The fight to repeal California’s Alien Land law, plus the Hamasaki case

Vol. 43, No. 1, July 6, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

California’s Alien Land law was the main subject of this 8-page issue. A front-page editorial urged a yes vote on Proposition 13, which would repeal the 1920 law that denied land rights to aliens ineligible for citizenship. The American Legion and Attorney General Edmund G. Brown both backed the measure. The other lead story followed Hiroichi and Tsugino Hamasaki, an Issei couple facing deportation, and Henry Mori reported on the support they drew. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter covered the Lane-Hillings Bill on evacuation claims.

Preparations for the 14th Biennial National JACL Convention in San Francisco ran through several pages, including a welcome from Mayor George Christopher and greetings from President Eisenhower. Larry S. Tajiri wrote about Japanese-themed films, and Masao Satow filed the national director’s report. Smaller items included the nomination of Masaji Marumoto to the Hawaii Supreme Court, changes to immigration rules, and chapter news from Cortez and Berkeley.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Prop. 13—a good house cleaning, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Proposition 13 on the November California ballot would repeal the obsolete 1920 Alien Land law, which denied land rights to aliens ineligible for citizenship. The editorial urges voters to vote yes to eliminate this useless remnant of state law.
• More Nippon filmfare, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Hollywood is developing a cycle of Japanese-themed films, many to be shot in Japan, creating opportunities for Japanese American actors. The column covers MGM’s Teahouse of the August Moon, Sayonara, and other productions in development.
• Nat’l director’s report, by Masao Satow, page 4. National Director Masao Satow reports on Intermountain District Council activities and convention preparations. He covers chapter events, the 1000 Club, and pre-convention rallies.
• Washington Newsletter: Evacuation claims, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Congress cleared the Lane-Hillings Bill to expedite final determination of remaining evacuation claims, achieving JACL’s top legislative objective. The bill allows compromise settlements up to $100,000 and appeals to the Court of Claims.

National

• American Legion in support of Proposition 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 38th annual California American Legion convention adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 13 to abolish the Alien Land law. The resolution declared the law inoperative, obsolete and unconstitutional.
• Att’y Gen. Brown favors Prop. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown expressed support for Proposition 13 in a letter to National JACL Director Masao Satow. Brown said he was happy to lend his name to the law’s official burial.
• Nisei teacher turned down in bid for home in Centerville, No. Calif., by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nisei veteran and new teacher was denied a home purchase in Centerville, not San Jose as first reported. The case highlighted housing discrimination against a minority family despite American equality principles.
• Hamasaki’s plight, by Henry Mori, page 7. Hiroichi Hamasaki, a Los Angeles gardener facing deportation to Japan for false statements made during WWII camp hearings, has gained widespread support. Congressman McDonough and immigration officials agreed to review the case.
• Eisenhower sends congratulations to biennial convention, by P.C. Staff, page 8. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent greetings to the 14th Biennial National JACL Convention praising the organization’s support of good citizenship, liberty and patriotism. The message will be included in the convention souvenir booklet.
• Deportation uproar, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Hamasaki deportation case was reconsidered after a federal appellate court upheld the order and newspapers and officials rallied support. Immigration Commissioner Swing directed the Los Angeles office not to proceed with deportation orders pending review.
• Marumoto nominated to Hawaii Supreme Court by Eisenhower, by P.C. Staff, page 8. President Eisenhower nominated Masaji Marumoto, a Honolulu attorney, to be associate justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. He is the first American of Japanese ancestry named to the Territorial Supreme Court, subject to Senate confirmation.
• Immigration regulations changed to aid temporary visitors gain permanent status, by P.C. Staff, page 8. New immigration regulations allow Japanese aliens in the U.S. to apply for permanent residence through the American consul in Canada without returning to Japan. Attorney Frank Chuman explained the change would eliminate expensive trips abroad for visa processing.

