Washington’s alien land law repeal fails at the polls

Vol. 51, No. 20, November 11, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Voters in Washington State rejected the repeal of the state’s anti-alien land law in November 1960, and the front page led with the defeat. JACL leaders blamed confusing ballot language, little organized opposition and latent prejudice. Tak Kubota and Mike Masaoka met to plan a new push for 1962, and Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reviewed the two-year campaign. Another story told of Asajiro Okazaki, 76, who was refused a ballot in San Diego after a literacy challenge.

Elsewhere, Daniel K. Inouye won in Hawaii with 134,425 votes, and Seiji Horiuchi lost his Colorado Senate bid. Larry S. Tajiri’s Vagaries columns covered Burma Rifles and Sessue Hayakawa’s autobiography. Chapter news came from St. Louis, Sacramento, Chicago and Detroit, and Jerry Enomoto wrote on Sansei youth and the membership drive.

What’s in this issue

National

• Wash. Alien Land Law Repeal Defeated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Washington State’s anti-alien land law repeal failed by a wide margin in the November 1960 general election. JACL leaders attributed the defeat to confusing ballot language, a lack of organized opposition, and latent prejudice against aliens.
• San Diego Issei Challenged at Polls, Refused Ballot Because of Literacy Test, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Naturalized citizen Asajiro Okazaki, 76, was denied a ballot in San Diego after failing a challenge to read 100 words of the Constitution. The Attorney General’s office investigated similar complaints of irregularities involving ethnic voters across several California counties.
• Washington Newsletter: Washington’s Alien Land Law, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the two-year JACL campaign to repeal Washington’s anti-alien land law, noting that the measure was buried on a long ballot with misleading language. He credits a small group of dedicated volunteers for building broad endorsements from civic and labor groups.

Commentary

• One Obvious Lesson of the ’60 Elections, by H.H., page 1. The 1960 presidential election was one of the closest in decades, with the Kennedy-Johnson ticket leading by roughly 500,000 popular votes. The editorial argues that the narrow margins underscore the importance of every vote and of JACL’s campaign to register all members as voters.
• By the Board, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Board Secretary Jerry Enomoto reflects on juvenile delinquency among Sansei youth and the formation of the Japanese American Youth organization in Southern California. He argues that JACL youth programs should be continued and supported by members everywhere.
• Under the Gun, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Enomoto urges JACL members to meet the 1961 membership drive goals tied to the 1960-70 Planning Commission projects. He stresses that no project will succeed unless every member helps reach the budget.
• Very Truly Yours: Our D-Day (Desperation Day), by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Editor Harry Honda recounts the production problems that prevented the planned JACL membership emphasis in the November 4 issue. He explains that layout errors and time pressure forced compromises in the final pages.
• Vagaries, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 6. Tajiri continues his review column, discussing Sessue Hayakawa’s autobiography and his account of an alleged attempt on his life during a 1922 film shoot. Hayakawa left Hollywood that year citing anti-Japanese discrimination.

