California’s first FEPC law and the push for a federal one

Vol. 48, No. 17, April 24, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

California’s new Fair Employment Practices Act was the news of this 8-page issue. Governor Brown signed the state’s first FEPC law, and the front page followed with his vow to fight any referendum to repeal it. An editorial recalled how JACL delegates had endorsed fair employment practices at every national convention since 1946 and urged continued work toward a federal law. Elsewhere on civil rights, a bill by Assemblyman Jesse Unruh to widen California’s protections was up for an Assembly vote, and Colorado passed its first fair housing law.

Other pages followed chapter and community life. National President Shigeo Wakamatsu previewed the Pacific Southwest District Council convention in Long Beach, and Bill Hosokawa’s column reported on a visa denied to a Nisei photographer by Korea. Salt Lake JACL signed its 550th member, San Francisco passed 1,150, and Chicago challenged other chapters to a membership race.

What’s in this issue

National

• To Work Now for Federal FEPC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL delegates have endorsed federal fair employment practices since 1946, and California’s new state FEPC law fulfills one phase of that hope. The editorial recalls how WRA resettlement helped Nisei gain jobs and urges continued work toward a federal FEPC.
• Australia Not Interested in Americans of Oriental Ancestry as Immigrants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Australian Deputy Prime Minister John McEwen said the country encourages only immigrants of substantial European background. He suggested that admitting Asian immigrants would be economically disruptive, and the item questions whether that policy extends to Hawaii’s Americans of Oriental ancestry.
• Gov. Brown Vows to Fight FEPC Referendum if Placed on Ballot, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Brown said he would campaign against any referendum to repeal California’s new Fair Employment Practices Act. A retired San Francisco broker is seeking signatures to place the repealer on the November 1960 ballot.
• Governor Brown Signs State’s First FEPC Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Brown signed California’s first Fair Employment Practices Act, which bans job discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, or ancestry. The law creates a five-man commission to handle complaints through conciliation and, if needed, court orders.
• Unruh Bill Widening California Civil Rights Up for Assembly Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Assemblyman Jesse Unruh’s bill banning racial and religious discrimination in business, schools, and charitable benefits cleared the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously. It includes provisions for damages and incorporates a related bill by Assemblyman Elliott.
• Colorado Passes State’s First Fair Housing Law, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Colorado enacted a fair housing law banning discrimination in rentals and sales based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, or sex. Complaints would go to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Commission, which can issue cease and desist orders.

