Hawaii statehood and Japanese farm labor in the news

Vol. 44, No. 17, April 26, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

Hawaii statehood and the program that brought Japanese farm workers to California drew much of the news in this 8-page issue. Mike Masaoka told a House subcommittee that Communist concerns were overstated and spoke for the loyalty of Nisei veterans, and the paper also covered an editorial that used racist language about Japanese Americans. A House subcommittee surveyed the farm labor program, with labor leaders and growers on opposite sides. JACL president Dr. Roy Nishikawa used his column to praise the wives who support their husbands’ volunteer work.

Elsewhere are chapter news from Long Beach, Chicago and Hollywood, plans for a community center by the Southwest Los Angeles JACL, and a Yamato Colony anniversary celebration. Larry S. Tajiri wrote about jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, and the sports pages cover the Nisei Olympics, a golf title and the Nisei Relays.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• In Praise of Our Womenfolk, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The JACL president praises the wives of JACL members who support their husbands’ volunteer work for the organization. He names several women and calls for future recognition of wives who take active roles in the chapters and auxiliaries.
• Sou’wester, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Columnist Tats Kushida recounts a playful weigh-in at JACL president Roy Nishikawa’s home where board members guessed their weights. The lighthearted column ends with a joke about the Japanese word for weight.
• Tokyo Topics: Nisei Businessmen, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Tokyo Governor Seiichiro Yasui may host a fall conference bringing American Nisei businessmen together with Japan’s leading business figures. The governor said such a gathering could help Nisei understand Japan and strengthen Japan-U.S. ties.
• Thousand Club Notes: For More Renewals, by Kenji Tashiro, page 6. The 1000 Club saw a record 164 new and renewal memberships in March, though April started slowly. The column also previews the PSWDC convention and a Thousander whing-ding featuring Ralph Edwards as guest speaker.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Farmer Fred’s, by Henry Mori, page 7. Fred I. Wada, owner of Farmer Fred’s Market in Huntington Park, became the first Nisei Rotary member there and won the Rotary’s Raff Yearling Award. The column also covers a successful Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Southwest JACL.

National

• House Surveying Japanese Labor Program in Cal., by P.C. Staff, page 1. A two-man House subcommittee is investigating the program that brings Japanese agricultural workers to California. Labor leaders called the program an abuse of both American and Japanese workers, while growers defended its benefits.
• Japan Temporary Farm Labor Quota to Be Filled, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 1,000-worker quota for Japanese farm laborers in California is expected to be filled by the end of April. As of now, 787 workers are already in the state under the program.
• Anti-Japanese Bigotry Injected by Tulsa Editorial Fighting Hawaiian Statehood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Tulsa Tribune editorial opposing Hawaiian statehood used racist language about Japanese Americans. Senator James Murray condemned the piece as racial bigotry and factual error.
• Red Smear Over Hawaii Statehood Refuted by CL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka told a House subcommittee that Communist concerns were overemphasized and urged Hawaii’s admission as a state. He cited the loyalty of Nisei veterans and the lack of Communist disruption in Hawaii during the Korean conflict.
• Evacuation Claims Administrative Funds Approved by House, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The House approved the full $220,000 requested for administrative expenses of the evacuation claims program for fiscal 1958. The Washington JACL office reported that a new claims document procedure is being used for awards.
• Statehood Hearings: Masaoka Testifies Before House Subcommittee, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mike Masaoka testified before the House Interior Subcommittee in support of Hawaii statehood, rebutting Communist-influence claims and defending Nisei loyalty. Representatives Pillion and Saylor challenged him on the issues.
• Farm Laborers Program Hearings Draw Testimony, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Labor representatives testified that the Japanese farm worker program abuses both American and Japanese workers and questioned the labor shortage. Growers’ spokesman C. B. Rhodes defended Japanese workers as more cost-effective than imported Mexican labor.

Military & Veterans

• 1st Nisei ‘Reported Killed’ in Korea Very Healthy, Re-enlists for 6 Years, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sgt. Jack Arakawa, once reported killed in Korea, re-enlisted at Fort Shafter. He recounts being captured by North Koreans and escaping with other prisoners before South Korean forces arrived.
• VA Hospital Bedside Reporting on Nisei Vets Staff, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Elmer Ogawa describes his hospital stay at the VA where he encounters many Nisei staff members. The column recognizes Nisei employees who work in various VA hospital roles across the country.
• Washington Newsletter: At Half-Way Point, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka assesses a slow first half of the 85th Congress, with few major bills enacted. He outlines reasons for the stall and notes hopes that civil rights and school construction legislation may pass.

