Vol. 47, No. 15, October 10, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue
The question of how every JACL member family could receive the Pacific Citizen was still unsettled after the national convention turned down the membership plan. The President’s Corner argued that only 30% of members subscribed and that the issue was far from buried. Also on the front page, Bradford Smith’s article in The Nation traced how Earl Warren moved from backing the 1942 forced removal of Japanese Americans to championing civil rights. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Saburo Kido, Lorry S. Tajiri, Harry K. Honda and Mike Masaoka filled the commentary pages.
Elsewhere, Hawaii’s primary results were reported, with 45 of 96 Japanese American candidates advancing. National JACL headquarters opened in new San Francisco offices at 1634 Post St. Elmer Ogawa made the case for repealing Washington’s alien land law. A Philadelphia editorial welcomed the $35.5 million paid in claims. Chapter news came from Alameda, Portland, Oakland, Sacramento and Pocatello.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- PC with Membership still live issue, page 1. The President’s Corner argues that the Pacific Citizen subscription issue remains alive after the convention rejected the membership plan. It notes that only 30% of JACL members subscribe and calls for chapter cooperation and advertising to improve communication.
- Letters: Salt Lake convention commended and Boston reader returns, page 2. Letters to the editor praise the Salt Lake City national convention for its organization and enthusiasm. Another writer, returning to Boston after a year abroad, renews subscription.
- Frying Pan: Reflections on a China moon, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa reflects on Hongkong’s frustrated Chinese youth facing Communist threats and limited futures. He also describes a visit to Macao and the Red Chinese border sentry.
- Tokyo Topics: Tamotsu Murayama whirlwind Los Angeles visit, by Saburo Kido, page 2. Saburo Kido describes the busy visit of Tokyo promoter Tamotsu Murayama to Los Angeles, including plans for a Kanrin Maru centennial commemorative stamp. Kido praises him as a valuable link between Japan and the United States.
- Saund’s Call: Nisei Congressman, by Lorry S. Tajiri, page 3. Columnist Lorry Tajiri discusses Rep. D.S. Saund’s invitation to Nisei to seek public office and his victory in California’s 29th District. The column surveys Nisei political participation and the history of anti-Japanese campaigning in California.
- Californian’s Ballot, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda previews California’s November ballot with 18 propositions, including prize fighting, school taxes, and bond issues. He urges JACL chapters to help Nisei voters understand the measures.
- Washington’s Alien Land Law, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa urges a vigorous campaign to repeal Washington’s alien land law, noting that a referendum is needed to change the state constitution. He recommends informing non-minority voters about the discriminatory provisions.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Thinking of Christmas, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reports on the 11th annual Christmas Cheer program aiming to raise $2,000 for less fortunate Japanese Americans in Los Angeles. He notes previous years’ cash and goods donations and urges contributions to the regional office.
- Washington Newsletter: Quemoy and Matsu, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka examines the Formosa Strait crisis over Quemoy and Matsu and its risks for Japanese Americans. He urges Japan to strengthen its security partnership with the United States rather than recognize Red China.
- Press comments: Redressing a wrong, page 8. A Philadelphia Evening Bulletin editorial praises the government’s payment of $35.5 million in Japanese American evacuation claims. It argues the Nisei were innocent of wartime Japanese actions and the nation is making partial atonement.
Incarceration & Redress
- Change of Warren’s anti-Japanese bias to civil rights champion cited, page 1. Bradford Smith’s Nation article traces Earl Warren’s evolution from a biased Attorney General who backed the 1942 evacuation to a civil rights champion. The piece quotes Smith praising Warren’s later aid to returning Nisei and his change of mind on Japanese return.
Community
- Typhoon relief aid sought by Quakers, page 1. The American Friends Service Committee appealed nationally for clothing and funds for about 500,000 homeless after a late September typhoon hit Tokyo-Yokohama. Collection points in Pasadena, San Francisco, and Philadelphia were named.
- Alameda Issei feted at chapter dinner, page 1. The Alameda JACL honored its Issei members with a thank-you dinner at Buena Vista Methodist Church. The event featured a Chinese menu and entertainment arranged by chapter members.
- Idaho chapter urges community service role, by Ronnie Yokota, page 2. Pocatello JACL member Ronnie Yokota argues the chapter should expand beyond serving Japanese Americans to benefit the wider communities of Pocatello and Blackfoot. He urges more members to participate in community affairs.
