Expatriation rulings, vested property and a first scholarship

Vol. 46, No. 16, April 18, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

The Supreme Court’s recent expatriation decisions led this eight-page issue. A front-page report covered Nishikawa v. Dulles, Trop v. Dulles and Perez v. Brownell, which placed burdens of proof on the Government. Frank Chuman, JACL National Legal Counsel, wrote about what the rulings could mean for dual-national Nisei in his By the Board column. The JACL also urged Congress to return all wartime vested property to its German and Japanese owners, and Edwin Akimoto of Chicago was named the first Mike Masaoka DeVry Institute scholarship recipient.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about a vocational guidance panel in Denver, and Larry S. Tajiri spent an afternoon with actor Sessue Hayakawa. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter covered New York’s new ban on racial and religious bias in private housing. Rupert Hachiya reported on the 15th Biennial convention and the selection of Miss National JACL, and chapter news filled page 4.

What’s in this issue

National

• Recent Supreme Court decisions discussed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. On March 31, 1958, the Supreme Court decided Nishikawa v. Dulles, Trop v. Dulles, and Perez v. Brownell, cases involving expatriation of American citizens. The decisions placed burdens of proof on the Government and found certain punishments and conscription unconstitutional or non-voluntary.
• Senate urged to return all wartime vested property, by JACL News Service, page 1. The JACL urged Congress to enact legislation returning private wartime sequestered property to both German and Japanese owners rather than only Germans. The organization called the Administration’s proposals discriminatory and argued for complete return of vested property.
• Sansei ‘blue baby’ entered in hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rodney Taketa, 9, of Hilo, Hawaii, entered Stanford University Hospital for study of a heart condition. Doctors will decide whether heart surgery is needed after several days of study.
• New York’s law first in nation banning racial, religious bias, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New York’s law forbidding racial and religious discrimination in private housing took effect April 1, affecting about 1,700,000 housing units. The Commission on Intergroup Relations began distributing educational materials to enforce it.
• Washington Newsletter: Anti-bias housing law, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka discusses New York City’s new ordinance outlawing racial and religious discrimination in private housing, effective April 1. He notes that the law will be watched closely by Nisei who face rental discrimination.
• Curtail foreign farm labor orders, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Secretary of Labor James Mitchell ordered curtailment of foreign farm labor and gave priority to domestic workers. A review of procedures was also announced.

