California’s Proposition 13 vote and the 1957 JACL year ahead

Vol. 43, No. 22, November 30, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

Proposition 13, the California measure to repeal the alien land law, drew attention across this eight-page issue. The Pacific Citizen’s final unofficial count showed a 2-1 statewide margin in favor. Roy T. Yoshida wrote that the nearly 4,800 No votes in Placer County showed the continuing need for JACL, and the San Francisco JACL planned a testimonial dinner for Assemblyman Thomas A. Maloney, who co-authored the bill that put it on the ballot. Elsewhere, the Central California District Council prepared to install its 1957 officers in Fresno on December 2.

Columns ranged widely. Bill Hosokawa wrote about a Hollywood film that revived old libels of Nisei disloyalty in Hawaii. Mary Oyama looked at Nisei parents raising Sansei children in mostly Caucasian communities, and Harry Honda compared the Japanese Canadian Citizens Association with JACL. Sam Ishikawa examined Virginia’s school plan against desegregation, and Larry S. Tojiri told of a 78-year-old Issei fisherman and a seal. Chapter news came from Tulare County, Chicago, San Jose and Pocatello.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Central California JACL Officers to Be Installed En Masse Dec. 2, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The seventh annual Central California District Council convention will be held in Fresno on December 2, featuring the mass installation of 1957 chapter officers. National JACL President Dr. Roy Nishikawa will be the main banquet speaker.
• Judges Named for L.A. Essay Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Japanese vernacular editors were named judges for the naturalized Issei essay contest co-sponsored by the Downtown L.A. JACL and Commodore Perry Post of the American Legion. Winning essays were to be read at a Tribute to New Citizens program at Union Church.
• St. Louis JACL Starts Fund for Stricken Member, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The St. Louis JACL has started a fund to assist Mrs. Mary Nakano, whose husband Sam was a prewar Fresno resident, after she was left completely paralyzed by a serious illness. Contributions may be sent to the treasurer, George Shingu, in Webster Groves, Missouri.
• Issei Mainlanders More Americanized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Visiting Issei women from California arriving in Honolulu impressed reporters with their better dress and English skills compared with Island Issei women. A reporter remarked they seemed more Americanized.
• Surf Club Picked for S.F. New Year Eve Frolic, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL’s traditional New Year’s Eve dance will be held at the Surf Club from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with music by Jimmy Blas’ orchestra. Tickets are being handled by a committee led by Sumi Utsumi.
• Arizona Nuptial Law Test Case May Be Blooped, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A planned Arizona test case challenging the state’s interracial marriage ban may collapse after key witnesses, a couple denied a license, apparently eloped out of state. The attorneys have obtained a continuance until December 13 to see if the marriage occurred and whether the law can be challenged another way.
• Nisei Appointed Vice-Principal of Junior High School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takako Nakahara, a teacher at Foshay Junior High since 1949, becomes girls’ vice-principal at Markham Junior High in Watts when it opens. She is the first Nisei woman to hold a school administrative post in California, following Paul Yokota’s appointment earlier.
• Parlier Nisei Nominated to Fresh Peach Board, by P.C. Staff, page 2. John Kashiki was nominated as alternate member of the California Fresh Peach Advisory Board at a meeting of peach industry representatives. His appointment was left pending after a deadlocked vote.
• Profest Frat Bias of Chinese Student, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The NAACP youth secretary protested to Northwestern University’s president after a Chinese-American student, Sherman Wu, was expelled from the Psi Upsilon fraternity. The NAACP urged censure of the chapter and removal of racial clauses from fraternity constitutions.
• Chick Sexors’ Tour of Japan Offered in 1957, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Taiyo-Do Travel Service announced a two-week chick sexors’ tour of Japan for July 21 to August 2, 1957, including a stop at the Chick Sexor’s Foundation in Nagoya. The round-trip fare is $1,080 including U.S. tax.
• Intermountain Re-Elects Same District Cabinet, by Alice Kasai, page 8. The Intermountain District Council re-elected its officers without change at a Pocatello meeting, with George Sugai continuing as chairman. National JACL Director Mas Satow presented a report on national affairs and chapter problems.
• CDC Chapter of Year Contest Opens, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Central California District Council will present its first Chapter of the Year award at the December 2 installation banquet in Fresno. The award promotes friendly competition among ten local chapters for outstanding community service.
• Optimist of the Year Named in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dave Tatsuno was named Optimist of the Year in San Jose for his youth work with the YMCA and other civic activities. He was honored at a luncheon attended by about 125 Optimist members.
• JACL Testimonial to Assemblyman Maloney, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The San Francisco JACL planned a testimonial dinner for Assemblyman Thomas A. Maloney, who co-authored the bill placing Proposition 13 on the ballot and was recently defeated. Haruo Ishimaru was to give the testimonial speech.
• Tulare County Issei Honored at Citizenship Banquet, by Takashi Ishizue, page 8. The Tulare County JACL will honor 37 newly naturalized Issei citizens at a November 30 banquet in Visalia. Joe Grant Masaoka, former regional director, will be the main speaker.
• Chicago JACL Board Installed, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Twenty members of the Chicago JACL board of governors were installed at the 12th annual inaugural supper party, with Dr. T.T. Yatabe presiding. Board members will elect officers to guide the chapter in the coming year.

