JACL work on job discrimination and wartime property claims, 1958

Vol. 46, No. 15, April 11, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL business filled the front page of this eight-page issue. Regional Director Fred Takata and the president presented the JACL Story to the Nisei Ministerial Fellowship, and JACL representatives met Leland Wilder of the President’s Committee on Government Contracts about discrimination in job upgrading. Mike Masaoka wrote President Eisenhower to protest a proposal that would compensate only Germans, not Japanese, for wartime seized property. In his column, Masaoka also reviewed the first half of the 1958 Congressional session. Margaret Itami of Ontario, Oregon, was crowned 1958 Miss National JACL.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about spring gardening, his dachshund Winnie, and a book on Empress Nagako. Larry S. Tajiri looked at Hollywood’s Oriental film cycle, and Elmer Ogawa profiled the singer Pat Suzuki. Harry K. Honda and Dr. Roy Nishikawa considered how the recession might affect Nisei workers. Chapter news came from Chicago, Cleveland, Fresno, San Francisco and Southwest Los Angeles, along with sports and youth items.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Nisei Ministerial Group Hears ‘JACL Story’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Regional Director Fred Takata and the writer presented the JACL Story to the Nisei Ministerial Fellowship. The article notes the growing trend of Nisei churches being replaced by integrated congregations.
• Orange County Inter-Club Council Carnival Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Orange County Inter-Club Council will hold its fourth annual carnival and judo tournament at Buena Park on June 28. Proceeds will fund a student scholarship.
• Ushijima Partner of Industrial Film Firm, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei film director Henry Ushijima became a partner and vice president of the industrial film company John Colburn Associates. His career includes early work at MGM, Columbia, and wartime films for the Navy, OWI, and WRA.
• Pat Suzuki Profile, by Elmer Ogawa, page 3. Seattle singer Pat Suzuki has risen to national fame, with offers including a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The column details her upcoming engagements and whether success will change her.
• Fresno Teacher Mrs. Sumi Kanomata Profiled, by Ken Robison, page 3. Pocatello school board secretary Sumi Kanomata describes her duties handling teacher records and public inquiries. Her background includes a secretarial job in Japan after World War II.
• Canadian Nisei Girl on Two-Month African Safari, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dickie Jitsuko Sada of Toronto, a photographer, will film in Angola for the United Church of Canada. The film will focus on African missions.
• Boys State Selected George Takahashi, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Takahashi of Belmont High was named Boys State delegate by Commerce Perry Post. He is an active classman and son of Los Angeles residents.
• Hi-Co Conference Preparations, by Fred Takata, page 4. Takata reports on preparations for the Hi-Co Conference at Pacific Palisades, attended by about 100 high school and college students. He lists resource speakers and the keynote speaker James Yamanaka.
• PSWDC Meeting at San Luis Obispo, by Fred Takata, page 4. The spring quarterly PSWDC meeting will be held May 4 at Pismo Beach, hosted by San Luis Obispo Chapter. The schedule includes registration, business sessions, and lunch.
• Chicago Issei Honor Nisei Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL Issei Division held a testimonial dinner honoring Nisei leaders for their role in winning rights for Issei. Congressman Sidney Yates addressed the gathering.
• Michi Kobi to Appear at Cancer Fund Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fresno JACL and Fay Wah Club will hold a cancer fund benefit dance featuring actress Michi Kobi. Tickets are available at local shops.
• Cleveland JACL Renaissance, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cleveland JACL is preparing an active year with committees and programs, including hosting the MDC convention. Membership drive and convention plans are outlined.
• Grocery Basket Prize Feature for Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fremont JACL community picnic at Gilroy Hot Springs will include a grocery basket grand prize. Games, races, and a weiner bake are planned.
• Speakers Club Displays Talent, by Steve Doi, page 6. The San Francisco JACL Speakers Club held a dinner meeting showcasing member speeches before wives and guests. Calvert Kitazumi was voted best speaker.
• Southwest LA Egg Hunt Held Despite Rain, by Henry Mori, page 7. Rain did not stop the Southwest L.A. JACL Easter egg hunt, which was moved to the tennis courts. About 50 children participated despite the weather.
• Deepsea Fishing Trip First for Many Youngsters, by P.C. Staff, page 7. West Los Angeles JACL took about 55 youngsters deepsea fishing aboard the Betty O during Easter vacation. Gary Yamamoto won the chapter trophy for the biggest fish.
• Omaha Sansei Named West Point Alternate, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kuniaki Mihara of Omaha was named first alternate for a West Point appointment after taking entrance exams. He is a senior at Central High School.
• Nisei Scholarship Offered by Japanese Government, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Japanese government will invite one Nisei each year to study in Japan, with a mainland Nisei to be invited for 1959. The program aims to deepen Nisei understanding of Japan.
• Monterey VFW Leaders Installed, by P.C. Staff, page 8. New officers of the Monterey Peninsula Nisei VFW Post 1629 and its auxiliary were installed last week. Kats Komatsu and Michi Oka lead the post and auxiliary.