Community

• LACC ’36 graduate in engineering wins first Mike Masaoka-DeVry scholarship, by JACL News Service, page 1. Edwin Akimoto of Chicago was named the first recipient of the Mike Masaoka DeVry Institute Scholarship in electronics. The article details his education, wartime experiences, and career at Central Scientific Co.
• 800 expected for WYBL conference in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 800 delegates are expected at the 16th annual Western Young Buddhist League conference in Los Angeles. Dr. William Enking will speak on Far Eastern cultural heritage under the theme ‘Buddhist Heritage: Direction for Today.’
• Mike Iwatsubo re-elected Fresno Betsuin chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Iwatsubo was re-elected chairman of the Fresno Buddhist Church board of directors. The brief reports on the church’s leadership.
• Sinatra’s Japanese valet ready for tour, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Sinatra is planning a world tour accompanied by his Japanese valet Susumu Imai, a naturalized citizen formerly of San Francisco. The trip will include stops in Hawaii, Japan, India and Europe.
• Housing survey director named to UCLA faculty, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Harry H. Kitano, a candidate for Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, has been appointed assistant professor at UCLA’s graduate school of social welfare. He previously directed a survey of Nisei housing conditions in the Bay Area.
• Lodi Buddhists set up flood disaster program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Heavy rainfall and flooding forced some Japanese American families in Lodi to evacuate. The Lodi Buddhist Church has offered its premises to families in future disaster areas and members have pledged to help move household items.
• Dave Tatsuno honored as distinguished citizen in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dave M. Tatsuno, owner of the N.B. Department store and a YMCA leader, was among ten persons honored as Distinguished Citizens by the city of San Jose. The awards were presented during Civic Week.
• Old Japan custom prevails: wife cashes stolen checks at insistence of husband, by P.C. Staff, page 2. In Watsonville municipal court, a war bride, Mrs. Kikuko Spence, was accused of forgery after cashing stolen checks at her husband’s insistence. The forgery charge was dismissed and she pleaded guilty to petty theft and received probation.
• Estimate garage fire damages at $35,000, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A fire at Tom and Ed’s Service garage in Sacramento caused an estimated $35,000 in damages. The garage is partly owned by Nisei Tom Yokoi, and the blaze started when oil from a backed-up sewer sump ignited.
• JACL chapter plans welcome social and picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Chicago-area JACL chapter announced a welcome social at Pullman School and a July picnic at Curry Creek Park. Co-chairmen Nellie Sakai, Fumi Sugihara and Chris Komatsu are organizing activities.
• Vested property—(continued from front page), by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL continued its argument that Japan lacked legal competence to waive private property of its nationals in the peace treaty. The article calls for complete return of sequestrated property to Germans and Japanese.
• Mr. and Mrs. Bill Akagi named to chapter board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A chapter board vacancy was filled by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Akagi. The chapter also received a report on membership efforts and a newsletter advertising initiative.
• Mrs. Hayashi-Nakamura Wild West Dry Gulch Chicago 1000 Club night, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL 1000 Club announced a Wild West themed Whing Ding for May 9 with casino games and entertainment. Members are encouraged to attend in western dress.
• Fremont chapter names outstanding member, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mrs. May Kato of Warm Springs was honored as Fremont JACL’s outstanding member of 1957 at a dinner in Niles. Guest speakers discussed the current situation in education.
• Fresno JACL hosts first community picnic Apr. 27, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fresno JACL will host its first community picnic at Kearney Park on April 27. Committee chairmen have been named for the all-day event.
• 1,836 eggs used for Easter hunt, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL held an Easter egg hunt at Rancho Cienega playground despite heavy rain. Local merchants and banks donated eggs and prizes.
• Imperial Valley fete draws 100 residents, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Imperial Valley JACL held an installation barbecue picnic at Bombay Beach attended by about 100 people. New officers were installed led by president Harry Momita.
• Out-of-towners invited to French Camp picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. French Camp JACL planned a picnic at Micke Grove near Lodi for April 27. Co-chairmen Lawrence Nakano and Tosh Hotta welcomed out-of-town guests.
• Wild, wooly West theme set for Chicago 1000ers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL 1000 Club announced a Wild West themed Whing Ding for May 9. Casino games, dancing and a chuck wagon are planned.
• Tommy Kono stars in U.S. meets, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Weightlifter Tommy Kono will compete against Soviet star Fedor Bagdanowsky in Chicago and New York in May. Kono recently defeated Bagdanowsky in Moscow.
• Mile-Hi golfers eye national JACL tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mile-Hi Golf Club in Denver unveiled its yearly program and plans to participate in the National JACL golf tournament in Salt Lake City in August.
• Keio-Stanford in joint student affiliation plan, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Stanford University and Keio University of Tokyo have an affiliation enabling student exchanges. A benefit concert on April 19 supports the program.
• Over 150 Nisei keglers in 41st WIBC tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 4. More than 150 Nisei women bowlers are participating in the 41st WIBC tournament at Downtown Bowl in San Francisco. Teams from the Bay Area and Sonoma County are competing.
• Eastbay bowlers name Moriyama new president, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Jim Moriyama was elected president of the East Bay Nisei Bowling Association for 1958-59. The association oversees Nisei bowling in the region.
• Hanford VFW installs new commander, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shig Matsufuji was installed as commander of Nisei Liberty Post 5869 in Hanford, succeeding Gakuji Mizuki.
• JACL policy on U.S.-Japan relations to be discussed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL will hold a general meeting to discuss whether JACL should enter U.S.-Japan relations. The meeting will also consider the Pacific Citizen membership proposal before the national convention.
• First duplicate bridge play hit, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Sixty players participated in the San Jose JACL bridge tournament at Hotel de Anza. Winners in senior and elementary divisions were listed.
• Geophysic research student earns fellowship, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Arthur Y. Sakakura received a National Science Foundation pre-doctoral fellowship. He is studying mathematics at the University of Colorado and conducting experimental geophysics research.
• Parlier JACLer now registrar of voters, by P.C. Staff, page 5. John Kashiki was deputized as registrar of voters for Fresno County, according to Parlier JACL.
• Imperial Valley picnic and luncheon announcements, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Plans for the National JACL Convention luncheon at Hotel Utah were announced, including table decorations made from milk cartons. Recipients of JACL sapphire pins will also be recognized.
• Station operator named ‘Optimist of ’57’, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Richard Kaku, a service station operator, was named Optimist of 1957 by the Los Angeles Japanese American Optimists. He was recognized for his work in the club’s boys basketball league.
• Asia Scene offer to JACL chapters, by Saburo Kido, page 5. Saburo Kido invites JACL chapters to raise funds by selling subscriptions to Asia Scene, a monthly publication on Japanese culture and industry. Offers apply to orders postmarked by May 31, 1958.
• Northern California-Western Nevada district report, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The NC-WN district council reviewed chapter activities and planned future meetings, including a discussion of JACL’s relationship to U.S.-Japan affairs. The Sonoma County Women’s Auxiliary hosted the Executive Board.
• Fifteenth Biennial Underlines continued: Convention updates, by Rupert Hachiya, page 7. Hachiya concludes his convention report with updates on the Oratorical and Essay Contest and donations from Meadow Gold Dairy. He notes American Savings and Loan featured the convention in its publication.

