Plans for a new JACL building and the 1973 budget

Vol. 76, No. 6, February 16, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

Chapters voted 57 for, 7 against and 29 not voting to approve a new JACL headquarters building in San Francisco, at a cost not to exceed $175,000. National JACL President Henry T. Tanaka wrote on the front page about the fundraising task ahead and the unbalanced 1973 budget. Inside, Mas F. Shono’s columns questioned the JACL Endowment Fund and the group’s priorities, while Treasurer Alfred Hatate reported on 1972 finances and editor Harry K. Honda reported a surplus after five years of deficits.

Other items include a notice from Sen. John Tunney that Yokohama Specie Bank yen claims must be filed by April 2, 1973, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on the Tawara family, who rebuilt their lives in Denver. Estelle Ihrig recalled her time at Heart Mountain. Chapter installations, a Hawaii roundup and a Bunraku puppet theater benefit fill the remaining pages of this six-page issue.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Pocatello to Host IDC First Quarterly Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain JACL District Council will hold its first quarterly session in Pocatello on Saturday, Feb. 17. National JACL representatives and planning commission members will attend, followed by the host chapter’s annual carnival.
• Univ. of Utah Adds Tape Interviews of Intermountain Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American West Center at the University of Utah acquired 40 taped interviews of Issei from the JACL-UCLA Japanese American Research Project. The center is seeking volunteers to translate and transcribe the Japanese-language tapes.
• Fresno to Host First Tri-District Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The three California JACL district councils will hold their first joint tri-district meeting in Fresno on March 3-4. Panels will address issues including Elks Club membership, the Hilton hotel boycott, farm labor, and membership development.
• San Luis Obispo Hosts PSW Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council meeting was scheduled in San Luis Obispo. Details of the session were announced in the same column block.
• Sansei Executive Takes Over San Jose Theater, Subs Chambara for ‘X’ Films, by Ron Miller, page 1. Sansei executive Nakamura converted a San Jose theater to show Japanese samurai (chambara) films instead of adult fare. He reports that the films attract older Issei and young audiences interested in Japanese cinema.
• First Woman and Asian Heads Art Center as Director, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Betty Shigaki was named director of the Rochester, Minnesota art center, the first woman and first Asian American to hold the post. She previously worked as assistant director of the Martin Gallery and has a background in painting and crafts programs.
• More Asians in College Than Ratio in State, by P.C. Staff, page 3. State reports found Asian Americans well represented in California higher education, exceeding their 2 percent population share. Other ethnic minorities were found to be underrepresented, and consultants recommended expanded opportunities.
• Lone Heart Mountain: Estelle’s Epilogue, by Estelle Ihrig, page 3. A Caucasian wife recounts her marriage to a Japanese American man before the war and her decision to accompany him to Heart Mountain. She describes camp conditions and the difficult resettlement in Los Angeles.
• Satow Addresses Alameda Chapter Installation, by Roland Kadonaga, page 4. Masao Satow, retiring as National JACL director, spoke at the Alameda JACL installation dinner. He reflected on the evolution of Nisei identity and urged JACL to support other minorities and confront injustice.
• Sheriff Hongisto Slated as S.F. Inaugural Speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco Sheriff Richard Hongisto is scheduled as featured speaker at the San Francisco JACL installation banquet. The event will be held at the White Whale Restaurant in Ghirardelli Square.
• Pasadena JACL Sets Installation Date, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pasadena JACL announced its installation and related event dates. Details on the program were included in the chapter notice.
• Salinas Valley JACL Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Salinas Valley JACL held its annual installation dance at the Towne House and swore in new officers. Lefty Miyanaga was installed as chapter president.
• Philadelphia to Hear Panel on Assimilation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Philadelphia JACL announced a panel discussion on assimilation and ethnic identity. The program is part of the chapter’s February events.
• Dayton Slates Japanese Films Night, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Dayton JACL scheduled a Japanese film evening with English subtitles at the University of Dayton. Admission and ticket information were provided.
• Puyallup Valley JACL Blood Bank Helps Robbery Victim, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Puyallup Valley JACL blood bank made donations available to the Hayashi family after their son was wounded in a robbery. The chapter’s blood program helped meet the family’s needs.
• L.A. JACL Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL held its installation of new officers at a dinner meeting. Guests and program details were listed in the chapter report.
• Hawaii Today, by Allan Beekman, page 5. A Hawaii news roundup covers Oahu traffic growth and rapid transit concerns, state Jaycee awards, credit union appointments, and labor disputes. It also notes political and business developments across the islands.
• Honolulu Chinatown Cited as Historic Place, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Honolulu Chinatown historical district and a Kaneohe fish pond were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Sen. Hiram Fong supported the listing, which can help qualify properties for preservation grants.
• Local Scene: Los Angeles Community Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Community notes cover chapter events, awards, and appointments in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Items include the Asian Women’s Center and the Gardens Pioneer Project.
• Japanese Blind Group to Push PR, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Japanese blind organization announced a public relations effort to increase awareness of its programs. The group also planned events in Los Angeles.

