A 1966 issue on JACL’s direction, fair housing and Prop. 14

Vol. 63, No. 24, December 9, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to rule on California’s Proposition 14, the measure that gave property owners discretion in selling or renting, and JACL had actively opposed it. Fair housing ran through the issue: Masao Satow testified before the Rumford Act commission, citing surveys of housing discrimination against Japanese Americans. National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about the need for more dialogue inside JACL, and the opinion pages carried a lively exchange on nonpartisanship, with Clifford I. Uyeda, Roy Yoshida, Rev. William Shinto and Roy M. Nishikawa among the writers.

Mike Masaoka looked back 25 years to Pearl Harbor and the evacuation, and Mas Satow recalled JACL’s 1942 request to reinstate Selective Service. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Chicago chapter’s inaugural dinner dance. District news covered James K. Kubota’s election as Central California governor and a three-zone plan for the Pacific Southwest District. Allan R. Bosworth’s book on the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was promoted on page 4.

What’s in this issue

National

• U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up Prop. 14, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to rule on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 14, which gave property owners discretion in selling or renting. The California Supreme Court had struck down the measure, and JACL had actively opposed it.
• Satow Testifies on Fair Housing Before Governor’s Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Director Masao Satow testified before California’s Rumford Act commission supporting fair housing laws. He cited surveys showing widespread housing discrimination against Japanese Americans.

Community

• Southwest JACLer Contributes Valuable Stamp Collection to Jewish National Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles JACLer Nat Peshkin donated his $90,000 Palestine and Israel stamp collection to the Jewish National Fund. Proceeds will establish a settlement in Israel named for his parents.
• Juniors Add to EDC Session at Seabrook, by Ellen Nakamura, page 1. Jr. JACL members played a vital role at the Eastern District Council meeting in Seabrook, New Jersey. Discussions covered membership, the 1000 Club anniversary, and summer scholarships to Japan.
• PSWDC Board Approves Zoning into Three Areas, by Ben Shimazu, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council board approved dividing the district into North, South, and Central zones. The board also approved an annual essay and oratorical contest and eliminated the Chapter of the Year contest.
• CCDC Elects Kubota, Seeks Head Tax Quota, by P.C. Staff, page 1. James K. Kubota was installed as governor of the Central California District Council at a ceremony in Fresno. The council also adopted per capita allocations based on the national convention quotas.

Commentary

• Dialogue Needed, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto argues JACL needs more internal dialogue and some shaking up while preserving its law-abiding image. He also defends the nonpartisan but nonpolitical nature of JACL and suggests the Constitution may need revisiting.
• Perspectives: Dialogue, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto argues that JACL should embrace political involvement and broader human rights advocacy. He addresses a letter by Dr. Clifford Uyeda on nonpartisanship.
• Washington Newsletter: 25 Years Ago, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reflects on the 25th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the evacuation, urging Japanese Americans to remember that history. He calls on JACL chapters to honor those non-Japanese Americans who helped them during the war.
• Inaugural, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes attending the 22nd inaugural dinner dance of the Chicago JACL chapter, noting the presence of Sansei and the Nisei Ambassadors drum corps. He also recounts reunions with old friends and comments on a possible Chicago aldermanic candidacy.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa offers a light-hearted column on the Chicago JACL inaugural and his travel mishaps at the airport. He also notes the Chicago political prospects of Richard Hikawa.
• Historic Decision, by Mas Satow, page 4. National Director Mas Satow recalls JACL’s 1942 decision to request reinstatement of Selective Service, which led to the Japanese American Combat Team. He also reports on chapter developments and membership progress.
• Aloha from Hawaii, by Richard Gima, page 6. Richard Gima’s Hawaii column covers local news including a Hawaiian alphabet quiz, business appointments, and society weddings. It also notes community and sports items from the islands.
• Political Activity, by Roy Yoshida, page 6. Roy Yoshida discusses the controversy over JACL’s nonpartisan policy after PSWDC chapters helped mail campaign appeals for Hawaii congressional candidates. He argues chapters should have more freedom to participate in local politics.
• Partisan Politics, by Clifford I. Uyeda, page 6. Dr. Clifford Uyeda writes that partisan political ambitions would have divided JACL and argues the organization should remain a forum for discussion. He says JACL’s constitution does not prevent individual political involvement.
• JACL Be J.A., by Rev. William Shinto, page 6. Rev. William Shinto responds to editorial notes on his earlier column, arguing that JACL should be a Japanese American organization that promotes Japanese American identity. He defends his writing and his call for an organization to promote welfare.
• Letter: Dear Editor (Roy M. Nishikawa), by Roy M. Nishikawa, page 6. Former JACL National President Roy Nishikawa criticizes Rev. Shinto’s column as confusing and urges charity in judging the organization. He defends the JACL’s gradual progressive changes.
• Letter: Dear Editor (Isaac Matsushige), by Isaac Matsushige, page 6. Former PSWDC regional director Isaac Matsushige supports Rev. Shinto’s right to speak his mind and criticizes editorial censorship of the piece. He argues the editor’s handling of the article was inconsistent with truth.

JACL

• Nakagiri, Suzuki Appointed to Youth Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kay Nakagiri was named national JACL youth commissioner, with Mike Suzuki as associate commissioner. The appointments reflect the growing importance of the Jr. JACL program.

Military & Veterans

• Eagle Produce Sponsored Tribute: 442nd Regimental Combat Team, by Allan R. Bosworth, page 4. Capt. Allan Bosworth’s book on wartime evacuation and the 442nd is promoted, describing the internment of 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry. The book warns that such mass injustice could happen again to any group.

Incarceration & Redress

• Shonien Property Sold for Trust Fund, by Henry Mori, page 5. The Japanese American Community Services sold part of its Silverlake property to Boys Republic for over $70,000, with proceeds to be placed in a trust fund. The board plans to reorganize as an interim group and use only the interest for welfare purposes.

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