Thanksgiving 1958: the final evacuation claims award

Vol. 47, No. 22, November 28, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

The Justice Department closed the evacuation claims program on November 10, 1958, when the Attorney General signed the final award, ending a decade of payments totaling $36,874,240.49. The front-page story by the P.C. Staff reviewed the ceremony, the wartime forced removal and the record of the 442nd, and an Idaho Statesman editorial on page 2 praised a democracy that could admit error and make amends. Harry K. Honda’s editor’s desk column urged chapter historians to keep the claims review as a reference, while a front-page note by H.H. reminded chapters to start 1959 membership renewals.

Other pages carried tributes to Issei pioneer Tameji Eto from Mike Masaoka, Saburo Kido and George J. Inagaki. Elsewhere, Kunie Imai’s debut at the Met, Sessue Hayakawa’s guest role on Wagon Train, Anthony Muranaka’s JACL public service award, and a JACL push to change Senate filibuster rules also appeared. This was an eight-page issue.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• NISEI THANKSGIVING STORY: American way vindicated as losses compensated by gov’t, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department closed the evacuation claims program on November 10, 1958, when the Attorney General signed the final award, ending a decade of payments totaling $36,874,240.49. The article reviews the ceremony, the wartime evacuation, the 442nd, and the chronology of Japanese American history as a lesson in democratic correction.

Commentary

• Don’t fumble the (membership) bill, by H.H., page 1. JACL chapters should use the holiday season to begin renewing 1959 memberships, since members signed after November 1 are credited for 1959. Renewals now will free up time for new membership drives next year.
• Ye Editor’s Desk, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor urges chapter historians to keep the evacuation claims review as a chronological reference, and comments on a letter from a Nisei mother responding to TV programs with anti-Japanese war films. He notes that many non-Japanese viewers also object to such programming.
• An Error and Atonement, by Idaho Statesman, page 2. The Idaho Statesman editorial reflects on the final evacuation claims payment and the wartime injustice. It praises democracy’s willingness to admit error and make amends.
• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka analyzes the incoming 86th Congress and committee assignments under Democratic leadership. He also pays tribute to Tameji Eto as a great Issei pioneer and JACL supporter.

National

• Supreme Court rules Alabama Pupil Placement Law valid on ‘limited grounds’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court upheld the Alabama Pupil Placement law on its face while leaving open whether it would be valid in individual applications. The Court relied on a lower court’s finding that the law could be applied to admit qualified Negro pupils to nonsegregated schools.
• Urban Redevelopment Comes to Seattle, by Elmer Ogawa, page 3. Seattle’s Urban Renewal plan received federal approval, adding funds to rebuild about 60 blocks of the Jackson Street and Chinatown area. Community leaders and businesses are working on a master plan to create an international shopping district.
• Groups urge Senate rule change to end filibuster, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL and 16 other organizations urged Senate leaders to revise cloture rules to prevent filibusters that block civil rights legislation. The letters call for a majority-vote cloture procedure at the start of the new Congress.
• Human Rights Week set for Dec. 7-17, by P.C. Staff, page 8. President Eisenhower proclaimed December 7 through 17 as Human Rights Week and urged citizens to study the Bill of Rights and UN human rights declaration. The brief is a formal national proclamation.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei press photographer’s dramatic photo picked for ’59 Red Cross poster, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Paul Iida, a St. Paul Dispatch photographer, had his photograph of a tornado-shattered home near Colfax, Wisconsin selected for the American Red Cross 1959 fund campaign poster. The poster was drawn by artist Anthony Saris from the photograph.
• Ken Matsuda shot before San Jose State game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ken Matsuda, former San Jose State halfback, was struck by a bullet before a November 8 game. Police determined it was a direct shot rather than a ricochet and the investigation continues.

