Dr. Noguchi’s dismissal and the push to repeal the Emergency Detention Act

Vol. 68, No. 19, May 9, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

Two stories ran side by side in this six-page issue. Jerry Enomoto reported that professional jealousy over Dr. Thomas Noguchi’s role in the Robert F. Kennedy autopsy may lie behind his dismissal as Los Angeles County coroner, with a Civil Service Commission hearing set for May 12. Meanwhile, the drive to repeal Title II, the Emergency Detention provisions of the Internal Security Act of 1950, gained support. Senators Alan Cranston, Edmund Muskie and Hiram Fong joined Senator Daniel Inouye’s bill, four congressmen introduced House bills, and Mike Masaoka wrote to Inouye on the issue.

Other pages carried a California State Senate resolution on the injustice of the wartime Evacuation, and letters from Edison Uno and Karl G. Yoneda on Earl Warren and Evacuation history. Fifty-five high school graduates were nominated for 1969 National Undergraduate Scholarships. Bill Hosokawa described a Japanese Embassy reception in Washington, and a San Francisco Nihonmachi festival drew an estimated 50,000 people.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• ‘Professional Jealousy’ May Be Root to Dr. Noguchi Dismissal, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. The L.A. County coroner’s dismissal may stem from professional jealousy over his role in the Robert F. Kennedy autopsy, according to Noguchi’s attorney and supporters. The Civil Service Commission hearing is set for May 12, with Noguchi’s defense preparing to call up to 60 witnesses.
• California State Senate Resolution Points to Evacuation Injustice, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California State Senators George Moscone and Milton Marks co-authored a resolution passed April 24 marking the 27th anniversary of the Japanese American evacuation. The resolution states there was no evidence of disloyalty justifying the removal.

JACL

• Fifty-Five High School Graduates Nominated for 1969 National Undergraduate Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fifty-five high school graduates were nominated by JACL chapters for 1969 National Undergraduate Scholarships, with transcripts handled through the JACL office in Salt Lake City. New Collegiate Scholarship programs were also announced with June deadlines.
• JACL Letter to Inouye on Title II Repeal Reprinted in Congressional Record, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator Inouye had Mike Masaoka’s JACL letter supporting the Title II repeal bill inserted into the Congressional Record. The letter argued no American should be detained solely on suspicion of disloyalty.

Commentary

• Civil Rights Coordinator Raymond Uno Outlines Approach at San Francisco Meeting, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL Civil Rights Coordinator Raymond Uno discussed many aspects of civil rights involvement at a San Francisco Civil Rights Committee meeting. The author urges Board members to share Uno’s comments and work together on the civil rights agenda.
• Under Bureaucrat’s Skin: How Nisei Behave, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A UCLA conference examined problems faced by minority group administrators in white-dominated government organizations. Preliminary findings noted that Oriental administrators are often unwilling to see themselves as representatives of a minority group.
• A Gala Occasion, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes attending the Japanese Embassy’s Tenchosetsu reception in Washington, D.C., with Mike Masaoka. He recounts the crowded affair and an intimate dinner at the Japan Inn.
• It’s Called Awareness, by Dobzren, page 3. A columnist reflects on Dr. S. I. Hayakawa’s remarks at the PSW District banquet and the heckling that followed. The column argues the youth’s protest reflects a demand for awareness of institutional racism.
• Sounding Board: The Noguchi Case, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column examines whether racial bias underlies the dismissal of Dr. Thomas Noguchi and urges the Nisei community to support his fair hearing. It notes a defense fund has been established for his legal costs.
• What a Whing Ding!, by Frank Omatsu, Harry H. Nakamura, page 5. The PSWDC whing ding at Disneyland Hotel featured humorous skits and performances by district 1000 Club members. The event was co-chaired by Frank Omatsu and Harry H. Nakamura.
• Aloha from Hawaii, by Richard Gima, page 5. Richard Gima reports on Hawaii news including the statehood anniversary, a Magic Island park bill, and Hawaiian community and government items. The column touches on drug use among students and other island matters.
• Eli’s Dal, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial suggests Earl Warren’s retirement may not be quiet if he apologizes for his wartime role in urging the Evacuation. It also discusses the concept of institutional racism as explained by a Washington Post writer.
• Not Seeing the Forest for the Bonsai, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 6. Dr. Frank Sakamoto’s column discusses the relationship between Japanese American identity and assimilation. It considers how the community can address its present challenges.
• Wash Line: SWAB – WASP, by Roger Nikaido, page 6. Roger Nikaido offers a satirical speculation about life if Japanese Americans could become white overnight through a synthetic chemical. The column comments on racial identity and minority status.
• Letter: Discourtesy at Disneyland, by Donald and Toshiye Estes, page 6. Letter writers criticize the PSWDC for failing to respond to mistreatment of demonstrators and guests by Disneyland Hotel employees during the Hayakawa event. They argue the incident affronted the dignity of all JACL members.
• Letter: E-Week, by Karl G. Yoneda, page 6. Karl Yoneda suggests setting aside a week in mid-April as Evacuation History Week and corrects the date of the Manzanar train departure. He calls for accurate historical records.
• Letter: Earl Warren, by Edison Uno, page 6. Edison Uno writes that Chief Justice Earl Warren should apologize for his role in the Evacuation before retiring. He argues that great men can admit human error.
• Letter: JACL and Young Adults, by Frank K. Kawase, page 6. Frank Kawase argues JACL can help young adults achieve economic success in Caucasian society by offering influence and connections. He proposes a plan to link members with career and professional opportunities.

