Vol. 45, No. 3, July 19, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue
The last evacuation claim checks were going out in July 1957, and the front page said so. Dr. Roy Nishikawa wrote that about 1,400 claimants were receiving settlement checks nearly a decade after the 1948 law JACL sponsored, and he urged recipients to give to JACL’s Endowment Fund. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter followed the Senate debate on the House-passed civil rights bill, which the Senate voted 71-18 to take up. Rupert Hachiya was named chairman of the 1958 JACL national convention in Salt Lake City.
Bill Hosokawa had two pieces in this eight-page issue: his column and a copyrighted Denver Post interview with Prime Minister Kishi of Japan. Chapter news came from East Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco and Monterey, with a Shonien benefit jazz concert planned for Little Tokyo. Sports pages covered Seattle tennis, golf and boxing.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- One More Thing About Claim Checks, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The U.S. government is sending final evacuation claim checks to about 1,400 claimants, nearly a decade after the 1948 law JACL sponsored. The author credits JACL, the Justice Department, and Mike Masaoka for the program’s success and urges recipients to contribute to JACL’s Endowment Fund.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa comments on a Danish proposal to build a housing project in Denmark for elderly Danish-Americans living on U.S. Social Security, and on the individualism of Issei. He also reflects on his son’s summer job in Wyoming and on a book about Japanese character puzzles.
- Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 4. Takata reports on a donation from a new 1000 Club member, a Loyola University human relations workshop panel, and a free chest X-ray unit planned for Li’l Tokyo. He also recounts the Pasadena-ELA steak bake and a Hollywood Bowl concert.
- Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Debate, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the Senate debate on the House-passed civil rights bill and the procedural motions expected to prevail. He outlines the bill’s main provisions and the chief Southern objections to school integration and jury trial.
National
- Senate Takes Up Civil Rights Bill, 71-18 Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate voted 71-18 to make the House-passed civil rights bill pending business, the first such move in a decade. Debate continues with several amendments scheduled and no round-the-clock sessions planned.
- Washington JACL Office Analyzes House Subcommittee Report on Japanese Farm Labor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House Judiciary Subcommittee report recommended continuing the temporary Japanese agricultural workers program in California. The analysis outlines its findings, growers’ satisfaction, and opposition from labor and churches.
- Almost 20,000 Mainland Issei Naturalized Within Past Decade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Since 1947, 19,422 resident Japanese aliens on the mainland became naturalized citizens, mostly after the 1952 Walter-McCarran Act lifted the racial bar. The JACL had long pushed for Issei naturalization rights.
- Pupil Placement Law Ruled Unconstitutional, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Virginia’s pupil placement law, designed to maintain school segregation, unconstitutional on July 13. The law arose in response to the 1954 Supreme Court school desegregation decision.
- Farm Laborers Continued from Page 6, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The House Judiciary Subcommittee concurred with findings that the Japanese temporary farm workers program functions satisfactorily but remains experimental. It recommended caution and close scrutiny in any continuation or limited expansion.
- PC Columnist Hosokawa Quizzes Japanese Prime Minister for Denver Post Exclusive, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa interviewed Prime Minister Kishi for a copyrighted Denver Post story carried by INS. Kishi discussed Japan’s export needs, Soviet intentions, and the importance of Japanese-American relations.
JACL
- Rupert Hachiya to Head ’58 Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rupert Hachiya was named chairman of the 15th biennial JACL national convention, set for Salt Lake City, Aug. 21-25, 1958. The national convention board will meet with National Director Mas Satow on Aug. 3.
Community
- M. Olympus Hosts IDC Meeting Aug. 4, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council’s third quarterly meeting will be hosted by the Mt. Olympus Chapter on Aug. 4 in Salt Lake City. It will be the final IDC meeting before the Idaho Falls convention over Thanksgiving weekend.
- Ex-Heart Mountain Teacher Visits L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mary Pagano, a former Heart Mountain WRA Center teacher from Denver, is visiting Los Angeles. An open house in her honor is planned at the home of Agnes Ichikawa.
- East Los Angeles Chapter Activities, by Yukio Ozima, page 4. The East Los Angeles chapter describes its civic work, including participation in the Festival of Friendship, cooperation with community groups, and advocacy for better schools, playgrounds, housing, and teen activities. Its cultural programs have used local institutions to promote Japanese heritage.
- San Francisco 1000 Club to Prevail at July 27 Spree, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL 1000 Club will hold a picnic and barbecue at Morton’s Warm Springs on July 27 with games, hula, and dancing. Chairman Hatsuro Aizawa leads planning, and the event is open to prospective members.