JACL

• Chapters Approve JACL Building Project, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chapters voted 57 for, 7 against, and 29 not voting to approve a new JACL headquarters building in San Francisco. The resolution authorizes acquisition and construction at a cost not to exceed $175,000 through the National Executive Committee.
• Tri-District Meeting, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editorial welcomes the first biennial Tri-District Meeting as a chance for chapters to shape JACL programs before the Executive Committee meets. It suggests the meeting could push JACL forward under new leadership.
• 1972 JACL Financial Report, by Alfred Hatate, page 2. National JACL Treasurer Alfred Hatate reports 1972 income of $282,393 against a budget of $248,000 with an excess of about $3,000. He reviews the expense categories and notes the 1973-74 budget challenges.

Incarceration & Redress

• Yen Claimants Reminded of Deadline, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. John Tunney reminded Japanese Americans with Yokohama Specie Bank yen certificates that claims under the Japanese Bank Claims Act must be filed by April 2, 1973. Eligible claimants and the required documents are outlined.

National

• Bank of Tokyo Pays Highest Known Price for Land in Calif. History, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Bank of Tokyo of California paid $2,550,000 for a San Francisco parcel at $371 per square foot, a state record. The site had once housed the Alaska Commercial Company headquarters and the building will be demolished for a new headquarters.
• Friendship Act Bill Advances Educational Exchange, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Hiram Fong’s bill establishing a Friendship Act trust fund from Ryukyu agreement payments drew support from individuals and groups in Hawaii and nationally. The fund would support educational and cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan.
• Mayors Assail Nixon for Cut in Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eleven mayors toured three Manhattan sites to protest federal funding cuts to cities. San Jose Mayor Mineta joined the visit and said continued federal aid was urgently needed.
• L.A. City Promotions for Orientals Increase, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Los Angeles city appointments of Asian Americans to managerial and technical positions increased in recent months. The article notes the city’s expanded efforts to diversify its workforce.
• Federally-Administered No-Fault Auto Insurance Plan Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rep. Spark Matsunaga proposed a federal no-fault auto insurance plan with limits on lost wage coverage and noneconomic damages. The article contrasts it with existing state plans.

Commentary

• Relinquish the Security Blanket, by Mas F. Shono, page 2. The writer argues the JACL Endowment Fund encourages false security and should be released for current human needs such as Issei welfare and youth projects. He urges investing in people now rather than hoarding funds for emergencies.
• Mixed-Up Priorities, by Mas F. Shono, page 2. The column contrasts federal spending on war and space with spending on cancer research, calling the imbalance mad. It urges JACL to prioritize people over buildings, membership counts, and fundraising goals.
• Business-Like Conservatism, by Mas F. Shono, page 2. The writer proposes guidelines for evaluating fund applications and projects, including cost accounting and follow-up procedures. He argues for disciplined stewardship while still investing in human needs.
• Letter: The War Is Over!?, by Bill Shinto, page 2. A Costa Mesa reader argues that donors should be asked to give to specific programs rather than building funds, and that capital campaigns require major gifts from across the nation. He questions whether a Los Angeles or Orange County building would attract local support.
• Chiaroscuro, by Charles C. Kubokawa, page 2. A Tokyo-based writer describes Japanese work culture, bonuses, crowded commuting, and the economic and environmental pressures of Japanese cities. He also recounts an incident in which Bob Hope made a remark about Japanese Americans during a Yokota Air Base show, which he protested with a note.
• Letter: 1972 PC Financial Report, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The Pacific Citizen editor reports a 1972 surplus after five years of deficits, crediting reduced issue sizes and advertising requirements. He explains the break-even point and asks readers to support advertising and subscriptions.
• Letter from Japan on Living Conditions, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. A columnist describes the story of the Tawara family, whose Japanese Peruvian father was interned at Crystal City and later settled in Denver. The Tawaras built a successful nursery business, and daughter Diane had a traditional Japanese wedding.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa tells the story of the Tawara family, displaced from Peru during World War II, who rebuilt their lives in Denver. A traditional Japanese wedding for daughter Diane became a celebration of that journey.
• Editorial: Play It Cool, by Honolulu Star-Bulletin, page 3. The editorial urges calm responses to radical sentiment in the Asian American movement and cites former JACL executive director Mike Masaoka’s advice to work within the system. It frames the debate as a question of how to achieve justice.
• Insight Into Japan, by Allan Beekman, page 5. A book review of The Pacific Rivals, a Japanese view of Japanese-American relations drawn from Asahi Shimbun articles. The review discusses American ignorance of Japan and how press freedom was shaped under the Occupation.

Arts & Entertainment

• Bunraku Puppet Theater, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Bunraku Puppet Theater of Osaka will perform at Nourse Auditorium in San Francisco March 5-10 with an opening-night benefit for the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. Tickets are available at local Japanese bank offices.
• Joseph Goto Shows Steel Sculptures in Home State, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hilo-born artist Joseph Goto presents steel sculptures, paintings, and drawings at the Honolulu Academy of Arts in his first show in Hawaii. The exhibition closes Feb. 18 and was supported by state and federal arts grants.

Sports

• Richards Drafted by Dallas Cowboys, by Richard Gima, page 5. University of Hawaii receiver Richards was picked in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft. Two other former Honolulu high school players were also drafted in the ninth round.

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