Vol. 45, No. 23, December 6, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue
The Intermountain District Council convention in Idaho Falls led this eight-page issue. Harry K. Honda reported on resolutions covering youth programs, membership fees and evacuation claims funding, and on the election of Mas Yano as chairman. Idaho Governor Robert E. Smylie spoke at the banquet, and the 1000 Club marked its tenth anniversary. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter looked back at the district’s history. Elsewhere, a Delano Nisei pupil objected to a racial slur in a California textbook story, and state officials agreed to remove it from future editions.
Columns this week came from Bill Hosokawa on colony culture, Jobo Nakamura on Nisei and U.S.-Japan affairs, and Elmer Ogawa on the 1886 expulsion of Chinese residents from Seattle. There is also news of Japanese immigration totals, Denver naturalizations, a Twin Cities proposal to include the Pacific Citizen with JACL membership, Vale High’s state football title, and Fred Tayama’s 619-pound marlin.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Intermountain District Convention highlights, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The Intermountain District Council convention in Idaho Falls highlighted resolutions on youth programs, membership fees, and evacuation claims funding, along with the election of Mas Yano as chairman. Delegates praised the hospitality of local officials and the spirit of JACL members in the region.
- Idaho governor urges Nisei help rid intolerance, 1000ers celebrate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Idaho Governor Robert E. Smylie urged Intermountain Nisei to help stamp out injustice and intolerance in his banquet address. The convention also marked the 10th anniversary of the 1000 Club and elected new district officers.
- Masaoka keynote for Central California convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka will keynote the eighth annual Central California JACL District Council convention in Fresno. The program includes officer installations, reports from national leaders, and a banquet.
- 53 Denver area Japanese naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A survey of Denver court records showed 53 Japanese aliens were naturalized this year, including 28 Issei and 20 soldier brides. The Mile Hi JACL planned to honor the new citizens at its annual meeting.
- Statewide gardeners federation discussed at recent San Jose parley, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Delegates from northern and southern California discussed forming a statewide gardeners federation at a San Jose meeting. Long Beach was chosen to host the 1958 convention.
- Stockton Nisei named to new county post, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Marie DeCarli, a Stockton JACL member and former vice-president, was selected as coordinator of volunteer services at San Joaquin General Hospital. Her selection followed a county civil service contest.
- Sansei irked by obnoxious term in textbook, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Delano elementary pupil refused to attend school over a textbook chapter containing a slur. The incident led to the removal of the term from the textbook.
- Twin Cities UCL urges PC with membership, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Twin Cities chapter passed a resolution proposing that Pacific Citizen subscription be included in national JACL dues. The resolution argued that wider circulation would strengthen the organization.
- Idaho Falls convention: IDC celebrates 10 years of 1000 Club, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Delegates at the Intermountain District convention reflected on the district’s progress and the 1000 Club’s tenth anniversary. Speakers including Mike Masaoka and Governor Smylie praised the community’s contributions.
- JACLers serve on advisory body to check on anti-discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tom Takemura and Bob Mizukami were invited to serve on the Pierce County Advisory Council for the Washington State Board Against Discrimination. The council serves as a listening post for violations of the new state civil rights law.
JACL
- ‘Get well’ message dispatched to Ike, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL sent a telegram to President Eisenhower wishing him a speedy recovery. The message was dispatched from the Intermountain convention.
National
- Immigrants from Japan in 1956-57, by P.C. Staff, page 1. More than 6,000 Japanese immigrants were admitted to the United States in fiscal 1957, the largest total from any Asian country. The JACL noted that over 40,000 Japanese have entered since the Walter-McCarran Act took effect.
- Minnesota governor heads trade group, cities U.S. stake in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Minnesota Governor Orville Freeman, after a 19-day Far East trade tour, said the United States has a great stake in Japan. He argued that Japan must trade to survive and that severe tariffs would push it toward the Soviet bloc.
Commentary
- Colony culture, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reflects on Gontran de Poncins’ book on Cholon, a Chinese community that preserved old customs, and compares it to pre-war Little Tokyos. He suggests Nisei-Sansei culture will drift from its Japanese roots over time.
- Confusion among Nisei on U.S.-Japan affairs draws comment from Tokyo writer, by Jobo Nakamura, page 2. Nakamura argues that the Nisei should interpret Japanese culture to Americans and American culture to Japanese. He discusses integration and self-segregation among Americans living in Japan.
- Very truly yours: A point on PC with membership, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editor suggests how families with multiple JACL members could share the Pacific Citizen, including gifting extra copies to youth or institutions. The issue is expected to be discussed at the next national convention.
- The Northwest picture: Anti-Chinese riots, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Ogawa recounts the 1886 expulsion of Chinese residents from Seattle, including the Queen of the Pacific evacuation and the violence on First and Main. He notes federal troops ultimately restored order.
- Los Angeles newsletter: Turkey leftovers, by Henry Mari, page 7. Mari reflects on how Thanksgiving has lost its anticipatory spirit compared with childhood memories of ordering turkey from Little Tokyo restaurants. He also praises baker George Izumi for his leadership of the Master Bakers Retail Association.
- Washington newsletter: IDC convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the history of the Intermountain District Council, marking its 20th anniversary, and its wartime financial support of JACL. He notes the IDC coined JACL’s motto and helped launch the Thousand Club.
Arts & Entertainment
- Nisei leaders found in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kaiser Yoshio Tanaka was named manager of the Hanshin Tigers, and Japanese sportswriters praised the Hawaii Nisei. Other Nisei leaders in Japan include Bozo Wakabayashi and Tom Shinichi Oshidari, who works in broadcasting.
- Canadian Nisei dancer signed for N.Y. role, by P.C. Staff, page 8. David Toguri, a Canadian Nisei who performed in South Pacific in Cleveland, was cast in a Broadway musical directed by Jose Ferrer. He studied at Volkoff Studio of Dancing in Toronto.
Incarceration & Redress
- Obnoxious term in ‘Fuzz Young’ textbook story to be deleted, by P.C. Staff, page 2. After a Delano Nisei pupil objected to the word ‘Jap’ in a California textbook story, state officials agreed to remove it from future editions. The change followed a letter from the State Curriculum Commission.
Military & Veterans
- Lois Yut of Seattle qualifies for nationals, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Lois Yut finished near the top of the women’s all-events standings at the national bowling tournament and qualified for the Western Washington team. The team will compete in national match play in Minneapolis.
- Gen. Mark Clark to speak at Los Angeles Nisei veterans reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 7. General Mark Clark, former Fifth Army commander under whom the 442nd fought, will speak at the 1958 Nisei Veterans Reunion in Los Angeles. He was unable to attend the first reunion in Hawaii.
Sports
- Vale High wins third Oregon state football title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Vale High, coached by Dutch Kawasoe, won the Oregon A-2 state championship with a 13-6 victory over Seaside. It was the school’s third state title in four years.
- Fred Tayama lands big blue marlin off Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Los Angeles florist Fred Tayama battled a 619-pound blue marlin for 75 minutes while fishing out of Kona. The catch was briefly second only to the world record.
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