Community

• Wakamatsu to Address PSWDC at Long Beach, by Sue Sugiyama, page 1. National President Shigeo Wakamatsu will speak at the Pacific Southwest District Council convention banquet in Long Beach on May 2. The convention includes a mixer, buffet luncheon, board sessions, and other events May 1-3.
• Nisei Tomato Grower Sued by Own Group for Underselling to Canner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Tomato Growers Association sued member Jun Aoki for selling tomatoes below the association’s asking price. The suit tests a membership agreement requiring association approval of canner contracts.
• Nisei Named to City’s Planning Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ben Okamoto was appointed to Fountain Valley’s nine-member planning committee as the city moves toward a zoning master plan. A joint meeting with the council is planned to discuss zoning proposals.
• Sansei Girl Corps Outpoints Marine Units, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Maryknoll Girls’ drum and bugle corps won the sweepstakes award at the 13th annual Lakewood Pan American Parade, the first time such a unit took top honors. The all-Sansei group will perform for Navy personnel before defending its state title in June.
• Nisei Girl Enters County Beauty Pageant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nola Sugai became the first local girl to enter the Miss Malheur County pageant in Ontario, Oregon. The pageant is sponsored by the Junior Chambers of Commerce of Ontario, Nyssa and Vale.
• Chubu Nisei Preparing for Los Angeles Sisterhood Fete, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Nagoya’s Chubu Nisei Kyokai helped prepare messages urging a sister-city relationship between Nagoya and Los Angeles. The group is planning its own celebration as Nagoya officials show enthusiasm for the relationship.
• Northern Utah Chapter Joins Intermountain District Council, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A new Northern Utah JACL chapter was formed with temporary co-chairmen and is seeking National Board approval. The Ben Lomond JACL also redesignated itself as the Ben Lomond (Davis-Weber) chapter.
• San Francisco Chapter Leading With 1,150 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 2. San Francisco JACL has about 1,150 members this year, surpassing 1,000 for the third consecutive year. Membership chairman Mrs. Yo Hironaka reported the total following post-drive cleanup calls.
• Stranded Hawaii Nisei Sues Government for Selling Off Home, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Harue Sakamoto sued the U.S. Attorney General for return of money received when her Hawaii home was sold while she was stranded in Japan during the war. She had lost citizenship in 1947 by voting in Japan, a ruling her suit contests.
• Taro Yashima Painting for Long Beach Library, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Paintings by noted children’s book illustrator Taro Yashima decorate the boys and girls area of the new Bay Shore branch of the Long Beach public library. The branch opened with an open house.
• The Northwest Picture: Man of the Year Honoree, by Ute Hirano, page 2. Elmer Ogawa was named Man of the Year by the Jackson Street Community Council in Seattle for his community service. The article traces his background, from his college days to his work with the council’s publications.
• East L.A. Winding Up Membership Push With Annual Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 2. East Los Angeles JACL stands at 288 members after five weeks of canvassing and plans an annual membership dinner-dance. Upcoming events include a May general meeting and the fifth annual Emerald Ball.
• Seattle Nisei Awarded Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Paul Chihara, a University of Washington senior, won a Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship. He plans to study English literature at Yale next fall.
• Nagoya Area Nisei Preparing for L.A. Sisterhood Fete, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Nisei in Nagoya are preparing for a sister-city relationship with Los Angeles and serving as guides for visiting officials. The article notes their English classes and efforts to improve the image of Nisei in Japan.
• Dr. Yatabe Moves Office, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. T.T. Yatabe, JACL’s first national president, is moving his Chicago office on May 1. The item is brief and largely informational.
• Methodist Women to Hold Annual Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Japanese Provisional Conference of the Methodist Church will hold its ninth annual meeting of women’s auxiliary societies in Livingston. Rev. Dodds B. Bunch will give the keynote address.
• Hi-Co to Stage Own Conclave at PSWDC Long Beach Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Southland Hi-Co youth are invited to attend the PSWDC convention May 1-3, with their own mixer, Saturday dance, and farewell program. A special package rate is offered for Hi-Co delegates.
• Search for Nisei Week Queen Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Southwest L.A. JACL has begun its search for a candidate for the 1959 Nisei Week queen contest. The chapter winner will be introduced at the Queentime Ball on June 13.
• Nisei Named Denver Urban League Board Member, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Terasaki was elected to the Denver Urban League board of directors. The appointment is viewed as significant for the Japanese American community’s participation in wider community issues.
• Cincinnati Philosophy Dept. Head Studies Zen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Van Meter Ames, incoming chairman of the University of Cincinnati philosophy department, is studying Zen Buddhism in Japan. He recently attended the Ninth International Congress for the History of Religion in Tokyo.
• Salt Lake JACL Signs Former Japanese Movie Star as 550th Member, by Alice Kasai, page 4. Mitsuko Kimura, a former Japanese film star now Mrs. Ken Fukunaga, became the 550th member of Salt Lake JACL, surpassing last year’s record. Congressman Adam Duncan, author of Utah’s civil rights measure, also joined the chapter.
• St. Louis Potluck Funfest Set May 2, by P.C. Staff, page 4. St. Louis JACL plans a potluck dinner and funfest at Goff-Moll American Legion Hall on May 2. The chapter’s recent Easter egg hunt drew a strong response from children and parents.
• Cleveland JACL Installs Board, Recognizes Long Service, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Joe Kadowaki was re-elected Cleveland JACL chairman at the installation of the 1959 board. George Ono and Bill Sadataki received ten-year recognition awards for service to the chapter.
• Bakersfield Chapter Plans Bowling League, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Bakersfield JACL, the newest chapter in Central California District Council, plans to form a bowling league at its upcoming meeting. The chapter has signed 72 members so far and held a well-attended community picnic.
• Eden Township Jr. JACL Plans Election Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Eden Township Jr. JACL will hold an election meeting at the home of Dianne Mura. Officers and advisers from Oakland Jr. JACL have been invited to discuss youth group aims.
• San Francisco and Southwest L.A. Accept Chicago’s Challenge in Membership Race, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Chicago JACL challenged San Francisco and Southwest L.A. to a membership race for the ICBM trophy, with a June deadline. San Francisco accepted the challenge, and Southwest L.A. agreed to participate.
• Auxiliary Members Gladden Hearts of 13 Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Seven San Francisco JACL Women’s Auxiliary members visited Laguna Honda Home, bringing food and gifts to 13 Issei residents. The visit was a kind gesture to the elderly residents.
• Fremont JACL to Picnic Near Half Moon Bay Beach, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Fremont JACL plans a family picnic at San Gregorio Beach this Sunday with races, games, and an evening weiner bake. The outing committee lists several members in charge.
• Southwest L.A. JACL to Premiere ‘Challenge’, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Southwest L.A. JACL will host the premiere of ‘Challenge,’ a color film by a USC graduate workshop on Japanese in America, along with a stereophonic sound demonstration. The meeting is open to the public without admission charge.
• Cortez JACL Plants Almond Orchard for Youth Recreation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Cortez JACL volunteers planted seven acres of almond trees behind Cortez Hall to fund future recreational facilities for local children. Proceeds will help pay for a planned playground and swimming pool.
• Nisei Named Fig Growers Cooperative Director, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hifumi Ikeda of Clovis was chosen as a temporary director of the new Valley Fig Growers cooperative. The cooperative will control about half of the nation’s dried fig crop.
• Portland JACL Discusses International Relations Questions, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Portland JACL met to consider two questions from the international relations committee. Decisions were to be presented at the PNWDC spring session in Seattle.

Commentary

• Ye Editor’s Desk, by Barry K. Honda, page 2. The editorial notes pending civil rights bills in Congress, including Senator Goldwater’s bill on government contract nondiscrimination and extensions of the Civil Rights Commission. It also praises Elmer Ogawa for being named Man of the Year by the Jackson Street Community Council.
• Fujihira Visa Denial and the Korean Response, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reports that Korea denied a visa to Nisei photographer Toge Fujihira, following an earlier denial to Shoji Hirami. Mike Masaoka’s protest drew a reply from Ambassador You Chan Yang, and Hosokawa questions the response.
• Springtime in Chicago and California, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 5. National President Shigeo Wakamatsu previews his visit to the Pacific Southwest District Council convention in Long Beach. He praises the district’s leadership and the Long Beach-Harbor chapter’s record.

Military & Veterans

• Hanford Nisei VFW Post Installs Commander, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Marvin Tsutsumi was installed as commander of Hanford Nisei Liberty Post 5869, VFW, by the California department commander. The item is brief.

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