Vol. 46, No. 7, February 14, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue
JACL chapters were at work across California and beyond in this eight-page issue. President Roy Nishikawa wrote that the organization, small and short of money and staff, could not tie itself to every cause, but had to keep speaking up for its traditional principles. Harry K. Honda urged Nisei to take part in civic life and vote. The Cortez chapter was named NC-WNDC Chapter of the Year, and Long Beach-Harbor took the same honor from the Pacific Southwest District Council.
Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka reviewed the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act, reporting 774 claims still open on January 1, 1958. Bill Hosokawa profiled rodeo cowboy Willie Wada, and Larry S. Tajiri traced the career of Henry Okawa. Installation dinners came from San Francisco, Salinas Valley, Marysville and San Mateo, and a survey compared Nisei men and women.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- JACL cannot be all things to all men, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. JACL president Roy Nishikawa explains that the organization, being small and under-resourced, cannot tie itself to every cause without risking its independence. He affirms that JACL must keep speaking up for its traditional principles even under outside pressure.
- ‘Politics’ is not a nasty word, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. Assemblyman William Grant of Long Beach urged Nisei at a chapter clinic dinner to take an active part in civic affairs and to register and vote. Honda argues that politics only becomes a nasty word when citizens neglect their duties.
- From the Frying Pan: Ride ’em, Cowboy, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Columnist Bill Hosokawa profiles Willie Wada, a Seattle-born Nisei rodeo cowboy who competes in bareback bronc riding, Brahma bull riding and bulldogging. Wada works at Boeing and rides on weekends.
- Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reviews the PSWDC fifth annual chapter clinic in Long Beach and the status of chapters seeking to redefine their role. He also comments on the San Fernando chapter’s struggles with membership turnout.
- Washington Newsletter: Evacuation Claims Review, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka reviews the history of the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act and its amendments over the past decade. He reports that 774 claims remained open as of January 1, 1958, with administrative work to end by December 31, 1958.
Community
- Cortez chapter gains coveted NC-WNDC award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Cortez JACL, with 100 percent Issei and Nisei membership, was named NC-WNDC Chapter of the Year at the district council meeting in San Francisco. Berkeley JACL was runner-up and Placer County JACL placed third.
- Long Beach-Harbor JACL named Chapter of the Year at PSWDC clinic, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council’s first quarterly meeting in Long Beach honored the Long Beach-Harbor chapter as its 1957 Chapter of the Year. The chapter’s youth programs and revival after a near-collapse were highlighted.
- Nisei male-female more alike than Caucasian counterpart, survey shows, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Clinical psychologist Steven K. Abe reported that Nisei men and women differ on only two of 15 personality traits, unlike Caucasian Americans. The survey of 207 subjects was conducted in Idaho, Utah and Southern California.
- Former cage fourney queen wins title of ‘Miss Salt Lake’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ruth Okawa was crowned Miss Salt Lake JACL, with Virginia Uyeda named alternate. Okawa will compete for Miss National JACL against other Intermountain chapter queens in April.
- Nisei personality survey and related Long Beach news, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Coverage of the PSWDC meeting notes the new Imperial Valley chapter and the chapter clinic’s business. The piece also describes Mas Satow’s chapter charter presentation.
- Southwest Los Angeles JACL: Sam Hirosawa elected president, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sam Hirosawa, a Nebraska-born mechanical engineer, was elected president of the Southwest Los Angeles JACL. He previously served as program vice-president and has been active in chapter affairs for three years.
- Cortez scout competition trophies donated, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Cortez JACL presented perpetual and permanent trophies to the winning Boy Scout troop of the Central District Yosemite Council during National Scouting Week. The chapter-sponsored troop choir also performed.
- Salinas Valley installation: support of school tax elections urged, by P.C. Staff, page 4. George A. Marsh, principal of Salinas Union High School, urged support for a 40-cent school tax election at the Salinas Valley JACL installation dinner. He argued that overcrowding and the Sputnik challenge make the measure necessary.
- San Francisco JACL marks 30th anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL celebrated its 30th anniversary with a banquet attended by city officials and past presidents. Jack Kusaba was installed again as chapter president.
- Berkeley JACL aims for record 500 members, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Berkeley JACL is pursuing a record membership of 500 through a team-based drive that ties into fundraising for a new community center. Installation of the new board and a youth basketball tournament were also planned.
- San Mateo JACL installs Tom Marutani as president, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tom Marutani was installed as president of the San Mateo JACL at a dinner that also closed the 1958 membership drive. Councilwoman Marian Hemingway gave the principal address.
- Chicago Corner: School conditions and NAACP recommendations, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 7. The Chicago NAACP urged the public school board to address overcrowded schools and double shifts that disproportionately affect Negro children. Janet Tsuruda also won a district spelling bee.
- Calif. Dept. of Human Relations being proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Assemblyman Augustus Hawkins proposed a California Department of Human Relations to enforce laws and combat discrimination. A public hearing on the proposal was scheduled in Los Angeles on February 17.
- Honolulu: Dr. Frank T. Inouye appointed assistant planning director, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Frank T. Inouye, former director of the University of Hawaii’s Hilo branch, was appointed assistant planning director for the Territory of Hawaii. He was selected from 15 applicants for the $12,000 post.
Military & Veterans
- VA purchasing agent cited as ‘outstanding’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David K. Hirahara, past commander of the Nisei Veterans Committee, received a Superior Performance Award from the Seattle VA Hospital. He was one of five employees honored during the Civil Service 75th anniversary observance.
- Locale changed for vet reunion dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The opening dinner of the 1958 Nisei Veterans Reunion in Los Angeles, July 26-Aug. 1, has moved to the Moulin Rouge. Gen. Mark Clark is slated to speak, and the reunion marks the 15th anniversary of the 442nd RCT.
- Marysville JACL honors Akiji Yoshimura, by Dan Kuwahara, page 3. The Marysville JACL presented its Outstanding Community Service plaque to Akiji Yoshimura at the installation dinner for 1958 officers. Masao Satow gave the principal address on Japanese American contributions and citizenship.
National
- Nisei Sweetheart Evelyn Kodama crowned at NICC Valentine’s Ball, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Evelyn Kodama of Colorado State College at Greeley was crowned 1958 Sweetheart Queen of the Nisei Intermountain Collegiate Conference. Her attendants were Bernice Koshio, Toshiko Kumagai and Make Iwahashi.
Arts & Entertainment
- Vagaries: Boy who sang off-key in church choir, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Columnist Larry Tajiri traces the career of Henry Okawa, a Little Tokyo figure who became an actor and film producer in Japan and worked on American productions. Okawa was assisting David Lean’s Bridge on the River Kwai and was slated for a new film in India.
Sports
- Nisei mermen smash U. of W. frosh marks, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Hawaii Nisei swimmers Pat Murata and Jim Watanabe have led the University of Washington freshman team to five straight wins. The pair have broken multiple school records this season.
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