California’s Proposition 13 and the 14th Biennial convention

Vol. 43, No. 12, September 21, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

The campaign to repeal California’s 1920 alien land law dominated this issue. Joe Grant Masaoka was hired to direct the ‘Yes on Prop. 13’ effort, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter urged Nisei to support it, warning that voter indifference could sink it. The other big subject was the 14th Biennial JACL convention in San Francisco. Dr. Kelly K. Yamada praised Jerry Enomoto and his staff, and Enomoto thanked the volunteers and committees behind it. Awards for the Nisei of the Biennium are listed.

Elsewhere in these eight pages: Mike Masaoka criticized Japanese refugee workers who walked out of a Delano farm labor camp, and the National JACL reopened a New York office under Sam Ishikawa. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Japan Festival in Denver, Harry K. Honda recalled the Quixotics social club, and Bob Okazaki traced Japanese performers in Hollywood films. Sports and community items round out the issue.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Still Raving About the 14th Biennial, by Dr. Kelly K. Yamada, page 1. The author praises Jerry Enomoto and staff for the successful 14th Biennial JACL convention in San Francisco. He suggests adding a National Board director for Junior JACL activities and notes the cordial election of national officers.
• Japan Festival Denver, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa describes the Japan Festival exhibit in Denver and the press coverage it received. He also reflects on the growing maturity of Nisei at the JACL convention in tackling difficult issues.
• Quodlibet, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda recalls the founding of the Quixotics, a Los Angeles Nisei young men’s social club formed after the war. He describes its early parties and how many members later married.
• Oriental Atmosphere, by Bob Okazaki, page 3. Okazaki traces Japanese performers and their presence in Hollywood films from the 1920s and 1930s onward. He notes the revival of Japanese theater influence in current productions.
• Honda Gone-da, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Kushida announces that editor Harry Honda is getting married and comments on the PC holiday issue plans. He also notes Nacirema Productions’ success with its film Hot Rod Girl.
• Perspectively Yours, by Jerry Enomoto, page 5. Convention chairman Jerry Enomoto thanks the many volunteers and committees who made the 14th Biennial a success. He highlights publicity, hospitality, registration, and the souvenir booklet efforts.
• Washington Newsletter: Nisei and Prop. 13, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Masaoka urges Nisei to actively support Proposition 13 to repeal California’s discriminatory alien land law. He warns that voter indifference and whispered opposition arguments threaten its passage.

Incarceration & Redress

• Refugee Workers Quitting Camp Scored by Masaoka, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka criticized 20 Japanese refugee workers who walked out of a Delano farm labor camp. He urged them to honor their contracts and said they lacked the stamina of the Issei.

National

• ‘Yes on Prop. 13’ Picks Campaigner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joe Grant Masaoka was hired to direct the campaign for repeal of the 1920 California alien land law under Proposition 13. Jack Noda, committee chairman, said Masaoka would lead the statewide effort for the final two months.
• Farm Labor Program Jeopardized by Runoff, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Arrival of Japanese farm laborers has been indefinitely postponed after state growers retracted job offers. The consulate reported no new developments and said the planned assignments to Marysville-Yuba City were uncertain.
• National JACL to Reopen New York Office; Sam Ishikawa in Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL has reopened a limited New York office to maintain contact with national organizations and news media. Sam Ishikawa will serve as the JACL New York representative under Mike Masaoka’s supervision.
• Mike Masaoka Postpones Departure for Japan to Testify on Trade Matters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka delayed his trip to Japan to testify before a House subcommittee on U.S. trade and tariff policies. He will emphasize improved trade relations and oppose artificial restrictions on Japanese goods.
• 15,000 Japanese War Brides Nation-Wide, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A report on the growing number of American servicemen marrying Japanese women since 1947, with figures on marriages and the changing behavior of war brides. The article describes the honeymoon period ending for many couples.

Community

• Nisei Aspirant for Wash. State Seat Loses in Primaries, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. Yukio Kuniyuki, the first postwar Nisei candidate for a Washington state House seat, lost the Democratic primary in the 33rd District. He still outpolled two Republican candidates.
• Sacramento Capitol Mall Project Gets Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sacramento Redevelopment Agency began clearing a 15-block area for the Capitol Mall project. Many Japanese residents and businesses will be displaced as the program advances.
• Japanese Dolls Start Nation-Wide Tour; First Show in Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A collection of Japanese dolls brought by Japan Air Lines is touring U.S. cities, with its first stop at the Festival of Japan in Denver. The festival benefits a Denver school for brain-injured children.
• Sansei-Made White Bread Wins 4-H Prize, by George Nakamura, page 3. Joan Yasui, 13, of Hood River won the 4-H white bread-baking championship at the Oregon State Fair. She is the daughter of the Mid-Columbia JACL 1000 Club chairman.
• Wild Game Hunters, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Ogawa profiles Hiromu Nishitani and other Nisei deer hunters in the Pacific Northwest. He also describes the state game commission’s management of deer and game populations.
• Crippled Children, by Henry Mori, page 6. Henry Mori profiles Rev. and Mrs. H. V. Nicholson, longtime missionaries in Japan who visited the camps during the war. He reports on their work with Dr. Ichiro Okohchi’s school for handicapped children in Fukushima.
• Yun Akinaga Rolls 704 in Eastbay Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Yun Akinaga of Richmond bowled a 704 series during the Eastbay NBA Labor Day tournament. Other tournament winners in men’s and women’s sweepers are also reported.
• Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist Honored as ’56 Alumni of Year by L.A. Med School, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. H. James Hara, a Los Angeles ear, nose and throat specialist, was named Alumnus of the Year by the College of Medical Evangelists alumni association. The article reviews his research, publications, and civic service.
• Haynes Foundation Reviews Prop. 13 on Calif. Nov. Ballot, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Haynes Foundation booklet analyzing all 19 California propositions listed only arguments in favor of Proposition 13. The booklet is available free from the foundation.

Obituaries

• Bill Mimbu’s Son Dies of Leukemia, Was 15, by P.C. Staff, page 1. John Y. Mimbu, 15, of Seattle died of leukemia after a 15-month illness. He was the son of attorney William Mimbu, past secretary to the National JACL Board.

JACL

• Gigantic Chicago CL Carnival Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Chicago JACL chapter is sponsoring a large carnival on October 27 and 28 at Olivet Institute. Admission prices and prizes including a color TV set were announced.
• San Francisco Auxiliary Fashion Show Exciting Moment of 14th Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Francisco JACL Women’s Auxiliary staged a fashion show at the 14th Biennial convention featuring City of Paris styles. The show included a bridal group and a wardrobe giveaway.

Military & Veterans

• Awards for 1954-56 Nisei of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National Recognitions Committee honored George J. Inagaki, Jack Murata, Minoru Yamasaki, Robert Sakata, and Shigeo Wakamatsu as Nisei of the Biennium. Each citation describes the honoree’s professional and community achievements.
• Nisei Pigskinners in Good Pot This Season, by George Yoshinaga, page 6. Nisei football players at high school, junior college, and college levels are expected to make their teams this season. The article profiles several players across Southern and Central California and the Bay Area.

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