Vol. 44, No. 21, May 24, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue
A discussion series by the Chicago JACL chapter, “Let’s Look at Ourselves,” opened this issue, and national president Dr. Roy Nishikawa used his column to urge Nisei and Sansei to study their own place in the community, the country and the world. Other front-page news came from Washington, where hearings on the temporary Japanese farm labor program ended with testimony from the Labor Department, labor groups and JACL, including Mike Masaoka. The JACL-COJAEC office also listed evacuation claim awardees waiting on a supplemental appropriation.
Inside are Bill Hosokawa on Nisei engineers at Boeing, Larry S. Tajiri on relocating the Navajos, and Harry Honda and Tats Kushida on the Pacific Southwest District Council convention at Disneyland, where Ralph Edwards was honored. Sports pages cover the San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics, and Memorial Day services are announced for Arlington and Denver.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Let’s Look at Ourselves, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. JACL national president Roy Nishikawa praises the Chicago JACL chapter’s Sunday discussion series on Nisei and Sansei identity and self-analysis. He urges members to study themselves and their relationships to community, country, and world.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes Boeing’s expansion and growing employment of Nisei engineers and craftsmen on the 707 jet program. He also reflects on union leaders who helped Nisei workers and honors the Nisei dead on Memorial Day.
- Relocating the Navajos, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri profiles Robert Cullum, former WRA official now working on Navajo relocation in Gallup, New Mexico. He notes the relocation program’s encouraging results and compares its challenges with the Japanese American resettlement.
- Sou’wester, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Tats Kushida offers a satirical column on the PSWDC convention at Disneyland, poking fun at officers and the emcee. He also reports on a visit to Imperial Valley to reactivate the JACL chapter there.
- Very Truly Yours: Humor touching your heart, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda reflects on TV emcee Ralph Edwards’s visit to the PSWDC convention, describing his humor and his commitment to charity and to telling the Nisei story. Honda was impressed by Edwards’s genuineness.
National
- Hearings on temporary Japanese farm labor program completed in Washington; Labor Dep’t, labor groups and JACL testify, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House Judiciary subcommittee completed Washington hearings on the temporary Japanese agricultural worker program, hearing from Labor Department, AFL-CIO, and JACL witnesses. Labor groups charged exploitation while Mike Masaoka defended the program’s protections for workers.
- JACL Scholarship nominations open for Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL National Headquarters opened nominations for the $200 Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship, due June 7. Chapters may each sponsor one Japanese American high school graduate with supporting letters and records.
- Hearings on temporary Japanese farm labor program: Masaoka testimony and Watkins letter, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Senator Arthur Watkins writes to correct the record on the Civil Rights bill, explaining that committee absences were for legitimate reasons. Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter also covers the new Japanese ambassador Koichiro Asakai and his call for improved U.S.-Japan relations.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL-COJAEC lists names of awardees ready to be paid by next appropriation measure, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL-COJAEC office published names of evacuation claim awardees whose payments await a forthcoming supplemental appropriations bill totaling over $1.6 million. Claimants whose names are missing are invited to contact the office to resolve their status.
Community
- PSWDC Parley Impresses with Three Highlights, by Harry Honda, page 1. Harry Honda reviews the Pacific Southwest District Council biennial convention at Anaheim-Disneyland, highlighting National President Nishikawa’s banquet address, Dave Yokozeki’s re-election, and the honoring of Ralph Edwards. The convention drew 150 delegates.
- Sequoia workshop for grads prepped, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Sequoia JACL and its Jr. JACL groups organized a ‘What’s My Line’ career workshop for local high school and college students. Leading Nisei professionals in science, medicine, education, and law will lead the sessions.
- Dies of rare muscular disease at Gilroy home, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Shigeru Kado, 38, an active Detroit JACL member, died in San Francisco after an 18-month illness. He had worked 15 years for an auto parts manufacturer before returning to his Gilroy family home.
- Groups like C.L. needed, Jewish leader declares, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Harry J. Sapper, a Jewish Welfare Federation executive, told the NC-WNDC JACL district council at Alameda that organizations like JACL play a vital role in American civic life. He praised JACL’s dignified legislative approach.
- PSWDC 1000 Club Notes, by Ken Dyo, page 5. Ken Dyo reports on the first district council delegate politicking for candidates and argues that district cabinet officers should take on real responsibilities. He also describes the 1000 Club Whing-Ding fashion show and skits.
- Sonoma County CL busy with summer grad dance, picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL is preparing a June graduates’ social and a July 7 community picnic at Doran State Park. The May general meeting also heard a report on the FEPC bill’s defeat in the state senate.
- Tulare County bowlers commended for assisting JACL with memberships, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tulare County JACL president James Matsumura praised bowlers for helping the chapter meet its membership quota at the fifth annual bowling awards banquet. Team and individual awards were presented at the Orosi Memorial Hall event.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: No Finer Day, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori recounts the PSWDC luncheon at Disneyland honoring Ralph Edwards and notes Tats Kushida’s resignation as regional director. He also previews the Emerald Ball’s success and Nisei Week events.
- Mile-Hi JACL and Cathay Post Memorial Day services set, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Mile-Hi JACL and Cathay Post will hold their tenth annual Memorial Day service at the Tri-State Buddhist Church in Denver to honor Colorado Nisei war dead. Mari Kodama chairs the event.
Obituaries
- Min Yasui’s father dies in Portland, was 70, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masuo Yasui, a Hood River pioneer and prominent community leader, died suddenly on May 11 in Portland at age 70. An overflow crowd attended his funeral, and he is survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters, including Min Yasui.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Teahouse’ production earns unprecedented rave from Phoenix theater critics, helps boost Nisei morale in Arizona, by Cherry Tsutsumida, page 2. The Phoenix Little Theater’s production of ‘Teahouse of the August Moon’ drew strong reviews praising Nisei actors Johnny Hirohata and Janet Ikeda. The cast’s success boosted community pride among Arizona Japanese Americans.
Military & Veterans
- Clam Gun Old and New, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa describes the razor clam digging device known as the clam gun, now legal after Fish and Game rules changed to conserve clams. He explains how Nisei families enjoy clam digging trips along the Pacific coast.
- Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The National JACL will again lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington on Memorial Day, with flowers placed on the graves of 24 Nisei war dead. The tradition began in 1948 with the burial of the first two Nisei soldiers at Arlington.
Sports
- San Francisco JACL Olympics at Kezar Stadium draws record 12 teams, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A record 12 JACL teams with over 150 athletes are entered in the San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics at Kezar Stadium on Sunday. Nine squads from Northern and Southern California and the Central Valley have registered.
- Santa Rosa Nisei in pro baseball, by Phil Elser, page 6. Chet Hamamoto, a Santa Rosa Junior College standout, is playing his second year of professional baseball with Tri-City in the Northwest League. Local fans sent him a floral horseshoe at home plate.
- Weightman who missed Olympics wins title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Specialist Ralph Yoshida of Presidio San Francisco won the Pacific Coast lightweight weightlifting title and qualified for the Junior Nationals after being left off the U.S. Olympic team. His 700-pound total earned him the trip.
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