bunkhouse dispute in Lodi. The victim was Ray K. Nakano.
National
- Semi-Gov’t Japan Agency to Step Up Temporary Farm Laborers Program, page 1. A semi-governmental agency in Japan was formed to expand the temporary farm worker program to the United States. Only 346 workers had arrived to date, though arrangements could eventually allow up to 5,000 per year.
- Md. Governor Nixes Pearl Harbor Day Request, page 1. Maryland Governor McKeldin declined a request from Life magazine to proclaim Pearl Harbor Day, saying governments should avoid keeping international hatred alive. He said Maryland celebrates victories rather than attacks.
- Annual Immigration Quota for Japan May Be Raised to 563, page 1. Congressman Kenneth Keating said Japan’s annual immigration quota could rise from 185 to 563 if the 1952 Immigration Act is revised. He also suggested the change would help reunite families of Japanese ancestry.
- Protest Stepped-Up of Japan Farm Labor Import, page 1. California AFL president Thomas Pitts criticized the Japanese farm labor program as a tool for corporate farmers to pressure Mexican labor negotiations. Pitts argued it could save farms millions while displacing American workers.
- Japan’s Biggest Postwar Emigrant Group Leaves for Brazil, page 1. A group of 880 emigrants departed Kobe aboard the Brazil Maru for new homes in Brazil. The group included a noted rice grower and workers headed for industrial jobs.
- Univ. of Michigan Students to Rule on Sorority Bias, page 1. The University of Michigan student council moved against Sigma Kappa sorority for barring Negro members in violation of university anti-bias rules. The council was to decide on further action the following week.
- Masuda Re-elected Board Member of Kobe College, page 1. Chicago attorney Thomas Masuda was re-elected to the board of the Kobe College Corporation, which promotes U.S.-Japan understanding through education. Kobe College is the oldest senior college for women in Japan.
- Urge Middle Ground in Current Textile, Quota Controversy, page 2. The Fresno Bee editorial urged a compromise in the Japanese textile tariff dispute, noting the San Joaquin Valley supplies much of the cotton Japan buys. It warned that prohibitive tariffs could cut cotton orders, a serious setback for the valley.
- Asia Society Group Formed in U.S., page 2. John D. Rockefeller III announced the formation of the Asia Society to promote understanding between the United States and Asian countries. The society will work to improve U.S. relations with Asia.
- Selection of Japanese Farm Workers to U.S. Tightens, page 7. Former Japanese vice consul Shoichi Ban reported that temporary farm workers are now carefully screened and given orientation before leaving Japan. Only about one in ten applicants is selected.
- Nisei Businessman in Tokyo Charged with Foreign Exchange Law Violation, page 8. Tsuneo Harada, a former aide to Gen. Marquat in occupied Japan, was arrested in Tokyo for investigation of foreign exchange violations. The probe concerns funding for a spring tour of Japanese PTA members to the United States.
Commentary
- Tokyo Lecturer Answers Keyes Beech’s Article on Japanese Indifference to Communism, by Shingo Shibata, page 2. Tokyo lecturer Shingo Shibata wrote to the Detroit News disputing Keyes Beech’s account of Japanese attitudes toward communism and U.S. policy. He argued Japanese want trade and non-interference rather than aid, citing grievances over food bills and the forced expansion of an American air base.
- Unsung No More, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Kushida honors the chapter volunteers who solicited ads and greetings for the annual Holiday Issue. He lists contributors by chapter and notes notable totals in names and display ad space.
- Washington Newsletter: Notes from Japan, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports on his third trip to Tokyo, covering the Japan-Soviet peace settlement and the succession fight over the prime ministership. He also notes changes in Tokyo and reunions with JACL supporters.
- Help Japan or ‘Hands Off’ Issue Raised by Comments on Saturday Evening Post, by Harold R. Gordon; Kango Kunitsugu, page 8. Readers respond to a Saturday Evening Post editorial that criticized Edward Ennis’s JACL convention speech urging minority input on foreign policy. Gordon defends Ennis’s position while Kunitsugu argues JACL’s traditional ‘Hands Off’ policy is inconsistent on Japan issues.
Arts & Entertainment
- Nisei Girl Never Dreamed of Role in Movies, page 2. Miyoko Sasaki, a Pan American stewardess and former Miss Bussei, appeared in the film Jungle Heat shot on Kauai. She described the cast and director Howard Koch warmly.
- Mr. Moto Is Back, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri discusses the return of J.P. Marquand’s fictional Japanese secret agent Mr. Moto in the Saturday Evening Post serial Rendezvous in Tokyo. He notes the Moto films remain locked in vaults since Pearl Harbor.
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