Proposition 13 and the alien land law, and evacuation claims

Vol. 43, No. 13, September 28, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

Proposition 13, the California measure to repeal the state’s alien land law, ran through this eight-page issue. The Pasadena Independent Star-News and San Francisco’s Civic League of Improvement Clubs backed it, and Northern California JACL chapters met to open their campaign. Claims for losses from the wartime forced removal were also in the news. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa took over as chairman of the Committee on Japanese American Evacuation Claims, and Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka asked Justice Department officials to look again at how the remaining claims were handled. On the same page, Nishikawa wrote about the new National Board’s assignments.

Elsewhere, Masaoka testified to a House subcommittee on U.S.-Japan trade and wrote about the 1956 presidential race. Jerry Enomoto and Abe Hagiwara were named the first recipients of the Dr. Randolph M. Sakada Memorial Award. Columns came from Harry K. Honda, Mary Oyama and Larry S. Tajiri, and the sports page opened the football season.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• National board made functional, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The new National Board voted to assign each board position a specific functional responsibility. Committee heads will develop ideas through local nucleus groups or correspondence, and JACLers are invited to contact chairmen with suggestions.
• Editorial: San Francisco, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The author describes a brief visit to San Francisco, praising Tokyo Sukiyaki on Fisherman’s Wharf and noting the decline of the Japanese district. He also profiles Dr. Kazue Togasaki and her open home for visitors.
• Smogiites: Farewell to summer, by Mary Oyama, page 2. Mary Oyama reflects on the end of summer vacation as children return to school, and recounts news from the JACL convention. She also comments on Hawaii Nisei candidates and friends she met at the convention.
• Another Issei virtue, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri observes that Issei, after gaining citizenship, have become energetic and active, traveling widely and joining civic life. He sees the granting of citizenship as the major reason for this renewed vitality.
• Very Truly Yours: Regarding labor, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda defends the temporary Japanese agricultural labor program against calls to delay it, arguing it answers real domestic farm shortages. He contends that labor is dignified and that concerns about working conditions should be addressed by the government and churches rather than by halting the program.
• Washington newsletter: ’56 presidential campaign, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka analyzes the 1956 presidential race between Eisenhower and Stevenson, noting the shift in roles since 1952. He identifies key factors such as the President’s health, foreign affairs, and farm issues that could affect the outcome.

Military & Veterans

• Man ridding Lions ‘white’ clause cited for 30-yr. service, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Honolulu Lions charter member Colbert N. Kurokawa received a 30-year pin for his service. He was largely responsible for Lions International deleting the word ‘white’ from its membership qualifications in 1926.

National

• Pasadena press in favor of Prop. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pasadena Independent Star-News editorially endorsed Proposition 13 to repeal California’s Alien Land Law. The Los Angeles County Committee on Human Relations also endorsed the measure by resolution.
• San Francisco civic group supports Prop. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Civic League of Improvement Clubs in San Francisco announced it will support Proposition 13 to repeal the alien land law. The league represents more than twenty district improvement clubs in the city.
• Importance of increased U.S.-Japan trade to weaken Communist lures in Far East cited to Congressmen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei lobbyist Mike Masaoka testified before a House subcommittee that increased U.S.-Japan trade strengthens Japan against communism and serves American foreign policy. He argued that domestic industries’ complaints about Japanese textiles and other imports were not supported on their merits.

Community

• $3,000 USPHS scholarship given to Minnesota nurse, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The United States Public Health Service awarded Kimi Hara a $3,000 scholarship and tuition. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing administration at the University of Minnesota.
• Ten Nisei teaching in Denver schools, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ten Nisei instructors, including three in junior high schools, were assigned to Denver public schools for the 1956-57 school year. The assignments were announced by the Denver school system.
• Northern California chapters open drive to press ‘Yes on Prop. 13’ issue, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL chapters in Northern California met to launch the campaign for Proposition 13 to repeal the alien land law. Several chapters reported plans, including Sonoma’s three-man fundraising committee.
• Retired school teacher honored by Orange County JACL chapter, Matrons, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Jessie Hayden, a retired Huntington Beach teacher, was honored at a tea co-sponsored by the Orange County JACL and Matrons. Many attendees were former Issei students of her citizenship classes.
• Los Angeles newsletter: All for Miyoshi, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori writes about singer Miyoshi Umeki, whose rise to fame included a New York appearance on Arthur Godfrey’s program. He also notes the upcoming Christmas Cheer campaign led by the Southern California JACL regional office.
• Stockton CL stages county fair feature, by Teri Yamaguchi, page 7. The Stockton JACL staged a Japan Night program at the San Joaquin County Fair with dancers and vocalists. Rose Futamachi was crowned Japan Night queen and joined representatives of other ethnic groups in the fair’s pageant.
• Nixon chats with Nisei college president at Whittier, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Vice President Nixon made an unscheduled visit to Whittier College, his alma mater, and chatted with students. He spent time with student body president Bill Marumoto, a Santa Ana Nisei.
• Rep. Yates addresses Americanization class, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Congressman Sidney R. Yates spoke at the graduation of the ninth Americanization class in Chicago, jointly sponsored by the local JACL and a Japanese American Senate Committee. Fifty-two Issei completed the course.

JACL

• COJAEC chairmanship passes to Dr. Nishikawa, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa assumed the chairmanship of the Committee on Japanese American Evacuation Claims, with Tom Ito named treasurer. George Inagaki continues on the executive committee in an advisory capacity.
• JACLer of the Biennium, by Masao Satow, page 4. National Director Satow presents citations for Jerry Enomoto and Abe Hagiwara, the first recipients of the Dr. Randolph M. Sakada Memorial Award. Both are honored for their leadership and service to JACL during 1955-56.

Incarceration & Redress

• Urge Justice Dep’t investigate claims procedures and practices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka asked Justice Department officials to re-examine procedures under the Lane-Hillings Act to speed final determination of remaining evacuation claims. They cited allegations that claims were being delayed and that attorneys used the Court of Claims option to pressure claimants.

Sports

• Football season opens; Iwasaki’s sparkling runs of 70, 50 & 75 yds. for Reedley High, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Larry Iwasaki of Reedley High scored three touchdowns on runs of 70 and 50 yards and a 75-yard kickoff return in a 46-20 win. Nisei players across California and elsewhere were also reported in early-season action.
• Fighting Irish open Little League season, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The Seattle Nisei Veterans sponsored Little League team, the Fighting Irish, opened its season with a 0-0 tie against Rainier Valley. The author notes the squad’s young players and the growing integration of Sansei into neighborhood teams.

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