Vol. 53, No. 1, July 7, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue
A Sacramento television station’s apology led this four-page issue. KXTV wrote to William Matsumoto, a national WACL third vice president, saying it regretted showing the film “Betrayal from the East.” The station said its new management had not known the film was objectionable, and it promised to screen future purchases more carefully. A Part 6 installment of “Command Decision: Evacuation” looked at the February 1942 debate in Washington over mass removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast.
Elsewhere in the issue, the paper noted the deaths of Colonel William P. Scobey, who helped organize the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Rear Admiral Ellis M. Zacharias, both on June 28. Mike Masaoka and Masao Satow wrote from Washington, Larry Tajiri surveyed Nisei performers in Hollywood, and Saburo Kido recalled the first Nisei lobbying effort. The JACL announced the 1962 Seattle convention theme, “To Bridge and to Build.”
What’s in this issue
National
- TV Station Apologizes for Anti-Nisei Film, by Frank F. Kuramoto, page 1. KXTV in Sacramento apologized in a letter to William Matsumoto, WACL third vice president, for broadcasting the film ‘Betrayal from the East.’ The station said its new management was unaware of the objectionable qualities and pledged to screen future film purchases more carefully.
- Negro Files Suit in Housing Bias Case, page 1. Dr. Vincent A. Marks filed a $100,000 lawsuit in Santa Ana against Meredith Park’s developers and the Santa Ana Board of Realtors for allegedly refusing to sell him a home because of his race. The suit alleges an agreement among realtors to restrict persons of his race to specific areas.
Community
- Sansei Wins National Science Foundation Research Grant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ronald Hayashida of Los Angeles was named a winner of a National Science Foundation undergraduate research grant through Indiana University’s Division of Optometry. He is spending the summer session at Indiana University under the grant.
- Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Masaoka’s newsletter discusses the Washington political climate regarding Japanese Americans. It covers recent developments affecting the community’s standing in the nation’s capital.
- Steve Tamura May Be New Judge in Orange County, page 1. Orange County county counsel Steve Tamura is among names being considered for five newly created superior court seats. Governor Brown must make selections by September 15 to avoid an election.
- Mrs. Tsuya Hori of L.A.’s Int’l Institute to Resign, page 1. Tsuya Hori, a social worker serving the Japanese community at the Los Angeles International Institute since 1925, will retire on July 31. Esther D. Bartlett, executive director, announced the resignation.
- Pasadena JACLer Named Delegate, page 1. Aki Abe, an active JACL member, served as a Los Angeles delegate to the United Christian Women’s National Conference. The conference was held on campus.
- Seattle Issei Collects College Degrees for His Children, by John J. Reddin, page 3. George Chihara, an immigrant who completed only eighth grade, saw all four of his children earn advanced degrees. His sons and daughter have become a mathematician, philosopher, teacher, and English literature master’s graduate.
- Mid-Columbia JACL Honors Graduates, page 4. The Mid-Columbia JACL chapter held a banquet at the Hood River Hotel to honor this year’s high school graduates. Speakers included Wayne Kanemasu of Stanford and Joan Yasui, a third-place National JACL oratorical contest winner.
Incarceration & Redress
- Command Decision: Evacuation, Part 6, page 1. This installment traces the War Department and Justice Department debate in February 1942 over mass evacuation of Japanese Americans from the West Coast. It describes congressional pressure, DeWitt’s recommendations, and the questions presented to President Roosevelt.
Military & Veterans
- Two Military Leaders Who Believed in Nisei Loyalty Die on Same Day, page 1. Colonel William P. Scobey, who helped organize the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Rear Admiral Ellis M. Zacharias, who urged use of Nisei interpreters in the Pacific, both died of heart attacks on June 28. Both had championed Nisei loyalty in the dark days after Pearl Harbor.
- Ex-442nd Chaplain West Visits with Portland Nisei, page 2. Rev. Thomas West, former 442nd Regimental Combat Team chaplain, visited Cortland while attending a national Baptist convention. He was remembered for arranging exchanges with USO groups and the Rohwer WRA Center while the 442nd trained at Camp Shelby.
JACL
- Picked 17th Biennial Theme: ‘To Bridge and to Build’, page 1. The 1962 JACL National Convention in Seattle will carry the theme ‘To Bridge and to Build,’ chosen from over fifty entries. The convention will be held July 26-30, 1962, during the World’s Fair and Seafair Week.
- Frank Oda Injured in Car Crash, page 1. Sonoma County JACL leader Frank Oda and his family were seriously injured in a highway collision near Turlock on June 29. Several family members were hospitalized, and Oda was expected to be out of work for several months.
- Intermountain Jr. JACL Convention Program Outlined, page 4. The Pocatello Jr. JACL announced the first Intermountain Jr. JACL District Council convention for August 11-12, featuring talent, oratorical, and sweetheart contests. Registration is $10 and pre-registration forms should be sent to the convention registration chairman.
Commentary
- Washington Matters, by Masao Satow, page 2. National Director Masao Satow comments on the Japanese Prime Minister’s Washington visit and the community’s interest in it. He also addresses the JACL’s objection to objectionable war films shown on television.
- Cleveland JACL Report: Education as a Means to Integrity, by Dr. Taeru Ishiyama, page 3. Cleveland JACL president Dr. Taeru Ishiyama examines Nisei values of education, humility, and self-criticism at the chapter’s scholarship banquet. He argues that these ideals distinguish Nisei from prevailing American notions of success.
- Living with JACL: First Nisei Lobbyist, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Kido recounts the early JACL campaign led by T.N. Slocum to secure naturalization rights for Oriental World War I veterans through Congress. The effort marked the first Japanese American lobbying in Washington and opened the door against discriminatory naturalization laws.
Arts & Entertainment
- Coming Season for Oriental Talent, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri surveys the number of Japanese American performers working in Hollywood and upcoming projects featuring Asian talent. He also notes Nisei achievements as art directors, cinematographers, and cartoonists, though few have succeeded as writers.
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