Community

• Rep. McDonough Sends Capitol-Flown Colors in Memory of Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Gordon McDonough sent a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to Oliver Omatsu for presentation to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in memory of pioneer Fred Omatsu. The elder Omatsu achieved citizenship on his deathbed in 1954.
• Select California Nisei to be Brazil Missionary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Ray Naruzawa was appointed a JEMS missionary candidate to Brazil after two years of training in Japan. Officials of the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society plan a survey trip to South America later that month.
• Inouye Polls Record 134,000 Votes to Win, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Democratic incumbent Daniel K. Inouye, Hawaii’s first Nisei congressman, won easily with 134,425 votes against challenger Frederick Titcomb. The total was the largest ever received by a single candidate in Hawaiian elections.
• Seiji Horiuchi Defeated in Colorado Senate Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seiji Horiuchi of Brighton, Colorado, the first Nisei to seek a seat in the Colorado legislature, lost to his Democratic incumbent by 4,500 votes. He was the first Nisei to run for that office.
• Chicago Meet Your Candidates Night Draws Japanese American Voters, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Issei, Nisei, and Sansei voters attended a Meet Your Candidates Night in Chicago sponsored by the local JACL chapter. Both Democratic and Republican congressional candidates met with constituents and a citywide registration drive preceded the event.
• Idaho Falls Sansei Active at State College, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Karen Yamasaki, a senior at Idaho State College and Idaho Falls JACL member, was nominated for inclusion in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. The nomination recognizes her campus activities.
• St. Louis JACL Full Moon Festival Draws 1,100, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The St. Louis JACL chapter’s Full Moon Festival at Grace Methodist Church attracted 1,100 people, with tickets sold out a week in advance. Members served Japanese foods and performed bon odori and other cultural demonstrations throughout the evening.
• Sacramento JACL Membership Campaign to Start, by Bill Matsumoto, page 4. The Sacramento JACL membership committee launched its drive for November 19 through December 31 with a goal of 1,000 members. Membership includes a Pacific Citizen subscription, which chairman Bill Matsumoto described as a bargain.
• San Jose JACL Reveals New Year’s Eve Party Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Jose JACL invited members to its annual New Year’s Eve dinner-dance at the Hawaiian Gardens Terrace Room. The evening includes cocktails, a steak dinner, and dancing for a set fee.
• Chicago JACL Around the World Project Nears Completion, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chicago JACL’s Around the World project is in its final stage, with the climax set for a December 3 inaugural ball at the North Park Hotel. Chairman Harry Mizuno leads the effort.
• Southwest L.A. JACL Bridge Tournament Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL will hold a bridge tournament at the Crenshaw Athletic Center on November 20. Separate divisions for beginners and advanced players will be offered for a $1 entry fee.
• San Fernando Valley JACL Plans Movie Benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Fernando Valley JACL will host a benefit featuring two Japanese films at the Japanese American Community Center in Pacoima. Chiyo Yamamoto is chairman of the event.
• Sacramento JACL Plans New Year’s Eve Party, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Toko Fujii announced that the Sacramento JACL New Year’s Eve party will be held at the Masonic Temple on December 31 with Phil Howe’s orchestra. The JACL Women’s Auxiliary will provide refreshments.
• Pointing Southwestward: San Fernando Valley Chapter Gathering, by Fred Takata, page 5. Takata describes the San Fernando Valley JACL annual dinner-dance, where National President Frank Chuman spoke about registering voters and the Issei project. Chuman urged chapters to post JACL signs on highways.
• Christmas Cheer Benefit Dance Raises Funds, by Fred Takata, page 5. The Southwest L.A. JACL dance at the Old Dixie raised close to $200 for the Christmas Cheer program despite heavy rain. East Los Angeles JACL plans its own Christmas Cheer benefit dance on November 19.
• Detroit Chapter Questionnaire Results, by Frank Watanabe, page 5. A questionnaire sent to Detroit JACL members sought to improve communication between officers and the general membership. The report summarizes responses on social programs, youth activities, civic programs, and chapter management.
• Detroit JACL at Michigan State Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Detroit JACL booth at the 1960 Michigan State Fair produced a net profit exceeding $500 according to the Detroit JACL Newsletter. Harry Fukuda was credited with making the venture successful.
• Orange County JACL Plans Bid for 1963 National JACL Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Orange County JACL and Southern California Nisei Bowling Association plan to bid for the 1963 National JACL Bowling Tournament. Two Orange County bowling centers are seeking the honor.
• Santa Barbara Women’s Golf Tournament Hole-in-One, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mrs. Lillian Nakai of the Santa Barbara JACL scored a hole-in-one during the annual women’s invitational golf tournament. She won the accuracy contest for that hole.
• 12 San Francisco Bay Area Golf Clubs Organize, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Twelve Nisei golf clubs in the Bay Area formed the Bay Area Nisei Golf Association with Frank Shimada of San Jose as president. Member clubs span San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, and Monterey.
• Florin JACL Bass Derby to Attract 200, by P.C. Staff, page 6. About 200 fishermen are expected at the annual Florin JACL bass derby on November 19. Entry tickets are available at several local businesses.
• Canadian Nisei Among Idaho Farm Visitors, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Local JACL members in Idaho welcomed 70 Canadian potato growers from Alberta, including 20 Nisei, at a luncheon. The visitors toured Idaho farms under Idaho Power and Boise Chamber of Commerce auspices.
• Northwest Picture: Daughter of the Northwest, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Ogawa remembers Dr. Ruby Hirose, a Seattle-raised microbiologist and longtime Dayton JACL member who died last month. He recalls her career in pharmaceutical research and her teaching work after Pearl Harbor.
• Hawaii Governor Quinn to Visit Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Hawaii Governor William Quinn announced a 10-day visit to Japan in November as part of the centennial celebration of the Treaty of Trade and Amity. He will be accompanied by state officials including Attorney General Shiro Kashiwa.
• Hilo Tidal Wave Fund Officially Closed, Contributions Continue, by P.C. Staff, page 7. National JACL officially closed its Hilo Tidal Wave Disaster Fund campaign with total contributions of $10,506.58. Additional gifts continued to arrive after the closing.
• Placer County Nisei Leader Named Outstanding Scoutmaster, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Jack Yokote of Loomis was selected as outstanding Scoutmaster for Region 12, which covers several western states. He has served in Scouting for more than 30 years and helped many Penryn and Loomis boys achieve Eagle rank.
• L.A. Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce to Receive Charter, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce of Southern California will receive its state charter at the New Ginza on December 1. An inaugural ball will follow on December 3 at the Hollywood Women’s Club.
• Fresno JACL Sponsors Political Rally, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Fresno JACL chapter held a political rally on November 3 at the Fresno Buddhist Church, with Jin Ishikawa as chairman. Naturalized Issei leaders participated in the event.
• Niihau’s First Alien Qualifies for Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ishimatsu Shintani, a 78-year-old Japanese national on the small island of Niihau, will become the first alien from the island to be naturalized as an American citizen. He passed all naturalization examinations.

