Hawaiian statehood, the JACL bowling tournament and a president’s doubts

Vol. 46, No. 11, March 14, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

The National JACL President opened this 8-page issue with a candid look at his nearly 18 months in office, admitting he sometimes grows tired and finds fresh purpose in what earlier leaders gave the organization. Lorry S. Tojiri wrote on Hawaiian statehood, arguing that opposition rested largely on racial grounds and pointing to the record of the 100th Battalion and the 442nd. The 12th National JACL Bowling Tournament in Seattle took the sports space, with Sequoia Nursery of Redwood City winning the team title and Nobu Asami of Oakland named outstanding women’s bowler.

Mike Masaoka reported from Washington on a banquet for Congressman Francis E. Walter, and a short item described a documentary film on the 1942 evacuation, with producers seeking out Fred Korematsu. Congress also received a bill to pay evacuation claims to 369 claimants. Chapter news came from Santa Barbara, Long Beach, East Los Angeles, Placer County and Boise Valley, whose Penny Mafune was chosen as a Miss National JACL candidate.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Job is tough one, but still dedicated, page 1. The National JACL President reflects on the difficulties of his nearly 18 months in office, admitting he sometimes grows tired and discouraged. He finds renewed motivation by remembering the sacrifices of wartime leaders and the value of the organization passed to younger generations.
• Issue of Hawaiian statehood, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. The columnist argues that opposition to Hawaiian statehood rests largely on racial grounds, particularly from Southern senators who fear two civil-rights-supporting senators from Hawaii. He cites the wartime record of Japanese Americans and Hawaiians, including the 100th Battalion and 442nd, as an answer to these arguments.
• Recession — the biggest story in the U.S., by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editorial examines the economic recession, with 4.5 million unemployed and rising, and debates whether a tax cut is needed to stem the downturn. It urges JACLers to consider economic caution when deciding whether to attend the Salt Lake convention.
• Washington Newsletter: Francis E. Walter, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka reports on a banquet honoring Congressman Francis E. Walter for 25 years of service in the House. He highlights Walter’s key role in passing the immigration reforms and the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act.

Sports

• Five records bettered in JACL pintest, page 1. Sequoia Nursery of Redwood City won the team title at the 12th Annual National JACL Bowling Tournament in Seattle, setting a new record. Nobu Asami of Oakland was named the outstanding women’s bowler, while Ace Mori of Pocatello took the men’s singles title.
• Tournament winners of the 12th National JACL Bowling Tournament, page 6. This article lists prize winners of the 12th National JACL Bowling Tournament in Seattle across men’s and women’s team, doubles, singles, and all-events divisions. Records were set in several categories, including Sequoia Nursery’s team score and the California Bowlers’ women’s team total.