Community

• Tokuo Yamamoto named Clovis membership chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tokuo Yamamoto of Clovis was named one of three regional chairmen for the Clovis JACL membership drive. The brief notes his role in the chapter’s 1959 campaign.
• Mutual Bills and Peace Group, by George Sugihara, page 2. Contra Costa JACL president George Sugihara reflects on the chapter’s year, noting many new ideas, plans and procedures were set. He thanks the board and membership for their cooperation.
• Imperial Valley JACL member Leo Kunisaki nominated to Niland Fire Board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Niland Fire District board petitioned the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to appoint Leo M. Kunisaki, a charter member of Imperial Valley JACL. The nomination is pending county action.
• Community Service Organization Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Community Service Organization honored Saul Alinsky and Fred Ross at a banquet where Texas State Senator Henry B. Gonzales was the main speaker. Gonzales emphasized civil rights and overcoming ancestry-based barriers to political office.
• Delinquency topic of Oakland CL meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Oakland JACL will host a program on juvenile delinquency with speaker Robert Shaner, assistant director of Alameda County Juvenile Hall. The public meeting will include a general discussion.
• Salt Lake JACL reveals 1959 nomination slate, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Salt Lake JACL nominations committee announced candidates for 1959 chapter officer positions. The slate covers president, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurer and other offices.
• Locale, orchestra for New Year’s Eve hop set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Monterey Peninsula JACL New Year’s Eve dance will be held at the San Carlos Hotel Pacific Room with Joe Fratangelo’s orchestra. Co-chairmen Jim Uyeda and Clifford Nakajima announced the arrangements.
• Sonoma County youngsters sought for ‘King and I’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Santa Rosa Junior College is casting Nisei children ages 2 to 12 for its April 1959 production of The King and I. Rehearsals start in February with Mrs. Mary Nakagawa coordinating casting.
• Fire board nominee, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Niland Fire District board asked the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to appoint Leo M. Kunisaki. He is a charter member of Imperial Valley JACL.
• Hi-Co obtains permanent support from PSWDC, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Southwest District Council approved a permanent $100 annual contribution to Hi-Co. The council also contributed to Japanese American Youth, Inc. to combat juvenile delinquency.
• Cleveland JACL recorded for Voice of America broadcast, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Cleveland was selected by the Voice of America to represent typical American cooperation among ethnic groups, with 12 recordings made of Japanese American activities. Topics included the Nisei and JACL, Issei, war brides, students, and the Shojoji Dance Group.
• CCDC chapters to install 1959 cabinet at mass rites; Chuman keynote speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Central California District Council will hold its ninth annual convention in Fresno with Los Angeles attorney Frank Chuman as keynote speaker. The program includes a fashion show, awards, and installation of 1959 chapter officers.
• Omaha Sansei students in active school roles, by M. Misaki, page 8. Omaha Sansei high school students took leadership roles in student government and ROTC activities. Natchi Matsunami chaired the student council convention and Ronald Misaki was elected secretary-treasurer of an ROTC club.
• Cheyenne student wins nursing title, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Eiko Ashizawa of Cheyenne, Wyoming, a senior at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, was named Colorado’s Miss Student Nurse of 1958. She was selected from candidates nominated across the state’s nursing schools.
• City names street for Fremont JACLer, by Masako Minami, page 8. The Fremont City Planning Commission named a street after Henry Y. Kato of Warm Springs, a longtime local civic leader and former Fremont JACL president. Kato was also appointed Fremont’s Industrial Commissioner.
• 442nd Club president, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Walter Bjork, a South Pacific veteran and long-time 442nd member, was named president of the 442nd Club in New York. The brief covers his election and plans for the club.

Arts & Entertainment

• Critics note Kunie Imai’s debut at Met with kindly advice, audience enthusiastic, by Toru Kanazawa, page 3. Japan-born soprano Kunie Imai made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly on November 15. Critics praised her strong, rich voice while noting forced high notes, and the writer celebrates her achievement.
• Sessue Hayakawa to star on ‘Wagon Train’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sessue Hayakawa will guest star as a Samurai warrior on the Wagon Train episode telecast December 3. He plays a man trying to return his master’s ashes to Japan.

Obituaries

• Final Tribute to Tameji Eto, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. Tameji Eto, an Issei pioneer from San Luis Obispo, is honored for his agricultural leadership and service to the community. The article recalls his frequent visits to Los Angeles and his support for JACL.
• Tameji Eto, by George J. Inagaki, page 5. Issei pioneer Tameji Eto, who developed agriculture in San Luis Obispo County, is remembered as a community leader and strong JACL supporter. The tribute recalls his support during naturalization and escheat battles and his Japanese government decoration.
• Tamejiro Eto, by Saburo Kido, page 5. Saburo Kido remembers Issei pioneer Tamejiro Eto as a hard-working supporter of community causes and naturalization efforts. He recalls Eto’s frequent trips to Los Angeles and his personal hospitality.

JACL

• Anthony Muranaka to receive JACL public service award, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chicago’s Nisei policeman Anthony Muranaka will receive the 1958 JACL public service award at the chapter’s inaugural dinner-dance. Attorney Harold Gordon will also receive a special citation for his legislative work.

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