The Washington Alien Land Law fight and the 1960 census

Vol. 52, No. 14, April 7, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

The Washington Alien Land Law ran through the issue. National President Frank F. Chuman wrote about his visit to Seattle and Portland, where he installed chapter officers and promoted the campaign to remove the law, which remained on the books despite its defeat at the ballot box. Bill Hosokawa argued in Nikkei View that recent setbacks should renew the push for civil rights. Elsewhere on the front page, the 1960 census counted 464,392 Americans of Japanese ancestry, and a roundup of state action found six states with fair housing laws and 20 with state FEPC laws.

Also inside: Mike Masaoka profiled Edwin O. Reischauer, the new ambassador to Japan, and a Washington JACLer hosted him. The JACL 1000 Club reached 1,432 members. Chapter news came from Cincinnati, Portland, Gardena Valley and White River Valley, where a chapter was reactivated. There were also sports results and plans for the San Francisco JACL Olympics.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • President’s Corner: Visiting the Pacific Northwest District, by Frank F. Chuman, page 1. JACL National President Frank Chuman describes his visit to Seattle and Portland, including installing chapter officers and promoting the campaign to repeal Washington’s Alien Land Law. He notes the law’s defeat at the ballot box and the JACL’s ongoing efforts to remove it.
  • Editor’s Desk: Retraction Demand Against Lechner, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor discusses the demand for retraction by Dr. Lechner in connection with a Hokubei Mainichi story and the JACL protest before the California Legislature. He argues that retraction may be the easiest course but that the JACL’s reputation is at stake.
  • To Be Remembered, by Allen Eaton, page 2. Allen Eaton recalls Minoru Yamasaki’s work on the American pavilion at the New Delhi World Agriculture Fair, where Yamasaki handled the pressure of the opening with calm efficiency. Eaton also praises Mike and Mary Masaoka for lending handicrafts to the exhibit.
  • Washington Newsletter: Reischauer, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka profiles Edwin O. Reischauer, the new ambassador to Japan, noting his scholarship, family ties to Japan, and wartime service. He expresses hope the appointment will usher in a new era of Japanese-American relations.
  • Nikkei View: From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa argues that recent setbacks, including the Washington Alien Land Law vote, should awaken Nisei to renewed civil rights effort, drawing a parallel to the response to Sputnik. He also critiques JACL’s handling of the Kawakita clemency controversy as an approach that should have been more diplomatic.
  • D.C. CLers Hear Both Sides of Peace Corps, by Emily Higuchi, page 3. Washington D.C. JACL members discussed the Kennedy administration’s proposed Peace Corps at a March 25 meeting. Foreign Service officers and others weighed the program’s benefits and difficulties in countries like Pakistan.
  • Tokyo Topics, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 4. Murayama recovers from a series of heart attacks in Tokyo and thanks friends for their wishes. He explains that his Boy Scouts of Japan role requires renouncing his U.S. citizenship and that he must step back from activities.

National

  • Census Shows 464,000 Japanese in United States, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 1960 census counted 464,392 Americans of Japanese ancestry, a 42 percent increase over 1950, making Japanese the leading Asian group. California’s Japanese population nearly doubled in the decade.
  • Big Year for Civil Rights Legislation Throughout States, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Six states have enacted fair housing laws and 20 have state FEPC laws, with more civil-rights measures pending across the country. The article surveys state legislation on housing, employment, and public accommodations.
  • Gov. Brown Signs Bill to Abolish Literacy Challenge at Polls, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Governor Brown signed a measure abolishing literacy challenges to voters at the polls. The bill grew out of complaints about discriminatory challenges to minority voters.
  • Maryland’s Welcome Bill to Rid Racial Bias in Public Places Killed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Maryland’s Public Accommodations bill, known as the Welcome Bill, was killed in committee after a stalemate. It would have outlawed segregation in restaurants, hotels, and other public places.
  • Eisenhower Tentatively Due in Japan Oct. 12, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former President Eisenhower has tentatively agreed to visit Japan in the fall, according to the Yomiuri, and Japan is preparing a welcome. He is scheduled to arrive in Yokohama on October 12.

