Voter guide, yen deposit claims and the 89th Congress, 1966

Vol. 63, No. 18, October 28, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

A six-page issue weighed in on the November elections and the courts. National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about district plans and human rights, while Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter offered rules of thumb for voting on Nov. 8. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from about 4,100 Japanese Americans seeking return of yen deposits seized from the Yokohama Specie Bank. A review of the 89th Congress covered immigration reform that ended Asian quota discrimination and final evacuation claims payments. JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium award went to Dr. Kasumi Kasuga.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about Japan’s rapid growth, and Allan Beekman profiled James Kimo Kealoha’s Hawaii congressional race. The NC-WNDC planned to present a JACL scroll to Phil S. Gibson, and Washington’s SJR 20 fund drew nearly $4,800. Letters from Dr. John Kashiwabara and Edison Uno closed the issue.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• PSWDC Plans; PNWDC Project; Human Rights, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto praises district and chapter initiatives, including the PSWDC zoning plan and the PNWDC human relations seminar. He argues that JACL’s motto of Better Americans in a Greater America requires real attention to human rights, not just rhetoric.
• Washington Newsletter: Voter Guide, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka offers rules of thumb for voting intelligently in the Nov. 8 elections, including supporting friends, incumbents, and majority-party candidates. He also profiles key senators, including Paul Douglas, Clifford Case, and John Sherman Cooper, and explains California’s growing national importance.
• By Bill Hosokawa: Headlong, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes Japan’s rapid technological advance, including the Hikari bullet train, a massive tanker, and export-driven bearing and electronics industries. He also notes pollution, traffic deaths, and the high cost of living in Tokyo.
• By the Board: Tips from Juniors, by Dr. Tom Taketa, page 4. Dr. Tom Taketa praises San Jose Junior JACL’s well-organized board meeting and offers planning suggestions for chapter presidents. He urges reciprocal attendance between junior and senior boards and joint activities.
• Youth Column: DYC Galore, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Alan Kumamoto previews upcoming District Youth Council meetings in Orange County, Northern California, Idaho, and Central California. He also mentions Peace Corps school partnership information for junior chapters.
• Tokyo Topics: Japanized English Words in Nihongo, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 5. Tamotsu Murayama examines common Japanized English abbreviations and mixed-language expressions that confuse foreign visitors. He lists examples and explains how several are commonly misunderstood.
• Aloha Week and All Ye Ed’s; Chapter Minutes, by Richard Gima, page 5. Dick Gima reports on Honolulu news during a busy week that included a presidential visit, a Dodgers exhibition, and Aloha Week. He also covers local politics, a flash flood in Kona, and Hawaii community notes.
• Editor’s Desk: Contra Costa JACL Board Meeting Minutes, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor praises the Contra Costa JACL for detailed board minutes as a model for chapter secretaries. The minutes cover treasury reports, a Japanese language school, elections, and fundraising.
• Letters from Our Readers: Political Expediency, by John Kashiwabara, MD, page 6. Dr. John Kashiwabara criticizes the use of JACL mailing lists for congressional re-election fundraising, citing Article I of the national constitution barring partisan activity. He calls for officers to resist political pressure.
• Letters from Our Readers: Evacuation Theme, by Edison Uno, page 6. Edison Uno praises Dr. Toyo Tome’s article on the Evacuation and suggests a commemorative postage stamp and a public apology from Chief Justice Earl Warren on the 25th anniversary. He argues that the evacuation was a terrible mistake.

JACL

• NC-WNDC to Bestow JACL Scroll on Phil S. Gibson, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District banquet on Nov. 6 will present a JACL scroll to former California Chief Justice Phil S. Gibson. The program also includes officer installations and a new scholarship presentation.

National

• Gunther Believes Vietnam War Will Last a Long Time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Author John Gunther told a Mainichi interview that the Vietnam war has no solution in sight. He said President Johnson is sincere in seeking peace but North Vietnam has refused cooperation.
• Yasui Proposes School Integration Changes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Minoru Yasui has proposed eliminating de facto segregation at two Denver junior high schools. The proposal is under consideration by the city’s Advisory Council on Equality of Educational Opportunity.
• Hillings Bids for State Senate as Write-In, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Republican congressman Patrick J. Hillings is running as a write-in candidate for the 29th State Senate seat in California. Japanese Americans remember him for his prior positions on related issues.