Community

• Neighbors, press sympathize with L.A. Issei couple ordered to leave, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroichi and Tsugino Hamasaki, an Issei couple who entered the U.S. illegally in 1929, faced deportation after admitting false testimony. Neighbors, local press, and officials rallied to their support while their attorney sought relief.
• Validity of radar speed chart as evidence in traffic case studied by Stockton judge, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Municipal Judge John B. McNoble found Dr. James J. Tanaka guilty of speeding based on radar evidence, establishing a precedent for local courts. The judge ruled radar evidence supported by expert testimony is sufficient for conviction.
• Japanese traits studied by CLers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Philadelphia JACL chapter held a meeting on Japanese culture where members identified key traits to pass to future generations. Beauty, family relations, and Japanese food and utensils were the consensus top items.
• Nisei appointed marshal for Harvard commencement, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Michio Yatsushiro, a 1938 Harvard graduate, became believed to be the first Nisei to serve as a marshal at Harvard alumni exercises. The appointment marked a notable milestone for Japanese Americans.
• Strandee retains U.S. citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Federal Judge Oliver J. Carter ruled that Yoshiro Soga did not lose U.S. citizenship when drafted into the Japanese Army during WWII. The judge found Soga acted under duress given the known activities of the Kempi Tai secret police.
• Issei-Nisei win awards at Alameda County fair, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Issei and Nisei vegetable and flower growers won multiple awards at the Alameda County Fair in horticulture and agriculture categories. Winners included the Kato Bros., Kaz Shikano, and Kawabata Nursery.
• Nisei housing project invites applications, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Forest Houses, an interracial city housing project in the Bronx, reopened applications with revised income limits after many Nisei families had been held ineligible. Margaret Killeen indicated that Nisei applicants may now qualify under the new limits.
• Form fund in memory of Ann Koga Mortimer, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A non-profit corporation was chartered in Honolulu to establish a fund for charitable and educational projects honoring the late Ann Koga Mortimer. Robert K. Fukuda serves as president of the organization.
• Nisei couple planning medical missionary work, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Richard Matsuura and his wife Dr. Sachie Ruth Hase plan to do medical missionary work in Brazil after their June wedding. Matsuura is pursuing a doctorate in plant genetics while Dr. Hase continues her pediatrics studies.
• Japanese church groups not quite ready for integration into general conferences, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Japanese Provisional Conference of the Methodist Church set a 1964 deadline for integration with Caucasian conferences. Delegates agreed integration should come sooner if conditions were favorable.
• Nisei Buddhist leaders create $100 pledge group to promote religion in America, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei Buddhist leaders met in Los Angeles to promote the $100 Pledge Fund for the Buddhist Churches of America. The fund has three purposes: instilling individual responsibility, providing participation in church programs, and promoting education of Buddhism in America.
• Now qualified as home buyer, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jerry Ushijima, a 442nd veteran in Las Vegas, finally obtained a home loan after repeated rejections. Assistance from the JACL and American Legion housing committee helped speed the decision.
• Over 100 teenagers enjoy Berkeley CL prom, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Over 100 teenagers danced at the Berkeley JACL graduates prom held June 16 at Live Oak Community Building. The chapter presented corsages and boutonnieres to graduates.
• Cortez CL to build swimming pool from bass derby funds, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cortez JACL approved building a swimming pool as its first project using funds from the annual bass derby. The pool was chosen to provide supervised swimming for children in an area surrounded by irrigation canals.
• Cortez JACL honors graduates at outing, by P.C. Staff, page 5. About 185 persons attended the Cortez JACL annual graduation outing at Lake Yosemite on June 23. Graduates from several schools were honored at the event with swimming and a barbecue supper.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei veterans march in Seattle 4th parade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei veterans marched in Seattle’s Fourth of July parade led by grand marshal Gen. Mark W. Clark, who had commanded the Fifth Army to which the 442nd RCT was attached. It was their first civic parade appearance since 1949.
• Nisei scouts capture Calif. drum-bugle title, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Troop 379 drum and bugle corps, sponsored by Commodore Perry Post, won the junior division title at the California American Legion convention. The corps will represent California at the national competition in Los Angeles.

Arts & Entertainment

• Parent’s Magazine selects Japanese film for July, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese film Phantom Horse, shot in Eastman color, became the first foreign-language picture to receive the Parents’ Magazine Medal. The film dramatizes the career of a race horse and his boy companion.

JACL

• Changing Perspectives: Convention call, by JACL National Convention Board, page 4. The 14th Biennial National JACL Convention in San Francisco will examine JACL’s future under the theme Changing Perspectives. The convention will address new Nisei members, the organization’s role after legislative achievements, and its national motto.
• Downtown San Francisco 1000 Club, by P.C. Staff, page 4. National JACL Headquarters acknowledged 22 memberships and renewals in the 1000 Club during the second half of June 1956. Members are listed by chapter and years of membership.
• Dentist 1000er, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. David Miura, a former Islander and 100th Infantryman, was appointed 1000 Club chairman for the Long Beach-Harbor District JACL. He is the first Nisei to join the local Uptown Optimists.
• Central Cal district pre-convention rally scheduled for Aug. 4 at Fresno, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A pre-convention rally for the San Francisco national convention will be held with the Central California JACL quarterly dinner meeting on August 4 in Fresno. The district also endorsed Proposition 13 and launched a Chapter of the Year award program.
• San Francisco Mayor Christopher extends cordial welcome to JACL conventioneers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Mayor George Christopher of San Francisco wrote to JACL National President George Inagaki welcoming delegates to the August 31-September 3 national convention. Convention chairman Jerry Enomoto said the city is preparing a cordial reception.

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