Housing bias, a royal engagement and a Nevada marriage ruling

Vol. 47, No. 24, December 12, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the front page of this eight-page issue. A Negro real estate broker told the Colorado Advisory Committee on Civil Rights that most Denver white realtors refuse cooperative listings in non-minority areas, and a Nevada judge struck down the state’s ban on mixed marriages so that Harry Bridges could marry Noriko Sawada. Tamotsu Murayama wrote from Tokyo about Crown Prince Akihito’s betrothal to Michiko Shoda and how her press conference won over reporters. Howard M. Imazeki’s editorial on the match was reprinted on page 2.

Inside are reports from the Central California District Council convention in Fresno, a Bill Hosokawa honor banquet in Denver, and Seattle’s benefit to fund repeal of the alien land law. Larry S. Tajiri wrote on the artist Chuzo Tamotzu, Mike Masaoka on the Senate filibuster rule, and Saburo Kido on his Arizona visit. Sports, chapter news and Flower Drum Song round out the pages.

What’s in this issue

National

  • Racial Bias in Denver Realty Deals Charged, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Negro real estate broker told the Colorado Advisory Committee on Civil Rights that most Denver white realtors refuse to cooperatively list houses in non-minority areas. He testified that discrimination in housing is often practiced through unwritten gentlemen’s agreements.
  • Nevada Marriage Law Upset in Bridges-Sawada Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nevada judge ruled the state’s law barring mixed marriages invalid, allowing longshore leader Harry Bridges to marry Nisei Noriko Sawada. The couple had traveled to Reno after a county clerk had earlier refused a license.
  • Social Security: Deadline on Disability, by P.C. Staff, page 6. This installment explains the 1958 changes to Social Security disability provisions, which give disabled persons until June 30, 1961 to file for a benefits freeze. Persons who delay past that date may lose future rights to payments.
  • Filibuster Rule Revision Urged by JACL, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Washington representative Mike Masaoka explains the coming Senate battle over Rule 22 and the bipartisan effort to allow majority cloture after full debate. JACL has joined the National Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in urging revision on January 7, 1959.
  • Lessening of Employment Bias on Race Cited by Pres. Comm., by JACL News Service, page 8. The President’s Committee on Government Contracts reported five years of progress in reducing job discrimination among federal contractors. John Yoshino, a Nisei compliance officer and JACL member, is credited with work on the committee.
  • Farm Trainees Return to Japan on APL Liner, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Forty-seven Japanese farm trainees who spent a year studying California farms returned to Japan on the President Cleveland. The visiting farmers program, overseen by the University of California extension service, has hosted more than 300 trainees since 1952.

Commentary

  • Taxes—the Price of Civilization, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial acknowledges that taxes are resented but argues they fund services essential to civilized life. It urges JACL chapters to meet their national quotas cheerfully to sustain the organization’s programs for Japanese Americans.
  • Editor’s Desk: PC Holiday Issue Update, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The editor reports that One-Liner sales are ahead of last year while general advertising lags, forcing a smaller 64-page Holiday Issue. He notes the advertising shortfall eased the editing pressure experienced in past years.
  • Akihito Sets the Pace, by Howard M. Imazeki, page 2. Reprinted from the Hokubei Mainichi, this editorial argues that Crown Prince Akihito’s choice of a commoner bride reflects Japan’s democratization and will strengthen the imperial household’s relationship with the people. It criticizes Issei who opposed the match as living in the past.
  • Letter from George Sugihara, by George Sugihara, page 2. A Richmond reader praises the Pacific Citizen as a weekly publication that connects the advantages of JACL membership to the personal lives of Nisei. The letter is brief and offers general support for the newspaper.

Military & Veterans

  • Koshinage Fatal to Ft. Lewis GI, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Master Sgt. Minoru Oda was arrested after a judo throw during a fight with fellow soldier Sgt. Ralph Morgan at Fort Lewis. Morgan was later found dead in a car, with an autopsy showing a ruptured liver.