Community

• Sponsors Seek CL Advice on Refugees Joining U.S. Armed Forces, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California JACL Council decided it would take no responsibility for Japanese refugee farm workers who enter the armed forces. The issue arose when refugees sought advice on financial matters tied to their sponsorship.
• Two-Day Children’s Day Festival at Shonien, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Shonien will host a Japanese Children’s Day festival on May 4-5 with giant carp kites, dolls, and judo-kendo demonstrations. Organizers say the event highlights respect for children and their well-being.
• Rabbit Heart Study by Prep Student Wins Award, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Haruka Ishihara of Livingston High School won a blue ribbon at the Modesto Science Fair for her study of arteriosclerosis in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet.
• Fresno County Senator Pledges FEPC Support, by P.C. Staff, page 2. State Sen. Hugh M. Burns pledged support for a fair employment practices bill under study in the state legislature. A JACL representative was among the committee members who met with him.
• Chinese American Moves Into Lily-White Area, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. James Chinn, a Chinese American urologist, sued a Beverly Hills real estate firm after buying a home in the exclusive Arcadia area. His attorneys say legal obstacles and pressure on lenders have harassed him since the purchase.
• Nisei Selected for Summer Tour of U.N., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Marsha Nakawatase, a 17-year-old Stockton student, was named the city’s delegate to a summer Pilgrimage of Youth to the United Nations. The tour is sponsored by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges.
• Yamato Colony Anniversary Events Planned by Livingston-Merced JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Livingston-Merced JACL is planning a three-event celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the Yamato Colony founded in 1907. The events include a dinner, a community picnic, and a finale showing photos.
• Long Beach Opens Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL launched a house-to-house membership canvass led by George Iseri and Dr. David Miura. A general meeting will follow on May 11 featuring a screening of the Mike Masaoka TV episode.
• Southwest L.A. JACL Moves Toward Community Center, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Key members of the Southwest Los Angeles JACL, the Seinan Kyogi Kai, and the Southwest Gardeners Association met to plan a non-profit corporation for a Japanese American community center. Two lots near Foshay Jr. High were offered for the project.
• Southwest L.A. JACL Community Center Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Southwest Los Angeles JACL leaders formed a steering committee to incorporate a community center project. The chapter was chosen to coordinate the effort due to its large membership.
• Chicago JACL Sansei Life Panel Promises Candid Talk, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Chicago JACL’s Sunday discussion series will feature seven young people speaking candidly about discrimination, family conflict, and Nisei organizations. The session is open to high school and college age young people.
• Detroit JACL Honors Japan Olympic Wrestlers, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Members of the Japanese Olympic wrestling team touring the U.S. were honored at a Detroit JACL dinner at International Institute. Chapter president Yoshio Kasai organized the impromptu Japanese dinner.
• Nisei Bowler Rolls 858 in Practice Series, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Charles Kanegawa rolled a 300-258-300 practice series of 858 at Honolulu Bowling Center. The score surpassed the house record but was not in sanctioned play.
• Nisei Relays Name Track Meet Officials, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Arnold Hagiwara announced committee chairmen for the 6th annual JACL Nisei Relays to be held June 23 at Rancho Stadium. Officials and scorers were named for the Southland’s all-Nisei track meet.
• Free Movie Night for San Francisco Issei Set, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Francisco JACL will show the Japanese period film Kunisada Chuji free of charge at Sokoji Hall on May 2. The event is part of the chapter’s effort to build better relations with the Issei community.
• Berkeley JACL Benefit Movie Night, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Berkeley JACL held a benefit movie night at Burbank Jr. High School showing two Japanese features and the Mike Masaoka This Is Your Life episode. Chiyo Sumimoto and Masuji Fujii were co-chairmen.
• Elks Youth Contest Winner Named, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Washington state Nisei student named Morishima won a Elks youth competition with a $400 prize from the Washington State Elks Association. The national winner will be announced at the Elks convention in San Francisco next July.

Arts & Entertainment

• Michi Ishikawa Wins Scholarship and UCLA Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 2. South Pasadena pianist Michi Ishikawa, 19, was selected for a scholarship at Curtis Institute and won a Young Artists contest prize from UCLA. She plans to use the funds for her musical education.
• Jazz Pianist Toshiko, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Toshiko Akiyoshi, a 23-year-old Japanese jazz pianist studying at Berklee School of Music, has composed a jazz suite for orchestra. Her teachers see it as a significant advance and an important Japanese influence on American jazz.
• Miiko Taka Wins Praise in Sayonara, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei actress Miiko Taka, who had no prior acting training, was cast opposite Marlon Brando in Warner Brothers’ Sayonara. Brando praised her natural talent and sensitivity.

JACL

• Joint Parleys Promote Better ‘JACLism,’ EDC Urges Continuance for ’59 Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Eastern District Council voted to invite Midwest District Council chapters to continue joint biennial conventions, citing the value of JACLism. The council also made several committee assignments ahead of the Chicago convention.
• Hollywood JACL Plans Sunday Afternoon at Shonien, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Hollywood JACL is hosting a family afternoon at Shonien with children’s playtime, a spaghetti dinner, and a screening of the Mike Masaoka This Is Your Life kinescope. Reservations are being accepted through local contacts.

Sports

• Nisei Olympics Deadline Advanced to May 13, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The fifth annual San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics at Kezar Stadium on May 26 has moved its registration deadline to May 13. Entry requires a $1.50 fee per contestant and sponsorship through a local JACL chapter.
• Berkeley JACL Sponsors Pee-Wee Softball Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Berkeley JACL is sponsoring a pee-wee softball team in the Northern California Japanese American Optimist Club league. The youngsters open their season against the East Bay All-Stars.
• Chick Hinaga Captures No. Cal. Golf Title, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Chick Hinaga of San Jose won the 10th annual Northern California Nisei golf championship in a playoff over teammate Frank Yoshioka. The tournament was held at Del Monte and Pebble Beach.

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