Fighting Proposition 14 in the weeks before the 1964 election

Vol. 59, No. 17, October 23, 1964. 6 pages. View this issue

Proposition 14 ran through this six-page issue from the front page to the last. Mike Masaoka was set to spend ten days in California working against the measure and preparing advertising for Japanese American voters. Governor Edmund G. Brown addressed Oriental American leaders on it, and the text of his talk is printed. Yori Wada urged members to persuade at least six more people before November 3. San Francisco JACL president Edie Moriguchi testified to a State Senate subcommittee that housing discrimination persists.

Other items include a Florida case on mixed marriage that went before the U.S. Supreme Court, and word that national JACL membership reached 18,105. Bill Hosokawa and Tamotsu Murayama each wrote about the Tokyo Olympics. A notice on page 6 said JACL had not authorized a leaflet using Ben Kuroki’s name to promote Barry Goldwater. The Central California district council announced its convention at the Hacienda in Fresno.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Masa Installation Rites Slated Dec. 5 at Fresno Hacienda, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California JACL district council planned a CCDC convention with an installation banquet and fashion show at the Hacienda in Fresno. Registration details, package deal prices, and reservation contacts were also announced.
• Cleveland JACL Organizes Community Foundation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Cleveland group formed a community foundation to support Japanese American welfare and other causes. Its board of trustees and officers were named.
• Berkeley-Oakland JACL to Highlight No on 14, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Berkeley-Oakland chapters planned activities to highlight opposition to Proposition 14. Organizers outlined their campaign strategy for the final weeks.
• CCDC Against 14 Benefit Dinner Set, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A benefit dinner was scheduled to raise funds against Proposition 14. Details on tickets and program were provided.
• More Support Against Prop. 14, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Several JACL chapters and individuals contributed funds to the campaign against Proposition 14. Donors included the Omaha chapter and several individuals from across the country.

National

• San Francisco Chinese and Japanese Americans Testify on Housing Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edie Moriguchi, president of the San Francisco JACL chapter, testified before a State Senate subcommittee that housing discrimination persists against minorities. She described sellers charging higher prices to nonwhite buyers.
• Supreme Court Asked to Rule on Mixed Marriages in Florida Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Florida case challenging the state’s anti-miscegenation law was brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorneys argued the law violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee.
• Mike Masaoka to Assist on No-on-14 Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka will spend ten days in California working against Proposition 14 and will prepare advertising directed at Japanese American voters. JACL leaders also planned newspaper ads and radio programs opposing the measure.
• Text of Gov. Brown’s Address on Prop. 14 Before Orientals, by Gov. Edmund G. Brown, page 2. Governor Brown addressed a gathering of Oriental American leaders in opposition to Proposition 14. He urged them to join efforts to preserve California’s tradition of equality and fairness.
• Orientals Tell of Discrimination Before State Senate Subcommittee, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Francisco Chinese and Japanese American leaders testified about housing discrimination before a State Senate subcommittee. Their testimony was reported alongside a contrasting private phone call from a homeowner willing to sell to Japanese Americans.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter: November 3 Elections, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews major world events and the upcoming November 3 elections, including Congressional races of interest to Japanese Americans. He points to the importance of informed voters in a tense international climate.
• Property Rights in California, by Edie Morgenthau Callender, page 2. Callender argues that Proposition 14’s claim to protect property rights ignores the long history of legal limits on ownership. He contends the measure would be struck down as unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment.
• Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa comments on Japan’s spending for the Tokyo Olympics and the transformation of the city. He reflects on what the games mean for Japan’s image abroad.
• Parade of Support for Pasadena, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pasadena community members rallied support for local causes in a parade. The event drew participation from several families and organizations.
• Sparky’s Friends, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A committee called Sparky’s Friends was formed to support Senator Daniel Inouye’s campaign work. Members described their goals for the coming election.
• Prop. 14 Campaign, by Yori Wada, page 4. JACL leaders urged members to make last-minute efforts against Proposition 14, citing polls showing many undecided voters. Each member was asked to persuade at least six more people before November 3.
• Tokyo Topics: Olympic Games-A Momentous Occasion, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 5. Murayama reflects on the significance of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for Japan’s postwar recovery and international standing. He highlights the modernization of the city in preparation for the Games.

In-Depth

• History Project Interviewers in L.A. on Move, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Volunteer interviewers for the Japanese American history project were expected to complete their work by the end of November. Progress reports from the Los Angeles team were included.

JACL

• Chapter Membership Performances, by Yori Wada, page 4. National membership reached an all-time high of 18,105 members as of September 13. Several district councils surpassed their previous records under strong local leadership.
• 1000 Club Life Members, by Yori Wada, page 4. The 1000 Club life membership fund has been depleted and needs replenishing. The national treasurer asked members to send ideas for a self-sustaining solution.
• Political Exploitation, by P.C. Staff, page 6. National JACL clarified that a leaflet promoting Barry Goldwater using Ben Kuroki’s name was not authorized by the organization. The article explains JACL policy on political activity and candidate endorsements.

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