National

• Separate Statehood Bills May Succeed, Says Engle, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representative Clair Engle, chairman of the House Interior Committee, plans to bring Alaskan and Hawaiian statehood before the House as separate bills next year. He believes each territory has a better chance if considered independently.
• PC’s Final Unofficial Tabulation Shows 2-1 Yes Margin on Prop. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Final county returns completed the Pacific Citizen’s unofficial count of Proposition 13, which would repeal the alien land law, showing a statewide 2-1 margin in favor. Official compilation by the Secretary of State is expected later.
• Tragedy Strikes Nisei Family in Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Kyo Okuno and her two children were asphyxiated by gas fumes in their Tokyo home on November 3, 1956. Investigators believe a flimsy rubber hose connected to a gas heater was accidentally disconnected.
• Japan Selecting 2nd Group of Temporary Farm Labor for U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 8. Japan is selecting 500 young farm workers to work three years in California, forming a second seasonal labor group to arrive in January after a month’s training. Only 346 of the first group of 500 had arrived, with 154 still awaiting farmer requests.

Commentary

• Democracy in Japan Should Be Reconsidered, by Shigeko Takeda, page 2. Shigeko Takeda argues that the hurried introduction of American-style democracy to Japan ignored the nation’s deep-rooted hierarchical traditions, religion, and language. She contends that democracy’s concepts of equality clash with Japan’s class structure and overpopulation.
• Decay of U.S. Credibility in Japan, by P.P., page 2. Commenting on a Chicago Daily News report by Keyes Beech, the columnist observes that many Americans in Japan question the value of generosity toward the Japanese. The piece reviews occupation mistakes such as interference with religion and education, and the failure of Americans to mingle with Japanese.
• Fishing Story: Issei Fisherman, 78, Goes Seal Fishing With Clutch Pole, by Larry S. Tojiri, page 3. Gennosuke Suzuki, a 78-year-old Issei gillnetter on the Fraser River, struck a seal that had stolen his salmon by clubbing it with his clutch pole, then gaffed and dragged it aboard. He cut off its nose, which he kept as a bounty claim.
• Moviemaker’s Background, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist examines Howard Koch’s Hollywood films and his script for Jungle Heat, which revived libels of Nisei disloyalty in Hawaii. The piece traces how such myths influenced mass evacuation and argues anti-Nisei films remain a threat as they air on television.
• ‘No’ Votes on Prop. 13 Viewed as Strong Testimonial for Ever Present Need of JACL, by Roy T. Yoshida, page 3. Placer County JACL members were troubled that nearly 4,800 county voters opposed Proposition 13 despite broad endorsements. The writer concludes that the large No vote shows Nisei acceptance remains fragile and that JACL membership and activism are needed.
• Deadline Jitters, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Business manager Tats Kushida reports that advertising for the December 21 Holiday Issue is running behind, with the deadline extended to December 4. He also recounts a Japanese Children’s Home event and recommends subscriptions as Christmas gifts.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry Honda, page 5. Editor Harry Honda compares the struggles of the Japanese Canadian Citizens Association with JACL, noting that Nisei in Canada are decentralizing into neighborhood and suburban activities. He quotes a Montreal report arguing the national JCCA has done its job by keeping the organization alive.
• Smoglites, by Mary Oyama, page 5. Mary Oyama examines how Nisei parents raising Sansei children in integrated, predominantly Caucasian communities worry their children lack Nisei social contacts. Several parents describe their daughters dating non-Japanese boys or identifying with other minority groups, and they largely accept these outcomes.
• Matter of Citizenship, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori praises the Issei who entered the Los Angeles citizenship essay contest, noting the hard work and long wait required to earn citizenship. He also reports the departure of Maryknoll priests from the Los Angeles mission after decades of service.
• Virginia Puts Nation on Notice by Flaunting Desegregation Rule, by Sam Ishikawa, page 7. Sam Ishikawa analyzes Virginia’s Stanley plan, which cuts state funds to any school integrating white and Negro students, and argues it may prompt federal prosecution of the governor. He contends the state’s defiance of the Supreme Court demands federal action.

Sports

• Main Bowl Expanding, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Fred Takagi’s Main Bowl in Seattle will expand from 12 to 32 alleys and relocate nearby, reflecting the growing popularity of bowling in a multiracial clientele. The writer notes that a Nisei team from the establishment helped end the ABC’s white-only clause in 1950.

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