Yen claims, a pension vote and chapter installations

Vol. 64, No. 2, January 13, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

Claims and rights for Japanese Americans led this six-page issue. California filed a brief supporting depositors seeking repayment of prewar yen deposits in the Yokohama Specie Bank cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and attorney Joseph Rauh called it one of the most eloquent he had read. A proposal to restore pension credit to Japanese Americans who lost civil service status with the City of Los Angeles because of the Evacuation was set for the April 4 ballot. Jerry Enomoto wrote about his visit to the Chicago chapter, and Mike Masaoka set out JACL’s goals for the 90th Congress.

Chapter news filled pages three to five, with installations in Los Angeles, Twin Cities, Watsonville, Placer County and Puyallup Valley. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Sansei and the last third of the century. Also inside: new eligibility rules for the 1967 National Nisei Bowling Tournament, and the editor’s note that the first 1,000 copies of Allan Bosworth’s book had sold out.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• New Eligibility Rules Effective for 1967 JACL National Nisei Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 21st annual National JACL Nisei Bowling Tournament has new eligibility rules requiring bowlers to be current members of ABC or WIBC and JACL for 1966 and 1967. At least four members of each five-man team must be of Japanese ancestry to retain the Nisei designation.

Commentary

• Chicago Welcome, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto recounts his warm reception during a visit to the Chicago JACL chapter, including dinner, fellowship, and meetings with local members. He also mentions JARP discussions with Shig Wakamatsu and his plans to report on Cleveland in a later column.
• Legislative Goals, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Washington representative Mike Masaoka outlines JACL’s legislative objectives for the 90th Congress, including immigration liberalization and civil rights legislation. He notes the importance of Administration support and identifies key congressional committee members who will shape outcomes.
• The Last Third, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa draws on a James Reston column to argue that the Nisei generation’s role is shifting as the Sansei take on the challenges of the last third of the century. He suggests the older generation should gracefully step back and trust the younger generation’s capabilities.
• Keep It Coming, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A 1000 Club column reports on reader responses to a mystery photo of a pair of legs and encourages chapters to boost 1000 Club membership. The column sets a goal of 2,000 members by the February interim meeting.
• By the Board: Taking Stock in the PSWDC, by Akira Ohno, page 5. Former PSWDC governor Akira Ohno reviews the district’s accomplishments over the past year, including civil rights work, staffing improvements, and new chapter LANOCO. He also explains changes to district awards and recognition programs.
• Our Harvard Scholar, by Kenneth M. Hisatake, page 6. Attorney Kenneth Hisatake responds to a previous column that equated moderates with apathy and Ku Klux Klan sympathizers. He defends the moderate position as one advocating peaceful, reasonable protest and condemns violent actions like the Watts riots.
• Ye Editor’s Desk, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editor notes strong demand for Captain Allan Bosworth’s book America’s Concentration Camps, with the first 1,000 autographed copies sold out. The column also comments on the joint Los Angeles area installation as a model for future public relations efforts.

National

• National JACL Credit Union Declares 5 Pct. Dividend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Credit Union board declared a 5 percent annual dividend for the second half of 1966. The credit union also reported insurance payouts to beneficiaries of deceased members and a annual meeting scheduled for January 28.
• Anti-Loitering Law Declared Invalid, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Los Angeles Superior Court appellate department declared California’s anti-loitering law unconstitutional, which had required citizens to identify themselves when requested by a peace officer. The decision was rendered by Judge Shirley Hufstedler and concurred in by Judge John Aiso.

Incarceration & Redress

• Calif. Brief Eloquent in Pleading for Yen Claims at Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The State of California filed an amicus curiae brief supporting Issei and Nisei depositors seeking repayment of prewar yen deposits in the Yokohama Specie Bank cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney Joseph Rauh praised the brief as one of the most eloquent he had read.
• Evacuee Pension Credit Up for L.A. Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A proposal to grant full pension credits to Japanese Americans who lost civil service status with the City of Los Angeles due to Evacuation will appear on the April 4 municipal ballot. Councilman Tom Bradley, who secured council approval, said the measure would benefit three Nisei employees.

