Little Rock, Inouye’s visit and the JACL civil rights debate

Vol. 49, No. 13, September 25, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

Little Rock’s reopened Central High opened the editorial page, which argued that the city’s citizens and police had stood against mob violence. Congressman Daniel Inouye was the other main subject: he spoke at a Los Angeles testimonial at San Kwo Low, praised the Issei pioneers and described the 442nd’s low AWOL and desertion record. Frank F. Chuman, Fred Takata and Mike Masaoka each wrote about the evening or about Khrushchev’s American tour. On page 4, Harold Gordon and William Marutani answered a column that had criticized JACL’s civil rights record.

The front page also carried George S. Schuyler’s call for Negroes to keep close ties with the Nisei, and news that the National JACL Board will underwrite a Boy Scout from Japan at the 1960 Jamboree. Akira Hayashi reported on the EDC-MDC convention in New York, and Elmer Ogawa reviewed Flower Drum Song. Chapter news from Detroit, Berkeley, Salt Lake and San Francisco fills pages 2 and 8.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Little Rock Redeems Its Civic Dignity, by H.H., page 1. Little Rock’s citizens and police stood against mob violence as Central High reopened to Negro and white students. The editorial argues the city showed a demagogue in America is not invincible.
  • Crossroads Editorial Response on Civil Rights, by Harold Gordon, page 4. Chicago attorney Harold Gordon responded to a column criticizing JACL’s civil rights record, arguing the record is public and extensive. He detailed JACL’s work with the President’s Committee on Civil Rights and other national coalitions.
  • Rebuttal to Crossroads on JACL Civil Rights Record, by William Marutani, page 4. Philadelphia attorney William Marutani rebutted the Crossroads column, which he called inaccurate and anti-JACL. He argued the national organization’s civil rights record is substantial and that the column should have been raised internally.
  • Congressman Inouye’s Visit and Community Dinner, by Frank F. Chuman, page 4. JACL legal counsel Frank Chuman described the community dinner honoring Congressman Daniel Inouye at San Kwo Low. He praised Inouye’s modesty and sense of public service and contrasted the event with belligerent remarks made by others during Khrushchev’s visit.
  • Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 5. Fred Takata reported on the successful Inouye testimonial banquet and the San Fernando Valley JACL turnout. He also described the Pasadena Chapter’s 1000 Club party with a Japanese Dotonbori theme.
  • New York Skyline: A Happy Ending, by Akira Hayashi, page 5. Akira Hayashi recounted the EDC-MDC convention in New York, including a surprise birthday cake for Congressman Inouye. He also described the Whing Ding, the mixer, and the Sansei activities over the weekend.
  • Washington Newsletter: Nikita Khrushchev, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka analyzed Khrushchev’s American tour and Camp David talks, concluding that Soviet propaganda and Marxist doctrine limit prospects for agreement. He also noted Nisei participation in public events and the significance of Nisei and other Asian Americans being invited to official functions.

National

  • Inouye Prays U.S. Stay Firm After ‘K’ Visit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Daniel Inouye, speaking at a San Kwo Low testimonial, described his observations at the Khrushchev state dinner. He urged the United States to remain firm and vigilant against Soviet complacency.
  • Negroes Urged to Maintain Close Ties with Nisei, by George S. Schuyler, page 1. Pittsburgh Courier columnist George Schuyler recalled the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans and urged Negroes to keep close relations with the Nisei. He warned that mass hatred could strike any minority.

JACL

  • Sponsor Scout to 1960 Jamboree, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Board agreed to underwrite round-trip air travel for a Boy Scout from Japan to the 50th Anniversary Jamboree in Colorado Springs. The project seeks about $1,000 in voluntary contributions by December 1.
  • Careful Study on Youth Program in JACL Urged, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Abe Hagiwara told Nisei parents of subteen children about JACL’s projected 10-year plan. He stressed careful assessment of JACL youth programs.
  • Pasadena JACL Bridge Club Holds First Invitational Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sequoia JACL Bridge Club hosted its first invitational tournament at the Redwood City YMCA. Members from San Mateo, San Jose, San Francisco and Berkeley were invited to compete for a perpetual trophy.

