JACL’s civil rights work and a national president’s goals, 1960

Vol. 51, No. 19, November 4, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL’s place in civil rights ran through this eight-page issue. National President Frank Chuman wrote about his first four months in office and his hopes for chapters as civic organizations. Harry K. Honda answered the charge that JACL was merely social by listing its record against alien land laws, school segregation and housing discrimination. JACL also joined an amicus curiae brief in a Seattle housing discrimination case, and sought a conference with the IRS over whether evacuation claim awards were taxable. Mike Masaoka urged readers to vote on November 8.

Chapter news fills the middle pages: Puyallup Valley, Sacramento, Dayton, Chicago, Eden Township and Salt Lake City, where Chuman spoke at the chapter’s 25th anniversary dinner. Richard Akagi introduced the New York chapter and reported on a dinner speech by novelist James A. Michener. Page 6 includes a piece on Japan’s democracy and a Sanger football score.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• President’s Corner, by Frank Chuman, page 1. National President Frank Chuman reflects on his first four months in office and introduces the National Board members. He outlines the budget increase, the Issei Story Project, and his hopes for chapters to become more active civic organizations.
• Chuman Tells Own Hopes for Rest of Term, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Chuman describes his goals for the remainder of his term, including 100 percent voter registration and stronger chapter civic involvement. He also restates his support for the Issei Story Project.
• JACL—Merely Social and Play?, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Harry Honda rebuts the charge that JACL is merely a social club by cataloguing its decades of civil rights achievements. He notes its fights against alien land laws, school segregation, and housing discrimination.
• Let Me Introduce… New York, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Richard Akagi describes the New York Nisei as comfortable with their racial identity and notes the high caliber of New York JACL leadership. He introduces the chapter’s board members with their backgrounds and roles.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Harry Honda continues his argument that JACL’s record of achievement speaks for itself. He contends the organization need not defer to larger groups that are more visible in the public eye.
• Mr. Michener Comes to Dinner, by Richard Akagi, page 8. Novelist James A. Michener addressed the New York JACL installation dinner, discussing the Issei’s contributions, the Nisei’s struggle for acceptance, and the Sansei’s return to cultural roots. Awards were also presented to Aki Hayashi and Pat Suzuki.

Community

• Puyallup Valley JACLers Help in Fight ‘Know the Issues’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Puyallup Valley JACL members worked on arguments for five Washington State ballot initiatives, including the Alien Land Law repeal amendment. A photo shows the committee members preparing their presentation.
• Nisei Appointed to Nat’l GOP Women’s Advisory Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Nellie Takeda of Alameda was among 500 women leaders appointed to the National Federation of Republican Women’s Nationalities Advisory Committee. The group aims to broaden women’s participation in the Republican Party.
• Dayton JACL Halloween Party Huge Success, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Dayton JACL’s Halloween party drew its largest crowd in chapter history with a potluck Chinese dinner. Membership chairman Lily Yamasaki launched the new year’s campaign and dues rose to $4.50.
• Sacramento Chapter Guns for 1,000 in 1961, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Sacramento JACL set a membership goal of 1,000 for 1961 under chairman William Matsumoto. He noted that Pacific Citizen inclusion in membership saves each member $1.50.
• State Senator Explains 15 Propositions of California Ballot, by P.C. Staff, page 3. State Senator Albert Rodda explained the fifteen California ballot propositions at a Sacramento JACL meeting. Chapter president Tak Tsujita urged members to cast informed votes and the chapter scheduled candidate forums for the school board.
• Chicago JACL Conducting Americanization Classes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new Americanization class has been organized at the Japanese American Service Committee in Chicago for Japanese wives of Americans and eligible Issei seeking citizenship. Kenji Nakane, JASC director, serves as instructor.
• Eden Township JACL Treats Issei to Movies, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Eden Township JACL is showing two Japanese films for the Issei as a thank-you for their support of chapter activities. Admission is free.
• Intermountain District Council Same Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Intermountain District Council re-elected its officers for a second term during an extraordinary session in Salt Lake City. National President Frank Chuman was also retained for another two years as part of the district’s cabinet.
• Salt Lake Chapter Celebrates 25th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Frank Chuman addressed the Salt Lake JACL’s 25th anniversary dinner, keynoting the event with a call for Japanese Americans to accept the responsibilities of citizenship. The event honored Issei and community guests.
• Los Angeles JACL Christmas Party Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Harbor JACL is preparing its annual Christmas party for children at the Harbor Japanese Community Center on December 18. Mrs. David Miura is serving as chairman.
• CCDC History Project Group to Attend Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Central California representatives plan to attend an NC-WNDC workshop on the Issei Story Project. The project’s central theme was revealed as the adjustment and contributions of Japanese immigrants to America.
• Puyallup Valley to Hear Masaoka Talk on Russia, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Puyallup Valley JACL will host a no-host dinner meeting where Mike Masaoka will speak about his recent visit to Asia and Russia. The chapter also expected to announce its officers for the coming year.
• Sacramento NBA Drops Its JACL Status, by Stirling Sasaki, page 6. The Sacramento Nisei Bowling Association dropped its JACL membership requirement for its February tournament. Local bowlers indicated they would still renew JACL memberships to compete in the national JACL classic.
• APL Boosts Economy Class Adult Baggage Allowance, by P.C. Staff, page 6. American President Lines increased the free baggage allowance for adult economy-class passengers to 350 pounds, matching first class. Additional baggage is available at a reduced rate.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Kennedy Visits East Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Senator John F. Kennedy’s Democratic rally at East Los Angeles Junior College Stadium drew about 30,000 people, including Nisei students in traditional costume. The columnist reports the event may have swayed some independent voters.
• Moses Lake Sansei Help School Win Model UN Cup, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Moses Lake High School’s Model United Nations delegation, including two Sansei students, won first place at a competition at Central Washington College. The team represented South Africa.

