Dr. Noguchi’s case, the Wakamatsu Colony and the Title II repeal

Vol. 68, No. 24, June 13, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

The ouster of county coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi was the lead story. Five of the remaining fourteen charges against him were dropped, and a fund-raising dinner drew an overflow crowd of 1,000. Page 3 reports testimony from witnesses who spoke well of his conduct. Alan Kumamoto’s column argued that the case reflected color prejudice. The Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony was also honored: about 2,500 people attended the June 7 dedication of a State Historical Landmark at Gold Hill, and speakers at the banquet included William Hosokawa.

Congressmen Spark Matsunaga and Chet Holifield introduced a bill to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act, and Mike Masaoka outlined the JACL campaign behind it. Jerry Enomoto wrote about a visit to the San Luis Obispo chapter. Other pages carry chapter scholarship awards, a letter from Rev. Roy I. Sano about Bill Hosokawa’s forthcoming book, and Bill Marutani’s first day in Tokyo.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Five more charges dismissed, Noguchi banquet draws 1,000, page 1. Five of the remaining fourteen charges against ousted county coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi were dropped during the week. A fund-raising dinner for Noguchi drew an overflow crowd of 1,000 people.
• Blue ‘Dignity’ cards available to chapters, page 1. The JACL Ethnic Concern Committee is distributing red, white and blue cards reading ‘We believe in the dignity of the individual’ to chapters for shop windows. Members pledged to patronize businesses displaying them.
• Young adults meeting at Hood River, page 1. The Northwest District Council is organizing a young adult committee to develop programs of interest to Sansei members aged 21 and over. A meeting is planned at the district council in Hood River.

Commentary

• Perspectives: Nostalgia and San Luis Obispo JACL, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on a visit to the San Luis Obispo JACL chapter and the Wakamatsu Centennial preparations. He describes the informal discussion with members who felt isolated from national JACL activities.
• Title II Repeal Campaign, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka outlines the JACL campaign to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act, including the House and Senate bills and committee referrals. He notes the Senate strategy of attaching repeal to an omnibus anti-subversion bill.
• Letters: Nisei—Quiet Americans, by Rev. Roy I. Sano, page 4. Rev. Roy Sano criticizes Bill Hosokawa’s forthcoming book for portraying Nisei as quiet Americans and ignoring activist and Kibei voices. He argues the Chrysanthemum and the Sword portrait and the militant Sansei better reflect the community.
• Gut Impressions, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani shares observations from his first day in Tokyo, reflecting on the crowds, cab drivers, and the deserted Ginza at dawn. He comments on the changing character of Japanese in Japan.
• A Timely Repeal, page 6. The Nation magazine editorial supports repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, which authorizes detention centers. It praises JACL and other groups for the current repeal campaign.
• Sounding Board: Noguchi Hearings, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. The column argues the Noguchi case reflects color prejudice and urges the Japanese community to attend the hearings. It cites testimony suggesting bias among county officials.
• Editor’s Desk: We believe in the dignity of the individual, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor describes the JACL Ethnic Concern Committee and its Blue Dignity cards for businesses. The column also discusses JACL membership growth and proposed grade levels for the 1000 Club.

Community

• Nixon may visit Osaka’s Expo ’70, page 1. President Nixon may attend U.S. Day at Expo ’70 in Osaka on July 3, according to commissioner general Howard Chernoff. Chernoff confirmed the visit is becoming definite.
• Chicago JACL eyes 25th anniversary fete, page 1. Chicago JACL is organizing its 25th anniversary celebration with a November 29 dinner-dance at the Marriott Motor Hotel. Pre-dinner reception for past presidents and a memento are being planned.
• Hayakawa would like to stay on as college prexy, page 1. S. I. Hayakawa said he wants to remain as permanent president of San Francisco State College. He noted several goals he set when he took the post have been accomplished.
• Noguchi hearings: Highlights of the case, page 3. Witnesses including Dr. Cyril Wecht, Richard Kottke, Ralph Bailey, and other coroner’s staff testified favorably about Dr. Noguchi’s conduct and dedication. Their testimony contradicted several charges brought by the county.
• Seattle student protests and Central Area disturbances, by Ute Hirano, page 3. Student protests at Seattle Community College spilled into the Central Area, leading to clashes with police and several injuries. Trustees agreed to create a citizens council, and one trustee resigned amid the dispute.
• D.C. JACL awards three scholarships, page 4. The Washington, D.C. JACL awarded three chapter scholarships, with Ted Enosaki receiving the top $100 prize. Two $50 awards went to Wayne Itano and Karen Wakabayashi.
• Brief JACL message on 29-NAACP, page 4. Dr. Roy Nishikawa introduced the JACL Ethnic Concern project through a taped message on the local NAACP information line. The message featured the ‘dignity of the individual’ poster.
• Salinas awards first chapter scholarships, page 4. The Salinas Valley JACL awarded three scholarships to graduating seniors Jon Kitaji, Michael Oyama, and George Yasutake. Each recipient receives $100.
• Alameda JACLers set for golf tournament, page 4. The Alameda JACL invitational golf tournament will be held June 15 at Municipal golf course. The entry fee covers green fees and prizes, with co-chairs Gordy Kono and Ushijima.
• French Camp youth to honor parents, page 4. French Camp JAYs will hold a Parents’ Day party June 14 at the French Camp Japanese Hall. The event is headed by David Hotta and committee members.
• Chicago to honor 1969 graduates, page 4. Chicago JACL will honor Sansei high school graduates at a June 28 dinner at the Robert R. McCormick Boys Club. Tom Teraji will preside and scholarship awards will be presented.

Incarceration & Redress

• Wakamatsu Colony Dedication: A Once-in-a-lifetime Inspiration, page 1. About 2,500 people attended the June 7 dedication of a State Historical Landmark at Gold Hill honoring the 1869 Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony. Governor Reagan praised Japanese Americans as models of citizenship, and a presidential greeting was read.
• Wakamatsu Colony dedication banquet, page 3. Speakers at the El Dorado Hotel banquet included William Hosokawa, who compared the Wakamatsu Colony to Roanoke, and Treasurer Ivy Baker Priest. Consul General Shima and others honored the immigrants’ legacy.

National

• Matsunaga-Holifield bill to repeal Title II, page 1. Congressmen Spark Matsunaga and Chet Holifield introduced H.R. 11825 to repeal the Emergency Detention Act, Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. They argued the law threatens constitutional guarantees and urged colleagues to co-sponsor.
• U.S. Supreme Court rules on 3 civil rights cases for Negroes, page 2. The Supreme Court decided three civil rights cases in one sitting, ruling on school desegregation by racial ratios, recreation facilities under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and literacy tests for voters. The rulings favored Negro plaintiffs in each case.

Military & Veterans

• Matsunaga-Holifield bill and Title II repeal JACL campaign, page 2. The JACL ad hoc committee is urging chapters and members to ask their congressmen to co-sponsor the repeal bill. Committee co-chairs Ray Okamura and Paul Yamamoto are leading the campaign.
• Summer Cruises to Japan and Pacific Citizen notices, page 4. Nisei and Sansei readers are invited to travel to Japan on American President Lines ships with economy class staterooms. Sailings from San Francisco and Los Angeles are scheduled for June and August.

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