Vol. 78, No. 25, June 28, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue
Age discrimination was the subject of the editorial on the front page of this six-page issue. It argued that bias against older workers is harder to prove than bias by race or sex, and urged that Employment Act protections, now covering ages 40 to 64, be widened. Much of the news looked ahead to the 23rd National JACL Convention in Portland, with Tosh Kuge describing the 1000 Club’s Whing Ding on July 23 and Alice Tsunenaga outlining plans for youth. The National JACL Credit Union declared a 6% dividend, and Little Tokyo news covered a 21-story hotel design and early clearing along East 3rd Street.
Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka paid tribute to Hito Okada, who founded the 1000 Club and the National JACL Credit Union. Gary K. Iwamoto wrote about the Pacific Coast Youth Association. The Supreme Court agreed to review the federal ban on hiring resident aliens, and a feature recalled the Seabrook Farms workers in New Jersey.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Age Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial argues that age discrimination is a growing problem that is harder to prove than race or sex discrimination, affecting workers in their prime. It urges that Employment Act protections, currently covering ages 40 to 64, be expanded to protect older workers who are able and willing to work.
- PCYA impressive cultural mix, by Gary K. Iwamoto, page 2. Salt Lake JACL member Gary Iwamoto praises the Pacific Coast Youth Association for its cultural diversity and impressive activities. He describes how youth organizations offer leadership development and community connection.
- Firm Ideas on Rights and Racism, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Excerpts from a speech urge leaders and individuals to examine their own attitudes and understand the material interests driving racist behavior in society. The speaker calls for leaders to set clear standards of equal dignity for all persons.
- Margin, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A columnist reflects on the dynamics of community organizations, noting how initial enthusiasm fades and sustaining involvement requires structure and fulfillment. The piece draws on personal experience with PTA and JACL involvement.
- Sister City idea realized, one-year internship starts, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Los Angeles launched a one-year exchange internship with Nagoya, Japan, honoring the 15th anniversary of the sister city relationship. Hiroyasu Maruta joined the city government to work on Asian American affairs.
JACL
- Fun-filled whing ding to kickoff convention, by Tosh Kuge, page 1. The 1000 Club’s Whing Ding will open the 23rd National JACL Convention in Portland on Tuesday, July 23 at the Sheraton Motor Inn. The party features Japanese entertainment, Made in Oregon products, and dancing, with individual tickets at the door for $8.
- Youth coming with parents not forgotten, by Alice Tsunenaga, page 1. Youth attending the Portland convention with their parents will serve as hosts and hostesses for convention events and have their own youth-only activities. Planned options include ice skating, a tennis tournament, bus tours of Portland attractions, and a Columbia River excursion.
- JACL Credit Union declares 6% highest dividend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Credit Union declared a 6% annual dividend for the first half of 1974, the highest it has paid since its founding. The dividend totals $53,800 for July, bringing the 1974 dividend total to $103,634.
- Focus on nine areas for JACL outlined, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The ad hoc JACL Public Relations Commission released a report recommending nine focus areas, including US-Japan relations, media, education, civic participation, and Asian American involvement. The report proposes a goal of expanding awareness and recognition of Japanese Americans in society.
Community
- Design plans approved for 21-story hotel in Little Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Preliminary designs for a 21-story, 450-room hotel in Little Tokyo were approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency on June 19. The East West Development project is scheduled to begin construction in September 1974 with a grand opening in late 1976.
- SF area Asian job bias revealed by major study, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A preliminary EEOC study of 40 San Francisco Bay Area industries found underemployment and low employment levels for Asian Americans. Asian American women were concentrated in traditional clerical and garment jobs.
- Early clear for projects along north side of E. 3rd St., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Buildings along the north side of E. 3rd Street in Little Tokyo will be cleared by summer’s end for the Higashi Hongwanji, Little Tokyo Towers, and Union Church projects. Most tenants have already relocated, with the remaining structures scheduled for demolition.
- California board approves new reading textbooks despite ethnic protests, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California State Board of Education approved about 2,000 reading textbooks by a 7-3 vote despite objections from minority and women’s groups. JACL representative Patricia Nakano was among Asian Americans who testified against certain texts.
- Sen. Inouye spending more in bid for re-election, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sen. Daniel Inouye, unopposed in his Hawaii primary, has already spent $159,295 on his re-election bid, more than his first two campaigns combined. The report also disclosed a donation to a shipbuilder under indictment that was returned.
- Textbook—Japanese primer due Calif. gakuen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new Japanese-language primer for California gakuen schools will be introduced this fall, with six more textbooks planned over two years. The project is funded by community donations, with a fundraising goal of $200,000.
- Firecracker ban by July 4 lifted, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission postponed its proposed firecracker ban after objections from Chinese American communities who use fireworks in religious and cultural celebrations. California law already restricts general firecracker sales while allowing use at Chinese New Year.
- Scholarship grant available: Dr. Mutsumi Nobe memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Applications are being accepted for the $500 Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually by JACL for graduate work in physical or life sciences or engineering. Applications must be postmarked by July 22.
Obituaries
- Testimonial to Hito Okada, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka pays tribute to Hito Okada, a former National JACL Treasurer and president who founded the 1000 Club and the National JACL Credit Union. Masaoka credits Okada with providing critical financial support to JACL during wartime and postwar years.
National
- Supreme Court to review U.S. ban on hiring aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Supreme Court agreed to review whether resident aliens may be barred from federal jobs, in a case brought by four Chinese immigrants in San Francisco. The Solicitor General argued that national sovereignty justifies restricting alien access to government employment.
- Senate confirms Hodgson as envoy to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Senate confirmed James D. Hodgson of Los Angeles as the new US ambassador to Japan. Hodgson previously served as Secretary of Labor and as a Lockheed Aircraft executive.
Military & Veterans
- Frying Pan Seabrook, N.J., by P.C. Staff, page 3. This feature recounts how Japanese American evacuees from WRA camps were recruited in 1944 to work at Seabrook Farms in New Jersey. Many stayed on, building lasting communities there.
Arts & Entertainment
- East-West Players cast for Brecht play, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The East-West Players announced the cast for their production of Bertolt Brecht’s Jungle of Cities, opening July 4 and 5 in Los Angeles. The production features a large ensemble of Asian American performers.
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