Far-right fearmongers, civil rights bills and a Nisei service anniversary

Vol. 56, No. 20, May 17, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue

Senator Thomas Kuchel’s Senate speech against far-right fearmongers ran in full on the front page of this four-page issue. A Pacific Citizen editorial, “The Fright Peddlers,” and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter both took it up, warning against reviving the hysteria and hate behind the wartime forced removal of Japanese Americans. JACL also urged the House to act quickly on civil rights legislation after unrest in Birmingham and Washington. Plans were announced for June 2 services at Arlington marking the 20th anniversary of Nisei military service, with Senator Inouye, Congressman Matsunaga, Judge John Aiso and Dillon Myer as speakers.

Other items include Warren Rogers on Chief Justice Earl Warren’s 1945 handling of the return to California, Bill Hosokawa on the Li’l Tokyo nomiya controversy, and a Downtown L.A. member’s letter on Youth vs. JACL. Oregon’s governor signed a bill making evacuation claim awards tax-free, and the Pacific Southwest District convention was set to open in El Segundo.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• The Fright Peddlers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial praises Senator Thomas Kuchel’s speech denouncing far-right fearmongers and reprints it in full for readers. It argues that the hysteria and hate that led to the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans must not be revived.
• A Treasurer’s Report That Makes Sense, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial praises the Mt. Olympus JACL treasurer’s report that breaks down expenses per member. It suggests other chapters emulate this transparency about costs and activities.
• Washington Newsletter: Fearmongers of Far Right Denounced, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Masaoka reprints Senator Kuchel’s Senate floor speech denouncing far-right fright mail and conspiracy claims about Operation Water Moccasin. Kuchel argues such fear-driven charges give comfort to the nation’s enemies and undermine American freedoms.
• Youth vs. JACL, by Downtown L.A. JACL member, page 2. A young Downtown Los Angeles JACL member writes that Southern California youth must be sold on the organization rather than joining out of tradition. The writer urges JACL to offer new ideas and youth-focused programs to attract young members.
• Bill Hosokawa: From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa comments on the Li’l Tokyo nomiya controversy and praises Crossroads editor William Hiroto for courageously taking a public stand on a local community issue. He argues the Nisei press too often avoids editorializing about problems close to home.
• Church Group Adopts Life Insurance Plan to Develop Own Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sekai Donakai, a new Buddhist Churches of America movement, was launched in Los Angeles to build church funds through donations converted into life insurance policies. Donors name a Buddhist church as beneficiary, allowing the church to borrow against the policies in the future.

National

• JACL Urges House to Act Speedily on Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL urged the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Rights to enact meaningful civil rights legislation following racial unrest in Birmingham and Washington. The organization supported bills enforcing constitutional rights and extending the Civil Rights Commission.
• Chinese Americans Start History Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chinese History Society of America was chartered in California to establish a museum of Chinese American history in Chinatown. Its goals include collecting manuscripts, publishing research, and documenting Chinese contributions to the United States.
• Oregon Governor Signs No-Tax Claims Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oregon Governor Mark Hatfield signed SB 415, a JACL-sponsored bill making evacuation claim awards to Oregonians state tax-free. The measure parallels federal legislation sponsored by Senator Kuchel and Representative King.
• Chief Justice Warren’s Plan to Enforce School Desegregation Similar to Steps Taken When Evacuees Returned in 1945, by Warren Rogers, page 1. Hearst correspondent Warren Rogers recalls Chief Justice Earl Warren describing how he handled the return of Japanese evacuees to California in 1945 through local officials’ cooperation. Warren proposed a similar coordinated approach to enforcing school desegregation.

JACL

• UPI Writer Denies Listing JACL as ‘Foreign’ Lobbyist, by P.C. Staff, page 1. After a Nichibei Times alert, JACL investigated a UPI report that listed JACL among foreign-interest lobbyists. Washington representative Mike Masaoka said the reporter denied labeling JACL a foreign agent, and JACL noted it has long been registered as a domestic lobby.
• Inouye, Matsunaga, Aiso, Myer to Speak at June 2 Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senators Inouye and Congressman Matsunaga, Judge John Aiso, and Dillon Myer will speak at the June 2 commemorative services at Arlington honoring Japanese Americans who served in World War II. The event marks the 20th anniversary of Nisei military service.

Military & Veterans

• Annapolis First Nisei Graduate Promoted to Lt. Commander, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takeshi Yoshihara, the first Nisei graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has been promoted to lieutenant commander. He is now executive assistant at the Navy Civil Engineering Laboratory at Port Hueneme.
• Nisei Lt. Colonel to Address Memorial Day Rites at San Bruno, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Col. Bert N. Nishimura, a 442nd veteran who also served in Korea, will speak at the Memorial Day services at Golden Gate National Cemetery honoring Nisei war dead. The event marks the 20th anniversary of Nisei service in World War II.

Community

• Li’l Tokyo Nomiya ‘Clean-up’ Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representatives from 32 community organizations and five Li’l Tokyo newspapers formed a coordinating committee to address the growing number of nomiya bars. William T. Hiroto of Crossroads was elected chairman, emphasizing enforcement within the law.
• Salt Lakers Fete Waseda Hikers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Five Waseda University students walking cross-country from San Francisco to New York were hosted in Salt Lake City by the Buddhist Church and JACL. The hikers were welcomed by the governor, Mormon leaders, and university officials.
• JACL-Kyogikai Float Wins Parade 1st Prize, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Reedley JACL and Kyogikai float won first prize in the service club category of Reedley’s 50th anniversary parade. The chapter also helped serve a barbecue lunch to thousands of spectators.
• Matsunaga Votes Against Arbitrary Rule for Sec. of Defense to Fire Employees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Congressman Spark Matsunaga was among 40 House members voting against a bill letting the Defense Secretary fire National Security Agency employees without explanation or appeal. He argued the bill violates fundamental American rights of due process.
• Mothers’ Day Celebration Successfully Staged by Downtown and East L.A. JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Downtown and East Los Angeles JACL chapters co-sponsored a Mother’s Day dinner honoring Japanese American mothers, with County Supervisor Ernest Debs as speaker. Awards and entertainment recognized the Fujinkai and community mothers.
• Operational Costs for Mt. Olympus Computed for 1962, by Frank Yoshimura, page 4. The Mt. Olympus JACL reported 1962 per-member operational costs of $3.57 after the chapter dues rose from $5 to $8. The breakdown shows how expenses were allocated across supplies, travel, and chapter activities.
• 8th Biennial Pacific Southwest District Parley Opens Tomorrow, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The PSWDC convention at the Thunderbird Hotel in El Segundo expects around 200 JACL members, with Rep. Cecil King as the banquet speaker. The program includes business sessions, a youth panel, a fashion show, and a bowling tournament.

Obituaries

• Hito Okada Named Initiated Okada to National Office, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Hito Okada was congratulated for his presidency or appointment within the Intermountain District JACL. The item notes his service in the Intermountain area.

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