Remembering Annie Clo Watson, and JACL chapters installing officers

Vol. 50, No. 3, January 15, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Annie Clo Watson, longtime director of the San Francisco International Institute, died on Jan. 7 at age 68, and the issue remembered her in several places. Saburo Kido wrote of their long friendship and her help during the wartime evacuation, and Mike Masaoka paid tribute to her advocacy against mass evacuation and her work to welcome people back. Masaoka also wrote about a Congress he called a decade for decision, and Mike Masaoka’s column on page 3 asked for donations to repeal Washington’s Alien Land Law.

Most of the eight pages report on JACL chapters: new presidents in San Francisco, Salinas Valley, Marysville, Stockton and Puyallup Valley, plus installation dinners and dances. Harry K. Honda’s Editor’s Desk explained why Harold Gordon represented the Al Capone estate, and Richard Akagi wrote about Nisei bachelors. Sports notes covered Wally Yonamine and Ed Takei in Japanese pro baseball.

What’s in this issue

Obituaries

  • Annie Clo Watson Dies at 68, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Annie Clo Watson, longtime director of the San Francisco International Institute and friend of the Japanese American community, died Jan. 7 in Berkeley at age 68. She had undergone several cancer operations and was remembered for her wartime advocacy for evacuees.
  • Toshio Robert (Bob) Manabe Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toshio Robert Manabe, 46, a lifelong Watsonville resident and former Watsonville JACL president, died Jan. 6 in San Francisco after a two-month treatment for a cerebral ailment. He was active in Nisei veterans and farming circles.
  • Honoring Twenty Issei Pioneers in Southwest L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL and Southwest Gardeners Association honored twenty Issei pioneers at a gathering, with Tatsusaburo Fukushima, 92, as the most senior honoree. The event recognized residents who had been in the United States for 60 years or more.
  • Annie Clo Watson Remembered, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka pays tribute to Annie Clo Watson, director of the San Francisco International Institute, who was a special friend to Japanese Americans. He recounts her wartime advocacy against mass evacuation and her later work to welcome evacuees back.

National

  • Wartime JACL Regrets Use of Al Capp’s Li’l Abner Cartoon Characters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. United Feature Syndicate’s James L. Freeman apologized for failing to catch the significance of a Li’l Abner strip that used JACL-related characters before distribution. He assured readers the syndicate would guard against such an occurrence again.
  • Editor’s Desk: Capone Estate Lawyer Explained, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor explains that JACL legislative chairman Harold Gordon represented the Al Capone estate because a deceased person’s property rights in his name and likeness were at issue. The editorial notes the legal precedent set in the Joe Louis Story case.

Commentary

  • Politics in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Prime Minister Kishi’s government faces opposition and internal pressure as he prepares to sign a new mutual security pact with the United States. The article examines how Japan’s party system and the treaty affect the balance of power.
  • Just Around the Bend, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column comments on the United States’ conciliatory gestures and the Cold War climate, including Japanese claims to Okinawa. It notes that leftist groups in Japan are again pressing reversion demands.
  • Senator Hiram Fong: Okinawa’s Spokesman in the Senate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator Hiram Fong of Hawaii pledged to watch over Okinawan interests after his Far East tour. The editorial argues he is well suited to represent Okinawa given his Oriental background and constituency.
  • Washington Alien Land Law Repeal Drive Needs Funds, by Mike Masaoka, page 3. A Chicago JACLer describes raising money from former Fife and Tacoma residents for the repeal of Washington’s Alien Land Law. The column urges native Washingtonians everywhere to donate to the campaign.
  • Nisei Bachelors, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Akagi offers informal observations about Nisei bachelors gathered from poker games, describing them as conservative professionals. He argues the main obstacle to their marriage is the reluctance of Nisei women with high expectations.
  • Tokyo Notes: Centennial Celebration of the Kanrin Maru Mission, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Preparations are underway in Japan to mark the centennial of the 1860 Japanese embassy and the Kanrin Maru voyage to the United States. The correspondent recounts earlier history and urges that the commemoration be carried out with proper expertise.
  • Editorial Note: Saburo Kido on Annie Clo Watson, by Saburo Kido, page 7. Kido recalls his long friendship with Annie Clo Watson, from her service on the International Institute board to her help during the wartime evacuation. He describes her untiring support for Japanese Americans and suggests she deserves more recognition.
  • Decade for Decision, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka argues that the Second Session of the 86th Congress is critical for the decade ahead, with issues ranging from space and disarmament to civil rights. He warns that election-year politics may shape decisions that affect all civilization.

