Five weeks before the 1958 JACL convention in Salt Lake City

Vol. 47, No. 3, July 18, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

Preparations for the 15th Biennial National JACL Convention in Salt Lake City filled this eight-page issue, with five weeks to go. Henry T. Kato, chairman of the Pacific Northwest District Council, urged young Nisei to enter the JACL oratorical and essay contest. Other front-page stories covered nominations for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship, a draft movement to keep Dr. Roy Nishikawa as national president, and the opening of the convention office. Harold Gordon argued for revising JACL’s 1954 policy on U.S.-Japan affairs, while Sonoma County JACL voted to keep it.

Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Larry S. Tajiri and Barry K. Honda add variety, and Mike Masaoka reported from Washington on Hawaiian statehood and a civil rights bill. Elsewhere are a report on the Nisei veterans’ reunion in Los Angeles, a Nisei Week queens story from Henry Mori, and Tamotsu Murayama’s article on the parentage of Okei-san.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• What’s Doing in the Pacific Northwest, by Henry T. Kato, page 1. PNWDC Chairman Henry T. Kato urges young Nisei to participate in the JACL oratorical and essay contest and calls for organizing Jr. JACL groups. He also notes that fewer than 40 percent of JACL members subscribe to the Pacific Citizen.
• 33 Named for Pvt. Masaoka Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Twenty-three high school seniors have been nominated by JACL chapters for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship. National JACL will also award supplemental scholarships to deserving nominees.
• Calipatria Druggist, Southern Colorado Farmer Named for Top Biennium Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry Momita of Calipatria and Roy Inouye of La Jara, Colo., were nominated for JACL recognition awards. Both have a record of prominent community service and long JACL involvement.
• 8 Young Orators in NC-WNDC Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eight speakers from five chapters will compete in the district oratorical elimination contest in Redwood City on August 3. The winner receives a $100 savings bond and expenses to the national finals.
• Dr. Nishikawa Being Drafted for 2nd Term, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pasadena JACLer Tom Ito announced a draft movement to retain national JACL President Dr. Roy Nishikawa for a second term, a move unusual because it overrode the home district council’s choice. Ken Dyo was also backed for national second vice-president.
• Biennial Convention Underlines, by George Yoshimoto, page 2. Convention board updates cover housing registration, a pre-registration prize, and the arrival of Blanche Shiosaki. Queen Margaret Itami also describes her month in Salt Lake City preparing for the convention.
• Ken Dyo Nominated for 2nd Nat’l Vice-Pres., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pasadena JACLer Ken Dyo was nominated for national JACL second vice-president by three chapters. Miwa Yanamoto declined nomination for National Board secretary.
• Thousand Club Notes: Push for Active 1000ers, by Kenji Tashiro, page 4. Tashiro reports on the drive to increase active 1000 Club membership before the National Convention. He lists new and life memberships and reminds members of the July 31 deadline for the convention booklet honor roll.
• Read Both Memos on U.S.-Japan JACL Question Before Deciding, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Two memoranda on JACL’s international relations policy, one favoring revision by Harold Gordon and one opposing it by Saburo Kido, are being distributed to chapter presidents. Chapters are urged to discuss the question before the Salt Lake City convention.
• Newsletter: Sunday Assignment With Queens, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reports on the formal introduction of nine Nisei Week Festival queen candidates at the Japanese Consul General’s residence in Pasadena. He also notes former queens attending the event.

Community

• 15th Biennial Convention Opens Office in Same Building Where JACL Stayed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Salt Lake City office for the 15th Biennial National JACL Convention opened in the building that once housed National JACL Headquarters. Chairman Rupert Hachiya said it will serve as a central point for convention inquiries.
• Where They Will Sleep, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reflects on the Japanese section of Rose City Cemetery in Portland, which holds Issei graves and a memorial to Nisei servicemen. He notes Issei who have pre-purchased tombstones with death dates left blank.
• Calipatria Druggist, Southern Colorado Farmer, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nominations for JACLer of the Biennium and Nisei of the Biennium were received for Harry Momita and Roy Inouye. Both are recognized for long community and chapter service.
• Alameda Nisei Growers Win Blue Ribbon, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Nisei Growers of Washington Township won first place in the feature booth display at the Alameda County Fair with a tomato culture theme. Fremont JACL members were credited as co-chairmen and helpers.
• Largest Turnout at Cleveland Picnic Aids Welfare Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A record crowd attended the Cleveland JACL and community picnic at Wiegand’s Lake Park, raising funds to replenish the local welfare account. Co-chairmen John Ochi and Joe Kadowaki organized the event.
• Four Corner Chicago Chatter, by Smoky H. Sokurada, page 6. Sokurada notes the opening of the Mackinac Bridge and reports that a Chicago Japanese Art Festival drew over 1,500 viewers. He also mentions declining interest in the City-Widers organization.

