Evacuation claims in Congress and a membership race

Vol. 42, No. 13, March 30, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

The wartime evacuation claims program ran through the front page of this eight-page issue. The House approved $588,000 for claims payments in a supplemental appropriations bill, and Helen Mineta reported that Mike Masaoka urged Senator Eastland to move the Lane-Hillings bill through the Senate Judiciary Committee. A reprinted Kansas City Star editorial, “The Wronged Nisei,” called the forced removal a shameful episode. A column on the front page also followed the JACL membership drive, with San Francisco at 1,100 members and Chicago, Southwest Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle in the race.

Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa, Harry K. Honda, Larry S. Tajiri, Mary Oyama and Henry Mori, and Mrs. S. Togasaki’s two-part essay on why she wanted American citizenship. Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter on the deportation order for Tokyo Rose closes the issue. Page 6 carries sports, including the California Nisei basketball championship and Chick Igaya’s NCAA slalom title.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• The Wronged Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Kansas City Star’s editorial on the Lane-Hillings evacuation claims bill is reprinted, recounting the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans and calling it a shameful episode. The editorial notes that the government’s reparations are inadequate to erase the massive wrong done.
• Japanese cultural heritage can enrich America, advises Issei naturalized citizen who teaches Japanese at U.C. Berkeley, by Mrs. S. Togasaki, page 2. Mrs. Sugi Togasaki, a Japanese-born woman seeking naturalization, explains her reasons for wanting American citizenship, including freedom and her son’s citizenship. She argues that new citizens should keep their Japanese cultural heritage to enrich American life.
• From the Frying Pan: A red-headed judoist, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes a judo tournament at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver where a redheaded freckled boy competed alongside Nisei and Issei. He reflects on the incongruity of Issei attending a military base and the blending of cultures.
• Very Truly Yours: New word: acculturation, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Editor Harry Honda discusses the term acculturation after reading a scholarly article on racial integration in The Annals. He notes the paper’s remarks on Japanese Americans’ rapid acculturation and the JACL’s role in improving their status.
• Vagaries: Campus discrimination, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. The University of Colorado regents voted to bar fraternities and sororities with racial or religious discrimination clauses from campus, giving them six years to comply. The columnist notes this makes Colorado the first western university to adopt such an anti-prejudice ruling.
• Citizenship, by Mrs. S. Togasaki, page 3. Mrs. Togasaki continues her essay explaining her wish to become an American citizen, citing her son and her long association with Americans. She concludes that a harmony of many cultures makes a happier America.
• Very Truly Yours (continued): acculturation, by Harry K. Honda, page 3. Honda continues his discussion of acculturation, suggesting the term could mean enriching American life with adaptable aspects of Japanese culture. He notes the Yinger-Simpson paper credits JACL activity with improving Japanese acceptance on the West Coast.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Respect for parents, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reflects on a Paul Coates television program about Japanese American family life and low juvenile delinquency. He argues that Issei parents instilled discipline and respect that Nisei and Sansei must maintain.
• Newsweek reply to statement by Sen. Kuchel and Rep. Roosevelt, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Senator Kuchel and Representative Roosevelt informed Congress of Newsweek’s reply to their complaints about the fake Lincoln Yamamoto letter. Mike Masaoka noted the letters from Nisei denouncing the alleged canard.
• Washington Newsletter: Tokyo Rose deportation, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka explains the Immigration Service order to deport Tokyo Rose, a native Californian convicted of treason, and the legal questions it raises. He argues race was not a factor since she is the only treason convict of her era still in her situation.

National

• House approves $588,000 for payment of claims in 2nd supplemental bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House passed a supplemental appropriations bill including $588,000 for evacuation claims payments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1956. The bill now awaits study by the Senate Appropriations committee.
• Senate Judiciary Committee urged to consider Lane-Hillings measure, by Helen Mineta, page 1. JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka urged Senator Eastland to expedite the House-passed Lane-Hillings evacuation claims bill. He argued the bill would complete the claims program in a few years rather than a decade or more.
• Western Pioneer proxy fight to end at Mar. 31 meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A proxy battle over management of Western Pioneer Insurance Co. intensified before the March 31 stockholders meeting. Both the management and the Stockholders Committee issued appeals claiming majority support.
• National Director’s Report: Building for Headquarters, by Masao W. Satow, page 4. National Director Masao Satow discusses the idea of a JACL headquarters building and a $50 donation toward a building fund. He also reviews financial reserves and reports on JACL chapter activities and convention planning.