Military & Veterans

  • Hawaii Nisei Veterans Club Elects Dr. Kobe Shoji President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Kobe Shoji, a former member of Co. L of the 442nd, was elected 1960 president of the 442nd Veterans Club in Honolulu. The brief notice reports the club’s leadership change.

Community

  • Ft. Lupton JACL Officers Installed by Tak Terasaki, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tak Terasaki, past Mountain Plains JACL district chairman, installed the new Ft. Lupton chapter officers at a Jan. 9 dinner. Outgoing president Jack Teuhara served as toastmaster.
  • Salinas Valley JACL Re-elects Kiyo Hirano, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Kiyo Hirano was re-elected president of the Salinas Valley JACL along with a new board of governors. An installation dinner with Monterey County DA Edward Barnes as speaker is planned for Jan. 23.
  • San Francisco JACL Elects John Yasumoto President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. John Yasumoto was elected 1960 president of the San Francisco JACL, succeeding Steve Doi. Mrs. Yo Hironaka was named first vice-president in charge of membership for the third straight year.
  • Detroit JACL Plans 14th Annual Installation Dance, by Doris Fusioka, page 4. The Detroit JACL will hold its installation dance at the Northwood Inn on Feb. 6, featuring Midwest District Council chairman Joe Kadowaki as speaker. The event honors the newly elected 1960 cabinet.
  • Southwest L.A. JACL Plans Social Calendar, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL will honor its new cabinet at a buffet supper on Jan. 31 and has scheduled a series of social events for the year. Events include a snow hike, a Spring Fever dance, and a Queentime Ball.
  • Dr. Sam Uchiyama to Head Puyallup Valley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Sam Uchiyama will be installed as 1960 president of the Puyallup Valley JACL at the PNWDC convention banquet in Tacoma on Jan. 24. A full slate of officers and board members was also named.
  • Fresno JACLers Plan New Member Potluck, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fresno American Loyalty League will hold a potluck dinner to welcome new members on Feb. 27. The current membership campaign is being led by Dr. Henry Kazato.
  • West L.A. JACL Auxiliary Elects Mrs. Sonoda, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary will install Mrs. Kiyoshi Sonoda as president at a dinner-dance on Feb. 6 at the Santa Monica Elks Hall. The new officers will be installed at the event.
  • Marysville JACL Names Dr. Yutaka Toyoda President, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Yutaka Toyoda, a Yuba City dentist and former Marysville JACL first vice-president, was elected chapter president. He and the new cabinet will be installed on Jan. 30 at the Yuba City First Methodist Church.
  • Stockton JACL Elects Ted Kamibayashi President, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Ted Kamibayashi was elected 1960 president of the Stockton JACL. Installation ceremonies are tentatively set for Feb. 28.
  • Cincinnati JACL Sets Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cincinnati JACL will hold its 1960 installation dinner on Jan. 23 at the Mainliner banquet hall. The event will install newly elected officers.
  • Brighton JAA Dinner to Honor New Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Brighton Japanese American Association will hold its annual dinner on Jan. 30 at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Officers’ Club. Mike Tashiro, the association president, is making the announcement.
  • Sacramento Nisei Bowling House to Open Mid-March, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 20-lane El Rancho Bowl in West Sacramento is expected to open around March 15. Its Nisei owners, led by Henry Taketa, held their first board meeting.

Sports

  • Wally Yonamine Ready to Play 10th Year in Japan Pro Baseball, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hawaiian Nisei Wally Yonamine, a longtime Yomiuri Giants player, says he is ready to return for a 10th season in Japan despite a lower batting average. He notes that Japanese pitching has improved and that he will be a free agent after next year.
  • Oakland Nisei Ed Takei Signs Japan Pro Contract, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Oakland’s Ed Takei signed with the Toei Flyers of the Japanese professional league and joined spring training in Honolulu. He becomes one of the few Northern California Nisei to play professionally in Japan.
  • Southpaw Hurler Henry Tominaga Named U.H. Baseball Coach, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Henry Tominaga, a standout Hawaiian southpaw pitcher, was named baseball coach at the University of Hawaii. He succeeds Toku Tanaka.

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