Vol. 57, No. 15, October 11, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue
Civil rights ran through this four-page issue. Mike Masaoka reported on the House Judiciary Subcommittee shaping a comprehensive bill, with JACL urging the strongest possible legislation. A New Jersey advisory report to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission endorsed quotas for non-whites in housing and jobs, and Congress voted 265-80 to keep the Commission running until November 30, 1964. Ann Arbor passed a fair housing law that some supporters thought too weak. Frank Chuman was re-elected chairman of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission.
Elsewhere, Col. Francis F. Takemoto took command of the Hawaii National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade, and the President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity in the Armed Forces told JACL that Japanese Americans face no general discrimination in the military. Larry Tajiri wrote about a new Broadway musical in the works, and James Michener explained his difficulties with Hawaii. Chapter news came from St. Louis, Orange County, Long Beach and Sonoma County.
What’s in this issue
National
- Quota Principle for Non-Whites Recommended, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A New Jersey Advisory Committee report to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission endorsed quota systems for non-whites in housing, state construction jobs, and certain private employment to temper an explosive racial climate. The year-long study cited a dismal picture of opportunity for Negroes in housing, employment, and apprentice training.
- Ann Arbor Enacts Fair Housing Law, Too Weak for Some, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Ann Arbor city council passed an anti-discrimination housing ordinance 7-4, the first in Michigan and eighth in the nation, covering housing with five or more units under one ownership. Civil rights supporters considered it too weak because it exempted owner-occupied one and two family dwellings.
- Quick Presidential Signature Expected to Extend Civil Rights Agency for a Year, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House completed congressional action to keep the U.S. Civil Rights Commission active until November 30, 1964, by a 265-80 vote. The President was expected to sign the bill quickly since the commission was required to suspend operations by September 30.
- Civil Rights Strategy, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Rights began shaping a comprehensive civil rights bill, with JACL urging the strongest possible omnibus legislation. Masaoka argues that the Subcommittee proposals are the minimum Congress should enact.
- Report Clears Hisaoka of Malfeasance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Hawaii County attorney’s office found no evidence supporting malfeasance charges against County Supervisor Ikuo Hisaoka. The charges had been brought by County Chairman Helene Hale, and the investigation report was to be considered by the Board of Supervisors.
Community
- Frank Chuman Re-elected Chairman of Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney Frank F. Chuman, a past National JACL president, was re-elected chairman of the 25-member Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission. The commission members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
- Dr. Nishikawa Named to Adult Education Advisory Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, past national JACL president and Pacific Citizen Board chairman, was appointed to the Los Angeles City School District’s 40-member adult education advisory council. The council aims to determine adult educational needs, coordinate programs, and raise community awareness of adult education opportunities.
- St. Louis to Host MDC Pre-Convention Rally in May 1964, by P.C. Staff, page 1. St. Louis JACL will host the Midwest District Council pre-convention rally over Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31, 1964, at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel. The theme is The Wider Road of JACL.
- Long Beach JACLer Appointed to Human Relations Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Long Beach Mayor Edwin Wade appointed Dr. John E. Kashiwabara, past president of the Long Beach-Harbor District JACL, to the city’s Human Relations Committee. The committee was formed to address racial grievances in housing, employment, and education.
- Orange County JAYs Elect 1963 Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ron Nishio was installed as president of the revitalized Orange County JAYs at their ninth annual dinner in Anaheim. The evening also featured a $300 Orange County Interclub Council scholarship awarded to Janie Masuda.
- Gardena and Ichikawa Sister City Visitors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mayor Takeo Ukiya of Ichikawa, Gardena’s sister city, led a party of 14 visitors who spent a week in the Southland before heading to Midwest and Eastern cities. Ken Nakaoka and Lloyd Sato served on the host committee.
- Fighting Civil Rights Race Relations Faces All Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Commentary cites John Cogley’s report for the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions on the state of race relations and the urgency of civil rights. It describes Negro unemployment as double that of whites and calls for equal opportunity in education and employment.
- Architect Minoru Yamasaki Comments at Hawaii Hotel Opening, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Architect Minoru Yamasaki of Birmingham, Michigan, designer of New York’s Port Authority project, attended the opening of the Queen Emma Gardens he designed in Honolulu. He discussed his architectural philosophy and his career, saying race had little to do with opportunity in America except for Negroes.
- Youth Council Preferred at National Level for Jr. JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Jr. JACL delegates discussed organizing a national youth council rather than a National Jr. JACL, with proponents citing leadership development and national service projects. The proposal was developed following the 1962 Seattle convention and a special meeting in Salt Lake City.
- Sonoma County JACL Chapter Incorporates, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sonoma County Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League was incorporated as a non-profit organization on September 30. The filing followed a year of effort by chapter president George Hamanamoto and Frank Oda.
Military & Veterans
- Takemoto Named General for Hawaii Guard Brigade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Col. Francis F. Takemoto, 50, succeeded Brig. Gen. Michael R. Roman as commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade of the Hawaii National Guard. A Nisei elementary school principal, he served with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Europe during World War II.
- Discrimination in Armed Forces Said Negligible, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity in the Armed Forces informed JACL that Japanese Americans face no general or specific problem of racial discrimination in the military. The committee noted the outstanding combat record of Nisei troops in World War II and that Nisei seem welcome in all service branches.
- Nisei Inductions and Wartime Service Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article reviews how the War Department discontinued Nisei induction in June 1942 before a combat team was formed and later resumed Selective Service induction in 1944. JACL played significant roles during this period in reopening opportunities for Nisei soldiers.
Commentary
- Author Michener Still in Love with Hawaii, by James Michener, page 1. Author James Michener wrote an open letter explaining his difficulties with Hawaii over discrimination, saying he was merely a decade ahead of his time. He reflected that Hawaii’s experience was small compared with the national struggle over civil rights.
- Minority View on Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Westwood ACLU chapter panel titled Prejudice and the Law: Some Minority Views is scheduled for October 17 with Dr. Scott Miyakawa among the speakers. The discussion examines minority perspectives on prejudice and legal remedies.
JACL
- JACL Observer at Second U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka, Washington JACL representative, was invited as an observer to the second U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange held in Washington October 16-22. The conference brings together delegations from both countries to discuss cultural exchange.
Arts & Entertainment
- Dragon Lady for ’64 Broadway, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz are preparing a new musical with an Oriental setting, likely to be cast with Nisei performers, for the 1964-65 season. The column also reports on the continuing success of Flower Drum Song in Las Vegas and at Melodyland.
Obituaries
- Dr. Mutsumi Nobe, 55, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Mutsumi Nobe, a Chicago pharmacist and physician and 1000 Club member, died of cancer on October 3. He had operated pharmacies in Southern California and served as camp pharmacist at Poston before becoming a physician.
Sports
- Outstanding Nisei Athlete Honored at Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Whittier College pitcher and All-City pitcher from Los Angeles High was named Outstanding Nisei Athlete of Southern California at the annual reunion. Dr. Scott Miyakawa spoke at the event.
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