Military & Veterans

• Expect 500 Islanders to attend vet reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Paul Bannai and Eddie Shimatsu reported that 400 Hawaiian Islanders have signed up for the 1958 Nisei Veterans Reunion in Los Angeles in July. Up to 500 are expected to attend the 15th anniversary 442nd reunion despite a sugar strike.
• 442nd glories can help meet challenge of today, vets told, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Masao Yamada, former 442nd RCT chaplain, addressed a veterans reunion banquet in Honolulu marking the 15th anniversary of the unit’s activation. He urged veterans to draw inspiration from the past to meet present challenges.

Commentary

• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reports on planning a vocational guidance panel for the Nisei Intermountain Collegiate Conference in Denver, noting the wide range of professions now held by Nisei. He reflects on how far Nisei have come in acceptance since his own student conference 25 years earlier.
• An Afternoon with Hayakawa, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri profiles actor Sessue Hayakawa during an afternoon at a Culver City driving range, covering his career spanning 44 years and 120 films. He discusses his Academy Award nomination for Bridge on the River Kwai and upcoming projects.
• Very Truly Yours: Thing to remember about foreign trade, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Editor Harry Honda examines the reciprocal trade debate, noting that protectionist and free trade arguments remain unchanged. He argues that Khrushchev’s challenge makes trade a crucial front in the Cold War.

JACL

• Miss National JACL crowned at 15th Biennial, by Rupert Hachiya, page 4. Margaret Itami of Ontario, Oregon was selected Miss National JACL at Memorial Grove in Salt Lake City. Convention chairman Rupert Hachiya praised the event and her poise.
• Midwest District Council to meet over Memorial Day weekend, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Midwest District Council will hold its convention May 30 through June 1 at the Statler Hotel in Cleveland. The program includes business sessions, workshops, a banquet and a convention ball.
• Fifteenth Biennial Underlines, by Rupert Hachiya, page 4. Convention Board chairman Rupert Hachiya reports on the selection of Miss National JACL and upcoming oratorical and essay contests. He also notes donations and convention planning details.
• Mr. & Mrs. Club plan gala May 3 carnival, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Detroit Mr. and Mrs. Club will feature a tea shop with sushi and tsukemono at its May 3 carnival at International Institute. The club also held an Easter party for children.
• Watsonville VFW installs new commander, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Tom Kawano will be installed as commander of Nisei VFW Memorial Post 9446 in Watsonville. Miye Hayashida was re-elected president of the Auxiliary.

Incarceration & Redress

• By the Board: Recent Supreme Court decisions on expatriation, by Frank Chuman, page 5. JACL National Legal Counsel Frank Chuman analyzes the Supreme Court’s expatriation decisions and their implications for dual-national Nisei. He notes the Government’s burden of proof in Nishikawa and the uncertainty about how consular officials will apply it.

In-Depth

• Washington State International Trade Fair in Seattle, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The Seventh Annual Washington State International Trade Fair in Seattle showcases merchandise from the Pacific Rim, mostly from Japan. Highlights included a fashion show, the Japanese Imperial Dancers, and the Toyopet car.

Arts & Entertainment

• Landscape gardening, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reviews the new monthly Landscape Gardener magazine, noting its many Japanese American contributors. He reflects on gardening trends and praises local landscapers.

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