Commentary

• Tales of the Deep, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa humorously recounts a conversation among Portland Nisei about deep-sea salmon fishing and a rough trip out of Tillamook. He describes the hospitality of Oregon fishing enthusiasts.
• Japanese Question in Statehood Issue, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri argues that opposition to Hawaiian statehood has long rested on fears about its Japanese American population, despite Nisei war service. He notes the Senate’s southern bloc as a major obstacle and cites Denver Post editorial support.
• Liberalize JACL Attitude on U.S.-Japan Relations, by Harold Gordon, page 5. Gordon argues that JACL should revise its restrictive 1954 policy on U.S.-Japan affairs, noting that members already lobby on related issues such as immigration and vested property. He contends that taking positions would benefit Japanese Americans and promote friendly relations.
• Very Truly Yours: Eight Weeks of Starlight Symphonies, by Barry K. Honda, page 5. Honda reviews the Hollywood Bowl’s 37th season, praising its cosmopolitan audience and improving facilities. He highlights a memorable performance by Eugene Ormandy conducting Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony.
• Sonoma County CLers Vote 1954 Policy Be Retained on U.S.-Japan Affairs, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sonoma County JACL voted to keep the 1954 national policy on U.S.-Japan affairs after a three-hour discussion. The chapter also declined the PC with Membership plan and elected Frank Oda as its convention delegate.

Military & Veterans

• Another Cowboy, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa profiles Airman George Kikuchi, a Wyoming-born Nisei who worked on ranches and performed in rodeos before joining the Air Force. Art Somekawa introduced him as another Nisei cowboy.
• Over 1,000 Due at Nisei Vet Reunion in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 8. More than 1,000 Nisei veterans, including 350 from Hawaii, are expected in Los Angeles for their 15th anniversary reunion from July 26 to August 1. General Mark Clark will speak at the welcome dinner honoring the 442nd.

Incarceration & Redress

• Archives in Japan Reveal Parentage of Okei-san, Japanese Girl Who Died in California in 1871, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Japanese family registry records uncovered in Wakamatsu identify Okei Ito as the eldest daughter of carpenter Bunkichi Ito. The article traces her 1869 journey to California and the preservation of her gravesite by Placer County JACL.
• Murder Charge Denied, by Henry Mori, page 7. Attorney Frank Chuman won a reduced verdict of involuntary manslaughter for teenager Louis Yamashiro in the Chinatown dance gang slaying of Richard Sumii. The court found the west side group were the aggressors.

National

• Honolulu Record Ends 9 Years of Publication, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Honolulu Record, edited by Koji Arivoshi, published its final edition after nine years. Government prosecutors had called the weekly subversive during the Smith Act trial.
• National Director’s Report: National Council Agenda, by Masao Satow, page 4. Satow publishes the agenda for the 15th Biennial National Convention business sessions in Salt Lake City, August 21-25. Committee reports cover budget, youth work, legislation, membership, and public relations.
• Equal Protection of Law Bill Urged, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The Washington JACL Office endorsed Congressman Emanuel Celler’s civil rights bill to enforce equal protection under the law. The letter cites segregation resistance and the need for federal intervention.
• Hawaiian Statehood, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports that Hawaiian statehood is likely stalled for this session despite Senate passage of the Alaska bill. Delegate John Burns explains his decision to back Alaska first to avoid holding both territories back.
• Deportation Case of Tokyo Rose Dismissed by INS, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Immigration and Naturalization Service dismissed the deportation warrant against Iva Toguri d’Aquino, known as Tokyo Rose. The decision followed a Supreme Court ruling that citizens cannot be deported without first losing citizenship.

Arts & Entertainment

• Pat Suzuki, Pixie in Her Gingham Dress, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa writes about entertainer Pat Suzuki’s return to Seattle, where she packed The Colony during a brief visit. He notes her upcoming roles in Kansas City and the Broadway musical Flower Drum Song.

Obituaries

• Livingston Nisei Leader Dies at 52, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Roy Kishi, an early Nisei resident of Livingston’s Yamato colony, died of a heart attack in Merced at age 52. He was the son of Issei pioneers Taijiro and Kishi.

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