Community

  • Irene Yamamura Named Business Manager of San Jose Campus Paper, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Advertising major Irene Yamamura was appointed business manager of the Spartan Daily at San Jose State College. She is active in Gamma Alpha Chi, a national advertising society.
  • Vandalism Case Ends in Retrial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Los Angeles jury deadlocked eight to four on the guilt of George Campeau, accused of throwing a rock through the window of a Negro family’s home. Judge John G. Barnes scheduled a new trial for January 14.
  • Nat’l JACL Credit Union Annual Meeting Scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National JACL Credit Union will hold its annual meeting January 24, 1959, at the Art Barn in Salt Lake City. Net earnings through October were $14,244.48, up from the prior year, and a good dividend is expected.
  • Midwest Buddhist Church Auxiliary Names Phyllis Taketa President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Phyllis Taketa was named 1959 president of the Midwest Buddhist Church Auxiliary in Chicago. The group recently held a bake sale and clothing drive to aid the Olivet Institute day nursery.
  • Arizona Chapters Visit Reported on Chapter Finances and Quotas, by Saburo Kido, page 3. Saburo Kido reports on his visit to Arizona JACL chapters, where he discussed national quotas, Pacific Citizen finances, and the need for chapters to support the paper. He also notes the growing Japanese farm community in the Salt River Valley.
  • CCDC Convention Held in Fresno, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Central California District Council installed Dr. James Nagatani as chairman at its ninth annual convention in Fresno, with some 400 persons attending. Frank Chuman, JACL legal counsel, urged members to keep fighting discrimination.
  • CCDC Elects Dr. James Nagatani Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. James Nagatani of Delano was installed as Central California JACL District Council chairman for 1959. Delegates also re-endorsed a state FEPC campaign with a $500 contribution from the district’s 50 chapters.
  • Breezing Around: Board Meeting in San Diego, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Pacific Citizen staff visited the San Diego JACL board meeting and planned for the upcoming chapter clinic. The column also notes the circulation manager’s departure and welcomes her replacement.
  • Mountain-Plains JACL Honors Bill Hosokawa, by Tak Terasaki, page 5. Mountain-Plains District Chairman Tak Terasaki describes a community banquet in Denver honoring Bill Hosokawa, the latest Nisei of the Biennium. The event drew civic leaders and was followed by national director Mas Satow’s appearance on local television.
  • Sonoma County JACL Holds Election, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Sonoma County JACL scheduled its election of 1959 board members and officers at a final meeting of the year. Nominations were also taken for JACLer of the Year and community service awards.
  • Sonoma County Fish Derby Draws 150 Participants, by P.C. Staff, page 5. More than 150 anglers joined the Sonoma County JACL striped bass derby on the Napa River, catching 35 fish. Proceeds benefit local youth groups.
  • Boise Valley JACL Bowling Tournament Scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 10th annual Boise Valley JACL bowling tournament will be held December 27-29 at the Nampa Bowling Center. Prize money and awards will be presented at a dance on December 29.
  • Alien Land Law Repeal Fund Raised by Movie Benefit in Seattle, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. The Seattle JACL chapter raised roughly $1,200 through a two-night Japanese film benefit to fund repeal of Washington’s alien land law. Chapter President Tak Kubota explained the repeal will require a two-thirds legislative vote before going to voters in 1960.
  • Denver Judge Dismisses Damage Suit Against Officer, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Denver judge dismissed a $17,000 damage suit by George K. Tanaka, who was mistakenly shot in the cheek by an off-duty patrolman. The judge found no evidence of wilful negligence.

In-Depth

  • Crown Prince’s Fiancee Michiko Shoda Wins Over Japanese Press, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. The Pacific Citizen’s Tokyo correspondent describes how Crown Prince Akihito pursued commoner Michiko Shoda despite family and court opposition. Her poised press conference after the November 27 betrothal won over reporters and the nation.

Obituaries

  • Fred I. Omatsu, 70, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred I. Omatsu died December 3 of a heart condition that prevented him from taking his naturalization oath at a 1954 Veterans Day ceremony. U.S. Judge Pierson M. Hall administered the oath at his home two weeks later, and he is survived by his wife and five children.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Issei Artist Chuzo Tamotzu Exhibits in New Mexico, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Issei artist Chuzo Tamotzu, who worked for the OSS during the war, opened a new exhibition of brush-and-ink drawings in Santa Fe. The article traces his travels from Japan to New York and his decade-long studio practice in New Mexico.
  • Flower Drum Song Becomes Broadway’s Biggest Hit of 1959, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song is hailed as Broadway’s biggest hit of the season, featuring a large cast of Nisei and Asian performers. Critics praised Miyoshi Umeki, Pat Suzuki, and Jack Soo in the leading roles.

Sports

  • Gardena Edges San Diego 62-60 in Long Beach JACL Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Gardena won the second annual Long Beach JACL Invitational Basketball Tournament, defeating San Diego 62-60 in overtime. Richard Nishimoto sparked Gardena’s comeback after San Diego led by eight points entering the fourth quarter.
  • Pete Domoto Wins Brick Muller Award, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Berkeley Nisei Pete Domoto, Cal’s junior left guard, was named the most valuable lineman on the Golden Bears varsity. He was also named to the Associated Press second team and received Honorable Mention on the Pacific Coast All-American team.

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