Vol. 46, No. 6, February 7, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue
A decade of JACL work in the East was the opening subject of this eight-page issue. The board’s front-page column, signed by Charles Nagao, looked back at what chapters in New York, Philadelphia, Seabrook and Washington, D.C. had won, and urged members not to grow complacent as the national convention in Salt Lake City approached. Saburo Kido outlined a seven-point program for JACL’s future at San Francisco’s 30th anniversary, and Bill Hosokawa spoke to the San Luis Valley chapter’s installation dinner. Salt Lake JACL’s preparations to host the 1958 convention were covered on page 4.
Other pages follow veterans and the claims program. MIS veterans in Los Angeles were organizing, Nisei VFW posts planned to gather in Fresno, and the Justice Department said it intended to end its evacuation claims program by Dec. 31. Masao Satow’s national director’s report and Mike Masaoka’s column on the Explorer satellite are also inside.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Decade of sweat and toil for equality, by Charles Nagao, page 1. The JACL board reflects on the past decade of achievements by eastern chapters in winning legislative and social gains for Japanese Americans. It urges members to avoid complacency and to use JACL’s slogans as guidance for the national convention in Salt Lake City.
- Honolulu Rose, by Gerald B. Burtlett, page 2. A Honolulu Advertiser community services director praises the Pacific Citizen’s annual edition and mentions Japanese youth work shared with local groups. He notes the cover’s Japanese-character faces and the story of Honolulu Rose circulating among readers.
- Must for JACLers, by Novo Kato, page 2. The Pocatello JACL president calls the Pacific Citizen a must-read for every JACL member and laments low local subscriptions. He notes improved coverage of the Intermountain district and suggests it will help membership sales.
- Out of the hospital again, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A columnist recounts his hospital stay for a bowel obstruction and links the condition to an old army boxing injury in Panama. He argues the injury is service-connected and mentions an unresolved feud with a chaplain.
JACL
- Wider perspectives for JACL outlined, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former national president Saburo Kido, speaking at San Francisco JACL’s 30th anniversary, outlined a seven-point program for the organization’s future. He also raised questions about JACL’s role in international relations and its continued need for a Washington office.
- The National Director’s Report, by Masao Satow, page 4. National director Masao Satow reports on membership campaign progress with early completions from Salinas Valley and San Luis Valley chapters. He also covers Northern California-Western Nevada council meetings and upcoming convention planning.
Community
- Evacuation regarded as blessing in disguise for Nisei, Hosokawa tells guests at San Luis Valley JACL installation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bill Hosokawa, assistant managing editor of the Denver Post, spoke at the San Luis Valley JACL installation dinner on Japanese American history. He argued that wartime evacuation ultimately helped Nisei gain first-class citizenship across the country.
- Four co-eds vie for Nisei collegiate sweetheart crown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four Nisei college women were selected as candidates for the Queen of Hearts title at the Nisei Intermountain Collegiate Conference dance in Denver. The crown will be bestowed at the Feb. 8 event.
- Tombstones of Japanese students who came to U.S. in 1870s to be restored, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese American Association of New York investigated graves of early Japanese students at Willow Grove Cemetery in New Brunswick, N.J., which faced possible removal. The association plans to repair and restore the gravestones.
- Nisei attorney elected to director’s board of S.F. civic unity group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Victor Abe, a past president of San Francisco JACL, was elected to the board of the Council for Civic Unity of San Francisco. The group works for fair play for minorities.
- Salt-Lakers primed for task of hosting summer conclave, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Salt Lake JACL is preparing to host the 1958 national convention and is selecting its candidate for Miss Salt Lake JACL at a queen’s dance. Nine candidates have been profiled ahead of the local and district queen contests.
- Clem Oyama’s daughter Jr. high valedictorian, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Susan Oyama, daughter of Clem Oyama, gave the valedictory address at Presidio Junior High in San Francisco. She also won the American Legion award before the family departed for Tokyo.
- Radio-TV newscaster to address JACL dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Charles Shaw, WCAU news director, will speak at the Philadelphia JACL installation dinner on his recent trip to Japan. The chapter also opened its membership drive at the event.
- Los Angeles newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. The Nisei Week Festival may be moved earlier to follow the 1958 Nisei Veterans Reunion in late July. The column also covers a Japanese house being restored at the Huntington Library and Sansei participation in a television quiz show.
Military & Veterans
- G-2 veterans plan own organization, by P.C. Staff, page 1. MIS Nisei veterans in Los Angeles are organizing a group and urging similar formations in other cities. A large MIS reunion is being planned for the 1958 Nisei Veterans Reunion in summer.
- Calif. Nisei VFW posts to assemble, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Over 300 Nisei veterans from ten VFW posts across California will gather in Fresno for the eighth annual Nisei VFW convention. The event aims to renew comradeship and discuss issues important to Nisei.
- Lt. Col. Walter T. Tsukamoto named presiding officer of new court martial circuit in France, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Former national JACL president Walter Tsukamoto was appointed presiding officer of a new general court martial circuit in France. He is expected to retire from military service after 30 years later this year.
- The American explorer, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Washington JACL representative Mike Masaoka reflects on the US launch of the Explorer satellite and its significance in the space race. He argues for internationalizing outer space for peaceful uses.
Incarceration & Redress
- Posthumous award to civic leader made, by Jim Hatakeda, page 1. Tulare County JACL presented its Japanese American Creed Award posthumously to George P. Bussinger at the Central California District Council convention. He was credited with leading efforts to welcome back Japanese residents after the war.
- Justice Dept. intends to end compromise claims by Dec. 31, by JACL News Service, page 8. The Justice Department plans to complete the administrative phase of the Japanese American evacuation claims program by year’s end. Claimants may appeal compromise offers to Washington and file with the Court of Claims if deadlines are missed.
Sports
- Nearly 100 keg teams expected for Seattle go, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. Preparations are complete for the 12th JACL National Bowling Championships in Seattle, with close to 100 teams including 12 from Hawaii. An awards dinner dance and a pre-tournament mixer are scheduled.
Arts & Entertainment
- Hollywood cycle: the geisha for Townsend Harris, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Eiko Ando was cast as the geisha Okichi opposite John Wayne in John Huston’s film The Barbarian about Townsend Harris. The article describes how she was discovered among candidates tested by 20th Century Fox.
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