Vol. 51, No. 23, December 2, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue
Membership was the main subject of this eight-page issue. A new JACL leaflet, “Group Insurance for Security Through Unity,” went out to 1961 chapter membership chairmen, and the editors hoped it would help the drive toward 20,000 members. Harry K. Honda reprinted Mas Satow’s “Prospectus for JACL, Inc.” for chapters recruiting members. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa described coming changes to the paper, including a four-page format starting January 2, 1961. Mike Watanabe asked Omaha members to renew.
Chapter news fills much of the rest: new officers and installation dinners in Pocatello, Watsonville and Long Beach, an Issei dinner in Denver, and the CCDC convention in Fresno. National director Masao Satow wrote on a San Diego Issei challenged at the polls. Mike Masaoka looked at President-elect Kennedy’s appointments. The front page also reports that beryllium claims were filed on Topaz Mountain, site of the former Topaz camp.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- New JACL Membership Brochure Should Score, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL’s new membership leaflet, “Group Insurance for Security Through Unity,” is being distributed to 1961 chapter membership chairmen. The brochure outlines JACL’s programs and objectives, and the editors hope it will spark a membership drive toward 20,000 members in 1961.
- JACL Represented in State Apprenticeship Opportunities Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A permanent Committee on Apprenticeship Opportunities for Minority Groups was established under mandate of the California Conference on Apprenticeship, with JACL among 12 represented minority groups. The California Labor Federation reported the development.
Community
- Pocatello’s First Chapter President Elected 1961 Leader, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Shiozawa, Pocatello’s first JACL chapter president two decades ago, was elected 1961 chapter president at the annual election meeting Nov. 27. A full slate of officers was also named, and an installation dinner-dance is scheduled for Dec. 30.
- St. Louis JACL Inaugural Dinner-Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The St. Louis JACL inaugural dinner-dance is set for Dec. 3 at Garavelli’s Restaurant, with MDC chairman Joe Kadowaki installing officers and speaking. It marks the chapter’s first group of officers under the board system.
- Long-Awaited Issei Dinner in Denver Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Mile-Hi JACL has completed arrangements for an Issei Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 11 for Issei over 65, who will be guests of the chapter, followed by a Japanese entertainment program. The event was planned as a tribute to the older generation.
- Chicago Sansei Vies in National Merit Finals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Diane Yamada, daughter of a active Chicago JACLer, was among Chicago high school semi-finalists qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship final examinations. A senior at Senn High School, she plans to attend Northwestern University.
- Judge Aiso Nominates Mukaeda as Candidate for 1961 County Grand Jury, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Katsuma Mukaeda, Li’l Tokyo civic leader and naturalized citizen, was nominated by Superior Court Judge John F. Aiso to serve on the 1961 Los Angeles County Grand Jury. Mukaeda is Downtown L.A. JACL chapter president and chairman of the cultural division of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
- CCDC Convention Opens Sunday in Fresno, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 11th annual Central California District Council convention in Fresno features installation of officers for 10 chapters and a banquet with State Attorney General Stanley Mosk as principal speaker. Detailed schedule and fashion show information are included.
- Chaplain to Speak at Long Beach JACL Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chaplain Robert Gunter will install the 1961-62 Long Beach-Harbor District JACL Board of Directors at a dinner and dance on Dec. 10 at Man Jen Low. Reservations are $4 per person.
- Watsonville JACL Selects Harry Yagi, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Harry Yagi was elected 1961 president of the Watsonville JACL, and he and his cabinet will be installed at a dinner-dance on Dec. 9 with national director Masao Satow officiating. A full slate of other officers was also named.
- Issei of West Los Angeles Host JACL Goodwill Night, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The West Los Angeles JACL hosts a free evening for Issei at the Japanese Institute featuring two Japanese films, a travelogue, door prizes, and refreshments. Consul Shinichi Utsumi and Gongoro Inamura are scheduled as guest speakers.
- Taye Isono Elected West LA JACL Auxiliary Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Taye Isono was elected chairman of the West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary at the November 21 meeting. Other officers were also named and plans were made for an upcoming party.
- Christmas Cheer Contributions Lag, by Henry Mori, page 6. The Christmas Cheer drive run by the Southern California JACL had raised about $1,492 toward a $3,000 goal as of late November. Chairman Jim Higashi encouraged continued community donations for needy Issei and families.