National

• Cranston Co-Sponsors Bill to Repeal Title II, Recalls Nazi Concentration Camps, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Alan Cranston co-sponsored Senator Daniel Inouye’s bill to repeal the Emergency Detention provisions of the Internal Security Act of 1950. Cranston warned that the law could be used to detain persons with unpopular political views.
• Kleindienst’s Alleged Remarks on Detention Camp Dismays Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Inouye expressed shock at reports that Deputy Attorney General Richard Kleindienst suggested disruptive demonstrators be put in detention camps. Washington JACL representative Mike Masaoka urged Kleindienst to help secure speedy repeal of Title II.
• Muskie, Fong Join Title II Repeal Drive; Four Congressmen Enter Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senators Edmund Muskie and Hiram Fong became co-sponsors of the bill to repeal the Emergency Detention Act, and four congressmen introduced House repeal bills. The Washington JACL Office reported growing congressional support.
• ‘Orientals in America’ Ethnic Course Initiated at UCLA; JACLer to Appear as Guest Panelist, by P.C. Staff, page 2. UCLA launched a spring quarter course titled ‘Orientals in America’ taught by Yuji Ichioka, with JACL associate director Jeffrey Matsui scheduled as a panelist. The course examines racism and the Oriental experience in America.
• Nisei Appointees Await Senate Confirmation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two Hawaii Japanese Americans nominated by President Nixon, Shiro Kashiwa and Robert K. Fukuda, are preparing to assume Justice Department posts pending Senate confirmation. Kashiwa will be the highest-ranking federal employee of Japanese ancestry.

Community

• Issei Centennial Commemorative Coin Designed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Coins commemorating the Issei Centennial have been designed and will be available at the June 7 Wakamatsu ceremonies in Sacramento. Fundraising for the JACL-Wakamatsu Find Drive stood at $8,759.90 toward a $13,000 goal.
• Nihonmachi Festival Attracts 50,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An estimated 50,000 people attended the second annual Cherry Blossom Festival parade in San Francisco’s Nihonmachi on April 27. Over 1,000 participants marched in the parade under perfect weather.
• Teachers Realize AJA Community Not All Docile, of Diverse Views, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Berkeley public school teachers in Project EPOCH attended a symposium covering the full range of Japanese American political thought. Participants concluded the community is diverse rather than a monolithic group of docile people.
• Launch Student Aid Program in PSW District, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The PSW District Council announced a student aid program to help students seeking entry into junior colleges and trade schools. The program is administered with the Yellow Brotherhood and will rely on chapter contributions.
• EDC-MDC Confab Announces Convention Theme, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The eighth biennial Eastern-Midwest District convention in Cincinnati will use the theme ‘Igniting Individual Involvement.’ Convention co-chairmen announced the convention board members.
• Santa Maria Valley to Install Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Santa Maria Valley JACL will hold its installation dinner on May 24, swearing in Dr. Ken T. Oye as president. Guest speakers include Jeffrey Matsui and Alan Kumamoto.
• CDC Calls for Repeal of Detention Act, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California Democratic Council at its San Jose convention called for repeal of the Emergency Detention Act and abolition of the House Committee on Internal Security. The CDC also called for replacing acting San Francisco State president S. I. Hayakawa.
• Rebellion of America’s Youth Is Natural, Sen. Inouye Tells YMCA, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Daniel Inouye told a Honolulu YMCA centennial banquet that youth rebellion is natural and should be directed toward justice. He urged Americans to question militant youth who reject heroes and resort to violence.
• Plan Second Film on Michener’s ‘Hawaii’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Producer Walter Mirisch announced a second film based on Michener’s Hawaii, focusing on the Chinese portion of the story. He also noted Japanese and Polynesian sections offer possibilities for film.

Military & Veterans

• Asian American Social Workers in L.A. Develop Action Program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Asian American social workers in Los Angeles formed an action group to address social issues in the Asian community. Seven committees were established covering repeal of Title II, welfare resources, and graduate school admissions.

Sports

• The Foul Line: Chiyo Tashima Hall of Famer, by Gary Yamauchi, page 5. A profile of Chiyo Tashima recounts her bowling career, including multiple national and city titles, and her induction into the Southern California Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. The article highlights her competitive record.

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