Vol. 53, No. 15, October 13, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue
Fair housing led this four-page issue. In his Washington Newsletter, Mike Masaoka reported that the U.S. Civil Rights Commission urged the President to extend anti-discrimination rules to private housing lenders and real estate interests, a proposal JACL endorsed. Also on the front page, the cemetery monument at Rohwer honoring 30 Nisei soldiers killed in World War II was set to be dedicated as an Arkansas State Historical Park, and JACL opened its third nationwide campaign asking TV stations not to show six wartime films that portray Japanese Americans as spies and traitors.
Elsewhere, Frank Chuman answered a reader’s question about aging Issei, and Masao Satow wrote about the offensive term “Jap.” Saburo Kido continued his history of the 1936 Seattle Convention. Chapter news included Little Tokyo rezoning in Los Angeles, a testimonial dinner for Judge Tamura, and a new Jimmie Sakamoto Memorial Pacific Citizen Award for chapter newsletters.
What’s in this issue
National
- Freedom in Housing, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. The U.S. Civil Rights Commission urged the President to extend anti-discrimination rules to private housing lenders and real estate interests, not just federal programs. JACL endorses the proposal while noting that enforcement questions remain unresolved.
- National campaign to rid anti-Nisei films from TV opens for third time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL launched its third nationwide campaign asking TV stations not to show six wartime films that portray Japanese Americans as spies and traitors. The organization argues the films revive false wartime suspicions against Americans of Japanese ancestry.
- U.S. Civil Rights Commission issues ‘Let’s Face the Facts’ type report, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Civil Rights Commission report calls for urgent federal action to speed school desegregation, including a legislative deadline and withholding federal education aid from segregated districts. Commissioner Robert Rankin dissented from the funding recommendation.
Incarceration & Redress
- Rowher Cemetery to be dedicated as historical site, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Rowher cemetery monument honoring 30 Nisei soldiers killed in WWII will be dedicated as an Arkansas State Historical Park. Frank Chuman and Governor Faubus are credited for their roles in making the ceremony possible.
Community
- Rules for Jimmie Sakamoto Memorial PC Award for chapter newsletters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Roy Nishikawa announced rules for the new Jimmie Sakamoto Memorial Pacific Citizen Award for chapter newsletters. Awards will be given in several categories, with the first presented at the 1962 National Convention in Seattle.
- Shimotsuka, pioneer Issei of Salinas, succumbs, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Takeiiro Shimotsuka, an Issei pioneer who served as executive secretary of the Japanese Association in Salinas, died at age 82. He is survived by sons and daughters.
- Taro Kanow retires from county civil service, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Taro Kanow, a past Downtown Los Angeles JACL president, retired after 35.5 years with the county Road Department, the first Nisei to enter county civil service in that field. The Board of Supervisors honored his career.
- Li’l Tokio ready for rezoning to attract tourists, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A rezoning change approved by the Los Angeles City Council will allow businesses in Li’l Tokio to develop hotels and shopping centers, aiming to create an Oriental tourist attraction. The request came from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
- Nisei protests proposed residential zoning restriction for Fountain Valley, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Residents including farmer Arthur Hiroshima protested a proposed 6,000 square foot minimum lot requirement in Fountain Valley, arguing it would hinder growth. The city council was scheduled to consider the ordinance on Oct. 16.
- Testimonial fete for Judge Tamura open to public, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Orange County JACL and Kazuo Masuda Memorial Post VFW will honor Judge Tamura, the second Nisei judge on the mainland, at a dinner on Oct. 25 in Anaheim. Superior Court Judge John A. Arguelles of Los Angeles will be the guest speaker.
- San Francisco voters’ rally for local election set, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Nisei Voters League and San Francisco JACL will hold a voters rally on Oct. 20 at the Park Presidio YMCA ahead of local elections. The NVL plans to canvass its membership and publicize candidate choices.
- East Los Angeles JACL teriyaki booth raises funds at International Day, by P.C. Staff, page 3. East Los Angeles JACL members ran the Japanese food booth at the International Institute’s Festival, selling teriyaki for the fifth straight year. Proceeds support the Institute’s programs for foreign-speaking residents.
- West L.A. Auxiliary fashion show nets $500 for charity, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary presented a $500 check to the International Student Center from proceeds of its fashion show luncheon. The center serves about 1,200 foreign students from 57 countries.
- Monterey Peninsula JACL Hall damaged by fire, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A fire reportedly set by juvenile vandals damaged the Monterey Peninsula JACL Hall but was detected before it could destroy the building. The chapter is arranging repairs.
Obituaries
- Holiday Issue cover designer Tani dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Commercial artist Hisashi Tani, 39, died after a lingering illness, having designed JACL convention souvenir covers and the 1957 PC Holiday Issue cover. He was a respected San Francisco artist and active JACL member.
Commentary
- Dear Editor: Chuman’s reply on aging Issei, by Frank Chuman, page 2. Frank Chuman responds to a letter asking what JACL is doing for aging Issei, citing a 1960 Los Angeles conference and JACL’s report to the Governor’s Conference on Aging. He pledges continued JACL attention to senior citizens’ needs.
- Director’s Report: Derogation of the term ‘Jap’, by Masao Satow, page 2. National JACL Director Masao Satow addresses the continued use of the derogatory term ‘Jap’ and says JACL must mount a campaign to explain why the term is offensive. He notes recent complaints from members.
- Berlin: a look at the city in context, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The column compares Berlin’s geography and strategic importance to Los Angeles to help readers understand the August 1961 crisis. It argues that the Soviet army’s position in Eastern Europe makes Berlin a significant objective.
- Toward Understanding, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An editorial reprinted from the Hood River News reflects on a visit by a Japanese trade delegation and the contributions of Henry Nakamura and other Japanese American orchardists. It argues the visit offered an understanding of American life.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Post Chicago names Gus Hikawa commander, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Richard Gus Hikawa was installed as commander of Chicago Nisei Post 1183 of the American Legion for 1961-62. The post plans to send a delegation to the Nisei War Memorial Monument commemoration at Rohwer.
JACL
- Living with JACL: 1936 Seattle Convention, Part VIII, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Kido continues his history of the 1936 JACL Convention, recording the adoption of resolutions on citizenship rights, dual citizenship, vocational surveys, agricultural information, and oratorical contests. Each resolution passed unanimously.
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