Community

• School Teacher Aids Negroes in Tennessee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Long Beach teacher Mits Higa served as recreation director at a Newton, Tennessee community center serving Negro residents. He volunteered through a Presbyterian Church program.
• Nearly $4,800 Sent for SJR 20 Fund from DCs, Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Contributions continue to arrive for the State Committee for SJR 20, Washington’s alien land law repeal measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. Several district councils and chapters have given sums ranging from $5 to $3,000.
• Inadomi Named to L.A. City Charter Study Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mayor Samuel Yorty appointed a six-member citizens committee to study City Charter reform, including East Los Angeles JACLer Yosh Inadomi. Dr. Henry Reining of USC will chair the panel.
• PNWDC Organizes District Human Rights Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Northwest District Council will organize a district human rights committee to help chapters implement human relations programs. The effort follows a planned February 1967 seminar led by Phil Hayasaka.
• Washington Newsletter: Capsules, by P.C. Staff, page 2. News capsules cover Japanese American achievements in science, medicine, religion, journalism, business, and the arts. Items include Dr. Chihiro Kikuchi’s pink ruby research and awards to Nisei professionals and businesses.
• Interdenominational Clergy-Laity Move to Help Hollywood Area, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hollywood Independent Church and eleven other neighborhood churches met to coordinate ministries in East Hollywood. Speakers addressed neighborhood problems and the church’s role in the community.
• West L.A. Earth Science Section Hears Member Talk on Netting Butterflies, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ted Uyeda spoke at the West Los Angeles JACL Earth Science Section meeting on lepidoptera and the work of netting and cataloging butterflies. The Uyeda family is noted as dedicated amateur lepidopterists.
• Earth Science Group Marks 1st Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The West Los Angeles JACL Earth Science Section celebrated its first anniversary with 110 members. The group outlined its past activities and planned field trips and a future rock show.
• Legion District Commander George Ohka, by P.C. Staff, page 4. George Ohka was installed as commander of the Third District of the American Legion, the highest post yet reached by a mainland Nisei. Mike Masaoka was the main speaker at the Chicago ceremony.
• Interfaith Relations Feature: Trick or Treat!, by Ogawa, page 4. A Seattle columnist recalls first hearing the phrase Trick or Treat as an adult in Brooklyn and reflects on childhood experiences and community ostracism. The piece is a lighthearted personal reminiscence.
• SELANOCO JACL to Install Officers Nov. 18, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The youngest Pacific Southwest district chapter, SELANOCO JACL, will install its charter officers led by president Henry Yamaga. National President Jerry Enomoto will speak at the Candlewood Country Club event.
• Sacramento JACL-CPS Sign-up Set Nov. 5, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sacramento JACL announced an open enrollment period for its CPS health plan on Nov. 5 at Nisei Memorial Hall. Members 64 and under are eligible regardless of medical history.
• Attorney Ernest Tsuchiya Supports Mississippi Civil Rights Work, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Minneapolis Japanese American civil rights and community leaders discussed local problems and the summer outbreak in Cleveland. Rev. Andrew Otani chaired the program with Michael Gaines speaking on urban unrest.
• Gakuen Credits Near for All California Students, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Yaemitsu Sugimachi reported that state officials are moving toward granting public school credit for foreign language courses completed at Japanese language schools. A law passed in 1963 and amended in 1965 is nearing implementation.
• Boston Public Schools Classifies Chinese as Whites, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Boston school committee reclassified Chinese American students as white to reduce its count of racially imbalanced schools. State officials expressed disbelief and the state has withheld funds pending a satisfactory plan.

Incarceration & Redress

• Yen Deposit Claims to Be Reviewed by U.S. Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by about 4,100 Japanese Americans seeking return of deposits seized from the Yokohama Specie Bank after Dec. 7, 1941. The claims were dismissed on a technicality, and California’s Attorney General filed a brief supporting the depositors.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei of the Biennium Presented to Dr. Kasumi Kasuga, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium award was presented to Dr. Kasumi Kasuga, deputy chief of the Division of Indian Health, U.S. Public Health Service. He was honored for 19 years of service among American Indians and Alaska natives.
• Congress 89th Session Historic Achievements, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 89th Congress enacted sweeping legislation including immigration reform that ended Asian quota discrimination and final evacuation claims payments. The Second Session also saw failure of the civil rights bill and debates over Vietnam.
• Marine Corps to Organize Oriental Platoon for Training Next February, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Staff Sgt. Tadao Ochiai announced a special all-Oriental Marine platoon for February high school graduates, training at San Diego. Interested applicants should reserve places promptly.

Arts & Entertainment

• Kealoha Secret Election Weapon Enigma in Congressional Race, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Hawaii politician James Kimo Kealoha seeks a Congressional seat against Patsy Mink or Sparky Matsunaga despite formidable obstacles. The article traces his career, his clash with Governor Quinn, and his unexpected World’s Fair appointment.

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