Vol. 47, No. 2, July 11, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue
The coming JACL National Convention in Salt Lake City shaped this eight-page issue. The front page laid out the PC with Membership proposal, which the PC Board estimated would need a dues increase of about $1.50, and reported on the Pacific Southwest District Council rally. Saburo Kido explained why he opposed JACL taking part in U.S.-Japan relations. Rupert Hachiya wrote about youth participation. Shigeo Wakamatsu of Chicago was the lone nominee for national president, and Congressman Walter K. Dawson entered a statement about the convention in the Congressional Record.
Elsewhere, Tamotsu Murayama reported on Tokyo’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Joseph Heco’s naturalization as an American citizen. Bill Hosokawa updated readers on the family of Jimmie Sakamoto, Mike Masaoka wrote on Hawaiian statehood, and Henry Mori previewed Nisei Week. Nancy Kubo of Long Beach won the regional oratorical contest, and the sports pages covered softball and a youth baseball league.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Important problem for convention delegates: PC with Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The PC Board estimates that providing every member with the Pacific Citizen would require a minimum dues increase of about $1.50, and proposals range from a $1 subsidy to a fortnightly or monthly schedule. Delegates at the National Convention must weigh these options against the goal of a more informed membership.
- PSWDC stand on two major Convention issues clarified, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the Pacific Southwest District Council pre-convention rally, delegates reaffirmed the 1954 international relations policy and merged the Chuman motion for a standing JACL committee on international affairs. The council also clarified its PC with Membership resolution, proposing a subsidy and relinquishment of Holiday Issue commissions.
- 2 nominated for top JACL cabinet posts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shigeo Wakamatsu of Chicago is the lone nominee for national JACL president, and several others were named for vice-president, treasurer, and secretary posts. Nominations committee members may add candidates before the August convention, where elections will be held.
- 15th Biennial underlines youth participation at Salt Lake City convention, by Rupert Hachiya, page 2. Convention board chairman Rupert Hachiya explains why no separate youth convention was held and describes youth events, including a National Council youth session. He also reports on Snake River chapter’s offer to fund delegates and other convention preparations.
Community
- Nancy Kubo of Long Beach picked PSWDC representative to National JACL oratoricals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nancy Kubo of Long Beach won the PSWDC oratorical contest on what JACL means to Japanese American youth, earning a $50 bond and travel expenses for the national contest. The Pasadena JACL added $10 to her award, and the other three contestants were also praised.
- Portland rose float designed by Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lily Nakamura of Portland designed the Pacific Telephone Co. float, which won the Mayor’s Trophy in the Rose Festival parade. She then left for Los Angeles to attend an art school.
- Japan’s Universe pageant participant due in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tomoko Moritake of Fukuoka, Japan’s Miss Universe candidate, is scheduled to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport for the Long Beach pageant opening July 17. The event kicks off a busy Li’l Tokio summer social season including Nisei Week.
- Colorado lettuce king assaulted with hoe by youth, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Eiichi Yoshida, a pioneer Alamosa grower known as the lettuce king of San Luis Valley, was seriously injured when an 18-year-old laborer struck him with a hoe on June 26. Yoshida was transferred to a Denver hospital.
- Stockton and Yamaguchi to affiliate as sister cities, prefecture governor to visit, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Stockton and the Japanese city of Yamaguchi are finalizing a sister city affiliation arranged through Dr. Harold Jacoby. Yamaguchi’s governor is scheduled to visit Stockton for several days, and local officials are planning a welcome.
- Pre-convention rally, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The PSWDC pre-convention rally hosted by Southwest L.A. JACL included business sessions on employment discrimination and Japan-America relations, followed by an oratorical contest and a fashion show. The event concluded with a banquet and dance attended by over 250 people.
- Eden Township chapter to hold picnic July 20, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Eden Township JACL will hold its community picnic at Castle Rock Park in Walnut Creek on July 20. The event serves as the chapter’s main fundraiser for its national quota and operating expenses.