National

• Job Discrimination Discussed by JACLers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL representatives met with Leland Wilder, the new West Coast regional director of the President’s Committee on Government Contracts, about racial discrimination in job upgrading. They were assured that complainants can be protected during investigations.
• JACL Protests Eisenhower Pay Plan, by JACL News Service, page 1. Mike Masaoka wrote President Eisenhower protesting a State Department proposal that would compensate only Germans, not Japanese, for wartime seized property. The JACL argued the exclusion is discriminatory and urged equal treatment.
• Congress at Midpoint, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the first half of the 1958 Congressional session, which focused on economic recovery and passed many major bills. He notes that JACL priorities like Hawaii statehood and return of vested property look unlikely this session.

JACL

• Hail, JACL Queen Margaret, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Margaret Itami of Ontario, Oregon, representing Snake River JACL, was crowned 1958 Miss National JACL at a Salt Lake City coronation ball. She will serve as official hostess for the 15th Biennial convention.

Military & Veterans

• Amputee 442nd Veteran to Head Seattle NVC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Richard H. Naito, an amputee 442nd veteran, was elected 13th commander of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee. Other new officers were also named.
• Gordon T. Yamada Promoted to High Government Position, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Gordon T. Yamada, a civilian consultant with the U.S. Air Force in Hawaii, was promoted to GS 13 rating. He is a Sophia University economics graduate with four children.

Commentary

• Gardening Time, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa describes spring gardening work and planting early crops. He reflects on the satisfaction of the first radishes appearing.
• Dog Philosophy, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa observes how his dachshund Winnie forgives being left behind, offering a lesson in forgiveness. He also shares a humorous anecdote about his son Pete.
• Changing Times, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa discusses a book on Empress Nagako that portrays the Imperial family in a personal, romantic light. He contrasts this with the reverence Issei once held for the Emperor.
• Letter: Philadelphia Chapter Remarks Clarified, by Harry I. Takagi, page 2. Takagi writes to correct misquotations of his remarks at a Philadelphia JACL installation dinner. He clarifies his views on JACL’s future roles and U.S.-Japan goodwill.
• Nylons for Japan, by Mrs. Peggy Long, page 2. Long suggests JACL help collect used nylons for church groups to send to Japan’s poor. The editor notes the Japanese Women’s Welfare Service already runs such a program.
• Playing Footsies with Red China, Russia, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column argues Japan faces a political and economic crisis between the free world and Communist bloc. It discusses labor strikes, Soviet influence, and social problems among youth.
• Unique Patterns Seen in Current Recession, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda analyzes how the recession affects young, healthy workers and men more than women and Negroes. He notes the Nisei work record may protect them from unemployment.
• Nishikawa: Employment Challenges, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 5. Nishikawa argues the Nisei will face the true test of acceptance during hard economic times. He urges Nisei to rely on training and personality rather than blaming race for failures.

Arts & Entertainment

• Oriental Film Cycle Continues, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri examines the continuing Hollywood trend of Oriental-themed films following Bridge on the River Kwai and Sayonara. He traces earlier Hollywood fascination with Asian themes and Sessue Hayakawa’s career.

Sports

• Coach Kawasoe Gets Top Grid Mentor’s Post in Portland, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dutch Kawasoe, head football coach at Vale High, will leave to coach at Portland’s Franklin High School. He won three state A-2 championships at Vale.
• Sacramento Cops Berkeley JACL Teenage Cagefest, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sacramento JACL’s teenage basketball team won the first annual Berkeley JACL tournament. Mas Soda had a strong performance in the semifinal against Gilroy.

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.