JACL’s future, the Sansei, and the Elks controversy

Vol. 70, No. 14, April 10, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL’s direction in a changing community ran through this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote about San Francisco chapter president Fred Abe’s view that the organization must recognize the shift from Nisei to Sansei. Harry Honda reported that the national executive committee recommended programs totaling $275,000 for the 1971-72 biennium, and a front-page item put national membership above 18,000. Ken Nodzu asked in a guest column how far JACL should go on civil strife, youth unrest and pollution.

The Santa Maria Elks Lodge’s whites-only membership policy drew letters and news coverage. Elsewhere, San Diego supervisors kept a 1942 resolution urging internment of Japanese, and Toyo Miyatake’s photographs, including his Manzanar pictures, were on exhibit at Cal-Tech. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter tracked bills on repealing Title II of the Internal Security Act, and Bill Hosokawa wrote a light column on Texas eating.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Fred Abe’s Optimism, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on San Francisco JACL Chapter President Fred Abe’s frank assessment that JACL must recognize the transition to Sansei leadership. Enomoto argues the Nisei should help bridge the generational gap and keep the door open to younger activists.
  • Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews the congressional situation on repealing Title II of the Internal Security Act, including the Senate-passed S.1872 and pending House bills. He outlines the possible House and Senate actions and warns against attaching the Internal Security Act of 1970 to any repeal.
  • Gluttons Tour, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes an all-you-can-eat oyster and shrimp restaurant near Houston and a Texas steakhouse challenging diners to finish a 72-ounce steak. The column is a light travelogue on Texas eating establishments.
  • Sansei Slant: Bob’s Letter, by Patti Dohzen, page 4. Dohzen prints a letter from Jr. JACL member Bob Imazumi criticizing the PC editor’s response to his concerns about holding the National Convention in Chicago. Imazumi argues that holding it there would make JACL hypocritical given Chicago police tactics.
  • Environment, by Argus-Observer, page 4. Fred Nishimura’s address on environmental problems is reprinted, arguing population growth and consumption drive pollution. He proposes taxing polluters and limiting families to two children.
  • Guest Column: How Far Should JACL Go?, by Ken Nodzu, page 5. Nodzu, president of Mt. Olympus JACL, asks how far JACL should become involved in civil strife, youth unrest, foreign relations, and pollution. He notes the National Planning Commission questionnaire and invites member input before the convention.
  • Letter: On Drug Abuse, by Gene Roh, page 6. Gene Roh writes to clarify remarks at a San Francisco JACL talk that were misquoted, explaining that Asian children face identity searches that can lead to drug experimentation. He urges parents to take an open approach rather than moralizing.
  • Staff Behavior, by Jim H. Matsuoka, page 6. Matsuoka responds to attacks over his Manzanar remarks and criticizes smear tactics against Warren Furutani based on a wall poster. He defends his position and objects to personal attacks.
  • Noguchi Case, by Margaret Fleming, page 6. Fleming writes to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors urging punitive action against Mr. Hollinger for accusations that led to Dr. Noguchi’s firing. She argues the county cannot let such personal vindictiveness go unpunished.
  • Elk’s Policy, by Kathryn Komure, page 6. Komure reports her daughter Donna declined an Elks Club senior award after learning of the group’s whites-only membership clause. She says she is proud her daughter stood on principle.
  • Book Review: A Dictionary of Japanese History, by Allan Beekman, page 6. Beekman reviews Joseph Goedertier’s dictionary of Japanese history, praising its concise entries, cross-indexing, and character index. He notes gaps such as the lack of a chronological chart.
  • Book Review: Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere, by John Saito, page 6. Saito reviews the Westbrook and Ratti book on aikido, calling it comprehensive and more intellectual than other works. He notes it is more valuable to instructors than to hobbyists.

JACL

  • Executive Committee Meets; $275,000 Budget to Be Announced, by Harry Honda, page 1. The JACL national executive committee met in Burlingame and recommended programs totaling $275,000 for the 1971-72 biennium, including expanded professional staff. The budget is subject to a detailed description to be announced later by National Treasurer Yone Satoda.
  • National Membership Surpasses 18,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. As of April 1, JACL national membership stood at 18,3xx, slightly higher than the same time last year. Several chapters and districts reported new membership highs.

