Vol. 76, No. 12, March 30, 1973. 4 pages. View this issue
A visit to Chicago opened the front page of this four-page issue. JACL National President Henry T. Tanaka described the Japanese American Service Committee center there, the only center of its kind in the country, with a contract workshop, an Issei program and plans for housing. Robert Threlkeld told the story of Harry Hashimoto, a Laramie, Wyoming Nisei and 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran fired by Union Pacific after Pearl Harbor, whose railroad retirement credit was denied until Senator Clifford Hansen stepped in. The page also reported nine new JACL staff appointments and federal cuts to the gerontology program.
Elsewhere, Thomas Song reported on Congressman Spark Matsunaga’s remarks at the Philadelphia JACL installation banquet. Bill Hosokawa wrote about unfinished stretches of the Interstate Highway system, and Mike Masaoka reviewed the second Nixon administration. News briefs covered Vietnamese organizing in Hawaii, Japan and China exchanging ambassadors, and Edison Uno’s dismissal at UCSF.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Chicago JASC Center Serves Issei and Handicapped, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. JACL National President Henry Tanaka describes the Japanese American Service Committee center in Chicago, the only center of its kind in the country. The center provides contract workshops, an Issei program, and plans for housing for elderly Issei.
- Endowment Fund Portfolio Converted to Income Securities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Endowment Fund committee is converting its portfolio from growth stock to income securities to secure $50,000 for the biennium. The committee reviewed the conversion and its impact on fund income.
- Bank of Tokyo Board Chairman Visits Gold Hill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ichiro Matsudaira, chairman of the Bank of Tokyo of California, made a pilgrimage to the grave of Okei-san at the Wakamatsu Colony near Sacramento. He noted the historical connection between early Japanese immigrants and his family’s home lands.
- Asian Americans Must Work Together: Sparky Matsunaga, by Thomas Song, page 2. Congressman Spark Matsunaga urged Asian Americans to make common cause with all Americans at the Philadelphia JACL installation banquet. Over 200 JACLers and friends attended the event.
- Univ. of Calif. Executive Board Backs Probe of Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The UC Associated Students executive board supported an investigation into the dismissal of Edison Uno, assistant housing officer at UCSF. Uno says he was dismissed unfairly after health-related pressure and is preparing an appeal.
National
- No Racism Seen in Release of POW, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Five of six Hawaii Island men listed as POWs are of Japanese ancestry and have not yet been released. A Pacific Command spokesman said their shorter captivity may explain the delay, as the peace treaty releases the longest-held prisoners first.
- Nine Appointed: Six at HQ, Three at Regional, D.C. Offices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL announced nine new staff appointments across headquarters and regional offices. The new staff bring varied expertise in public information, chapter development, and program work.
- Vietnamese in Hawaii Organize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Vietnamese American Association of Hawaii was organized in February with about 150 members to assist Vietnamese residents. Its goals include English classes, employment help, and an agency to aid adoption of children of American servicemen.
- Japan Cited as Prime Source of Heroin-Making Chemical, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House Foreign Affairs Committee report identified Japan as the primary source of acetic anhydride, a chemical used to convert opium into heroin. Congressional members urged efforts to curb Japanese exports of the chemical.
- Japan-China Envoys at Peking, Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan’s first Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Heishiro Ogawa, was scheduled to arrive in Peking, while China’s first Ambassador to Japan, Chen Chu, was expected in Tokyo. The two nations established diplomatic relations the previous September.
Incarceration & Redress
- Federal Cutback Affecting JACL Gerontology Program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal funding cuts from HEW have forced changes to JACL’s gerontology program. A three-point plan has been developed to respond to the reduced support.
- Harry Hashimoto Fired by Railroad in ’42, by Robert Threlkeld, page 1. Harry Hashimoto, a Laramie, Wyoming Nisei and 442nd veteran, was fired by Union Pacific Railroad after Pearl Harbor and denied railroad retirement credit due to a legal catch-22. Senator Clifford Hansen intervened on his behalf, and the Railroad Retirement Board later reconsidered.
Commentary
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the progress of the Interstate Highway system, including the Eisenhower Tunnel, and the lingering incomplete sections in Utah nevada. He wonders whether some unfinished stretches are deliberate choices affecting tourism.
- Second Nixon Administration, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. Mike Masaoka comments on the second Nixon administration’s foreign policy achievements, including opening to China and the Soviet Union, and its domestic economic measures. He also reviews key Cabinet appointments and their coordinating roles as Counsellors.
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