Civil rights, Seafair and a Seattle pioneer remembered

Vol. 57, No. 7, August 16, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue

The National JACL mourned Clarence Arai of Seattle, remembered as the first Nisei candidate for public office in the U.S. His death shared the front page with a Seattle celebration: the Japanese community’s “Mikado” float won the Queen’s Trophy at Seafair, with 250,000 spectators watching, as Elmer Ogawa reported. Civil rights ran through the issue. Frances Tanaka covered Junior JACLers debating their role in the struggle, Mike Masaoka wrote about a poll on white attitudes, and Masao W. Satow reported the National Board’s $2,000 donation to a civil rights conference. Sen. Hiram Fong also spoke out on the subject.

Elsewhere in the four pages: Jack Mayeda joined the national staff, Larry Tajiri wrote about the musical “Flower Drum Song,” and Peter Fujioka previewed Detroit as the 1964 convention city. Edward Yo Okazaki, a 442nd veteran, was named to lead Utah’s Council on Aging, and a Long Beach Junior JACL chapter was organized.

What’s in this issue

Obituaries

• Clarence Arai, Nisei Citizenship Pioneer, Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL mourned the passing of Clarence Arai of Seattle, remembered as the first Nisei candidate for public office in the U.S. The organization praised his lifelong devotion to encouraging Americans of Japanese ancestry to fulfill their obligations as citizens.

Community

• ‘Mikado’ Float Sweeps Top Seafair Trophies, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. The Japanese community’s ‘Mikado’ float won the Queen’s Trophy in the evening parade and swept the top honors at Seattle’s Seafair Week. The float, depicting the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, was applauded by 250,000 spectators along the route.
• Where Should Nisei Jr. JACLers Be in Rights Battle?, by Frances Tanaka, page 1. Junior JACL members at the NC-WNDYC quarterly meeting in Oakland debated the youth’s role in the civil rights struggle under the national JACL objectives. Delegates expressed interest in continuing the discussion at a future session.
• Edward Yo Okazaki Named Director of Utah State Council on Aging, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edward Yo Okazaki, a Hawaiian-born 442nd veteran and VA clinical social worker, was appointed director of the Utah State Council on Aging effective Sept. 1. He is a member of the Mt. Olympus JACL.
• Jack Mayeda Named Regional Director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jack M. Mayeda of Seattle joins the National JACL staff as Administrative Assistant to the National Director, carrying out youth program duties and serving as Regional Director for Northern California. National President Pat Okura welcomed his group work experience.
• Guideposts Offered for EDC-MDC Biennium Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroshi Ayeda listed guideposts for judging chapters for the EDC-MDC Biennium Award to be presented at the joint convention banquet in Cleveland on Sept. 2. Criteria include membership record, PC cooperation, programs, and community service.
• Four Regional Survey Directors Appointed for History Project, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The UCLA Japanese History Project appointed four regional directors to conduct a national survey of Issei. Dr. T. Scott Miyakawa announced the survey interviews would begin in early September.
• Michener in Israel, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Former Hawaii resident James Michener and his wife Mari are in Israel for a year to write a book about the country. The book is titled ‘Caravans.’
• Youth Bowling Tournament Profit Report, by Frances Tanaka, page 2. The DYC meeting heard reports on youth events, including a bowling tournament that made a $9.75 profit and a triple-header that netted $30.25. Youth voted to hold a similar triple-header in 1964.
• NC-WNDC Youth Workshop Scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A special workshop to study proposals for a National Jr. JACL will be held Aug. 25 in San Francisco. The proposals stem from a recent youth commission meeting in Salt Lake City.
• Second Nisei Judge Candidate Mentioned in Sacramento, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Attorney Ma Sakuma, a former Sacramento resident, was mentioned as a possible appointee to a new Sacramento County Superior Court position. If appointed, he would be the fourth Nisei named to a judgeship.
• Wasedа Hikers Depart Kansas City, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Waseda hikers departed Kansas City for St. Louis, having walked across Kansas via US 40 since mid-June. They hope to reach New York by mid-November.
• Mrs. Shinno Reappointed to Democratic State Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Assemblyman George Danielson reappointed Mrs. Mitsu (Marjorie) Shinno to the Democratic State Central Committee. Shinno has served continuously since 1960 and is active in party affairs and community organizations.
• Nisei Bank Teller Threatened by Robber, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Madeline Shimotori, a Nisei teller at a Bank of America branch in San Francisco, was robbed of $560 minutes before closing. Three other Nisei tellers have been held up by bandits locally since 1956.
• Bonona Producer Heads Samoan Agriculture, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Charles Shiraishi, a University of Hawaii agriculture graduate and prominent banana producer, was appointed director of the Samoan Department of Agriculture. He will reorganize the department to raise the island’s agricultural economy.
• JACL Opens Chest X-Ray Survey in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese American Community will hold free chest X-ray sessions in San Francisco on Aug. 23 and 24. Junior JACL volunteers will help register participants.
• Jr. JACL Organized in Long Beach, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A Long Beach-Harbor Jr. JACL chapter was organized for youth in grades 9 through 12 at a Jamboree on Aug. 3. Officers and committee chairmen were elected to plan programs.
• Go Detroit in ’64: Things to See and Do, by Peter Fujioka, page 4. Peter Fujioka previews Detroit as the site of the 1964 PSWDC convention, listing golf, bridge, and sightseeing activities. He highlights attractions including the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
• Chester Yoru Re-Elected Secretary of Grape Growers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Buddy Iwata of Livingston was re-elected secretary of the Nisei-owned wine cooperative, the huge wine producer’s board. The report notes the cooperative’s continuing role in serving Central Valley growers.
• Fresno JACL Family Steakbake, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fresno JACL will hold its annual family steakbake at Eucalyptus Grove on Aug. 24. Jack Harada is chef-in-charge of the event.

