A forged letter to Newsweek and the 10th JACL bowling tournament

Vol. 42, No. 8, February 24, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

A letter to Newsweek signed “Lincoln Yamamoto” that libeled Japanese Americans drew the sharpest response in this eight-page issue. Mike M. Masaoka called it among the most damaging blows to JACL’s legislative efforts, an editorial called it a poison pen forgery, and Senator Thomas Kuchel defended Nisei loyalty on the Senate floor. Letters to Newsweek on page 8 added protests from Nisei leaders. The House Judiciary Committee also reported the Lane-Hillings bill on remaining evacuation claims.

Bowling filled much of the rest. More than 400 bowlers, on 64 men’s and 22 women’s teams, were set for the 10th National JACL tournament in Salt Lake City. Chapter news covered Issei citizenship honors in Fresno, Philadelphia, Coachella Valley and Salt Lake. Bill Hosokawa, Tamotsu Murayama and Mary Oyama wrote columns, and Masaoka’s Washington newsletter explained a proposed immigration quota plan.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Bowlers Prepare for 10th National JACL Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 400 bowlers representing 64 men’s and 22 women’s teams will compete at the 10th annual National JACL Bowling Tournament in Salt Lake City, March 1-4. Pre-tournament festivities and an awards dinner-dance are also planned.
• Fresno JACL to Fete Issei Citizens; Push Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Newly naturalized Issei will be honored at the Fresno JACL’s Issei recognition banquet on March 3. The chapter divided the community into districts for its membership drive, with named volunteers assigned to each area.
• Snake River JACL to Hear New Governor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oregon Governor Elmo Smith will address the Snake River JACL installation banquet on February 25 in Ontario, Oregon. Recently naturalized Issei will also be honored at the event.
• Placer County Sets Apr. 15 Date for Community Picnic at JACL Ball, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Placer JACL’s eighth annual community picnic is set for April 15 at its recreation park near Penryn. Planned events include a picnic queen contest, a picnic ball, and an Issei entertainment program.
• Nisei Grower Ships Dried Persimmon Crop from Placer County Orchard, by P.C. Staff, page 2. George Nakamoto of Penryn runs a small business drying Hachiya persimmons, selling two or three tons a year mostly for Hawaiian holiday trade. He describes the drying, curing, and packing process used on his orchard.
• Sacramento JACL Welcomes 21-Year-Old Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sacramento JACL welcomed newly eligible 21-year-old citizens at a recent event. The chapter recognized young members upon reaching voting age.
• Mrs. Mae Isao Oshita Becomes Utah’s Newest Citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mae Isao Oshita, 61, was sworn in as a U.S. citizen at her home in Salt Lake City after a stroke prevented her from attending court. Judge Martin Larson presided over the ceremony, the second such home naturalization in Utah.
• Mt. Olympus JACL to Hold Issei Appreciation Nite, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Mt. Olympus JACL will honor its new Issei citizens at an Issei Appreciation Night at Andy’s Smorgasbord in Salt Lake City. Invitations were sent to members and committee co-chairmen announced the event.
• Philadelphia JACL Chapter Honors Cabinet and New Citizens at 1956 Inaugural Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Philadelphia JACL honored 36 newly naturalized Issei and installed new officers at its February 4 dinner. Councilman James Tate praised the Issei for their long struggle for recognition and citizenship.
• Coachella Valley JACL Installs Ben Sakamoto as 1956 President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Ben Sakamoto was installed as Coachella Valley JACL president at its third annual Pioneer Night dinner before 200 guests. Twenty-three Issei received citizenship certificates and were honored at the event.
• Orange County Chapter Installs Kanno for Second Term Presidency, by P.C. Staff, page 4. George Kanno was installed for a second term as Orange County JACL president at a dinner attended by 200 people. Judge John Aiso spoke, urging JACL to expand its concerns beyond the immediate Nisei community.
• Shonien Home Tour Slated for Hollywood, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mike Suzuki, director of Shonien, will speak and lead a tour of the new child care center at a Hollywood JACL meeting. The event was announced by chapter president Danar Abe.
• Reedley CL Votes $50 Scholarship, by Tak Naito, page 6. The Reedley JACL heard from Dr. Stephen Epler about the new Reedley College and from principal Paul Goodwin about scholarships. The chapter voted to award a $50 scholarship to a deserving student.
• Salt Lake Membership Reaches 258, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Salt Lake JACL reports over 258 members signed as of February 11. Membership chairman Sue Kaneko announced the figure.