National

• JACL Asking Conference with U.S. Tax Agency Over Evacuation Claims, by JACL News Service, page 1. JACL President Frank Chuman sought a conference with IRS Commissioner Dana Latham about inquiries into whether evacuation claim awards are taxable income. JACL argues the payments were acts of government generosity and should not be treated as income.
• Test Case, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Washington State Superior Court ruling that the anti-discrimination housing statute was unconstitutional has been appealed to the State Supreme Court by the Attorney General. JACL joined several other civil rights organizations in the amicus brief.
• Washington Newsletter: New Package, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Mike Masaoka urges JACL members to pay their 1961 dues, noting membership strength supports the organization’s programs. He argues that discrimination in housing and jobs still affects many Americans.
• Vote on November 8, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka urges citizens to vote in the November 8 election, noting that individual votes can be decisive in close races. He also reviews voter turnout statistics and the stakes of Japan’s upcoming national elections.

Obituaries

• Dr. Ruby Hirose Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Ruby Hirose of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lebanon, Pa., died in mid-October. She was a past president of the Dayton JACL and had joined the Philadelphia JACL after her reassignment.
• Pioneer Chick Sexor Dies in 3-Car Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Motojiro Hattori, 65, who introduced chick sexing in America thirty years earlier, died in a three-car crash near San Jose on October 26. His car was jammed between another car and a truck.
• Pioneer Newsman Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sho Tatai, a former Oakland resident who worked on Japanese-language newspapers as an editor and shop worker, died in Salt Lake City. His son Koh Tatai is a sports writer for the Oakland Tribune.
• Kikumatsu Togasaki, 94, Seriously Ill in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Pioneer Issei businessman Kikumatsu Togasaki, founder of Mutual Supply Co., is seriously ill in Tokyo after a stroke. He has been in a coma for several days according to the latest report.

JACL

• JACL Joins Fight in Seattle Housing Discrimination Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National President Frank Chuman and Legal Counsel Tom Hayashi announced JACL filed an amicus curiae brief in Jones v. O’Meara before the Washington Supreme Court. The case concerns a state anti-discrimination housing law and the refusal to sell a home to a Negro buyer.

Military & Veterans

• Portland JACLer Promoted to Lt. Col. in National Guards, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Toshiaki Kage, an active Portland JACL member and physician, received federal recognition for promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Oregon National Guard. He serves as medical inspector for the 41st Division.
• School Paper Honors Two Sansei Senior Students, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Auburn High School’s newspaper named Audrie Funai and Stan Maebori as senior girl and senior boy. Both are active in school clubs and community activities.

Sports

• Sansei Gridder Speeds 100 Yards to Score, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Kay Nishimura of Sanger broke a 100-yard touchdown run after a goal-line stand, helping Sanger defeat Selma 27 to 7 on October 21.

In-Depth

• Japan’s Struggle to Assimilate Democracy, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Professor Paul Tagita of Nanzan University in Nagoya argues Japan’s democracy is hampered by emotional rather than rational foundations and a lack of Christian basis. He expresses cautious optimism about Japan’s stability but warns of possible Communist takeover.

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