Civil rights and claims in Congress, and the 1957 Chicago convention

Vol. 45, No. 9, August 30, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

Congress and civil rights ran through this issue. The JACL Washington office endorsed the bipartisan civil rights compromise and urged passage before adjournment, while Saburo Kido wrote about liberal groups accepting a compromise, and Mike Masaoka explained the politics behind the House delays. Both chambers approved over a million dollars for Japanese American evacuation claims, and Masaoka predicted passage of a family hardship immigration bill. President Dr. Roy Nishikawa and Harry Honda previewed the joint EDC-MDC convention in Chicago, themed “New Perspectives.”

Other news included Governor Knight’s naming of Judge John F. Aiso to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, and Los Angeles weighing the 1958 Nisei veterans reunion after Seattle withdrew. Columns by Fred Takata and Harry K. Honda looked at Nisei Week, and the sports page reported record turnouts. Chapter news came from Sonoma County, Pocatello and Orange County, with Elmer Ogawa writing from Seattle.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• President’s Corner: Firm Foundation for ‘New Perspectives’, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The JACL national president previews the joint EDC-MDC convention in Chicago and urges members to focus on the organization’s core purpose of service. He argues that the slogans ‘Security Through Unity’ and ‘Better Americans in a Greater America’ must be understood in practical terms to guide JACL’s future.
• Liberal Groups Willingly Accept Compromise to Pass Civil Rights Bill, by Saburo Kido, page 2. The columnist observes that civil rights organizations accepted a compromise bill rather than insist on an ideal version. He contrasts this pragmatism with JACL’s lonely fight against the Walter-McCarran Act in 1952.
• Books on Race, Religion and Youth Reviewed in Vagaries, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. The column reviews recent books including works on race relations, Japanese Christians, and children’s stories. It also notes that Japanese translations of Henry Miller’s works earn him more than his American royalties.
• Opportunity Missed, by Fred Takata, page 4. The Pointing Southwestward columnist argues that JACL chapters invest effort in Nisei Week without receiving recognition in return. He suggests the organization should make its community role visible through the annual festival.
• Nisei Week in L.A. Is Here to Stay, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editor reflects on the 17th Nisei Week Festival, noting its traditional format of queen contest, parade, and street dancing. He argues the event helps the wider community recognize the word Nisei and Japanese American life.
• Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka examines the political motivations behind House delays on the civil rights bill, including Republican electoral strategy and resentment of Senate amendments. He notes the President’s push for passage this session.

JACL

• Chicago Hosts Second Joint EDC-MDC Parley, by Harry Honda, page 1. Chicago prepares to host about 400 participants at the EDC-MDC convention at the Hotel Sheraton over Labor Day weekend. The event, chaired by Kumeo Yoshinari, features a joint session, forums on JACL’s future, and youth activities.

National

• JACL Calls for Enactment of Civil Rights Compromise Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Washington office endorsed the bipartisan civil rights compromise and urged Congress to pass it before adjournment. The House approved the bill and the Senate was expected to concur, with the voting rights provisions as the key element.
• House, Senate Approve Over Million Dollars for Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Both chambers approved supplemental appropriations covering $1,376,287.25 in Japanese American evacuation claims. The JACL-COJAEC had urged approval, noting claimants had already waited about 12 years.
• Family Hardship Immigration Bill Approved by Congress Predicted, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. The JACL Washington office predicted Congress would pass meaningful immigration legislation providing nonquota status for adopted orphans and certain relatives of citizens. The House passed the family hardship bill 293-58 and the Senate passed a nearly identical version.

Community

• Gov. Knight Names Judge Aiso to L.A. Superior Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Knight appointed Municipal Court Judge John F. Aiso to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, making him the first mainland Nisei to serve in a judicial capacity. The appointment fills one of ten vacancies effective Sept. 11.
• Los Angeles Prepares to Host 1958 Nisei Veterans Reunion as Seattle Withdraws, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle committee withdrew as host of the 1958 national Nisei veterans reunion due to operational difficulties. Los Angeles officials were considering taking over the event, with a steering committee meeting scheduled for Sept. 9.
• Sonoma County Dinner Honors 1957 Scholarship Winner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Some 60 members and guests attended a Sonoma County JACL dinner at the Green Mill Inn honoring Thomas Yoneda, winner of the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Scholarship. Mas Satow presented the award.
• Pocatello Pharmacy Instructor and Hakujin CLer Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pocatello JACL newsletter honored Mrs. Cisco Kihara, a longtime pharmacy college instructor, and Louis T. Gucker Jr., a Caucasian member who loves Japanese food. Both were recognized as personalities of the month for their service.
• How Orange County JAYs Organized Three Years Ago, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article recounts the 1954 founding of the Orange County Japanese American Youths, from an initial conference to elections and early fundraising. The chapter loaned the new group $50, which was repaid after fundraising projects.
• Seattle Honors Immigration Director Gray at Farewell Dinner, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The Seattle JACL advisory board hosted a sukiyaki dinner for Immigration and Naturalization director Heifer Gray and his wife before their move to Alaska. Speakers praised his cooperation with the Issei citizenship naturalization program.
• The Northwest Picture: Community Newspaper, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The English page of the North American Post has been revived as a weekly publication and is growing toward more complete news coverage. The column also recounts the Sono Hoshi telephone stock case, now awaiting House action on a private bill.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Nisei Week Over, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The column recounts the closing parade of the 17th Nisei Week Festival and family experiences at the event. It also reports on Japanese novelist Shohei Ooka’s criticism of Japanese Americans encountered during his US visit.

Military & Veterans

• Boise Valley JACLer Leads Contingent to National Boy Scout Valley Forge Jamboree, by Yoshio Takahashi, page 3. Yoshio Takahashi, a Silver Beaver award recipient, describes leading 46 Caldwell-area scouts to the 1957 national jamboree at Valley Forge. The trip included visits to Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and other sites before returning home.

Sports

• Record Turnout of Nisei Week Sports Participants Noted, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A record 270 golfers competed at Rio Hondo, and 116 bowling teams took part in the Pacific Coast Nisei invitational. Results of golf flights and bowling events are reported with top scores listed.

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