Civil rights legislation and JACL’s plans for 1960-70

Vol. 50, No. 7, February 12, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Federal civil rights legislation was the main subject of this 8-page issue. An editorial signed H.H. urged Nisei to act at once while the Senate debated the bill, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reported that Senate action was expected before the February 15 deadline. JACL national chairman Harold Gordon asked members to write their legislators. Panelists at the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council meeting also discussed JACL’s priorities for the 1960-70 decade, and Dr. Roy Nishikawa spoke to the Venice-Culver chapter about the value of the organization.

Elsewhere, Southern California clubs of 442nd veterans voted to form a joint association. Larry S. Tojiri looked at Hollywood’s Oriental story cycle, and Richard Akagi recalled a legendary figure of the Twenties. Chapter news came from Fowler, Sonoma County, Florin, Snake River and San Francisco, and Midwest chapters met their $200 pledge to aid the Washington State alien land law fight.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• For Immediate Action, by H.H., page 1. The editorial urges Nisei to act immediately on federal civil rights legislation during the February Senate debate. It asks readers to write airmail letters to their senators and congressmen supporting meaningful civil rights.
• Japanese Robin Hood, by Richard Akagi, page 6. The columnist recalls Tosa Yama, a legendary head of a Japanese gambling syndicate on the West Coast during the Twenties. Family stories portray him as a Robin Hood figure, though details are unverified.

JACL

• Broad base of membership should be retained as say NC-WNDC panelists discussing 1960-70 national planning, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Panelists at the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council meeting discussed JACL’s priorities for the 1960-70 decade. Points of agreement included public relations, national staff assistance to chapters, and civil rights activity.
• JACL viewed as ‘best insurance’ against repeal of bitter prejudice of prewar eras, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Roy Nishikawa, immediate past national president, told the Venice-Culver JACL installation dinner that JACL is the best insurance for Japanese Americans. He cited the organization’s structure, staff, and member contacts as assets to protect.
• 1960-70 JACL Planning Commission Informational Bulletin No. 2, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Minutes of a panel at the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council meeting outline proposed JACL goals for the next decade. Speakers covered citizenship, civil rights, youth leadership, and the organization’s history.
• Midwest District meets $200 pledge, by P.C. Staff, page 5. All Midwest District Council chapters fulfilled their $200 pledge to aid the Washington State chapters fighting alien land laws. Chairman Mutsu Takao noted that individual contributions continued to arrive.
• Sonoma County JACL’s activities for 1960, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL released a calendar emphasizing family participation with events throughout the year. Committee chairmen were assigned for scholarship, blood bank, and building fund work.
• Eden Township to host district session, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Delegates accepted Eden Township JACL’s invitation to host the May district quarterly session, a pre-convention rally for the Sacramento national convention. Bill Matsumoto reported on convention preparations.
• Florin JACL cabinet installed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The new Florin JACL cabinet headed by Louis Ito was installed at the chapter banquet by national director Mas Satow. The district council’s prior meeting was also praised.

Obituaries

• Fred Hirasuna’s father succumbs to heart attack, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mitsuji Hirasuna, 88, father of Central California JACL district chairman Fred Hirasuna, died of a heart attack at his Fresno home. He had farmed in the valley for 50 years before retiring 18 years earlier.