National

• Stomach Cancer More Fatal to Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Canadians have three times the gastric cancer death rate of Canadian Caucasians, according to the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Researchers suspect something in the Japanese diet may favor stomach cancer and are organizing a pilot study.
• Selective Service Law Explained to Men Under 38 Employed by Japan Trade Firms, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney Mas Yonemura summarized U.S. Selective Service registration requirements for employees of Japanese trading firms under 38 who remain in the United States over six months. He also explained the exemption rules and their consequences for future citizenship.
• Puerto Rican Challenges N.Y. State Literacy Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Marta Cardona filed a court suit challenging New York’s English literacy requirement for voting, arguing she was qualified as a Spanish-language reader. JACL’s statement to a House subcommittee also opposed literacy requirements for voting.
• Sen. Fong Reaffirms Strong Civil Rights Stand, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Hiram Fong reaffirmed his support for civil rights before the NAACP national leadership conference, calling discrimination morally wrong. He also backed President Kennedy’s civil rights omnibus bill and anticipated a Southern filibuster.

Commentary

• Clarence Arai letter and PC Letterbox response, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Readers responded to earlier editorial content on civil rights and the Negro community, arguing the editorial was timely and opened communication with Negro neighbors. The letter writer described making Negro friends after its appearance.
• Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Poll, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. A Washington Post poll conducted by Louis Harris found most white Americans support equal voting, employment, and housing opportunities for Negroes but believe Negroes are pushing too hard and too fast. The column analyzes these attitudes and their prejudices.
• Jack Mayeda Joins National Staff, by Pat Okura, page 2. National President Pat Okura welcomed Jack Mayeda to the National staff to implement decisions the organization had lacked staff to fully pursue. Okura praised Mayeda’s group work experience as a valuable addition.
• Letter to the Editor on Civil Rights Statement, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A reader questioned the JACL Special Committee’s authority to appropriate $2,000 for civil rights without full National Board approval. The letter argues the decision should be subject to the Board’s approval.

JACL

• Civil Rights Fund Approved by National Board, by Masao W. Satow, page 2. The National Board approved a $2,000 donation to the National Leadership Conference on Civil Rights through a special committee vote. The approval raised questions about whether the appropriation required formal board authorization under the JACL Constitution.

Military & Veterans

• Tanabe Killed in Jeep Accident in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Specialist 4th Class Anthony C. Tanabe of Berkeley was killed when the jeep he was driving went off the road and rolled down a six-foot embankment in Korea. The incident was announced by the U.S. 8th Army.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘Flower Drum’ Perennial, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. The Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas revived the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ‘Flower Drum Song,’ featuring Jack Soo in a major role. The column also notes several Nisei performers who have appeared in various editions of the show.

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