Community

• Dick Arimoto named president of Rotary Club in Redwood City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dick Arimoto was elected president of the Redwood City Rotary Club, the first Nisei to head a Northern California unit of this service club. He is a longtime JACL leader and a flower distributor in the local business community.
• Festival of Progress float planned by S.F. Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese community will enter a float in the April 22 Festival of Progress parade commemorating the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Organizations including the Nichibei Kai, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and JACL plan to raise $2,000 for participation.
• Vandals blast mailbox of Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vandals destroyed the mailbox of Wilson Makabe, a Sierra College instructor and former Placer JACL president, with an apparent high explosive. Two other mailboxes in the Placer hills area were also destroyed and are under investigation.
• Nisei picked president of Whittier College ASB, by P.C. Staff, page 1. William Marumoto was elected president of the Associated Students of Whittier College for 1956-57. He is a junior sociology major with a record of campus leadership and activity in Orange County JAYs.
• S.F. JACL reaches mark of 1,100, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL chapter reached 1,100 members in the 1956 membership drive, including pledges from volunteer workers. Chapter campaign chairman Thelma Takeda reported the figures.
• ‘Key man’ honors given to Ontarian, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mas Hayashi of Ontario was named Key Man by the Ontario Jaycees for his contributions to the organization. He is a former president and current state director of the group.
• I-House celebrates silver anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The International House at UC Berkeley celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house attended by hundreds of students from Japan and Nisei. The house has a long history of service including helping evacuees during World War II.
• Attorney Wirin of L.A. leaves for Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Los Angeles civil liberties attorney A. L. Wirin departed for Japan to confer with clients on citizenship status, including strandees whose citizenship was questioned. He will also meet with the Japan Civil Liberties Union at Roger Baldwin’s request.
• Calif. congressman Gubser upholds Nisei loyalty, by Elinor V. Cogswell, page 3. Congressman Charles Gubser defended the loyalty of Nisei in a Palo Alto newspaper column responding to the Lincoln Yamamoto letter controversy. The column praises Nisei patriotism and includes a letter from a florist who served in the Marines.
• Cortez JACL headed by Red Cross drive, Boy Scouts, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Cortez JACL organized its participation in the local Red Cross drive and approved co-sponsorship of a Boy Scout troop. Attorney Gordon Winton spoke on wills and inheritance taxes at the meeting.
• Pasadena JACL hears talk on investments, by Mack Yamaguchi, page 4. Y. Clifford Tanaka spoke to the Pasadena chapter on investments, recommending that 10 percent of earnings be invested for the future. The chapter also announced upcoming activities including a cabinet meeting and a benefit movie.
• Gardena chapter to aid voters, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Gardena Valley JACL announced voter registration for naturalized Issei at the Japanese Community Center on April 6. Nisei deputy registrars will provide free registration service.
• Detroit breaks chapter membership record with 368 signed up for 1956, by Yoshiko Inouye, page 4. The Detroit JACL chapter set a membership record with 368 members in the 1956 drive, surpassing the prior year’s 351. Midwest District Council chairman Abe Hagiwara also spoke on minority group roles in the coming years.
• Inagaki deputized as registrar of voters, by P.C. Staff, page 4. National JACL president George Inagaki was deputized as a field registrar of voters in Los Angeles. He will assist with a Venice-Culver JACL voter registration meeting.
• Spring-summer activities planned by Southwest L.A. JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Southwest L.A. JACL plans its spring dance, The Marty Party, at Park Manor. The announcement is accompanied by a photo of chapter members promoting the event.
• Sumitomo bank initiates expansion of L.A. office, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sumitomo Bank announced an expansion and remodeling of its Los Angeles offices due to strong customer demand. The bank says its services will continue during the three-month construction period.
• Tokyo Topics: Hearst visits Japan, by Ichiro Murayama, page 6. William Randolph Hearst Jr. visited Japan and was received by the Emperor, and the author discussed the rising political and communist dangers in Japan with him. The column concludes that educating Japanese youth is essential and that Japanese and Americans have warmer relations since the war.
• Smoglites: A new prexy in Los Angeles, by Mary Oyama, page 6. The column profiles Fred Takata, newly elected president of the Eastside JACL chapter and owner of Crown Markets. It describes his military service, community leadership, and hobbies.
• Humboldt State College appoints Nisei to faculty, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hank Yamagata, a former Humboldt State halfback, was appointed to the physical education faculty of his alma mater. He is working toward his master’s degree while teaching.
• Seedless watermelons, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Japanese seedless watermelons introduced by Dr. Naruo Kondo are prospering in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The varieties were tested under subtropical conditions.

Military & Veterans

• Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee elects new commander, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Bill Nishimura was elected commander of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee, succeeding Harry Kataoka. Installation ceremonies are scheduled for April 21 with former VFW national commander Charles Ralls as speaker.

Sports

• Calif. Nisei cage championship, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The West L.A. Lucky Doks won the California Nisei basketball championship over the San Jose Zebras 86 to 81. Dick Nagai of USC scored 35 points for the winners.
• Chicago golf clubs organize council, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Representatives of eleven Japanese American golf clubs in Chicago formed a council to coordinate tournaments, purchasing and rules. George Koyama of the Lakers was elected first chairman.
• San Francisco Nisei chairman of national AAU judo committee, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mitsuho Kimura, a sixth-dan judoist, became chairman of the National AAU judo committee and was named to the U.S. team for the world judo tournament in Tokyo. He succeeds the late Henry Stone.
• Oregon Nisei bowling tournament winners named, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Kibe Produce Subs captained by Tom Shiiki won the 10th annual Oregon Nisei handicap bowling tournament with a record 2,989 pins. Other champions were also named in several categories.
• Igaya successful in defending NCAA slalom title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dartmouth’s Chick Igaya successfully defended his NCAA slalom title at Winter Park, Colorado, winning both runs decisively. He also finished third in the downhill and helped Dartmouth take second place in the team standings.
• Breaks world record in 220-yd butterfly, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jiro Nagasawa of Japan, a Yale swimmer, set a new world record in the 220-yard butterfly at the New York Athletic Club. His time of 2:20.1 surpassed the previous mark.
• Name Nisei player in benefit football game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bob Kubo of Narbonne High was selected as center for the South team in the annual Shrine benefit football game. He was the first Nisei named to the all-city first string at center.
• JACL Nisei Relays planned for June, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Plans are underway for the 1956 JACL Nisei Relays, which may feature the largest group of Nisei trackers ever assembled. The meet will be held at Rancho Cienega on June 17 with invitations to high school athletes statewide.

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