Community

• Civil Rights Hearings on Hawaii Bias Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Hawaii State Advisory Committee on Civil Rights began hearings on the Neighbor Islands to receive discrimination complaints. Committee member Kenneth Nakamura described housing and service discrimination he had observed.
• Twin Cities JACL Officers Installed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Twin Cities JACL installed Dr. Roy Yamahiro as president along with a board that includes several medical professionals. Photo caption shows the gavel transfer from Bill Doi to Dr. Yamahiro.
• JACL Motto Cue for PNWDC Seminar on Human Relations, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Northwest District Council will hold its first human rights seminar on February 26 in Kent, Washington, focusing on the JACL motto For Better Americans in a Greater America. Panelists include Dr. Calvin Takagi, Masao Satow, and Donald Kazama.
• Roy Uno Named to Local Anti-Poverty Council, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Orange County JACL member and Pacific Citizen board chairman Roy Uno was named to a community advisory council overseeing anti-poverty programs in Garden Grove schools. The council will advise on implementation of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
• Washington D.C. JACL Installation Banquet Set for January 28, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Washington D.C. JACL chapter will hold its annual installation banquet featuring guest speaker Shun-ichi Yamanaka of the Japanese Embassy, a citation to General Charles Willoughby, and greetings from Dillon Myer and Allan Bosworth. The event theme is Our Cultural Heritage.
• SJR 20 State Committee Marks Victory at Seattle Celebration, by Eira Nagaoka, page 4. The State Committee for SJR 20 celebrated its victory at a Seattle dinner attended by 340 people, where Henry Owen received a National JACL scroll of appreciation. The measure removing the state’s alien land ownership statute passed by a narrow margin.
• Alameda Names Two for 1967 Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Alameda JACL named Amy Tomine and Stan Futagaki as co-winners of its seventh annual scholarship competition for Nisei high school graduates. Each will receive $200 at the chapter installation dinner.
• Judge Yonehiro Predicts Placer County Will Be Next Boom Area, by Roy Yoshida, page 4. Judge George Yonehiro addressed the Placer County JACL installation and predicted the county would experience significant growth comparable to Orange County. He encouraged the chapter to prepare for future community responsibilities.
• Downtown L.A. JACL Installs Officers in Mass Ceremony, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Six Los Angeles-area JACL chapters and the Hollywood Jr. JACL held a joint installation dinner-dance at Pickwick Restaurant. The mass swearing-in drew officials and members from across the Pacific Southwest District.
• PC Rep Elected Head of Mt. Olympus JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Frank Yoshimura was elected 1967 president of the Mt. Olympus JACL chapter in Salt Lake City. He also serves as Pacific Citizen representative to the Intermountain District Council.
• Watsonville JACL Installation Draws 150, by P.C. Staff, page 4. About 150 Nisei gathered in Watsonville to honor the 1967 chapter cabinet headed by Harry Akimoto. National Director Mas Satow installed the officers and reported on current JACL matters.
• Eden Township Hosts 200 at Christmas, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township JACL held a Christmas party attended by about 200 children and adults, featuring local talent performances and a visit from Santa. Masako Minami chaired the event.
• Puyallup Valley JACL Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Puyallup Valley JACL installed its 1967 officers at a dinner where Frank Russell was the main speaker. Percy Rowley presented a slide lecture on his recent travels to the Orient and Russia.

Military & Veterans

• JACL-CPS Rates for Coming Year Remain the Same, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL-CPS group health plan rates will remain unchanged when the contract is renewed in March, according to John Yasumoto. Certain benefits eliminated in 1965 will be restored from March 1 due to the group’s improved claims record.
• Gen. Mark Clark May Be Reunion Keynoter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. General Mark Clark, who commanded the Fifth Army during the 442nd RCT’s campaign in Italy, is expected to keynote the 1967 Nisei veterans reunion in Honolulu. The announcement was made in connection with the June event.

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