The fight to repeal Title II, the detention camp law

Vol. 69, No. 15, October 10, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

Repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the law that allowed detention camps, ran through this six-page issue. Sen. Daniel Inouye voted against the Eastland bill, S 12, even though it contained the repeal, and pledged to keep pushing for a vote on his own bill. Rep. Spark Matsunaga asked the Defense and Justice departments for reports so hearings could be scheduled, and spoke on Title II at a Spokane JACL dinner for the Issei. Monterey Park and Culver City also backed repeal, and Municipal Judge Earl Warren Jr. offered to ask his father about the 1942 Evacuation.

Elsewhere, the Pacific Northwest district backed black contractors seeking fair hiring by building trade unions, and Eira Nagaoka reported on a panel about the Nisei Syndrome. Mike Masaoka covered the Japanese-American Assembly in Shimoda. Letters from Ruth Kumata, Thomas T. Tanabe and Dr. David Miura took up the title of Bill Hosokawa’s coming book.

What’s in this issue

National

• Inouye Votes Against Eastland Bill, S 12, Even With Detention Camp Provision Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye voted against the Eastland bill S 12 even though it contained the Title II repeal, explaining his reasons for supporting repeal. He pledged to keep pushing for a vote on his own repeal bill.
• Matsunaga Urges Defense, Justice Dept. to Report on Title II Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga urged the Defense and Justice departments to submit reports on his bill to repeal the concentration camp authorization so the House Internal Security Committee can schedule hearings. He noted over one-fourth of the House has co-sponsored the bipartisan legislation.

Community

• Monterey Park City Council Passes Resolution for Title II Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Monterey Park city council passed a resolution on Sept. 22 calling on Congress to repeal Title II. A public meeting on nationwide repeal efforts was scheduled at Buggemeir Memorial Library with the Sister City Association as sponsor.
• Milwaukee JACL Wins MDC Heritage Trophy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Milwaukee JACL won the Dr. Joseph Sasaki Heritage trophy for the second time for its cultural programs at the EDC-MDC joint convention in Cincinnati. Its Folk Fair participation, Kabuki presentation, and other events promoting Japanese culture were cited.
• Portland to Host PNWDC Convention Nov. 1-2, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 16th Biennial Pacific Northwest District Convention will be held at the Sheraton Motor Inn in Portland on Nov. 1-2 with Dr. Lendon Smith as featured speaker. The convention will also honor Issei over 80 with Centennial Medallions.
• NC-WNDC to Meet Oct. 25 at Reno, Election Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The final quarterly meeting of the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council will be held Oct. 25 in Sparks at the Nugget Convention complex. The program includes elections, an installation dinner, and presentation of Centennial coins to Reno Issei.
• Alamedans Observe Open Housing Month, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eleven mayors in Alameda County were named to the Mayor’s Committee for Open Housing as part of an educational campaign. Tom Kitayama of Union City was among them, noting that state and federal laws prohibit housing discrimination.
• PNW Backs Black Demand on Building Trade Unions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Members of the Asian Coalition for Equality met with Seattle Mayor Floyd Miller to denounce excessive police force during a University of Washington disturbance. The PNW JACL District Council supported Seattle black contractors seeking nondiscrimination in building trade union hiring.
• San Jose Nisei in Congress Possible, by P.C. Staff, page 1. With Rep. Don Edwards not seeking reelection in 1970, several Santa Clara County Democrats were mentioned as successors, including Grayson Taketa and Vice Mayor Norman Mineta. Both were considered likely prospects for the June primaries.
• Nisei Accused of Perpetuating Own Stereotypes: Apathy, Etc., by Eira Nagaoka, page 1. The Seattle JACL hosted a Pacific Northwest District Council panel on the Nisei Syndrome, where participants criticized Nisei for apathy and perpetuating stereotypes. Speakers called for better communication with youth and greater involvement in civil rights issues.
• Japan’s Backyard Will Prove to Be Happy Revelation, by Joe Hamamoto, page 4. The author describes the scenic Japan Sea coast from Kyoto to Shimonoseki, including Amano-Hashidate, Matsue, and Tottori. He recalls his wartime occupation service with the US Military Government Team in these areas.