Community

  • Idaho Falls Hosts IDC Quarterly Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council’s second quarterly session will be hosted by Idaho Falls JACL on April 25-26. The agenda includes National Convention matters, uniform membership dues, and an oratorical contest.
  • Mail Service Within Little Tokyo Chopped, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Saturday mail delivery along Weller St. in Little Tokyo has been curtailed because most nearby offices are closed on Saturdays. Patrons needing mail on Saturdays are advised to pick it up at the rear delivery dock of the main Post Office.
  • Elks Membership Storm Smolders, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Santa Maria Elks Lodge’s whites-only membership policy continues to draw controversy after a local teen refused to march in the Elks parade. Actions include Pentagon withdrawal of military support for the parade and a school board vote to remove the Elks name from a band.
  • Nisei Prof Criticizes American Attitudes About Environment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Economics instructor Fred Nishimura told an Ontario, Oregon AAUW group that American consumption is damaging the environment. He proposed taxes on polluters and zero population growth as solutions.
  • Bank of Tokyo to Open Second Fresno Office, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The State Banking Department approved the Bank of Tokyo of California’s application to open a second Fresno branch at the Guarantee Financial Center. The branch will be located on Shaw Avenue.
  • Venice Community Center Kicks Off Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Venice Japanese Community Center launched a $250,000 fund drive to build a new all-purpose center replacing its obsolete building. Organizations served by the center include the Japanese language school and the Venice Culver JACL.
  • Yellow Brotherhood Community Fund Drive Third Week Total Nears $10,000, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Donations to the Yellow Brotherhood Community Fund Drive in Los Angeles reached $9,918 by the third week, including a $100-per-month pledge from Holiday Bowl. The list of individual and organizational donors is included.
  • Topaz ’45 Alumni Plan August Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei students who spent their high school years at the Topaz camp will hold a 25th anniversary reunion in San Francisco in August. The reunion committee is seeking addresses of alumni.
  • Oriental Ethnic Studies at Community College Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle Central Community College prepared a credit course on Orientals in America for the spring semester after student Alan Sugiyama collected 2,300 signatures petitioning for it. Another such course was being taught at Franklin High School.
  • Idaho Falls Hosts IDC Quarterly Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Continued coverage notes the Intermountain District Council session and related chapter business items.

Incarceration & Redress

  • San Diego Supervisors Retain ’42 Resolution, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors refused to erase a 1942 resolution urging internment of alien Japanese. Supervisor Jack Walsh called the resolution an insult to loyal Japanese Americans, while Supervisor DeGraff Austin defended it.

National

  • HEW Grants Aid for Chinese Class, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare granted $220,000 to the San Francisco Unified School District for bilingual education for Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog-speaking students. The grant follows a class action by Chinese-speaking students seeking English instruction.
  • Hawaii Judge Overturns Divorce Residency Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Honolulu Circuit Court Judge Nelson K. Doi invalidated Hawaii’s one-year residency requirement for divorce on equal protection grounds. Attorneys suggested the ruling could open the way to challenges of other residency-based laws, including the abortion law.
  • U.S. Supreme Court Accepts Plea Over Voter Literacy Requirement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide whether non-English-speaking citizens in 19 states are deprived of voting rights when required to register in English. The case was brought by Mexican American farm workers in Yakima County, Washington.
  • Japanese Farm Trainees Program in 19th Year, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A group of 125 Japanese and 14 Korean farm trainees arrived in California to begin a year-long program, the 19th such contingent since the project began under Governor Earl Warren in 1952. Recent groups have also worked in other states.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Miyatake Exhibits, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Photographer Toyo Miyatake is honored with an exhibition of his 1924-1968 photographs at Cal-Tech’s Dabney Lounge through April 25. The show includes pictures taken at Manzanar with his homemade camera, which is also on display.

In-Depth

  • Wakamatsu Colony Descendants in U.S. Are Negro, by Stanley Williford, page 1. The only known descendants of the 1869 Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony in America are African American, through Kuninosuke Masumizu, who married a Blackfoot-Freedman woman. The article traces the family’s discovery after the centennial and their connection to the colony’s history.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Veterans Reunion in LA Packaged for $40, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Nisei Veterans Reunion planned for July 1-5 in Los Angeles is offered as a package for $40, covering a welcome banquet, a social or fashion show, a farewell banquet, and registration.
  • The Installation Banquet, by Nisei Veterans Committee, page 6. The NVC responds to criticism of its Seattle 25th anniversary event held at the Elks Hall, saying it rejects racist policies and chose a subtle approach. It explains the banquet was a social event honoring fallen comrades and their parents.

Obituaries

  • Dr. Daisuke Kitagawa Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Daisuke Kitagawa, an American Episcopal clergyman serving on the staff of the World Council of Churches, died of a heart attack in Switzerland at age 59. A memorial service was held in Geneva, and his career included racial and ethnic relations work in Africa and Asia.

Sports

  • And Where Are the Sansei in Prep Sportsdom?, by Joe Hamanaka, page 6. Hamanaka notes that no Japanese names appear in Seattle high school basketball box scores and contrasts this with the large number of Nisei in community leagues in the 1930s. He highlights Frank Fujii, the only Nisei high school basketball coach in the Northwest.

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