National
- President Invites JACL to White House Conference on Aging, to Push for Low-Cost or Rent Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL accepted an invitation to participate in the White House Conference on the Aging in Washington, D.C., Jan. 2-12, 1961, with Mike Masaoka as its official participant. JACL president Frank Chuman said the organization will urge government and private developers to build low-cost housing for senior citizens, including Issei.
Incarceration & Redress
- Topaz Mountain Site of Rare Ore Deposit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Beryllium claims covering the barren Topaz Mountain area in central Utah, site of the former Topaz WRA camp, were acquired by Beryllium International Corp. The discovery surprised former internees who had lived there during World War II.
Military & Veterans
- Veterans Day Program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL planned a Veterans Day program to recognize its member veterans at St. Augustine’s. Veterans were asked to wear their old uniforms, and speakers included Capt. Ozias Paquinn and a representative of Mayor Raymond Tucker.
Commentary
- Prospectus for JACL, Inc., by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Mas Satow’s address “What Our Line?—a Prospectus for JACL, Inc.” is reprinted to help chapters recruit members, framing JACL as a business selling the product of Americans of Japanese ancestry. It describes JACL’s programs for citizenship, youth, and combating discrimination.
- Prospective Changes for the Pacific Citizen, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 4. Board member Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa describes the Pacific Citizen’s coming changes, including a four-page format starting January 2, 1961 and distribution to every JACL household. He urges members to complete the membership drive to support JACL’s future.
- Director’s Report: The Right to Vote, by Masao Satow, page 5. National director Masao Satow reports on a San Diego Issei challenged at the polls and JACL’s efforts to clarify naturalized citizens’ voting rights with California’s attorney general. He also describes JACL’s Fair Practices conference and membership progress.
- They Expect JACL to Be Everything, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A summary of 1960-70 National JACL Planning Commission questionnaire results reports chapter views on JACL’s purpose, Nisei image, and community relations. The commission also made ten recommendations for future JACL programs.
- Omaha Newsletter: Why JACL at All?, by Mike Watanabe, page 5. Omaha JACL president Mike Watanabe reflects on the purpose of JACL while traveling, describing it as a form of insurance that requires well-organized members to be effective. He calls for members to renew their membership.
- Washington Newsletter: Presidential Appointments, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka discusses President-elect Kennedy’s appointment process and expresses hope that qualified Americans of Japanese ancestry will be chosen for federal positions. He also addresses the Hawaii recount and the electoral vote situation.
Sports
- Gardena JACL Wins Third Straight Long Beach Invitational Cage Title, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Gardena JACL captured the 4th annual Long Beach Invitational Basketball Tournament for the third consecutive year, led by captain Ed Fukumoto. Wall Kutaoka of West Los Angeles was named the tournament’s most inspirational player.
- Center Named to S.F. All-City First Team, First Nisei Since WW2, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rodney Someya, starting center for George Washington High School, was selected to the first team of the San Francisco All-City football team by the Examiner and Chronicle. He is the first Nisei to earn first-string All-City honors since World War II.
- Tokyo Giants Fail to Renew Contract of Wally Yonamine, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Tokyo Giants will not renew the contract of Honolulu Nisei Wally Yonamine for next year. A club spokesman said Yonamine demanded the same terms as his 1960 contract despite declining performance.
Arts & Entertainment
- Mukawaya Holiday Feature, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Japanese confectionery shop advertisement with holiday offerings. Included for completeness but may be advertising content.
Obituaries
- Genichiro Nishio, Issei Pioneer Who Retouched Presidential Photographs, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Genichiro Nishio, who retouched portraits of every U.S. President since Woodrow Wilson, died at age 76 in Washington, D.C. He had come to America from Japan in 1905 and was known as a skilled craftsman.
- Upton Close Dies in Train Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Upton Close, the pen name of Josef Washington Hall, a radio commentator known for sympathy toward Nisei during the war, died in a train accident. He had been a sympathetic voice for fair play for Japanese Americans.
- Ex-Congressman Rankin Dies, Was Bitter Foe, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Former Rep. John Elliott Rankin of Mississippi died of a heart attack at age 78. He was a fierce white supremacist who was a loud opponent of Japanese Americans during World War II.
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