Incarceration & Redress

• Sacramento Judge to Ask His Father About Evacuation Role, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Municipal Judge Earl Warren Jr. of Sacramento offered to speak with his father, retired Chief Justice Earl Warren, about the father’s role in the 1942 Evacuation. The offer was made to Edison Uno at a JACL civil rights dinner where Sen. Daniel Inouye spoke.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter: Japanese-American Assembly, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Delegates from Japan and the United States at the Japanese-American Assembly in Shimoda called for a new relationship of equality between the two countries. Sharp disagreements arose over economic protectionism, while broad agreement was reached on Vietnam, Okinawa, and the security treaty.
• Oriental Cuisine, by Hideo Magara, page 4. A reader question about differences between Chinese and Japanese food is answered, explaining that Chop Suey was adapted for Western tastes. The column also notes the development of Japanese cuisine for American palates.
• Culver City Human Relations Commission Resolution on Title II Repeal, by Harold S. Harada, page 4. The Culver City Human Relations Commission recommended opposition to Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950 and urged its repeal. The resolution was adopted by the city council by a 4-1 vote on Sept. 8.
• Youth Speaks: National Conference on Citizenship, by Kathy Kadowaki, page 5. A Junior JACL delegate reports on the 24th National Conference on Citizenship in Washington D.C. focused on youth activism. She describes her communications workshop and meeting local JACLers.
• Ye Editor’s Desk: Our Columnist in Mexico, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pacific Citizen introduces Frank H. Fukazawa as a new columnist writing from Mexico City, where he is vice president of Ajinomoto de Mexico. His background includes studies in Tokyo and linguistic skills in several languages.
• Membership Crisis, by Jeffrey Motsu, page 6. A column reviewing a California Casualty survey of Southern California JACL members, showing most are older, married, and homeowners. The author argues the organization needs to attract younger and poorer members to advance its goals.
• Nisei: Quiet Americans, by Ruth Kumata, page 6. A letter defending Bill Hosokawa’s book title against objections from some members, arguing that Quiet accurately describes Japanese American success. The writer compares persistent progress to water wearing down rock.
• Letter on Book Title Controversy, by Thomas T. Tanabe, page 6. A letter writer argues that objections to the title of the forthcoming Hosokawa book are unfounded and that the professionals should decide the title. The writer criticizes attempts at censorship over a historical project.
• Letter on PC Letterbox and Book Title, by Dr. David Miura, page 6. A letter criticizes the editor for restricting the letterbox on the book title debate and urges impartial editorial judgment. The writer says the letterbox should remain open to all members.
• Letter Supporting Book Title Retention, by Dr. David Miura, page 6. A reader praises Bill Hosokawa and Morrow and Co. for retaining the title Nisei: The Quiet Americans and condemns efforts to impose views on literary works. The writer argues the title accurately reflects Japanese American history.

Military & Veterans

• Issei, Title II at Spokane Fete, by James M. Watanabe, page 3. Rep. Spark Matsunaga addressed a Spokane JACL Issei appreciation dinner, drawing a parallel between the Evacuation and Title II of the 1950 Internal Security Act. He called for repeal of the law and honored the Issei present.
• Imperial Drum & Bugle Corps Completes Cross-Country Tour, by Ute Hirano, page 5. The Seattle Imperial Drum and Bugle Corps completed a 25-day cross-country tour to national competitions in Massachusetts and Philadelphia. The article traces the corps’ history from the Betsuin Scouts and its growth into a competitive unit.

Arts & Entertainment

• A Timely Pair on Polynesia Printed, by H., page 5. Tuttle released reprints of Abraham Fornander’s An Account of the Polynesian Race and Johannes Andersen’s Myths and Legends of the Polynesians. The reviewer describes both as significant works on Pacific Island history and culture.
• Traveler in Taiwan, by H., page 5. A review of Harvey Ward’s Poo Poo Make Frant Glow, a humorous collection of observations about Taiwan and its people. The reviewer notes the amusing use of English by Chinese speakers.

Obituaries

• Renewed Honors for Reno Pioneer William Takahashi, by Masao W. Satow, page 5. Reno JACL is arranging a memorial dedication for the relocated grave of William Takahashi, an early Japanese immigrant who arrived in 1867. The article also notes the history of the headstone and planned Centennial coin presentations.

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