- Minister’s trip to Japan meeting topic, page 3. The Puyallup Valley JACL heard Rev. Alpha Takagi describe his recent trip to Japan with colored slides. The chapter also discussed voter registration and a survey of evacuee claims.
- Calipatria flagpole groundbreaking, page 3. Work began on the base for a 184-foot flagpole in Calipatria’s North City Park, a project started after Mrs. Helen Momita’s death. The pole will sit at sea-level elevation for a city 184 feet below sea level.
- Another $500,000 bank capital set, page 3. The Bank of Tokyo of California announced an additional $500,000 in capitalization. The increase followed rapid growth in deposits, loans, and assets since its 1952 founding.
- 16-lane Nisei bowling house to be built in Sanger, page 3. Henry Kebo announced plans for a 16-lane bowling alley with automatic pinspotters and air conditioning in Sanger. The facility will include a cocktail lounge, coffee shop, and parking for 450 cars.
- Recall marketing expert from Puerto Rico for San Jose ass’n post, page 3. Tad T. Tomita was appointed general manager of the Central California Berry Growers Association after years as a marketing consultant in Puerto Rico. He is a 1936 UC graduate who previously managed Japanese cooperative groups in Stockton.
- Oakland Chapter slates benefit movies Oct. 25, page 5. The Oakland JACL will hold a benefit showing of two Japanese color films at the Buddhist Church on Oct. 25. Proceeds go to the chapter budget and national quota.
- Los Angeles community groups incorporate to combat delinquency, page 7. Japanese American Youth, Inc. was formed by Southland community leaders to combat juvenile delinquency among Nisei and Sansei. Officers were elected and plans include public education programs and a speakers bureau.
- Portland chapter selects dance queen candidate, page 7. The Portland JACL named Kiyomi Kayama as its candidate for the Nov. 29 community dance queen contest. The chapter also planned a public educational program series and reported on its recent bazaar.
- Sacramento Talent Revue slated Nov. 22, page 8. The Sacramento JACL’s Your Stars of Tomorrow revue is scheduled for Nov. 22 at the YBA Hall. Out-of-town guest artists are also being planned.
Military & Veterans
- $340 government award given to Nisei worker, page 1. William K. Endo of Seattle received a $340 government award for a suggestion that saved $64,420 in three years. His analysis showed shipping certain commodities on Navy ships instead of commercial vessels cut costs.
- Nisei ballplayers to meet St. Louis Cardinals, page 7. Three Nisei ballplayers, Wally Yonamine, Andy Miyamoto, and Bill Nishita, were chosen for a Japanese all-star team facing the St. Louis Cardinals. Yonamine and Miyamoto play for the Tokyo Giants while Nishita pitches for the Toei Flyers.
National
- 45 of 96 AJA primary candidates survive Terr. of Hawaii elections, by Ted Yamachika, page 1. In Hawaii’s closed primaries, John A. Burns led Farrant L. Turner in the Delegate to Congress race as a close contest loomed. Of 96 Japanese American candidates, 45 advanced, with names listed across Senate and House districts.
- Nisei Voters League installs officers in San Francisco, page 1. The Nisei Voters League of San Francisco formally installed Jack Kusaba as president and named other officers and directors. The league will co-host a Candidates Night on Oct. 21 at the Buchanan YMCA.
JACL
- JACL headquarters now busy in new office: 1634 Post St., page 1. National JACL headquarters moved to 1634 Post St. in San Francisco on Sept. 30 after the convention approved $2,000 per year for rent. The office occupies the entire second floor of a new building near Seiki Bros..
In-Depth
- Japanese surgeon Dr. Kiyo Tashiro leads double life in medicine and semipro football, page 6. Dr. Kiyo Tashiro of Dolgeville, N.Y. combines a busy thoracic surgery practice with semipro football as a running back. The feature, reprinted from an Upjohn publication, describes his athletic background and his career-threatening injury.
Arts & Entertainment
- Art Institute opens Oriental galleries, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 6. The Art Institute of Chicago opened ten new Oriental galleries featuring Japanese screens, woodblock prints, and Chinese sculpture. Rotating exhibitions will be changed every three or four months.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.