Youth, delinquency and the JACL’s plans for 1960

Vol. 50, No. 15, April 8, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Young people stood at the center of this eight-page issue. The front-page editorial looked at the White House Conference on Children and Youth and quoted Judge Donald Long’s view that juvenile delinquency has many causes. Japanese American Youth Inc. reported that 21 of 42,000 juvenile crimes in Los Angeles County in 1958-59 involved Nisei or Sansei. JACL scholarship news and national office planning ran alongside: Dr. George T. Furukawa and Alfred E. Fujii won Masaoka DeVry scholarships, and the Pacific Southwest District Council nominated Frank F. Chuman for national president.

Columns include Fred Hirasuna on JACL’s course for the next decade, Mike Masaoka on the civil rights bill in the Senate, Lorry S. Tajiri on Nisei performers, and Richard Akagi’s satire of Nisei manners. Chapter news covers Easter egg hunts, membership drives, and Sacramento convention music plans from Sterling Sakamoto.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Views on Youth and Delinquency, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial reflects on the White House Conference on Children and Youth and the causes of juvenile delinquency. It cites Judge Donald Long’s view that delinquency has many causes and warns against exaggerated impressions of the problem.
  • Ye Editor’s Desk: Of Human Interest, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor notes human interest items, including a Nisei couple in their seventies visiting Japan for the first time. Their family history and early years in Hawaii and Los Angeles are described.
  • Sacramento in 60, by Sterling Sakamoto, page 2. The column previews music arrangements for the 1960 national JACL convention in Sacramento. Five orchestras have been booked for the Whing-Ding, outing, junior dance, mixer, and Sayonara Ball.
  • Views, by Lorry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri reports on Nisei performers in Hollywood and on Broadway, including Tommy Nishimura’s comic role in Wake Me When It’s Over and Miyazaki’s stage work in Suzie Wong. The column also notes other Nisei actors and upcoming film projects.
  • By the Board, by Fred Hirasuna, page 4. OCDC Chairman Fred Hirasuna outlines issues he sees as central to JACL’s program for the next decade, including civil rights of other minorities and the return of seized Japanese properties. He argues that JACL’s resources should focus primarily on its own members’ civil rights and that its Washington office should be consolidated with national headquarters.
  • Dr. Nishikawa Opens New and Larger Office, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Roy Nishikawa moved his optometry practice from Southwest Los Angeles to 234 S. Oxford Ave. in the Wilshire district. He has been an optometrist and contact lens specialist for 15 years.
  • East of the River: How to Tell a Nisei from a Rhinoceros, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Akagi satirizes Nisei social behavior by comparing them to rhinoceroses, arguing they lack philosophy and show two modes of conduct among their own and white people. He presents the piece in a humorous, self-critical tone.

JACL

  • Two Winners of Masaoka DeVry Electronic Scholarships Announced, by JACL News Service, page 1. Dr. George T. Furukawa and Alfred E. Fujii were selected as the second and third winners of the Masaoka DeVry Institute Scholarship. Both plan to apply the electronics training to their engineering work.
  • Southwest L.A. in Bid for 1,000 CLers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL launched its 1960 membership campaign aiming for 1,000 regular members and 60 new 1000 Club members. Renewal mail solicitations will be followed by house-to-house canvassing.
  • IDC Selects Youth for National JACL Oratorical Finals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the Intermountain District Council quarterly meeting in Idaho Falls, Ben Kawakami of Mount Olympus JACL placed first in the oratory contest on the role of youth in JACL’s future. He will represent the IDC at the national convention in Sacramento.
  • Frank Chuman Nominated for National President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council nominated Frank F. Chuman, national JACL legal counsel since 1953, for national president. Chuman has held many prior JACL offices and has been active in civic and professional organizations.
  • NICC Confab Date Set, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 15th annual NICC student conference will be held in Denver over the April 22-24 weekend. Its theme is Youth Looks to the Future.
  • Membership Report: New All-Time High for Active Members, by P.C. Staff, page 5. JACL Headquarters reported a new all-time high in active members for the first half of March. Specific chapters including San Francisco and Long Beach-Harbor District were singled out for significant membership gains.
  • College Prof Heads D.C. Search for Biennium Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Takehiko Yoshihashi is leading the Washington D.C. chapter’s search for the Nisei of the Biennium and JACLer of the Biennium. Nominations are due May 31 and should be sent to Dr. Roy Nishikawa.

