Sit-ins in the South, and JACL’s plans for the Sacramento convention

Vol. 50, No. 14, April 1, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through the April 1, 1960 issue. The front-page editorial looked at the lunch counter sit-ins in the South and argued that store managers act on profit rather than morality. On page 8, Mike Masaoka reported that the House passed a five-point civil rights voting bill, 311 to 109, and that the Senate debate was expected to run about another month. The front page also announced that Congressman Daniel Ken Inouye of Hawaii agreed to speak at the Recognitions Banquet of the 16th Biennial JACL National Convention in Sacramento on July 2, and that JACL would sponsor a 16-day goodwill tour to Japan afterward.

Elsewhere in these eight pages, Bill Hosokawa wrote about New York’s sukiyaki houses, and Sterling Sakamoto previewed the convention golf tournament. Chapter news covered 1960-70 planning meetings in Pocatello and Monterey Peninsula, Chicago’s Brotherhood Dinner, and the formation of the 442nd Association of Southern California.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • Down-to-earth look on segregation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial discusses the sit-down lunch counter protests in the South and argues that businesses act on profit rather than morality. It suggests segregation will only end when it becomes financially painless for store managers.

Community

  • Yokohama student selected as JACL Scout for Jamboree, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Hidetoshi Sugiyama, a 17-year-old from Yokohama, was chosen from about 50,000 Japanese scouts to attend the Jubilee Jamboree as a JACL Scout. The selection was funded by over $1,000 raised by National JACL Headquarters.
  • Sansei design for transit firm wins, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kellene Adachi, a 14-year-old Cincinnati student, won a $500 scholarship for her design in the Cincinnati Transit Co. insignia contest. Her design features the letters C and T surrounding downtown buildings.
  • Red Cross class on home care of sick offered to auxiliary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Monterey Peninsula JACL Women’s Auxiliary has been offered a seven-lesson Red Cross course on home care of the sick. The lessons are free except for a 75-cent booklet.
  • Nisei youth-mayor of Bridgeton 2nd time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ejisuke Murono, a Bridgeton High School student, was elected to serve as youth mayor of Bridgeton during Youth Week for a second year. Tak Okamoto was elected city solicitor.
  • Nisei appointed to Calif. nectarine administration, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hajime Hamada of Kingsburg was one of eight appointees approved by the USDA for the California Nectarine Administration Committee. The appointees serve through February 1961.
  • Nisei paleontologist at UCLA correlating fossil findings, by Evening Outlook, page 3. Takeo Susuki, a UCLA senior museum paleontologist and 442nd veteran, is studying Middle Miocene fossils from the Topanga Formation. His research has linked fossil findings across Southern California.
  • San Jose Buddhist elected WYBL leader, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Albert Kobayashi of the San Jose Buddhist Church was elected president of the Western Young Buddhist League at its 18th annual conference in Berkeley.
  • Eden Township picks old Hearst Ranch as NC-WN rally site, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The NC-WN JACL District Council will hold its quarterly meeting and pre-national convention rally at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton on May 15. The agenda includes national JACL planning review and district oratorical eliminations.
  • Religion topic for Harbor Hi-Co forum goes into overtime, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Harbor Hi-Co forum in Long Beach held its first session on religion with a panel including a sociologist, a Buddhist, a philosopher, and a Christian. Open discussion ran past its scheduled time as participants pressed questions.
  • Yuzuriha appointed S.F. JACL 3rd vice-president, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shig Yuzuriha was appointed third vice president of the San Francisco JACL, in charge of public relations, succeeding Dr. Leo Nakayama. Chapter president John Yasumoto also urged members to register to vote before the April 14 deadline.
  • Parlier JACL community picnic and Auxiliary activities, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Parlier JACL announced committee assignments for its community picnic at Kearney Park and reported Auxiliary activities including a planned cooking demonstration. The Auxiliary also made kurl manju for aged Issei.
  • Eden Township Jr. JACL to dance April 30, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Eden Township Jr. JACL will sponsor a Forever-themed dance for younger Nisei at the Oakland Buddhist Church hall on April 30. Sharon Ide is the general chairman.
  • San Francisco JACL benefit movie for scholarship fund, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Francisco JACL will present a benefit movie weekend at Kinmon Hall to raise funds for its scholarship program. The films include a comedy about a Nisei visiting Japan and a Hokkaido Ainu drama.
  • Pocatello JACL prepared for IDC meet on ’60-’70 planning, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pocatello JACL held local discussions on the 1960-70 Planning program ahead of the Intermountain District Council session at Idaho Falls. Committee members surveyed chapter members and reviewed recommendations on youth, legislation, civil rights, and community service.
  • JACL passes up offer to buy property adjacent to its own hall, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Monterey Peninsula JACL board declined to buy adjacent property priced near $35,000 after weighing financing, zoning, and repair needs. Directors concluded a larger building could be built on the existing site.
  • Pocatello chapter names membership committeemen, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pocatello JACL named its membership committee, which will canvass members personally and by mail under chairman Harvey Yamashita. Committee members were assigned to specific areas.
  • Southland cagers stretch win skein in state NAU series, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Southern California Nisei Athletic Union’s San Kwo Low Lords beat the Northern California Zebras 71-51 to win the state basketball championship. It was the Lords’ third straight state title and their fourth in six years.
  • 155-average bowler wins Monterey city all-events, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mas Yokoyama of Monterey took second place in the city bowling tournament with a 707 series. He won the all-events title with a 2011 total over nine games.
  • Scholarship founded on opera proceeds, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Proceeds from three performances of Ikuma Dan’s opera Yuzuru raised $17,342 for a scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music. The first Mueller Scholarship went to percussionist Keisuke Ajiro.
  • Nisei concertmaster in debut with Stockton group, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Nagata, a 24-year-old violinist, made his debut as concertmaster of the Stockton Symphony Orchestra on March 11. He had recently returned from nearly two years with the Seventh Army Symphony in Europe.
  • Sequoia chapter’s egg hunt set for tomorrow, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sequoia JACL will hold an Easter egg hunt for children of all ages at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto on April 3. Box lunches will be auctioned after the hunt.
  • Turnaway crowd for Chicago JACL Brotherhood Dinner, by Jean Kimura, page 6. The Chicago JACL’s third annual Brotherhood Dinner drew a turnaway crowd with a Hawaiian theme. Harvey Aki and his wife received the 1960 Brotherhood Award.
  • Monterey Peninsula stress ’60-70 plan at quarterly meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Central California District Council planned its quarterly meeting in Parlier to review committee reports on the 1960-70 planning program. Dr. James Nagatani, district chairman of the national planning commission, will chair the reports.
  • Sacramento Jr. JACL plans recording dance, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Sacramento Junior JACL will host a pre-convention record dance called Prelude to June at the local Buddhist hall. The event will serve as the youth group’s introduction to the national convention.
  • Sonoma County chapter movie benefit successful, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Sonoma County JACL’s benefit movie program raised more than expected, assuring continued chapter activities. The chapter also planned a family bowling night in Petaluma.
  • Golden Gate Nisei VFW post names Miyamoto, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Shig Miyamoto was elected 1960 commander of the Golden Gate Nisei Memorial Post 9879, VFW, and will be installed at a dinner April 16 in Chinatown.
  • Sacramento Jr. JACL and Placer County dance plans, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Placer County Jr. JACL will present a semi-formal annual picnic dance at the Veterans Hall in Auburn on April 23, with Vel-tones providing the music. Tickets are $2 per couple.

