A new California job law and complaints about farm workers from Japan

Vol. 49, No. 21, November 20, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

A new California FEPC law was the subject of the front-page editorial, which argued that a statute meant to end job discrimination also barred employers from advertising for minority applicants. Farm workers from Japan were the other running story. Akiji Yoshimura called press reports of their complaints a needless insult, Vice Consul Issei Saito said workers named in the reports denied the remarks, and Mike Masaoka wrote that the accounts were greatly exaggerated.

Elsewhere in these 8 pages, the U.S. Civil Rights Commission planned January hearings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Rep. Daniel K. Inouye protested how census jobs were being filled. The Mountain Plains district prepared to honor K. Patrick Okura, and the Chicago JACL planned its 15th Inaugural dinner-dance with Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe. Chapter news, bowling, and Bill Matsumoto’s Thousand Club notes fill the later pages.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • A Hard Law to Understand, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The new California FEPC law bars employers from specifying race, creed, or nationality in job ads, even when seeking minority applicants. The editorial argues the intent is good but the law creates confusing obstacles to hiring minorities.
  • Thousand Club Notes, by Bill Matsumoto, page 2. Thousand Club chairman Bill Matsumoto urges members to renew by Dec. 1 for the Holiday Issue honor roll. He reports 1,299 members and sets a goal of 2,000 by the 1960 convention.
  • Good Year for NC-WNDC, by Jerry Enomoto, page 2. Outgoing NC-WNDC chairman Jerry Enomoto thanks the Reno chapter and district leaders for a successful fourth quarterly session. He reviews the year and welcomes the incoming board.
  • Need Not Look Too Far Afield, by Berry Suzukida, page 2. Berry Suzukida argues that America lacks a strong sense of national purpose compared to the Soviet Union, citing George Kennan’s critique. He concludes JACL has plenty of pressing domestic problems to address.
  • Vice Consul Issei Saito Responds on Farm Worker Reports, by Issei Saito, page 2. Vice Consul Issei Saito of the Japanese Consulate General states that workers named in the Honolulu and Yokohama reports denied making the quoted remarks. He notes hometown papers reported worker satisfaction with their California employers.
  • Easto the River, by Richard Akagi, page 4. Richard Akagi recounts a chatty early-morning encounter with a retired engineer in Miami and his impressions of the city’s skid row. He follows with reflections on Nassau, Bahamas.
  • Workers from Japan, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka reports that preliminary investigations suggest newspaper accounts of complaints by returning Japanese farm workers were greatly exaggerated. He argues the wider issues involve fair treatment of temporary workers and the role of returning workers as goodwill ambassadors.

JACL

  • Min.-Plains JACL to Honor Pat Okura at Nov. 27-28 Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Mountain Plains District Council will hold its two-day convention in Denver, honoring K. Patrick Okura and several other Nisei for community service. Business sessions, a recognitions banquet, and a dance are scheduled.
  • Dr. Yatabe to Address 15th Chicago Inaugural, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL will hold its 15th annual Inaugural dinner-dance on Nov. 28 at Edgewater Beach Hotel. Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe, the first nationally elected JACL president, will speak and administer the oath of office.

National

  • Civil Rights Commission Plans Hearings in California on Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Civil Rights Commission will hold public hearings in Los Angeles and San Francisco in January on racial problems in California. Focus areas include voting, housing, and education affecting minority groups.
  • Rep. Inouye Raps Census Work Hiring, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Daniel K. Inouye protested reports that census jobs were being routed through Republican Party headquarters. He argued that federal positions funded by public money should be open to all qualified applicants.
  • Watsonville Senior Wins DAR Citizenship Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Frances Higaki of Watsonville was chosen as the 1959 Daughters of the American Revolution Citizen. She will compete at district and state levels for scholarship bonds.
  • Hawaii Population Included in U.S. Census Figures, by P.C. Staff, page 8. For the first time, Hawaii’s population is included in national census totals following statehood. The U.S. population now stands at 178,252,000 as of Sept. 1.