- Race Bias Declared U.S.’s No. 1 Problem, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Utah Representative Adam M. Duncan, a newly named member of the governor’s Civil Rights Council, addressed Salt Lake JACL board members. He declared race prejudice America’s greatest problem and urged members to report discrimination.
- Long Beach: July-August Calendar of Events for Chapters; Youth Program in Full Swing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Long Beach-Harbor JACL outlined summer activities including a community picnic, bridge and dance classes, and the Operation Youth fund drive for a midget baseball team. Preparations are also underway for a September Labor Day carnival.
- Old-Age Pension, Federal Social Security Forum Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Florin JACL will host a July 25 question-and-answer forum on California old age assistance and federal social security. State and county welfare representatives and CLer Sam Kashiwagi will speak.
- Very Truly Yours: In Recognition of Being Consistent, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda reviews past JACL membership records to identify chapters with consistent growth, naming San Luis Obispo and Coachella Valley as five-star chapters. He notes that the field is open for all chapters to improve their membership each year.
- Chapters Membership Record Review, by Harry Honda, page 5. A review of PC membership bulletins since 1952 ranks chapters by their consistency in exceeding prior-year memberships. Six-star, five-star, and near-miss chapters are identified along with prospects for 1957.
- Two-Day Program Set for NC-WNDC Meet in Monterey, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Monterey Peninsula JACL is hosting the NC-WNDC third quarterly session on August 10-11 with a dance, business sessions, a golf tournament, and a banquet. Paul Ichiuji is general chairman.
- East Los Angeles Deep-Sea Fish Derby Planned for Aug. 18, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The East Los Angeles chapter’s deep-sea fishing derby is scheduled for August 18 aboard the Emerald out of Joe Martin’s landing. Reservations are $8 and handled by Fred Kubota and Sam Furuta.
- Shonien Finally Ready, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Director Mike Suzuki announced the Shonien Children’s Home will be fully operational this fall after raising about $25,000 of its $35,000 first-year budget. He expects the center to become self-supporting and eventually eligible for Community Chest aid.
- Jazz Comes to Li’l Tokio, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Shonien benefit jazz concert featuring drummer Paul Togawa, Buddy Collette, and Art Pepper will be held July 24 at Koyasan Hall. East Los Angeles and Southwest Los Angeles JACL chapters sponsor the event, which also includes a modern dance performance.
- Ex-Signal Corps Radar Officer Heads Technical Staff at Electronics Firm, by P.C. Staff, page 7. George K. Tajima, a Los Angeles-born engineer, heads a technical division at Ramo-Wooldridge. His career includes wartime radar service in Japan and research in electronic controls and systems analysis.
- Minnesota Legislation Bill Fails; Commission Named, by Tai Shigaki, page 8. A Minnesota civil rights housing bill of interest to Japanese Americans failed to pass, and an interim commission was appointed to study housing needs. The writer urges the community to share its housing concerns with the commission.
- Sansei Guitarist Wins in Detroit Competition, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Nine-year-old Marsha Momoi of Chicago won first prize in the elementary Hawaiian guitar solo competition at the American Guild of Music convention. She also performed with the Arlington Serenaders.
Incarceration & Redress
- Issei Pastor Tries to Explain Reason for Suicide Attempt, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rev. Sankin Sano of Kansas City explains that Tomiko Samuel’s suicide attempt with her children reflected Buddhist fatalism and isolation after her husband sought divorce. He notes she now has many friends supporting her.
- Nisei Civil Service Employees Affected by Evacuation Aided, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Governor Knight signed AB 1589, allowing Nisei state employees displaced by the 1942 evacuation to receive retirement credit for time in relocation centers. Several hundred affected Nisei work for the state in Sacramento.
Military & Veterans
- Seattle Nisei Vets Golf Tournament, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The Seattle Nisei Vets held their annual golf tournament at Maplewood Country Club despite rain, with three flights and handicap results. Ted Nakanishi and John Hashimoto tied for first in the first flight.
Sports
- Art Kono Wins Junior Division Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Seattle junior tennis star Art Kono won titles at the Inland Empire tournament and the USLTA junior hard court doubles with Geordie Martin. He also reached the semifinals of the Oregon State tournament.
- Japanese Boxers Eye Seattle Amateur Fest, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japan’s Amateur Boxing Federation plans to send a squad to the International Amateur Boxing tournament in Seattle, August 1-3. Elimination bouts are underway in six Japanese cities.
- Firm Handicap Rules for Nisei Week Open Told, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Golfers seeking a handicap for the Nisei Week Open need six attested rounds, and July handicaps must be reported to SCNGA chairman John Ty Saito. Only listed handicaps will be accepted for play.
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