Community

  • Rep. Inouye to Visit Chicago May 7-8 Weekend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Daniel Inouye accepted an invitation from Chicago Nisei Post 1183 to visit the city. He will be honored with a Japanese community testimonial during his weekend stay.
  • Gardena City Election Finds Nisei Involved, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bruce Kaji is running for Gardena city treasurer, the first Nisei name on the local ballot. Two propositions affecting poker palaces, including one for a Nisei VFW post, are also on the ballot.
  • Livingston Sansei Named Delegate to Girls State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joanne Morimoto was chosen by Livingston High School faculty to attend Girls State at Davis in June. She is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary units and is the daughter of active Cortez JACL members.
  • Sansei Polls Biggest Vote for Youth Government Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bryan Nogaki was elected to the Bergenfield, New Jersey Youth Government Borough Council after receiving the largest number of votes. The nine elected students sat in on a regular council meeting as part of Youth Government Week.
  • Report 21 Nisei-Sansei Among 42,000 Youths Arrested for Crimes in L.A. County, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese American Youth Inc. reported that 21 of the 42,000 juvenile crimes in Los Angeles County during 1958-59 involved Nisei or Sansei youths. The offenses ranged from petty theft to assault, and the report urged parents to monitor their children.
  • Calm Bandit Robs $3,497 from Bank, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A well-dressed Japanese man wearing horn-rimmed glasses robbed a Bank of America branch on West Pico Boulevard of $3,497 by passing a note to a teller. No one among the more than 20 customers was aware of the robbery until after the suspect fled.
  • Chubu Nisei Assn. Thanks Los Angeles for Earthquake Aid, by E. Kato, page 2. E. Kato, vice president of the Chubu Nisei Association in Nagoya, thanked Los Angeles for disaster assistance after the recent earthquake. He also called for support of a home for orphans and low-IQ children being built by a missionary couple.
  • Omaha JACL Revive Chapter Publication, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Omaha JACL revived its chapter bulletin and offered a prize for a suitable name. The chapter also planned an Easter egg hunt and continued its sukiyaki dinners for small groups.
  • Buddhist Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Fresno Buddhist layman Dr. Kikuo Taira was reappointed chairman of the special projects fund committee of the Buddhist Churches of America. He has led three successful fund drives and hopes to complete a $50,000 campaign by 1960.
  • French Camp-Tracy Community Picnic Slated Easter Sunday, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The French Camp-Tracy community picnic, sponsored by French Camp JACL, will be held at Micke Grove on Easter Sunday, April 17. Close to 1,000 people are expected to attend.
  • Canadian Newsman, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Henry Moritsugu, former editor of The New Canadian, joined the Montreal Star as a deskman. He previously worked for the Northern Daily News in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.
  • Youth Health and Family Planning Advice from Two Women Geneticists, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two women geneticists visiting the University of British Columbia, including Dr. Irene Uchida, discussed human genetics and advised couples to marry and have children young. They also discussed genetic counseling, radiation concerns, and the careers of women in the field.
  • New Nisei Pictorial Magazine Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Edward Igashira, a Hawaiian-born Nisei writer from Chicago, visited Toronto to gather material for Image, a new bimonthly pictorial publication. The first 40-page issue will feature Japanese Canadian activities in Toronto.
  • Pioneer Issei Railroaders in Idaho Find Happiness Retired in Home of Family, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two retired Issei Union Pacific employees, Hairi and Tomi Iriye, live happily with the Alma Greenhalgh family in Wilford, Idaho. Both remain active, enjoy fishing and gardening, and attend Buddhist services.
  • Fresno JACL Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Fresno JACL sponsored a community picnic on Sunday at Kearney Park. The event was a chapter social activity for members and families.
  • PSWDC Recommendations for 1960-70 JACL Planning Discussed, by Harry Honda, page 4. Recommendations from the Pacific Southwest District Council for the 1960-70 JACL planning commission were discussed at a special meeting in Gardena. Topics included raising national dues to provide Pacific Citizen subscriptions, revising budget quota philosophy, and amending the constitution’s political action policy.