JACL

  • Hollywood JACLer attends White House youth confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Suzuki, executive director of the Tanoanese Children’s Home and Hollywood JACL president, was invited by President Eisenhower to attend the Golden Anniversary White House Conference on Children and Youth. He attended as one of 172 California delegates.
  • Congressman Inouye accepts JACL confab invitation to be main speaker, by JACL News Service, page 1. Congressman Daniel Ken Inouye of Hawaii agreed to speak at the Recognitions Banquet of the 16th Biennial JACL National Convention in Sacramento on July 2. His background includes Distinguished Service Cross service with the 442nd and his election as the first Nisei Congressman.
  • ‘Trip of a lifetime’ goodwill tour to be sponsored by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL announced a 16-day goodwill tour to Japan for members and friends departing San Francisco July 5 after the Sacramento convention. The package, costing $970, includes Tokyo, Kyoto, and visits with Japan’s Prime Minister and the US Ambassador.

National

  • Gov’t invitation for naturalized citizenship goes nation-wide, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The US Immigration and Naturalization Service has expanded its program of sending personal invitations to long-term resident aliens to apply for citizenship. About 265,000 letters were sent in the past year, and a large share of recipients said they would apply.
  • Ex-US envoy to Japan named NCCJ co-chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert D. Murphy, former US ambassador to Japan, was elected Catholic national co-chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He succeeds James F. Twohy, who held the post since 1954.
  • Japanese centennial stamp hopes rise, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The Japanese government sought US cooperation on a commemorative stamp for the Kanrin Maru and the 1860 reception at the White House. US postal officials may issue a stamp in September tied to the centennial.

Commentary

  • PC with membership ‘pilot’ program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Citizen editors describe a pilot program tying subscriptions to chapter membership dues in San Diego and Long Beach-Harbor District. The results will inform a proposal to present PC with Membership at the national convention.
  • From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes New York City’s sukiyaki houses and Japanese restaurants, noting the rising prices and popularity. He also recounts a midnight supper with singer Pat Suzuki and quotes Joe Oyama’s rebuttal to Fosco Maraini’s views of Nisei.
  • Sacramento convention golf tournament and recreation notes, by Sterling Sakamoto, page 4. Sterling Sakamoto previews the national convention golf tournament and outlines Sacramento’s golf courses, pools, and fishing options. He also notes the 1961 bowling tournament in San Jose and Salt Lake City’s bid for 1962.
  • Pointing Southwest, by Fred Takata, page 5. Fred Takata’s column covers a visit to the Santa Barbara JACL installation of officers and previews the PSWDC special district meeting in Gardena. The meeting will review 1960-70 planning recommendations ahead of the May pre-convention rally.
  • Chicago JACL Brotherhood Dinner and Hawaii theme, by Jean Kimura, page 6. The Chicago JACL held its third annual Brotherhood Dinner to a full house, honoring Harvey Aki with the 1960 Brotherhood Award. Keynote speaker Earl Kalp argued that brotherhood is now the only alternative to chaos in a shrinking world.
  • Senate civil rights showdown, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports that the House passed a moderate five-point civil rights voting bill 311 to 109, and that Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson moved the measure to the Judiciary Committee with a five-day deadline. He expects the Senate debate to take about another month.

In-Depth

  • Arsenic in coffee: Seattle toxicology case, by Post-Intelligencer, page 2. Eight employees of the Seattle City Planning Commission fell ill after drinking coffee laced with arsenic. Investigators, including Nisei toxicologist George Ishii, traced the poison to commercial-grade arsenic but could not identify the source or motive.

Military & Veterans

  • 442nd Association formed in Southland, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Eddie Shimatsu was elected president of the newly formed 442nd Association of Southern California. The association plans to point toward the 1961 Veterans Reunion in Hawaii.

Sports

  • Judo team heads for Tampa, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Several Northern California judo competitors won class championships at the Northern California AAU meet and will compete in the national AAU tournament in Tampa, Florida. Coach Yosh Uchida of San Jose State will accompany the team.

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