Nominations and convention plans: JACL in the spring of 1960

Vol. 50, No. 19, May 6, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

The 1960 National JACL Convention in Sacramento shaped much of this eight-page issue. An editorial reminded chapters that the May 15 deadline for the Nisei of the Biennium and JACLer of the Biennium awards was close. Nominations were announced for Roy M. Yamadera and Buddy T. Iwata. Sterling Sakamoto named the banquet speakers, Congressman Daniel Inouye and Dr. Koto Matsudaira. Akiji Yoshimura and a Philadelphia panel with Ben Ohama, Warren Watanabe and Henry Tani offered views on JACL’s 1960-70 planning.

Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka’s Congressional round-up listed pending immigration bills, and Elmer Smith, author of the JACL history ‘Did You Know,’ was remembered. Page 6 carries golf results from Pebble Beach, Orange County and Monterey, plus Richard Akagi on the film Ikiru. Chapter news ran from an Idaho carload of potatoes for Girl Scouts to a Sonoma County scholarship and benefit dinner.

What’s in this issue

Obituaries

• Elmer Smith Dies Unexpectedly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Elmer Smith, author of the JACL history ‘Did You Know,’ died of pneumonia at a Missoula, Montana hospital. He was remembered as a staunch Nisei champion and an ardent JACL member.

JACL

• R. Yamadera Named for ‘JACLer of Biennium’ Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The East Los Angeles JACL nominated Roy M. Yamadera for the JACLer of the Biennium award, citing his many years of service to the chapter and organization. His contributions include a scholarship program and leadership in community youth groups.
• Buddy T. Iwata Nominated for ‘Nisei of Biennium’ Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Buddy T. Iwata, manager of the Livingston Farmers Association, was nominated for JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium award for community leadership. His work includes serving on the Allied Grape Growers board and numerous local civic committees.
• Deadline Extended, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sacramento host chapter extended the pre-registration deadline for the National JACL Convention to May 15. Pre-registered delegates are eligible for a special drawing at the Convention Mixer.
• Main Speakers Announced for Convention Banquets, by Sterling Sakamoto, page 2. Congressman Daniel Inouye will address the Recognitions Banquet on July 2, and Dr. Koto Matsudaira will speak at the Pioneer Banquet on June 29. Convention mixer and social event details were also outlined.
• Ben Ohama, Warren Watanabe, Henry Tani Discuss 1960-70 JACL Planning, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Panelists at the Philadelphia JACL meeting recommended a handbook for youth, self-examination to clarify Nisei identity, and balancing identity with community integration. Their report goes to the 1960-70 National JACL Planning Commission.
• Planning Recommendations to Be Discussed by San Francisco Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco JACL will discuss 1960-70 planning recommendations at a general membership meeting. Ten study areas are listed, including public relations, civil rights, youth, scholarships, and finance.
• San Francisco Chapter Offers $250 Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco JACL is accepting applications for its second annual $250 chapter scholarship for high school graduates of Japanese ancestry. Forms are available from the scholarship chairman.
• Eight Youth to Vie in NC-WN Oratorical Contest May 15, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Eight contestants from NC-WN chapters will compete for the right to represent the district at the National JACL Convention oratorical finals. The contest is part of the district council meeting in Pleasanton.

National

• Law Enforcement Groups Balk at Cal. FEP’s Suggested Guide to Prehiring Questions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Fair Employment Practices Commission moved to bring law enforcement agencies under tighter regulations regarding prehiring questions. Police officials had sought exemption to ask about name changes and birthplace, a request the commission debated.
• Congressional Round-up, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports that Congress has passed few major bills as the session nears a recess for the July party conventions. He lists pending legislation including immigration changes for spouses of citizens and orphan adoptions.

Arts & Entertainment

• Pat Suzuki Takes Leave of ‘Flower Drum Song’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Elaine Dunn replaced Pat Suzuki in the role in ‘Flower Drum Song’ in New York. The production was continuing on to Detroit and then Los Angeles.