- Omaha JACL honors graduates at party, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Omaha JACL held a party honoring eight graduates, presided over by chapter president Kaz Ikebasu. Chapter members also discussed the Salt Lake convention and a picnic.
- Twilight baseball league for 12-14 year olds, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Pony League-rules baseball league for 12-14 year olds meets Thursday nights at Rancho Cienega under the Southwest L.A. JACL. Five teams are competing, and the league is part of the chapter’s youth activities program.
- Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 8. The column previews the Nisei Week queen candidates, including several chapter-sponsored contestants, and describes the Nisei Veterans Reunion events scheduled for late July. It also reflects on the oratorical contest at the PSWDC rally.
Commentary
- From the Frying Pan: Jimmie’s family, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa updates readers on the family of the late Jimmie Sakamoto, a founder of the JACL and editor of The Japanese American Courier. He describes Misao Sakamoto’s work, her children’s progress, the settlement of the lawsuit, and her determination to repay the Courier’s debts.
- Why I am against JACL in U.S.-Japan relations, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Saburo Kido argues that JACL should not become involved in international relations because it would endanger its tax-exempt status, members’ security clearances, and its credibility. He contends that the organization should focus on the welfare of Japanese Americans and that others are better suited to handle diplomatic matters.
- Very truly yours: Myth that minorities lower property values, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda cites studies showing that racially mixed neighborhoods do not reliably lower property values and sometimes raise them. He argues that the claim used to justify housing discrimination is a myth.
- Round table talk, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa recounts a discussion in a Seattle tavern about declining salmon catches, blaming sports fishermen, commercial fishermen, dams, and pulp mill pollution. A graduate student then argues economically against domestic salmon production, and a news item links Japanese fishing near Bristol Bay to the decline.
Arts & Entertainment
- Nisei GIs in ‘The Naked and the Dead’, by Larry S. Tojiri, page 3. About 30 Nisei soldiers of the 30th Infantry in Panama played Japanese defenders in the film adaptation of Norman Mailer’s novel. The column also discusses the largely untold story of Nisei military intelligence in the Pacific War and the film Pork Chop Hill.
- Winter season TV show on bowling being set, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Bab Productions is filming a series of televised bowling matches at Downtown Bowl for the coming winter. Among the first day’s participants were Tuffy Nelson and Wilbur Fujii.
In-Depth
- Tokyoans celebrate 100th anniversary of Joseph Heco’s naturalization as American citizen, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. On June 30, a gathering of Japanese and Americans in Tokyo honored Joseph Heco, the first Japanese naturalized as an American citizen in 1858. Heco’s relatives attended the ceremony, and the article recounts his role in Japanese journalism and as an interpreter for Townsend Harris.
National
- Congressman Dawson urges colleagues to note 15th Biennial convention, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Utah Congressman Walter K. Dawson entered a statement in the Congressional Record praising JACL and inviting colleagues to the Salt Lake City convention. He recounted JACL’s history, the 442nd’s formation, and Utah’s role in welcoming evacuees.
- Nisei restored U.S. citizenship in court, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Federal Judge William M. Byrne ruled that Roy Shigeru Yamaguchi did not lose his U.S. citizenship through Japanese military service. It was the first court decision following a Supreme Court ruling on the matter.
- Washington Newsletter: Hawaiian Statehood, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka argues that Alaska’s admission sets a precedent for Hawaii’s statehood, though Communist influence, the racial composition of the territory, and Southern opposition remain obstacles. He urges supporters to avoid tactics that could harm Hawaii’s chances in the next Congress.
Military & Veterans
- Fowler old-timers beat Selma again in 14-6 fray, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Fowler JACL defeated Selma JACL 14-6 in a CCDC softball game, with former stars over 45 contributing hits. Pitcher Max Sakoda hit a grand slam and a triple.
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