Community

  • White River Valley Reactivated, Elects Willie Maebori as President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The White River Valley JACL chapter in Kent, Washington was reactivated and elected Willie Maebori president at a March 17 meeting. Other officers were named and Maebori’s background in community service was highlighted.
  • Venice-Culver Bids for New Membership High, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Venice-Culver JACL reported that its membership drive had signed up over 200 members and hoped to surpass its all-time high of 315. George Inagaki chairs the membership effort.
  • Western Pioneer Stock Buying Campaign by ‘Non-Japanese’ Interests Reported, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A campaign to buy into Western Pioneer Insurance Co., a Japanese American-founded insurer, was uncovered by the Shin Nichibei. Company directors say the shares were offered at a premium and the company’s assets have grown to about $3 million.
  • Sierra Nisei VFW Post to Install New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sierra Nisei VFW Post 8499 and its auxiliary will install new officers April 21 in Fresno. Minoru Hata is the new post commander.
  • San Francisco Nisei Organizing New Lions Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A new Lions club may be organized in the San Francisco Japanese community, according to Robert Tauny Baba. The effort follows the existing Nisei-heavy Lions chapters in Sacramento and Oakland.
  • Reischauer House Guest of Washington JACLer, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Edwin O. Reischauer, newly appointed ambassador to Japan, stayed with Dr. and Mrs. Takehiko Yoshihashi in Takoma Park, Maryland. The Yoshihashis are longtime associates of Reischauer from Harvard.
  • Julie K. Tashima Wins Japan Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Julie K. Tashima of Pasadena was awarded a cultural scholarship by the Japanese government for a Berkeley graduate. The award is given to a person of Japanese ancestry for study in Japan.
  • Washington JACL Elects Puyallup Valley Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Puyallup Valley JACL members were elected to office in the Washington Rhubarb Growers Association. The article covers the chapter’s activities in the Puyallup area.
  • Parlier Girl Stater Chosen, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mutsuko Kozuki of Parlier was chosen Girls State delegate by the local American Legion Auxiliary. She is an honor student at Parlier High.
  • Cincinnati JACL to Hear Jon Arthur on Orient Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cincinnati JACL will host a potluck dinner on April 22 featuring radio commentator Jon Arthur speaking about his recent Orient tour. Oriental dishes will be prepared by chapter women.
  • Sequoia Chapter Wins Back Duplicate Bridge Tournament Team Trophy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sequoia JACL Bridge Club regained the annual Duplicate Bridge Tournament trophy at the March 18 invitational in Redwood City. Entrants from San Mateo and San Jose chapters also competed.
  • Chuman Appears as Counsel on Television Court Drama, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Frank Chuman appeared as himself counsel for a Nisei family seeking to adopt a Japanese girl in a KABC Morning Court television feature. The judge allowed the girl to remain with the family.
  • Dayton JACL Schedules Stag and Ladies’ Nights, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Dayton JACL April program includes a stag night at Ross Yamasaki’s home and a ladies’ night hosted by Mrs. Lea Nakauchi. The chapter also discussed plans for its Issei Story project and an Oriental bazaar.
  • San Francisco JACL Olympics Set June 4, Open Pee-Wee and Junior Divisions for Boys, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Francisco JACL announced new Pee Wee and Junior divisions for youngsters aged 9 to 15 for the 1961 Nisei Olympics on June 4. Entry fees and eligibility details were announced.
  • Yellowtail Derby Starts April 1 in San Diego, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Diego JACL announced the start of its annual Yellowtail Derby, with Akira Kurashige landing the only qualifying fish. Hundreds of fishermen competed on the boats.
  • Pasadena JACL Youth Basketball Tourney Held, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pasadena JACL held its first youth basketball tournament with six teams from BSA Troop 41 and others. Chapter president Mack Yamaguchi called the event a success.
  • Sacramento JACL Features Unusual Speakers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento JACL announced former California State Fair commissioner Ed Pailib as guest speaker on horse racing and betting for an April 20 meeting. The chapter also planned a June 4 picnic.
  • Sumitomo Bank to Open Southwest L.A. Office, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sumitomo Bank of California received permission to open a branch in Crenshaw Square in southwest Los Angeles. The bank also requested approval to open a branch in San Jose.
  • Bank of Tokyo Expansion to Other Areas Revealed, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Bank of Tokyo of California filed requests with the State Banking Department to open offices in San Jose, Fresno, and uptown San Francisco. Bank president Tatsuichi Shibata made the announcement.
