Dr. Thomas Noguchi’s reinstatement and the push to repeal Title II

Vol. 69, No. 7, August 15, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

The reinstatement of Dr. Thomas Noguchi as Los Angeles County coroner ran through this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto praised the Civil Service Commission’s decision in his Perspectives column, and a news story reported continuing controversy over the charges against Noguchi and the conduct of chief administrator Hollinger. A letter thanked the JUST Committee for defending him. The issue also followed the campaign to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, with Congressman Jerome R. Waldie urging the House to act and the Richmond, California City Council endorsing repeal after an address by Ko Ijichi.

Elsewhere, the 29th Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles was previewed, and the Berkeley JACL opened a community blood bank. Fundraising for the Wakamatsu Colony Centennial continued, with commemorative medallions promised to every Issei aged 80 and up. Bill Hosokawa, Mike Masaoka, Masao W. Satow, Don Hayashi and Bill Marutani contributed columns, and the Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Graduate Scholarship was announced.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Perspectives: The Tom Stones, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto recounts a visit with Superintendent Tom Stone at a California conservation camp and reflects on the value of the JACL’s Interim Board meeting trip. He also praises the Los Angeles Civil Service Commission’s decision to reinstate Dr. Thomas Noguchi as county coroner.
• Home Again, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes returning home to Denver after a trip to Japan, including jet lag and the condition of the house. He also reflects on the contrast between Japanese greenery and American terrain.
• Weighing Priorities, by Don Hayashi, page 4. Hayashi examines competing national and institutional priorities, including disputes over student fees in Oregon and congressional debate on defense and space spending. He urges a reevaluation of rankings to reflect individuality and human values.
• A Shoeshine, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Marutani recounts having his shoes shined by a middle-aged woman in Tokyo and reflects on his American reluctance to accept the service. He comments on tourists photographing the shoeshine women as if they were curiosities.
• Noguchi Hearing, page 6. A letter writer praises the JUST Committee for its role in defending Dr. Thomas Noguchi and expresses gratitude for the Japanese American community’s support. The writer stresses the need to remain vigilant against future injustice.

Community

• L.A. Nisei Week unfurls its ’69 showy festival, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 29th annual Los Angeles Nisei Week Festival promises new attractions, including Japanese performers and an expected crowd of 60,000 for the Ondo Parade. Nine candidates are competing for Festival Queen, to be crowned August 16.
• Berkeley JACL starts community blood bank, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Berkeley JACL chapter has opened its blood bank to all Japanese residents of Berkeley as a community service. Chairmen Tak Shirasawa and Mrs. Maniwa explained that membership and prior donation are not required.
• H. Magara joins JACL office staff, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hideo Magara was appointed office manager of the Southern California JACL office, directing office work for JACL and Jr. JACL. He previously worked for the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project and has ties to Kashu Mainichi and Shin Nichibei.
• Need to sell more Wakamatsu Colony commemorative coins to top deficit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Wakamatsu Colony Centennial committee faces a deficit of about $3,500 despite exceeding its fundraising goal. Sales of commemorative medallions and booklets are identified as the solution.
• Windy City Visitation, by Masao W. Satow, page 2. Satow reports on a visit to Chicago to prepare for the 1970 National JACL Convention and notes changes in the convention format. He also describes the Nisei Ambassadors drum and bugle corps.

National

• Noguchi case spawns tremors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Following the reinstatement of Dr. Thomas Noguchi as Los Angeles County coroner, controversy continues over the charges against him and the conduct of chief administrator Hollinger. Several top coroner’s department employees have requested transfers.
• Support for Title II repeal mounts; Richmond joins, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Richmond, California City Council unanimously endorsed repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950 after an address by Ko Ijichi of the Contra Costa JACL. Councilman Gay Vargas also praised the 442nd veterans.
• Rep. Waldie of Calif. urges House repeal Title II, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Jerome R. Waldie urged his House colleagues to repeal the Emergency Detention Act, Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. He questioned what the vague language of the act could mean for citizens.
• Historic Legislation, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The Senate narrowly approved the safeguard ABM deployment bill and passed sweeping tax reform legislation before recessing. The author argues the session may be remembered as a landmark Congress.

JACL

• Dr. Nobe Memorial graduate scholarship due Sept. 15, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL is accepting nominations for the $500 Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Graduate Scholarship for a male Sansei student in biological or physical sciences or engineering. Chapters have until September 15 to nominate candidates.
• Wakamatsu commemorative coins to be given to all Issei 80 and up, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL will award a Wakamatsu commemorative bronze medallion to every Issei living on the U.S. mainland who is 80 or older. Names must be submitted by September 1, 1969.

Arts & Entertainment

• East Wind: Japanese American performers and stereotypes, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The column discusses how Japanese American performers are typically cast in stereotyped roles and questions whether audiences are ready for them in mainstream roles. It compares their progress to Black performers breaking through image barriers.
• Jay Aki performs at the Forbidden City, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A reviewer describes a performance by Jay Aki, a 25-year-old former bartender from Los Angeles, at San Francisco’s Forbidden City. The review praises his blend of soul music and comedy despite a difficult audience.

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