Vol. 79, No. 12, September 20, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue
President Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon was the subject that ran through the opinion pages. Shigeki Sugiyama’s column “Justice and Mercy” and two staff editorials argued that a pardon without a full process undermined equal justice, and two of them compared it to the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans without trial. A second story on the front page followed San Mateo JACL’s protest over Rep. Leo Ryan’s alleged use of the term “Jap” at a high school, with the letters exchanged between the chapter and the congressman.
Other pages report on community projects. Betty Hasegawa described a Chicago group’s visit to Spokane JACL’s Hifumi-en senior housing, and Minami Keiro, a 97-bed nursing home in Los Angeles, opened. A California task force proposed a treatment and research institute at UCLA for atomic bomb survivors. Henry T. Tanaka questioned the JACL National Bowling Tournament’s eligibility clause, and the national building fund drive stood at $290,000. This six-page issue also carries JAY convention reports.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Justice and Mercy, by Shigeki Sugiyama, page 1. The author reflects on President Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon, expressing hope it reflected compassion while arguing that pardon without full process undermines equal justice. He contrasts this with the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans carried out without trial.
- Pardon: unwise, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial argues that President Ford’s full pardon of Richard Nixon was unwise because it bypasses due process and equal justice under law. It draws a parallel to the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans without trial.
- Bowling vs. Bias, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 2. The author criticizes the JACL National Bowling Tournament for its restrictive eligibility clause and questions JACL’s sponsorship of discriminatory programs. He argues that JACL should apply the same nondiscrimination standards it promotes elsewhere.
- The Nixon Pardon, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial criticizes President Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon as a misapplication of mercy that denies the nation a full accounting of Watergate. It calls for a complete investigation and legal process to restore public faith in justice.
- Congressman’s Use of ‘Jap’ in Talk Ubiahen, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Mateo JACL letter exchange with Rep. Leo Ryan continues, with the chapter rejecting his denial and noting public records of the remark. The chapter argues the implication of racial prejudice cannot be dismissed.
Community
- Spokane JACL’s Hifumi-en impresses post-convention group from Chicago, by Betty Hasegawa, page 1. A post-convention group from Chicago visited Spokane JACL and was impressed by its senior citizen housing project, Hifumi-en. The visitors praised the chapter’s devotion in building and operating the facility.
- 97-bed nursing facility Minami Keiro opened, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Minami Keiro, a 97-bed nursing home in Los Angeles, opened in August with pioneer patients participating in the ceremony. It will admit patients needing light, long-term medical care.
- JACL-Building Fund Drive: $290,000 on to $375,000, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL national building fund drive has grown toward its goal, with district councils and chapters praised for their pledges. Several individual JACL members are also recognized for their efforts.
- CCDC convention invites Nakagama as main speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Central California District Council convention will be held in Fresno with economist Sam Nakagama as keynote speaker. Chapter responsibilities for the November event are listed.
National
- Calif. task force urges treatment-research at UCLA, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A newly formed task force proposed a research and treatment institute at UCLA for Japanese American atomic bomb survivors and others exposed to radiation. The proposal was presented by Dr. Thomas Noguchi and state Sen. Mervyn Dymally.
- Congressman’s Use of ‘Jap’ in Talk Under Fire, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Mateo JACL protested Rep. Leo Ryan’s alleged use of the term ‘Jap’ during a talk at a high school, and the exchange of letters is printed. Ryan denied the accusation and called it politically motivated.
JACL
- JAYs Biennium Convention reports and youth actions, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JAYs at the Portland convention submitted proposals and adopted resolutions, including support for the Asian Legal Defense and Education Fund and CANE. Youth leaders discuss the need for greater involvement and mutual respect between JAYs and JACL.
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