Community

• Layton Nisei selected Utah ‘Farmer of the Year’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masaru Yamada, 22, of Layton, Utah, was named Young Farmer of the Year by the Utah Young Farmers Association. He operates a 5-acre farm and is in partnership on another 143 acres.
• Gardena Nisei files for elective post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bruce T. Me became the first Nisei to file for elective office in Gardena, seeking the position of city treasurer. He is a certified accountant and active in local professional and civic groups.
• 1,300 JACLers goal of S.F. chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL chapter began a month-long membership drive aiming for 1,300 members. Mrs. Hironaka was re-elected chapter membership chairman on the strength of her record.
• Milwaukee past-president in restaurant business, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Walter Wong, former Milwaukee JACL president and the only Chinese American to lead a JACL chapter, opened the Lime House restaurant. The item notes his new business venture.
• Hawaii retirees reportedly drawing U.S. social security, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 3,000 former U.S. residents of Japanese ancestry now live in Japan and draw American social security, according to a Tokyo publication. Many have invested savings in homes and brokerage accounts there.
• Dave Tatsuno gives keynote ‘Y’ address, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dave Tatsuno of San Jose, president of the Pacific Southwest Area Council of the National YMCA, gave the keynote at the Stockton YMCA annual meeting. He described the YMCA as a program of work with men.
• Nisei graduated from U. of W. law school, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Andrew S. Ono, who researched Washington’s alien land law for the repeal commission, received his law degree from the University of Washington. He was the only Nisei graduating from the law school that quarter.
• Fowler chapter announces 1960 calendar of events and chairmen for each project, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fowler JACL announced its 1960 event calendar and assigned chairmen for each project, including a community picnic and scholarship presentation. A push for membership was also set.
• Parents, teenagers plan joint meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A community-wide conference of San Francisco Nisei parents and teenagers is scheduled for February 26 to discuss mutual problems. Dr. George DeVos and Dr. Ronald Lippitt are expected to speak.
• Juvenile officer to address S.F. JACL installation fete, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Police Inspector John W. Pinney of the San Francisco juvenile bureau was to be guest speaker at the San Francisco JACL installation dinner. The event was held at A. Sabella’s on Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Snake River elects Henry Obayashi president, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Snake River JACL elected new officers at a chicken dinner in Ontario, Oregon. The guest speaker was Rev. George Uyemura of the Community Methodist Church.
• Sansei runners relay Olympic torch in California, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Among the high school runners carrying the Olympic torch from Los Angeles to Squaw Valley were Wesley Honda of Delano and Ed Kuroda. The relay marked the 1960 Winter Games.
• Seattle chapter president gets acquainted with officers and board, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Seattle JACL president Min Tsubota pursues the alien land law repeal campaign, with contributors pictured at the event. Tsubota also serves on the Jackson Street Community Council.
• Five generations in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A family representing five generations of Japanese Americans in Honolulu is profiled as the islands mark the 75th anniversary of Japanese immigration. The generations span from an Issei immigrant to a Yonsei great-granddaughter.

Military & Veterans

• Veterans associations and 442nd organize, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ten clubs of 442nd veterans approved forming the Southern California 442nd Veterans Association. Eddie Shimatsu was named chairman pro tem with officers and constitution to follow at the March meeting.
• Washington Newsletter: Civil rights deadline, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Senate civil rights action is expected before the February 15 deadline, though the House Rules Committee has not yet reported its bill. JACL national chairman Harold Gordon urged members to write their legislators and outlined five principles for any acceptable civil rights statute.

Arts & Entertainment

• 1960 seen as peak year, by Larry S. Tojiri, page 3. Hollywood’s Oriental story cycle likely peaks in 1960, since most proposed films will be shot in Japan and the Far East. Several projects with Nisei actors, including The World of Suzie Wong and Beyond the Call, are discussed.
• Yokohama-born artist of abstract paintings wins $10,000 Ford grant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kenzo Okada, a Yokohama-born abstract painter living in New York, was among artists receiving $10,000 Ford Foundation grants. The awards let recipients devote one to three years to creative work.

In-Depth

• Haniwa lecture attracts SRO crowd as D.C. JACL chalks its biggest meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A standing-room crowd of over 100 heard Seiroku Noma and Fumio Miki lecture on Haniwa clay figures from Japanese burial mounds. The exhibit was part of the centennial of U.S.-Japan diplomatic relations.

Sports

• Kickoff dinner held to prepare for ’61 national JACL bowling meet in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Jose was chosen to host the 1961 National JACL Bowling Tournament, and a kickoff dinner was held at Sakura Gardens. Committee chairmen were named for men’s, women’s, and other divisions.

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