National

• Sen. Kuchel Denounces Writer of Letter to Magazine on Senate Floor, by Helen Mineta, page 1. Senator Thomas Kuchel defended Nisei loyalty on the Senate floor after a Newsweek letter signed by ‘Lincoln Yamamoto’ libeled Japanese Americans. He read supporting telegrams and statements from Gardena Nisei and American Legion officials.
• Lane-Hillings Claims Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Judiciary Committee favorably reported the Lane-Hillings bill to expedite final determination of remaining evacuation claims. JACL representative Mike Masaoka said the bill includes compromise settlement procedures and a Court of Claims alternative.

Commentary

• ‘Lincoln Yamamoto’ Letter Reviving Smear Against Nisei Seen as Most Damaging to JACL Legislative Efforts, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 1. Masaoka protests a Newsweek letter signed Lincoln Yamamoto that falsely claimed Nisei allegiance belongs to Japan, noting investigation found no such person. He urges Newsweek to seek the sender, publish protest letters, and affirm Japanese American loyalty.
• From the Frying Pan: Gala Gastronomics, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa describes a lavish Chinese New Year dinner hosted by Herbert Wong at the New China cafe in Denver. He itemizes the many exotic dishes served.
• A Prize Worth Winning, by Salt Lake Tribune, page 3. The Salt Lake Tribune editorial honors roughly 50 Japanese-born residents who received citizenship at a Salt Lake JACL observance. It notes their long wait and the hard-won value of citizenship compared to those who receive it by birth.
• Editorial: Nisei Loyalty and the Newsweek Letter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The editorial condemns the Lincoln Yamamoto letter as a poison pen forgery and notes JACL’s alertness in responding quickly. It argues the incident shows the continuing need for an organized Nisei voice.
• Rocky Ford Gazette Devotes Front-Page Column to JACL Feature, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Rocky Ford Daily Gazette editors devoted a front-page column to the JACL program featuring national director Masao Satow. They wrote admiringly of Nisei patriotism and wartime sacrifice.
• Tokyo Topics: Nisei Generation Not Young, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Murayama reflects on the deaths of several JACL pioneers and Taketora Ogata. He observes that the Nisei no longer see themselves as young while many Issei remain vigorous.
• Smoglites: New Day A-Comin’, by Mary Oyama, page 6. Oyama comments on UCLA fraternity and sorority racial restrictions and a student discussion about an Oriental Students Club in Reedley. She argues that such restrictions are anachronisms in democratic America.
• Letters: Newsweek Editors Storm with Protests, by Multiple, page 8. Several Nisei leaders wrote to Newsweek protesting its publication of the Lincoln Yamamoto letter. Writers including George Inagaki, Katsumi Kunitsugu, and Salem Yagawa denounced the letter as false and damaging.
• Washington Newsletter: Immigration Quota Plan, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka explains an administration immigration plan that would raise total annual quotas and set Japan’s annual quota at approximately 563. He notes Asia would receive the largest percentage increase under the proposal.

Military & Veterans

• Fame Cager Now M.P. Commander, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa recalls the San Francisco Mikados basketball team and reports on former player Shug Madokoro, now a captain and military police company commander at Fort Carson, Colorado. Madokoro has been in the Army fifteen years and considers it a career.

Incarceration & Redress

• Tokyo Rose’s Return and Newsweek Controversy Editorial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The editorial argues the Lincoln Yamamoto letter is a poison pen forgery designed to revive prejudice against Nisei. It also discusses the government’s deportation order against Iva Toguri d’Aquino and the unfairness of singling her out for prosecution.

Obituaries

• Tom Yego Remembered as Pioneer JACLer, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Murayama mourns the death of Tom Yego, a founding participant in the 1929 San Francisco meeting that organized the JACL. He recalls Yego’s work building chapters in Northern California and their reunion at the 1954 convention.

Sports

• 64 Men’s Teams Sign In for Tenth National JACL Keg Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sixty-four men’s squads are competing in the 10th annual National JACL bowling tournament at Pal-D-Mar, March 2 in Salt Lake City. Sequoia Nursery of Redwood City carries the highest team average at 948.
• 22 Women’s Teams Signed for Nat’l Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Twenty-two women’s teams are entered in the women’s division at the Ritz Bowling Palace in Salt Lake City. Several past champions, including Chiyo Tashima, will not be competing.
• ’56 Nat’l JACL Bowling Meet in SLC, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Past champions including Shig Hironaka, the Ishizawa brothers, and Dr. Jun Kurumada are competing in the 10th national bowling tournament. Coffee’s Strawberries of Sacramento is defending its 1955 team title.

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