Hawaii statehood, bowling records and the Pacific Citizen’s money troubles

Vol. 48, No. 11, March 13, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen opened this eight-page issue with its own finances. The paper reported its worst year in 1958, a deficit of $2,104.27 and the third year of strain in a row, and warned that a weekly schedule might have to return to monthly. News of the day followed: the U.S. Senate voted 76 to 2 to make Hawaii the 50th state, and Mike Masaoka’s column answered the main arguments against statehood. The National JACL Bowling Tournament in Los Angeles set a record with 150 teams, and San Jose won the 1961 tournament.

On civil rights, the Utah House passed an antidiscrimination bill, 52 to 11, Idaho repealed its century-old ban on interracial marriage, and Washington State moved toward repealing its alien land law. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Syngman Rhee and the Nisei, and chapter pages cover Sacramento, Hollywood, Fremont, Seabrook and Gardena.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• How Long Can This Go On?, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Citizen reported its worst financial year in 1958, a deficit of $2,104.27, the third consecutive year of financial strain. The publication outlines measures taken and warns that a weekly schedule may have to revert to a monthly one if the trend does not improve.
• Four Records Fall in JACL Bowling Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 13th annual National JACL Bowling Tournament in Los Angeles set a record with 150 teams and saw four records broken. Southwest L.A. JACL’s pick-up men’s team won the championship, and San Jose was awarded the 1961 tournament.
• Sacramento JACL Installs Richard Matsumoto, by Shig Sakamoto, page 3. Richard Matsumoto was installed as Sacramento JACL president at a banquet where Washington representative Mike Masaoka was the main speaker. Numerous community leaders and officers were also installed.
• Tournament Comes to a Close, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 15th Annual National JACL Bowling Tournament concluded with a banquet and dance attended by over 1,000 people. Organizers of the Southern California Nisei Bowling Association and JACL Coordinating Council were thanked for their efforts.
• Gardena JACL to Present Cage Trophies at Potluck, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Gardena Valley JACL scheduled a family night potluck dinner with basketball trophy presentations, travel films, and cartoons. Dr. Ogawa also spoke about his medical background at a separate Pasadena orientation event.
• Chapter Treasurer Elected, by P.C. Staff, page 4. John Hada was elected treasurer of the Portland JACL. The Stockton JACL chapter also celebrated its 25th anniversary under president George Baba.
• Board Accepts San Jose Bid for 1961 National JACL Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National JACL Advisory Board on Bowling accepted San Jose’s bid to host the 1961 tournament, while Denver will host in 1960. The board also set new rules, including a 308-game pot for perfect games.
• Sonoma County Auxiliary Calendar Outlined, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL Women’s Auxiliary announced an ambitious 1959 calendar including food sales, a spring tea, and a Christmas party. The auxiliary will also assist with the chapter’s community picnic and swim party.
• Idaho Repeals Anti-Miscegenation Law, by George Sugai, page 5. Idaho Governor Robert Smylie signed HB 18 on March 2, 1959, repealing a century-old law banning marriages between white persons and Mongolians, Negroes, or mulattoes. JACL chapters across Idaho lobbied legislators for the bill’s passage.
• Gardena Valley JACL Sponsors Junior Basketball Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Gardena Valley JACL will sponsor a postseason junior basketball tournament on March 27-28 at Gardena High gym. Chapters may sponsor teams for a fee, with trophies awarded to winners.

Community

• Nisei Electronic Computer Specialist Addresses Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Richard I. Tanaka of Palo Alto, a research scientist with Lockheed Missiles and Space Division, spoke at the Western Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco. He has contributed to computer system design and control system synthesis.
• Al Kosakura Voted Head of BCA Board of Directors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Albert S. Kosakura of Berkeley was elected president of the Buddhist Churches of America board of directors, succeeding Hideo Ito. The board also approved a $54,749 operating budget and a new Buddhist education department.
• Teahouse at Golden Gate Park to Be Rebuilt, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Plans to rebuild the teahouse and gift shop at San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden were to be presented to the city’s recreation and park commission. Concessionaires expect to spend more than $40,000 on the project.
• Student Graduate Story Helped by News Article, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroko Miyake, a Japanese art student at the University of Colorado, faced losing her support after her uncle died, but help arrived after The Denver Post printed her story. Community members and the university stepped in to assist her studies.
• Pine Methodist Church Votes to Find New Site, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pine Methodist Church, the oldest Japanese Christian congregation in the country, voted to find a new church site in the Richmond district. Its present 1908 building must be relocated due to Methodist church spacing policy.
• Omaha Version of Teahouse Captivates, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Emiko Atkinson, a newcomer to acting, captivated audiences in the Omaha Community Playhouse production of Teahouse of the August Moon. She was cast after walking down the aisle at tryouts.
• Pacific Citizen Reports on Hawaii Statehood Opposition, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A JACL-related report examines arguments against Hawaii statehood. The House committee rebuts claims about communist control and population composition.
• Meeting With Congressman Roosevelt, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Southern California JACL leaders met with Congressman James Roosevelt about the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for Cancer Research being built in Denver. The group felt the cancer research project merited community support among Japanese Americans.
• Hollywood Chapter Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Hollywood JACL chapter held its annual outing at Elysian Park with games, a spaghetti dinner, and a square dance. Art Ito was honored with a sapphire pin for his service to the chapter and organization.
• Kaz Shikano Honored by Fremont JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Kaz Shikano, a charter member of the Fremont JACL, received the JACL sterling silver pin at a recognition dinner. The chapter also approved its 1959 social calendar of events.
• Seabrook’s Annual Chow Mein Dinner Set Mar. 21, by Ayako Nakamura, page 4. The Seabrook JACL will sponsor its fourth annual Chow Mein dinner on Saturday, March 21, with proceeds going to civic projects. Preparations are underway under chapter president Vernon Ichisaka.
• Alien Land Law Abolition Sought in Washington State, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL seeks abolition of Washington State’s alien land act, a holdover from the era of anti-Asian sentiment. Washington and Arizona remain the only states with such laws still in effect.

National

• Hawaii Statehood Bill Passes Senate, 76-, by JACL News Service, page 1. The U.S. Senate voted 76 to 2 to make Hawaii the 50th state, with a similar House vote scheduled for the following day. The measure cleared the way for Hawaii’s long-awaited statehood.
• Utah House OKs Civil Rights Measure 52-11, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Utah House of Representatives passed HB 16, an antidiscrimination civil rights bill, by a 52-11 vote after lengthy debate. The measure, supported by the JACL, now awaited Senate passage and the governor’s signature.
• Arguments Against Hawaii Refuted, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee rebutted common arguments against Hawaii statehood, including claims of Communist control and noncontiguity. The committee cited Korean War service and Hawaii’s full integration into the American system.

Commentary

• Rhee and the Nisei, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa criticizes South Korean President Syngman Rhee for denying a visa to Nisei cinematographer Toge Fujihira, despite Nisei sacrifices for Korea. He argues Rhee’s hatred of things Japanese has extended unjustly to Japanese Americans.

Military & Veterans

• Washington’s Alien Land Law Referendum Set for 1959, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Washington State’s legislature approved a constitutional amendment to repeal the alien land law, placing it on the ballot for voters. Mike Masaoka’s visit coincided with the legislative action, which needs majority voter approval.

Obituaries

• Sho Komai Dies at 42, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sho Komai, past president of West L.A. JACL and its first JACL sapphire pin winner, died March 7 after a prolonged illness at Alhambra Community Hospital. He was 42 years old.

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