Arts & Entertainment

• Kashiwagi Play Premieres at Buddhist Conference in Oakland, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei playwright Hiroshi Kashiwagi wrote an original play, Image of Shinran Shonin, for the upcoming Buddhist conference in Oakland. The piece was created specifically for the event.

JACL

• JACL to Reorganize Efforts and Plan to Push for Repeal in 1962 Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL leaders, including Tak Kubota and Mike Masaoka, met after the failed Washington repeal vote to plan a renewed campaign for 1962. They also considered court action to void the constitutional restriction on alien land ownership.
• Nisei Kennedyites Jubilant Over Role in Election Push, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese Americans for Kennedy Committee in Los Angeles congratulated Senator Kennedy on his narrow victory and urged all Americans to unite behind the president-elect. Chairman George Maruya expressed pride in the committee’s role in the campaign.
• JACL Essay Contest Winner Continues to Win Laurels, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nancy Fujita of Petaluma received the $500 Ellsworth Barnett Memorial Scholarship from the Santa Rosa Savings and Loan Association. A former national JACL essay contest winner, she will continue her studies at UC Davis.

Military & Veterans

• Pacific Citizen Vagaries: Written Almost by Accident, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri reviews Bill Bonham’s novel Burma Rifles, which tells the story of a Nisei who served with Merrill’s Marauders in World War II. He also notes actor James Shigeta’s prominent Hollywood roles, including the lead in Bridge to the Sun.
• Army Reserve Center in Rexburg Dedicated to Nisei Hero, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The new US Army Reserve Center in Rexburg, Idaho, was named Miyasaki Hall in honor of Pvt. Ichiro Roy Miyasaki, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for action in Korea. The dedication was held on Veterans Day.

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