  • Orange County Egg Hunt at Irvine Park, Apr. 9, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The eighth annual Orange County egg hunt sponsored by the local JACL will be held at Irvine Park. Eggs are donated by Nisei poultrymen and organizations handle coloring and prizes.
  • Easter Egg Hunt for Southwest Youth Readied, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The seventh annual Southwest Los Angeles JACL Easter Egg Hunt will be held Sunday, April 17, at the Rancho Cienega playground archery range. Children from ages 1 to 10 are invited to attend.
  • Mt. Olympus JACL Organizes Youth Group, Women Members Treated to Steak Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Mount Olympus JACL in Salt Lake City formed a youth group for ages 16 to 21 at its March meeting. The men of the chapter also cooked and served a steak dinner for the women members.
  • Idaho Falls Honors Issei at Program, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Idaho Falls JACL held an Issei Appreciation Night at Jack’s Chicken Inn, attended by members. The program featured prizes, entertainment, and a fashion show with men dressed in women’s clothing.
  • Selma JACLers to Hear Talk on Social Security, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Selma JACL will host Ray Kyono to discuss Social Security at its April 12 meeting. Takashi Tanimoto will interpret for Issei attendees.
  • Tacoma JACL Programs for 1960, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Tacoma-Puyallup Valley JACL outlined its monthly activities for 1960, including a tribute to graduates, a joint picnic with Seattle JACL, and a Resolution No. 4 discussion. The chapter also reported an ongoing membership drive.
  • Cincinnati Chapter Event Attracts 160, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cincinnati JACL potluck dinner and talent show drew 160 people and was described as very successful by co-chairmen Ken Sugawara and Betty Fujikawa. The theme was Around the World in 60 Minutes.
  • Jackson Street Community Council Report, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. The Jackson Street Community Council in Seattle prepares for its 14th annual meeting with Mayor Gordon Clinton as guest. The council’s activities range from neighborhood beautification to economic development in the area.
  • Civil Rights Finale in Senate, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports that Senate leaders hope to pass a watered-down civil rights bill within the week, with final House action expected in the same timeframe. He explains the remaining amendments and the strategies used to limit debate.
  • Cap Tamura to Be Honored Tonight, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Stephen Kosaku Tamura, newly appointed Orange County counsel, will be honored at a dinner at Bigiku sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Tamura served in the 442nd Combat Team during the war.
  • Japanese Government to Cite 65 Southland Nisei, 444 Issei in May, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Japanese government will present citations to 444 Issei and 65 Nisei from Southern California and nearby areas on May 23. The honors recognize their promotion of understanding between Japan and the United States.
  • Salt Lake Chapter Renews Nearly All of Its 500 Members, Now Pushing for 600, by Alice Kasai, page 8. About 80 percent of the Salt Lake JACL’s 1959 membership had renewed for 1960 during March. The chapter’s membership team led by Elna Miya signed 150 renewals and the chapter is now aiming for 600 members.

Obituaries

  • Active Salinas CLer Succumbs to Illness, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Itsuko (Ickey) Miyanaga, 33, a popular and active JACL member of Salinas, died suddenly on March 30. She was remembered for her community service and for teaching Buddhist Sunday school children.
  • Longtime Farm Adviser Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ryosaku Sakai, who headed the agriculture department of the Japanese American Citizens League and advised Issei farmers for some 30 years, died April 1 in Berkeley at age 73. He had earlier worked to help Issei purchase land through American corporations.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Vet Post Signs Up First Ex-WAVE as Member, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chicago Nisei Post 1183 added Laverne Ferovick, believed to be the only full-fledged woman legionnaire in a Nisei post, to its roster. Her husband Richard is also a member of the post.

National

  • New York Dancers Arrive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tokyo student Akiko Kanda and dancer Yuriko (Mrs. Charles Kikuchi) are in New York under scholarship arrangements. The article notes their performing and study activities in the city.

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