Community

• 3rd Nisei Veterans Reunion Dates Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The third Nisei Veterans Reunion will be held in Honolulu June 10 to 17 next year, with about 600 veterans and families expected. The 442nd Veterans Club is leading the planning with other veterans groups.
• Union City’s Nisei Mayor Turns Over Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. J.A. Ratekin was elected to succeed Tom Kitayama as mayor of Union City. Kitayama, a Nisei carnation grower, had served as mayor since the city’s incorporation last year.
• Sansei Killed in Automobile Mishap, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jane Fumiyo Shinoda, 17, an active Orange County JAYS member, was killed in an early Sunday morning car accident in Garden Grove. Several others were injured when a car failed to stop at a boulevard and struck their sedan.
• Shopkeeper Loses $2,500 as Shoplifter Sneaks Away Black Envelope, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Suye Ueyama, proprietor of Bunka-Do in Little Tokyo, had an envelope containing $2,500 stolen from beneath her cash register. The documents were later recovered when returned to the Bank of Tokyo by a finder.
• Japan Investment Office in L.A. Moves, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Nikko Kasai Securities branch office moved to new quarters at 235 E. Second St. in Los Angeles. The firm is the only West Coast office specializing in Japanese securities.
• Sacramento JACL Board Membership Notice, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sacramento chapter announced details of the convention and youth program registration deadlines. The Junior JACL program registration was extended to June 1.
• Dr. Sanui Lauds Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Convention preparations continued with chapter pre-registration and booster information. Several chapters were encouraged to meet convention deadlines.
• Idaho JACLers Give Carload of Potatoes as Gift to Scouts, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Idaho JACL members and local farmers donated a carload of potatoes sold in Chicago for $1,860. The funds, along with a separate drive, went to Girl Scout camp facilities near Palisades Dam.
• Bill Hayashi Unanimous Choice, by P.C. Staff, page 4. William Y. Hayashi of Santa Rosa High School was selected unanimously as winner of the Sonoma County JACL Pioneer Memorial Scholarship. The article details his academic achievements and work supporting his family.
• Sonoma County Chow Mein Benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sonoma County JACL held a successful chow mein benefit dinner serving about 450 meals. Proceeds went to the foreign student exchange program at Analy High School.
• Over 600 Attend Placer JACL Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Placer JACL held its 12th annual community picnic at JACL Recreation Park with games, races, and a concert. An American flag was presented to the chapter in memory of the late Dr. Kay Kashiwabara.
• Fashion Show Crew Named for Sacramento Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sacramento JACL Women’s Auxiliary named committee members for the July 2 convention fashion show themed ‘Oriental Honeymoon.’ Tickets are $4 and include a luncheon.
• Alaska Movies to Be Shown at Reedley Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Reedley JACL will hold a dinner-meeting on May 13 featuring a travel film about Alaska by John Harness. The event is at the House of Chung.
• Monterey JACL Hall to Show Japanese Movies, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Monterey Peninsula JACL will sponsor a benefit showing of Japanese movies on May 14 and 15. Proceeds will expand the chapter’s youth activities in baseball, Boy Scouts, basketball and Junior JACL.
• Buddy Iwata Continues as Turlock Social Club Head, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Buddy T. Iwata was re-elected president of the Turlock Social Club for the fifth consecutive year. His cabinet members were also re-elected.
• Orange County Begins Search for Nisei Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Orange County’s Kazuo Masuda Memorial VFW Post is running a public poll in Santana Wind to select the county candidate for Nisei Week queen. Votes are due June 17.
• Junior Program for Sacramento Parley Slated June 30-July 1, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Junior JACL members attending the National Convention will have discussion panels and a dinner-dance on June 30 and July 1. A package deal of $20 covers the Junior events.
• Clovis Community Float Featuring Tea Garden Wins Parade Sweepstakes, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Clovis Japanese Community Club’s rolling tea garden float won sweepstakes at the 46th annual Clovis Rodeo parade. Henry T. Masuda originated the design and six young women rode the float.
• Florin JACLer Promoted to High Banking Position, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Bill S. Taketa was promoted to assistant cashier operations officer at the Bank of America Elk Grove branch. He is believed to be the only Nisei to hold such a position in the bank system.
• Mrs. Shirrell Dies of Heart Attack, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mrs. Eleanor Jones Shirrell, wife of former WRA Tule Lake camp director Elmer Shirrell, died in Santa Barbara at age 70. Her family’s kindness toward evacuated Japanese Americans earned them many lasting friends.

Commentary

• In the Public Eye, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Nisei are increasingly participating in general community service, holding elected local offices and volunteering for charities. The editorial warns that proposed California school district unification could reduce the number of Japanese names on local ballots.
• With the Nishikawas, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column describes a Sunday open house at Dr. Roy Nishikawa’s new Los Angeles office and home. It recalls past JACL meetings held at his former home and notes the national recognitions committee’s call for nominations.
• By Akiji Yoshimura, Nat’l 1st Vice President, by Akiji Yoshimura, page 3. Yoshimura outlines his views on JACL’s 1960-70 planning, including maintaining the Washington office, PC subscriptions per household, youth programs, and budget quota reform. He also addresses international relations and calls for standardized national committee structures.
• Ikiru, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Akagi praises the Japanese film Ikiru, directed by Akira Kurosawa, as superior to many celebrated films and recounts its New York run. He notes that critics like Archer Winsten praised it while others discussed its themes perceptively.
• Newsletter by Henry Mori, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mori shares a humorous column about his JACL cabinet ambitions, Downtown L.A. chapter bulletin revival, and a Dr. Roy Nishikawa open house. He also previews the 20th annual Nisei Week Festival in August.

Military & Veterans

• Vet Auxiliary Formed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Wives of former 442nd RCT members organized an auxiliary with Mrs. Lil Urasaki as temporary chairman. The group planned its next meeting for May 21 in Monterey Park.
• Nisei Air Guardsman Saves Life of Fellow Airman, Gets Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Airman 2nd Class Roy M. Kato received the Air National Guard medal of merit for applying first aid at an auto accident that stopped a fellow reservist’s bleeding. His quick action likely prevented further injury or death.

Sports

• Torrance Wrestler Loses in Olympic Try, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jun Watanabe, an El Camino College freshman from Torrance, was eliminated in the second round of the U.S. Olympic wrestling finals at Ames, Iowa. He had earned his trip by winning regional competition.
• Two JACLers Voted Top Job in City Bowling Assn., by P.C. Staff, page 6. Two JACL members were elected officers of the Idaho Falls City Bowling Association for the coming year. Doyle Bingham was named president and Tucker Morishita vice-president.
• Golf Tournament Results: Watsonville Golfer Wins Northern California Nisei Event, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Ura of the Watsonville Eagle golf club won the low gross championship at the Northern California Nisei tournament at Pebble Beach. Frank Shingu made a hole-in-one on the opening day.
• Salinas Golfer Wins Monterey JACL Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. James Abe of Salinas won the Monterey Peninsula JACL spring 36-hole tournament with a 145 net score. The event served as preparation for the Northern California Nisei golf tournament.
• 209 Golfers Compete in Orange County Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A field of 209 golfers competed in the Orange County Nisei Golf Tournament at Huntington Beach Country Club. Mits Motobo took low gross honors and flight winners were announced.
• Two 36-hole Tournaments to Test Cathay Post Golfers, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Cathay Post Golf Club in Denver is staging 36-hole tournaments at the City and Willis Case courses. Tim Yamamoto is club president.

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