Civil rights and Sister City ties in the March 4, 1960 issue

Vol. 50, No. 10, March 4, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the news of this eight-page issue. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter described the Senate’s around-the-clock sessions as it moved toward a vote on civil rights legislation, and the Supreme Court ruled that the 1957 Civil Rights Act was constitutional. The front page also carried the editorial on President Eisenhower’s new National Goals Commission, and a report from Tom Hennion on the California Fair Employment Practices Commission’s list of permissible job application questions.

Sister City ties between American and Japanese cities were another thread, with stories from Puyallup, San Diego and San Bernardino and a commentary by Tamotsu Murayama. Chapter pages covered installations in San Jose, Dayton, Omaha and Portland. Bill Hosokawa’s Prevailing Winds, Joe Nishioka’s By the Board and a sports page of bowling, golf and judo rounded out the issue.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Ike’s Planning Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower appointed an 11-member National Goals Commission to outline coordinated national policies for the next decade. The editorial argues that Americans must set clear goals in civil rights, defense, education, and foreign relations to fulfill their world role.
• Rap indifference of U.S. cities in Sister City tie-up, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Many American sister city affiliations with Japanese cities have become neglected, while Japanese cities remain sincere. The writer urges Nisei leaders to revive these ties during the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Japan trade relations.
• Letterbox: Bouquets, by A.B.T., page 2. A reader from Picayune, Mississippi praised the paper for reporting news of minorities that is not available elsewhere. The letter encourages continued coverage of minority communities.
• Ye Editor’s Desk: Promoting the PC, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor describes National Director Mas Satow’s proposal to distribute sample PC copies with chapter activity summaries during membership drives. Chapters can order sample copies at no cost beyond shipping.
• Separate but equal, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column traces the separate but equal doctrine to a 1874 California Supreme Court decision denying a Black girl admission to a white school. The U.S. Supreme Court later invalidated the doctrine in 1954.
• Picking Tomatoes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The writer describes Montserrat stamps showing tomato cultivation and the island’s history under British rule. Stamp collecting is praised for teaching history and geography.
• By the Board, by Joe Nishioka, page 4. The Intermountain District chairman previews the National Convention in Sacramento and reports on repeal of discriminatory Idaho laws. He also notes the new Northern Utah JACL and the district’s planning for the 1960s.
• Washington Newsletter: Clock or Cloture, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The Senate moved into continuous around-the-clock sessions to force a vote on civil rights legislation, with cloture as the fallback. Masaoka analyzes the Southern filibuster strategy and urges constituents to press their senators.

National

• State FEPC issues list of employment application questions, by Tom Hennion, page 1. The California Fair Employment Practices Commission released a tentative list of permissible and forbidden questions on job applications. Employers have operated without clear rules since the Fair Employment Practices Act took effect in September 1959.
• ACLU challenges immigration officials, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ernest Besig of the ACLU disputed the claim by immigration investigators that they may stop and interrogate any suspected alien. Besig argued that reasonable grounds, not mere suspicion, are required for such questioning.
• 14 states enact anti-bias laws, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The American Jewish Congress reported that 24 new state anti-discrimination laws were enacted in 1959. Among them were the first state laws barring discrimination in general housing.
• Supreme Court rules membership information protected, by JACL News Service, page 8. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Little Rock could not compel disclosure of NAACP membership lists under the guise of checking tax status. JACL was concerned because of its own wartime experiences.
• Supreme Court rules 1957 Civil Rights Act constitutional, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Supreme Court unanimously reversed a Georgia decision and upheld the Justice Department’s power to bring civil suits for Negro voting rights. A second ruling restored 1,377 Louisiana Negro voters to the rolls.
• Clevelanders to tour Washington, D.C., by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Cleveland JACL and Shinwakai announced a sightseeing tour of Washington, D.C. for April 1-3 timed before Cherry Blossom Festival Week. The package includes bus transportation and hotel stays.
• Canadian Nisei seek liberalization of immigration laws, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Japanese Canadian Citizens Association prepared a brief urging Canada to liberalize immigration laws that discriminate against Asians. The brief addresses restrictions on husbands, fathers, and unmarried children.