  • Denver Chapter Hosts Hi-Co Conference Preview, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The PSWDC Hi-Co Conference program for April 21 at Max Straus Camp in Verdugo Hills was described, featuring a well-rounded schedule of speakers and round-table discussions for high school and college students.
  • Northwest Picture: PNWDC Votes in White River Valley, by Elmer Ogawa, page 4. The PNWDC meeting in Seattle saw the reactivation of the White River Valley Chapter, which the council voted to exempt from its six-month probationary period. Phil Hayasaka outlined plans for a Seattle chapter newsletter.
  • Tokyo Topics: Recovering from Heart Attacks, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 4. Murayama describes a serious heart condition and a long hospital stay in Tokyo, thanking friends in Hawaii and the mainland for their messages. He says his active newspaper career will have to slow down.
  • Seattle NVC, Auxiliary Installs New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee and its auxiliary installed new officers at a ceremony attended by a delegation from Oregon. Albert Bonus received an honorary membership certificate in recognition of his long service.
  • Parlier Community Picnic Committeemen Named, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Committee members for the annual Parlier JACL community picnic on April 16 at Kearney Park were announced. Assignments covered food, games, and other arrangements.
  • Cleveland Jr. JACLers Slate Spring Fun Night, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Cleveland Jr. JACL members enjoyed a buffet dinner, volleyball, shuffleboard, and dancing at a Spring Fun Night at the Central YWCA. It served as a prelude to the Easter break for college students.
  • 1000 Club Hits New All-Time High: 1,432, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL 1000 Club reached an all-time high of 1,432 members in good standing as of March 31. The record surpasses the previous high set at the Sacramento national convention.
  • Gardena Valley JACL Re-elects Hiraide, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Toshiro Hiraide was re-elected president of the Gardena Valley JACL for 1961. Other officers and board members were elected, and an advisory board was created.
  • Issei Pioneer Jiro Morita Profile, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Pasadena JACL president Mack Yamaguchi profiles Jiro Morita, an Issei who became the first Japanese graduate of Cal-Tech. Morita later served as the first scoutmaster of Troop 41.
  • Cleveland JACL Meeting Focuses on Investment, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Cleveland JACL planned an investment information meeting at the Merrill Lynch office, with speakers from the firm. The topic drew wide interest among members.
  • Portland Chapter Board Sworn In by Chuman, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sixteen board members of the Portland JACL were installed at a dinner at the Portland International Airport, sworn in by National President Frank Chuman. Officers included several longtime members.
  • Watsonville JACL Lists Picnic Committee Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Watsonville community picnic sponsored by the JACL will be held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Committee members were named for food, grounds, and other arrangements.
  • Contra Costa Chapter Plans Family Fun Night, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Contra Costa JACL will host a Family Fun Night at Stege School Auditorium in Richmond on April 15 to help members and families get acquainted. Mas Maruyama will serve as emcee.
  • Southwest L.A. JACL Attendance Encouraging, by Ken Hayashi, page 4. Attendance at recent South L.A. JACL functions was encouraging, including an Easter egg hunt for children and an investment group meeting at Crenshaw Ranch. Over 40 people signed up for a monthly investment class.

In-Depth

  • Cincinnati Circulates Own Questionnaire to Tab ‘Issei Story’ Data, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Cincinnati JACL undertook a local study for the national Issei Story project, a history of Japanese in America. A questionnaire was released and about 30 percent of recipients responded.

Sports

  • L.A. Sansei Fencer Vies in World Championship Team, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Los Angeles Sansei fencer competed in the world fencing championship trials in New York. The article reports on the team’s performance.
  • 700 Series Tolled by Bowlers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Several local bowlers rolled 700 series in chapter tournaments, including Dickinson and Shikuma. The article reports the high scores from recent JACL bowling events.
  • Gardena Lords Win Basketball Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Kwo Lows won the first annual Gardena Valley JACL basketball invitational tournament at Gardena High School. Several local teams competed in the bracket.

Obituaries

  • Karl Iwanaga Dies at 68, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Karl K. Iwanaga, a Nisei attorney and World War I veteran and charter member of the Los Angeles JACL, died after a prolonged illness. He served as chapter president in 1931-32 during preparations for the second biennial National Convention.

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