Community

  • PSWDC Lauds ‘Operation Typhoon’ Show, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council presented a resolution to Steve Parker for the Operation Typhoon benefit revue in Las Vegas. The benefit raised funds for relief after Typhoon Vera struck Nagoya.
  • Stake Pretty Waitress to Husband-Hunt Trip, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle Canlis waitresses raised working capital to send Takiko Oda on a husband-hunting trip, according to a Seattle columnist. She is expected to repay her backers if she finds a millionaire.
  • $200,000 Church Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Centenary Methodist Church launched a $200,000 fund drive for a new Christian education building. The Rev. John Yamashita, Nisei division pastor, announced the campaign.
  • Spending Weekends in Hospitals Amusing Nisei ‘Candy Striper of 59’ Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Richard Ishii, a Cal Poly student, was named Candy Striper of 1959 by Inter-Community Hospital in Covina for over 500 volunteer hours. He entertains children with games, stories, and crafts during weekend shifts.
  • Chicago Corner, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 2. Sakurada reports on Holiday Issue solicitations from Chicago businesses and visits with local supporters. He thanks donors and notes the section will serve as a directory for the community.
  • Japanese Wives Receive Fewer Expressions of Affection, Says Professor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. University of Michigan sociologist Robert O. Blood studied 444 couples in Tokyo and found Japanese wives receive less verbal affection than American wives. He reports younger Japanese couples increasingly share decisions and recreation.
  • Nisei Wins Sonoma County 4-H All-Star Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 3. John Imoto, a 16-year-old junior leader of the Wilson 4-H Club in Petaluma, was named one of two Sonoma County 4-H All Stars for 1960. Selection was based on achievements and club activities.
  • Nisei in Suburbia, by Jean Kimura, page 4. Chicago JACL’s Abe Hagiwara observes that about 200 Nisei families have moved to Chicago suburbs and describes how JACL helps them share Japanese culture. He gives examples of community goodwill through chapter connections.
  • Selma JACL Installs 1960 Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Max Kawano was named 1960 president of the Selma JACL along with a full slate of officers. The chapter also held a Hallowe’en party and planned a fishing derby.
  • N.Y. JACL Board Assignments Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The New York JACL announced its 1960 officers and directors, with George Kyotow as chairman. Board meetings will rotate among directors’ homes.
  • French Camp Area Issei to Be Dined, Entertained, by P.C. Staff, page 4. French Camp JACL will honor local Issei with a dinner and program at the Japanese Community Hall. The evening includes music by the Stockton Japanese Gardeners Band and a comedy skit.
  • Orange County Queen Engaged to S.F. JACLer, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mary Murai, a former Orange County Nisei Week attendant, is engaged to Dr. Leo Nakayama of San Francisco. Dr. Nakayama is a Stanford-trained surgeon and San Francisco JACL board member.
  • Bakersfield PTA, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Kumi Misono, an active Bakersfield JACLer, was elected president of the William Penn School PTA for 1959-60.
  • Central California Chapter Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A newly formed chapter in the Central California District Council elected Kumi Misono’s colleagues as officers for 1960. The officers will be sworn in at the CCDC convention in Fresno.
  • Idaho Falls JACL Elects Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Idaho Falls JACL elected new officers at a potluck meeting, with Leo Hosoda as president. Other officers were named for the coming year.
  • Go for Broke Screened at Monterey JACL Potluck, by P.C. Staff, page 4. About 150 members attended the Monterey Peninsula JACL fall potluck, where the film Go For Broke was shown. The chapter also contracted a combo for its New Year’s Eve dance.
  • Sonoma County JACL Women’s Auxiliary Potluck, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sonoma County JACL Women’s Auxiliary will hold an informal potluck dinner meeting at Memorial Hall. Members are asked to bring hot dishes and their own serving utensils.
  • Sacramento Talent Show Rescheduled to Nov. 21, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sacramento JACL’s Your Stars of Tomorrow revue has moved to Nov. 21 at the new YBA Hall. Guest star Lonnie Lee of Hawaii and local performers will appear.
  • Diane Yoshimoto Salt Lake Contest Winner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Diane Yoshimoto, a South High junior and ballet dancer, won the Salt Lake JACL talent contest. She will represent the chapter at the IDC Convention youth show.
  • Hilarious Luau for L.A. 1000ers Ready, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Tickets are selling fast for the Los Angeles Coordinating Council 1000 Club luau at Kono Hawaii in Santa Ana. The event promises skits, exotic food, and dancing.
  • ‘Fashion Santa’ Theme of CCDC Convention Show, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The CCDC convention fashion show in Fresno will feature a Fashion Santa theme sponsored by I. Magnin & Co. Tickets are available from committee members and the store.
  • Eden Township JACL Movie Night, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township JACL will present two recent Japanese films with English subtitles at San Lorenzo Village School as a thank-you to local Issei. Admission is free.
  • 17 1/2 Lb. Catch Wins Florin Bass Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 5. About 200 anglers took part in the annual Florin JACL bass derby. Roy Watanabe won first place with a 17.5-pound catch.
  • Sequoia JACL Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sequoia JACL will hold a bowling tournament at San Carlos Bowl with five trophies to be awarded. Play takes place over the weekend.
  • Imperial Lanes Set to Open in Seattle, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Fred Takagi’s 24-lane Imperial Lanes in Seattle will open Thanksgiving Day, replacing his 12-lane Main Bowl. The new facility features restaurant service, a nursery, and an equipment shop.
  • Births, Engagements, Weddings, and Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The issue lists recent births, engagements, weddings, and deaths among Japanese American families across California and other states. Notices cover several Nisei families.
  • Hachiro Yasumura Profile: Recreation Director for Children, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Miss Yasumura directs recreational services for children at Bellevue Hospital in New York as an occupational therapist. She describes how play helps hospitalized children and how young women can enter the field.
  • Utah University President Visits Japan, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 8. Dr. A. Ray Olpin, president of the University of Utah, visited Japan to discuss educational exchange and language programs. He noted several Utah graduates working in Japan, including Mike Masaoka.
  • Nampa Rotary Sponsors Japanese Student at College of Idaho, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Henry Fujii arranged for the Nampa Rotary Club to sponsor Kazuto Hirotomi, a student from Tottori, Japan, at the College of Idaho. The student is expected to return home to enrich his community after graduation.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Charges by Japan Farm Workers Held as Needless Insult, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Akiji Yoshimura criticized press reports in which returning Japanese farm workers allegedly attacked their Issei and Nisei employers. He said the reports were unwarranted and damaging to the community.

Arts & Entertainment

  • The Book Beat: Michener’s Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A review of James Michener’s 931-page novel Hawaii, covering the islands’ history from volcanic origins to statehood. The reviewer highlights the Sakagawa family’s story and notes the book may displease some Hawaiians.
  • S. Neil Fujita Joins Honolulu Star-Bulletin, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Designer S. Neil Fujita, a Kauai native working for Columbia Records in New York, will write a new column for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. His first column recalls his Issei parents’ struggles and generational language conflicts.

Sports

  • Shimada Wins Idaho Championship Again, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Fuzzy Shimada of Santa Clara will represent Northern California at the National All-Star bowling tournament. He won his second straight Idaho championship.
  • Long Beach to Host 3rd Annual Cagefest, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The third annual Long Beach-Harbor District JACL invitational basketball tournament will be held Nov. 27-28. Six teams have entered, and local coaches will serve as officials.

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