Community

• Nisei helps edit community newspaper, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ray Inouye serves as news editor of the Kent News Journal in Kent, Washington, writing about 14,100 words a week. He previously edited his high school paper and worked on the University of Washington Daily.
• Puyallup Valley JACL sets Sister City ties, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Puyallup Valley JACL and local Nikkeijin Kai will send a photographic series of Tacoma Japanese Americans to a sister city fair in Kokura. The display will travel to Japan under the Japan American Society name.
• San Diego statue for Yokohama sister city, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Diego is shipping a replica of the Guardian of the Waters statue to Yokohama as a sister city gift in mid-April. The City Council underwrote the cost of about $19,740.
• San Bernardino-Tachikawa sister city gifts proclaimed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Gifts from Tachikawa were presented to the mayor and City Council of San Bernardino. Dr. Yonekazu Abe was named adviser to the sister city program and the National Orange Show’s Japanese theme.
• Prevailing Winds, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa quotes Italian scholar Fosco Maraini’s unflattering portrayal of a Nisei guide in Japan and responds with a rebuttal. He also reports on Nisei airline personnel, including the first Asian-descent domestic stewardess at United.
• Mt. Olympus JACL president leaves post for military, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Ken Tamura handed the Mt. Olympus JACL presidency to Mrs. Tom Matsumori when he reported for military service at Fort Ord. The chapter also discussed forming a Jr. JACL and an oratorical contest.
• Kiyoshi Kawamoto heads Reedley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Kiyoshi Kawamoto was named 1960 president of the Reedley JACL along with a full cabinet. The article lists the officers by position.
• West L.A. chapter mixer tomorrow, by Sumi Oshinomi, page 4. Dr. Ha Kitano of UCLA will speak on community welfare at the West Los Angeles JACL meeting, followed by a mixer. The chapter also plans a youth rally on May 22.
• Puyallup CL votes PC with Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Puyallup Valley JACL will include a $5 annual Pacific Citizen subscription in family membership dues. The board also supported the Washington Office and a campaign to repeal the state alien land law.
• Oakland JACL slates family night for Mar. 25, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Oakland JACL scheduled an Issei Night and Family Night for March 25 with food and entertainment. The cabinet also planned a monthly meeting.
• San Fernando Valley sets snow outing this Sunday, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Fernando Valley JACL is sponsoring a snow outing at Frazier Park on March 6, with hot drinks provided. Fred Muto and John Kaneko chaired the outing.
• Pocatello to act on JACL Hall plans, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pocatello JACL newsletter urged action on replacing the aging community hall with a modern structure. The chapter has long needed a new building and now considers renovation on the current lot.
• San Jose installation draws largest crowd in chapter history, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A crowd of 175 attended the installation of 1960 San Jose JACL officers at the Bowlarium. Norman Mineta was installed for a second term as president.
• Clovis JACLers elect Hi Ikeda, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Clovis JACL board is the largest in the Central California District with 20 members. Hi Ikeda is chapter president and delegates were named for various districts.
• Dayton JACL installs Dr. James Taguchi, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. James Taguchi was installed as Dayton JACL president at a dinner-dance attended by Midwest District Council officials. The program included songs and a presentation honoring Yo Sato.
• Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Tokota, page 5. The Pacific Southwest district column reports on the countdown to the National Convention in Sacramento and a Downtown Los Angeles JACL dinner. It also covers several social events the regional staff attended.
• Omaha JACL installation and recognitions banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Omaha JACL installed Mike Watanabe and his cabinet at a banquet honoring K. Patrick Okura and Judge Lawrence Krell. Min Yasui spoke as principal speaker.
• Stockton JACL installation date switched to Mar. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Stockton JACL installation dinner was moved from Feb. 28 to March 13 at Risso’s. Reservations were being taken by several chapter officers.
• Trade talk feature of Portland JACL dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Robert Rickett, president of Agency Lithograph Co., spoke on U.S.-Japan trade relations at the Portland JACL dinner. George Kokami was named the new chapter president.
• Sacramento keglers winners announced, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The 12th annual Sacramento JACL-NBA invitational bowling tournament results were announced with men’s and women’s division winners. Several bowlers posted strong series.
• Father and son earn scouting honors, by P.C. Staff, page 7. David Kobayashi and Gary Nagashima received Eagle Scout awards at a Boy Scout court of honor in Idaho Falls. Kobayashi’s father chairs the district advancement committee.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce discarded the senbetsu tradition for travelers returning from Japan. The column also comments on changing customs at Issei funerals and weddings.
• Testimonial for Corky Kawasaki, by Jean Kimura, page 7. Over 120 Chicago community leaders honored Corky T. Kawasaki at a testimonial dinner for his service to the Japanese American Service Committee and other groups. Kawasaki is moving to Portland to manage a Bush Gardens sukiyaki branch.

Sports

• Sansei rolls third 300 game in practice, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Gary Yamauchi, a 14-year-old bowler, rolled two 400 games in open play at Gardena Bowl. He is believed to be the only Sansei with three perfect games in open play.
• Pitcher trying out for Fresno State outfield, by Thomas Toyama, page 7. Frank Hashimoto, Fowler High’s leading batter and first-string pitcher, is trying out for an outfield spot on the Fresno State junior varsity. He previously played for championship Little League and Fresno Nisei teams.
• Sacramento golfer scores first hole-in-one, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Angel Kagiyama, a six-handicap left-handed golfer, scored his first career hole-in-one on Bing Maloney’s third hole. He used a four iron on the 165-yard par three.
• U.S. Oriental basketball tourney dates announced, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The annual U.S. Oriental basketball championship tournament will be held in Salt Lake City on March 31 and April 1-2. The Los Angeles Travelers are expected to defend their 1959 title.
• Southland judoists compete for AAU, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Southern California judo eliminations for the national AAU championships were held at Koyasan Hall. Roy Murakami of San Fernando emerged as grand champion.

Obituaries

• ‘Y’ worker dies, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A 39-year-old worker known as Mibs died at her home in San Francisco. She had worked at the Sutter YWCA and was a member of the local JACL.

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