Community

• JACLers successful in fight to keep community clear of pool hall-beer parlor, page 1. The Venice-Culver JACL chapter successfully opposed a proposed pool hall-beer parlor at 4575 Centinela Ave. before Los Angeles police commissioners and the State Board of Equalization. The applicants withdrew, and the chapter continued its membership drive.
• Nisei among leaders of tuna research expedition, page 1. Bell M. Shimada of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission is among the leaders of a Scripps oceanography and tuna expedition departing San Diego for Central American waters. The 10-week cruise will visit Clipperton Island and the Colombian coast.
• City health director named to guidance post, page 1. John M. Hayakawa, San Jose city health director, was elected vice-president of the Adult and Child Guidance Clinic of Santa Clara County. The clinic provides consultation, therapy, and research services.
• Penny Mafune chosen Boise Valley JACL candidate for Miss National JACL, page 4. Penny Mafune, an 18-year-old Cascade senior, was crowned Miss Boise Valley JACL at the chapter’s queen dance. She will represent the chapter in the Intermountain District Council contest in Salt Lake City on April 5.
• Fifteenth Biennial National JACL Convention underlines queen contests and preparations, by Rupert Hachiya, page 4. Salt Lake City convention chairman Rupert Hachiya previews preparations for the August National JACL Convention, including the upcoming Miss National JACL queen contest on April 5. He also describes the queen committee and the promotional activities of the reigning Salt Lake queen.
• Long Beach-Harbor District JACL drives for second straight Chapter of the Year, page 4. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL is working to win Chapter of the Year honors two years in a row after its 1957 win. Activities include hosting a PSWDC quarterly meeting, reaching 400 members, and planning a Harbor Community Center improvement project.
• Full schedule for spring in East Los Angeles, page 4. East Los Angeles JACL has a busy spring calendar, including a square dance, general membership meeting, Easter egg hunt, membership dinner-dance, and the Emerald Ball on May 17. The chapter is also midway through its membership canvass with over 200 signed.
• Jr. JACL formation to be investigated, page 4. The Portland JACL called a meeting for March 18 to determine whether a youth program is needed in the community. The chapter will also discuss its April pre-election meeting.
• Santa Barbara JACL head Mike Hide installed, page 5. Mike Hide was installed as Santa Barbara JACL president by Southern California Regional Director Fred Takata at a dinner in Carpinteria. A full cabinet was named to lead the chapter for the coming year.
• Costume parade for youngsters feature of 10th annual Placer County picnic, page 5. The Placer County JACL will hold its 10th annual picnic on March 23 at the JACL ball grounds, featuring a costume contest and parade in three age classes. Entry forms and details are available from local businesses.
• Narcotics officer to address Fowler JACL meeting, by Thomas Toyama, page 5. Fresno County narcotics officer Amil Demas will speak at the Fowler JACL membership meeting on March 20. Committee appointments were also announced, and the chapter is preparing a community picnic for April 13.
• Mike Hide installed, Santa Barbara head, page 5. Mike Hide was installed as Santa Barbara JACL president by Regional Director Fred Takata at a dinner in Carpinteria attended by 100 members. The chapter’s new cabinet was introduced along with special guests.
• Tired of poker hands? Try learning bridge, page 5. Mas Teramoto will instruct Twin Cities UCL bridge classes starting at the Japanese American Center in Minneapolis. The classes are aimed at those wanting to learn bridge’s finer points.
• Sanger city council OK’s bowling alley building, page 7. The Sanger City Council approved a zoning change clearing construction of a 16-alley bowling alley by Henry Kebo. A public hearing was set for April 1.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: First plane ride, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori recounts his first airplane flight, a three-hour courtesy trip aboard a Pan American Clipper over Southern California. He describes the flight’s comfort and the friendly Nisei stewardesses.
• Nisei Week coronation ball to draw bigger crowds, page 7. Steve Nakaji, general chairman of the Nisei Week coronation ball and carnival, expects bigger crowds this year due to the Nisei Veterans Reunion. The coronation ball will be held on Saturday, August 2, at a hotel still to be determined.
• Pointing southwestward: Visiting Santa Barbara, by Fred Takata, page 7. Regional director Fred Takata describes his trip to install officers of the Santa Barbara JACL and the speakers who accompanied him. He also urges members to report anti-Nisei films on KTLA so the station’s sponsors can be protested.
• Naturalization classes resumed to aid Japanese wives of ex-GIs, page 8. The Monterey Peninsula JACL resumed weekly Wednesday classes to help Japanese wives of servicemen obtain American citizenship. The chapter also installed its new officers at a February dinner.
• Nisei heading college social group, page 8. Al Tanabe of Hilo, a senior at Whittier College, was elected president of the Lancers men’s social organization. He is believed to be the first person of Japanese ancestry to hold such a post.
• Japanese program set for Minnesota centennial, page 8. A Japanese program is being planned for the 1958 Festival of Nations in St. Paul on May 10, held in conjunction with the Minnesota Centennial. Earl Tanbara is the general chairman.

National

• Discrimination of Canadians of Asian ancestry by U.S. immigration protested, page 1. The Vancouver Coordinating Council on Citizenship protested unequal treatment of Canadian citizens of Asian ancestry by U.S. immigration officers at border crossings. The council asked the Canadian government to press for equal treatment and to eliminate the $1,000 bond required for Oriental-origin fiancees.
• Hawaii statehood TV show attracts very little reaction, page 1. An hour-long Edward R. Murrow See It Now program on Hawaiian and Alaskan statehood drew very few letters and calls from viewers. Observers concluded the issue does not stir deep feelings among ordinary mainland Eastern residents.
• JACL representatives attend 10th annual civil liberties clearing house confab, by JACL News Service, page 4. Three JACL representatives attended the Tenth Annual Conference of the National Civil Liberties Clearing House in Washington, D.C. Speakers addressed civil liberties, civil rights, and strengthening communication between races in the South.
• Documentary film on 1942 evacuation under production, page 8. Columbia University is producing a documentary civil rights film covering legal aspects of the 1942 evacuation of Japanese Americans. Producers were in San Francisco arranging interviews with figures including Fred Korematsu.
• Payment of evacuation claims authorized, page 8. Congress received a bill appropriating $1,743,604.79 to pay evacuation claims awarded to 369 claimants. Additional awards may be added when the bill reaches the Senate appropriations committee.
• Young farmer program to be continued, page 8. A group of 55 young visiting farmers from Japan will arrive in California to study agricultural methods over the summer. The program, which began in 1952, is run through the University of California Extension Service.

Military & Veterans

• Silver Beaver awardee Rev. Emery E. Andrews, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Rev. Emery E. Andrews, Nisei pastor of the Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle and scoutmaster of Troop 53 since 1929, received the Silver Beaver award from the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts. The article recounts his decades of service, including 160 round trips to Minidoka during evacuation.

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