Community

  • Mayor Kitayama Signs Draft Adlai Petition, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Union City Mayor Tom Kitayama signed a petition urging Adlai Stevenson to run for president. San Jose attorney Arthur Johnson reported 1,500 signatures gathered nationwide.
  • Private Bill Signed to Admit Japanese Ex-IB Immigrant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower signed a private bill allowing Makoto Yabusaki to enter as a nonquota immigrant. His wife died in a 1956 auto accident shortly after the family arrived under refugee relief.
  • San Francisco Nisei Voters Eye November Election, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco Nisei Voters League will take an active role in the November election, president Jack Kusaba announced. It will co-sponsor a candidates’ night with the San Francisco JACL on October 20.
  • Salt Lake Chapter Bequeathed $487, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Salt Lake JACL acknowledged a $487.70 bequest from the late George H. Hiramatsu. Chapter president Ichiro Doi said it was the largest single donation the chapter had received.
  • San Francisco Reports 1,230 JACL Members, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco JACL membership chairman Yo Hironaka reported a total of 1,230 members at the August 31 board meeting. Kei Hori was announced as holiday greetings solicitor for the Pacific Citizen.
  • Reno Sansei Attends Traffic Safety Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Calvin Aoyama of Reno represented Nevada at the National Student Traffic Safety Conference in Kansas City. Delegates from all 50 states studied ways to reduce highway accidents.
  • Jr. JACLers Meeting Theme on Japan Culture, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Oakland Jr. JACLers held a meeting on the culture and customs of Japan at Mayme Marubayashi’s home. Films were shown and Roy Endo demonstrated Sofu-style flower arrangement.
  • Gardena Card Room Ruling, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Superior Judge McCarthy ruled that Gardena’s limit on card club permits was illegal and treated card rooms like other businesses. The city council’s denial of a license was set aside pending a hearing.
  • Six Nisei Pass State Dental Board Examination, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Six Nisei were among 159 candidates who passed California’s state dental licensing exam on July 27. Patricia Fukumura also received her license as a dental hygienist.
  • San Fernando Valley JACL Steak Bake Set, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Fernando Valley JACL annual steak barbecue will be held at Reseda Park with games for children and barbecued steaks. Attendees were asked to bring their own eating utensils.
  • Detroit Teen Club Benefit Dance Oct. 3, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Detroit JACL Teen Club announced its committee members for an October 3 benefit dance at the International Institute. Music will be provided by the Mello-Tones.
  • Youth Talent Revue at Berkeley Set, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A community talent revue featuring youthful performers will be held at Berkeley High School Little Theater. Acts include trampoline, piano, tap, and hula performances.
  • Detroit CLers Appear on Educational TV, by Doris Fujioka, page 2. The Detroit JACL presented a half-hour program on Channel 56 in conjunction with Wayne State University and the International Institute. The program featured judo, ondo dancing, and koto performance.
  • Motor City Golfer Hits Club’s First Ace, by P.C. Staff, page 2. George Yamamoto became the first Nisei golfer in the Motor City Golf Club to score a hole-in-one at Rouge Park. He will be honored at the club’s fall awards banquet.
  • Dietetic Internship Award Won by Berkeley Graduate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Makiko Shinoda received a $500 Mead Johnson scholarship for her dietetic internship at UC Medical Center in San Francisco. She recently earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from UC Berkeley.
  • Dave Yamakawa Jr. to Intern with Coro Foundation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. David Yamakawa Jr. and Henry Iwasa were among 14 interns selected for the Coro Foundation public affairs internship in San Francisco. Both had been chosen by civic leaders in Honolulu and welcomed at City Hall.
  • Sen. Fong Corrects Sen. Mundt on TV, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Senator Hiram Fong corrected Senator Karl Mundt, who had called him a Chinese national during a television interview. Fong stated he is an American born in Hawaii.
  • Ben Frank Masaoka Installed as Master Mason, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Warren Minami was raised to the master mason degree in Harmony Lodge 17 by his father, Dr. Henry Minami. Dr. Richard Otagaki was also conferred the degree at the Washington, D.C. lodge.
  • Li’l Tokio Leader Awarded Japan Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Meijiro Sato, a Li’l Tokio community leader and naturalized Issei, received the Fourth Order of the Sacred Treasure from Japan. He is co-proprietor of Asia Travel Bureau and the fourth Southern California Issei to receive the honor.

Military & Veterans

  • Kimura Initiated as Legion Post Commander, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tadao Kimura, formerly of Palos Verdes, was installed as commander of Morton Grove American Legion Post 134. He runs a television repair shop and has three children.
  • Spanish American War Issei Veteran Dies at 95, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Funeral services were held for Koiiro Ono, 95, who as a youth served as a cook aboard a U.S. battleship that bombarded Havana. He and his Norwegian wife ran a Chicago restaurant before moving to Los Angeles.
  • Inouye Honored at Los Angeles Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Congressman Daniel Inouye addressed a Los Angeles testimonial and praised the Issei pioneers for their sacrifices and virtues. He described the 442nd’s low AWOL and desertion record and his surprise reunion with fellow amputee William Maybee.

Sports

  • Dried Apples, Pears Go Up in $25-G Smoke, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A fire destroyed dried apples and pears valued at $25,000 at the Hiura dryer in Watsonville. The total loss was about $35,000 and the operator planned to resume operations.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Eighty Miles from Broadway, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Elmer Ogawa reviewed the Broadway musical Flower Drum Song, praising Pat Suzuki, Miyoshi Umeki, and Keye Luke. He also recalled meeting cast members while visiting New York.
  • Pat Suzuki Signs for Another Year on Broadway, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Pat Suzuki, who plays Linda Low in Flower Drum Song, signed a contract to continue in the role through September 1960. The musical is set in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

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