Proposition 14 before the Supreme Court, and JACL chapter news

Vol. 64, No. 11, March 17, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

The Justice Department’s brief in the Proposition 14 fair housing case led the news. Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall urged the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the California ruling that struck the measure down, and arguments were expected the week of March 20. Mike Masaoka reviewed President Johnson’s draft reform proposals, Bill Hosokawa wrote about the trials of finding a column topic, and Joe Grant Masaoka looked into the history of Sakanoue Tamuramaro. Alan Kumamoto wrote about the generation gap between Nisei and Sansei.

Chapter news filled much of the front page: Dillon Myer spoke to the Philadelphia JACL, Chicago planned three citizenship lectures, and Seven records fell at the 21st National JACL Nisei bowling tournament in Los Angeles. Inside are a JACL treasury report, readers’ letters, and a piece on Japanese immigrants in Brazil.

What’s in this issue

National

• US, Justice Dept. Calls Hawaii Ban Unconstitutional in Brief, page 1. The Justice Department supported the California Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s fair housing law could not be repealed by popular vote. Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall urged the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the decision striking down Proposition 14.
• Justice Dept. Supports No on Calif. Proposition 14, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department’s brief argued that Proposition 14 went beyond repealing fair housing law by asserting a right to discriminate. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments the week of March 20.
• Hawaii State Report Scores Sokagakkai Sect, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Hawaii state commission report questioned the loyalty of Sokagakkai members in conflicts between the sect and governments. Harry Hirama, Hawaii unit chairman, denied the charges and said the group is now a religious organization called Nichiren Shoshu.
• West Coast, Intermountain Jr. JACLers Named Delegates to Clearing House, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Roger Nikaido, Russell Obana, and Brian Morishita were named to represent JACL at the 19th National Civil Liberties Clearing House Conference in Washington. It marks the first time Jr. JACL delegates from the West Coast and Intermountain area attended the conference.

Military & Veterans

• Seven JACL Bowling Records Broken at Los Angeles, by Tosh Kinjo, page 1. Los Angeles bowlers set multiple records at the 21st National JACL Nisei bowling tournament, led by Amy Hayashi’s singles and all-events marks. The tournament concluded with several titles going to local keglers and other bowlers.

Community

• San Franciscans to Greet Rep. Patsy Mink, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Voters League and local JACL will honor Rep. Patsy Mink at a dinner in San Francisco on March 24. Strong Nisei attendance from Northern California is expected.
• Philadelphians Hear WRA Director Dillon Myer, by Ellen Nakamura, page 1. Dillon Myer, former War Relocation Authority director, addressed the Philadelphia JACL 20th anniversary dinner. He praised Japanese Americans’ perseverance and the JACL’s effectiveness.
• Three Lectures to Promote Citizenship Planned by Chicago JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL has scheduled three lectures in 1967 on property rights, individual rights, and criminal law to promote good citizenship. The chapter also formed a human relations committee.
• Program Variety Aimed at Members of Hollywood JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Hollywood JACL has planned a varied 1967 calendar including an Issei banquet, a beach outing, theater parties, dance classes, and ikebana and bonsai sessions. The chapter also maintains a newsletter and telephone committee.
• Dayton Clowns Amuse Orphans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Dayton JACL Shindler Clowns performed a show for 150 children at Shawen Acres Children’s Home. The group has entertained thousands of area youngsters over the past year.
• Okamoto Takes Helm of Philadelphia JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Howard K. Okamoto was installed as 1967 chairman of the Philadelphia JACL at a dinner in Sheraton-Penn Pike Motor Inn. Jack Ozawa administered the oath.
• Japanese Immigrants in Brazil, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Approximately 595,000 Japanese immigrants and descendants live in Brazil, making up over half the global Japanese diaspora. Most work in agriculture, and many have achieved prominent positions in government and professional fields.

Commentary

• Military Draft Proposals Reviewed, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka examines President Johnson’s March 6 proposals to reform the Selective Service System, including a random selection lottery and abolition of certain deferments. He weighs the fairness of the proposals against the realities of limited military manpower needs.
• Trials of a Columnist, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes the difficulty of finding Nisei-angle topics for his column and reflects on how his children have grown beyond amusing subjects. He notes the column has run for nearly 25 years.
• Generation Gap, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto discusses differences between Nisei and Sansei generations and previews a Central California District Council youth conference at Reedley. He also notes upcoming JACL scholarship program deadlines.
• Letters from Our Readers, by Berry Suzukida; Karl G. Yoneda, page 5. Readers respond with a tribute to Dr. Frank Sakamoto’s energy and a letter disputing claims about Crystal City as the only internment camp for families. The second letter cites sources on Santa Fe Camp and pro-Japan sentiment among internees.
• JACL Treasury Report, by Satoda, page 5. The JACL treasury reports a solvent financial position, with income exceeding budget and expenditures below budget in 1966. Membership grew to 22,300, a 25 percent increase over five years.

Arts & Entertainment

• Two Instances of Japanese Culture Study Opportunities at Sophia University Summer Session, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sophia University in Tokyo offers a JAL fellowship for summer study of Japanese language, history, and culture. The program includes courses taught by visiting scholars and aims to deepen understanding of Japan.

In-Depth

• Footnotes to History: Sakanoue Tamuramaro, Nisei Historical Project Research, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 3. Masaoka investigates a claim that an African general named Sakanoue Tamuramaro held high office in Japan. Research concludes that Tamuramaro was a Japanese warrior of the 8th and 9th centuries, not of African origin.
• Ranald MacDonald: Early Japan Adventures, by Richard Gima, page 6. Gima reviews the 1923 narrative of Ranald MacDonald, who sailed to Japan in the 1840s and taught English to Japanese interpreters. The article covers the mystery of Japan’s self-isolation and MacDonald’s motivations.

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