Labor Day in Chicago: the 1957 EDC-MDC convention and evacuation claims

Vol. 45, No. 8, August 23, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

The joint EDC-MDC convention in Chicago over Labor Day weekend led the news. Delegates from twelve chapters east of the Mississippi were expected, and the Chicago chapter invited twenty-one organizations to a convention luncheon. Evacuation claims were the other major story: the Treasury asked for a supplemental appropriation of $1,163,425.13, and JACL and COJAEC pressed for passage before Congress adjourned. Masao W. Satow reported on donations from claimants to the National JACL Endowment Fund and on the writ of error coram nobis, and the Washington newsletter reviewed JACL’s five-point legislative program.

Also inside: Bill Hosokawa’s visit to Mesa Verde, a House committee’s approval of a family hardship immigration bill, and a Seattle library’s decision to keep a children’s book that uses the word “Jap.” Other items cover a University of Hawaii survey of foreign wives, Long Beach youth programs, Nisei Week queen Mitzi Miya, and a Southwest Los Angeles chapter yearbook.

What’s in this issue

Community

• EDC-MDC convention time this weekend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The second joint EDC-MDC convention will be held over Labor Day weekend in Chicago with delegates from twelve chapters east of the Mississippi. The Chicago chapter is noted for its size and its leading position in the 1000 Club.
• Detroit CL-ers discover hospitality of JACLers at No. Wyoming picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Dearborn family encountered a JACL group picnic while driving through Wyoming and were warmly welcomed. Harry Ujifusa Jr. invited them to stay and visit his farm.
• Chicago JACL invites organizations in close association over past decade to mark formal opening of EDC-MDC convention, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Chicago chapter invited twenty-one organizations to the convention luncheon on August 31 at the Hotel Sheraton. The program includes speakers such as national president Dr. Roy Nishikawa and a Sayonara Ball is planned for September 1.
• First district-wide step taken to organize Jr. JACL groups, by P.C. Staff, page 5. James Matsumura of the Central California District Council is encouraging the formation of Jr. JACL groups among young Japanese Americans in the lower San Joaquin valley. He outlines possible activities and goals for such groups.
• Harbor District carnival for Aug. 31-Sept. 1 set, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL will host its eighth annual Japanese community carnival at the local community center. Features include food and game booths and an ondo dance.
• Southwest L.A. publish yearbook hailing ICBG chapter feats, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL published a 24-page yearbook called ‘Direction 1957’ highlighting its chapter activities. It pays tribute to membership campaigners and lists members.
• Honor ’57 scholarship winner at chapter fete, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL will present the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka memorial scholarship to Thomas C. Yoneda of Petaluma at its dinner. Guests include school officials and national representatives.
• Yomedera heads chapter as president resigns, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Roy Yamadera was elected to complete the unexpired term of East Los Angeles JACL president Yukio Kono, who resigned due to a job relocation. Yamadera assumes leadership of the chapter.
• Youth is the big thing for Harbor district area Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Long Beach JACL’s youth commission has organized summer baseball leagues, indoor sports, and a young people’s club. The chapter also launched an Operation Youth fund drive and sent competitors to JACL track meets.
• Queen Mitzi, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mitzi Miya, sponsored by the Long Beach-Harbor District JACL, was crowned Nisei Week Festival queen. The column also covers a jump-start episode involving Kango Kunitsugu and a Japanese freighter’s maiden voyage reception.
• Nisei Music Guild, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Nisei Music Guild will present folk singer-guitarist Sue Embrey at its August 30 meeting in Los Angeles. A poolside buffet will be served.
• Pan-American seeks 10 more Nisei stewardesses, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Pan American World Airways is recruiting ten additional Nisei stewardesses for Tokyo-Bangkok flights. Qualifications include Japanese language skills and U.S. citizenship.
• Re-entry permits for alien residents in U.S. simplified; facilitates travel, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Immigration offices simplified re-entry procedures for alien residents, allowing holders of green registration cards to travel abroad for up to a year without a permit. Holders of older pink certificates must apply for new cards.
• Cabinet member resigns, volunteers for army duty, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hachiro Yasumura resigned as third vice-president of the Long Beach-Harbor District JACL to volunteer for the U.S. Army. He was active in youth work and the Masaoka scholarship process.
• Postal operations head, by P.C. Staff, page 8. George T. Hara, Honolulu district operations manager, now oversees postal transportation across the Hawaiian Islands and Pacific territories. The item notes his new responsibilities.

Military & Veterans

• Additional million dollars for claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Treasury submitted a supplemental appropriations request of $1,163,425.13 to pay evacuation claims awarded in May through July 18. JACL and COJAEC are working to get the bill passed before Congress adjourns.
• Dr. Morton Sobel addresses Nisei groups, by Kay Miyaya, page 4. Dr. Morton Sobel, state director of the Anti-Defamation League, spoke to Detroit JACL members about B’nai B’rith activities and possibilities for joint action. He is a former 100th Infantry veteran and human relations instructor.

National

• Family hardship immigration bill OK’d by House committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Judiciary Committee approved Congressman Walter’s family hardship immigration bill, which Mike Masaoka called a constructive advance. The bill would grant nonquota status to certain family members, including those stranded in Japan.
• Use of ‘Jap’ in another children’s book protested; public library decides to retain, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ross Kusian protested the use of the word ‘Jap’ in a Seattle children’s book, but the public library decided to retain it. The library argued the usage was colloquial and not offensive.

In-Depth

• Women from foreign nations married to Hawaii men in poll find large group of unhappy Japanese girls married to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A University of Hawaii sociologist interviewed 244 foreign wives and found Japanese brides of Nisei husbands were the most unhappy, largely due to in-law conflicts. Mixed marriages generally fared better.

Commentary

• Common ancestors, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa visits Mesa Verde National Park and reflects on the Indians who built its cliff dwellings, suggesting they share distant Asian origins with Nisei. He describes the ruins and the drought that drove the inhabitants away.
• Repeat and steal the thunder at MDC blowout, by Dr. Tom Tamaki, page 5. Tamaki reports on Eastern District Council 1000 Club membership results, noting New York’s sudden surge and an all-time EDC high of 92 members. He encourages members to attend the upcoming convention.
• Washington newsletter: JACL legislative program, by P.C. Staff, page 8. This review assesses JACL’s five-point national legislative program at the close of the First Session of the 85th Congress. It covers evacuation claims, immigration liberalization, sequestered property, Hawaii statehood, and civil rights.

JACL

• Donors assure future, by Masao W. Satow, page 4. Satow reports that about $17,000 was received for the National JACL Endowment Fund from evacuation claimants. He also discusses the writ of error coram nobis and the Chicago convention plans.
• Hows and whys of JACL in ‘Face the Chapter’, by Harry Honda, page 4. At a Pacific Southwest District Council meeting, national president Nishikawa and director Satow answered questions about JACL objectives, organization, and committees. Discussion also covered cemetery discrimination, youth activities, and a personality survey.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.