Membership, Sen. Kuchel and claims bills in the May 11, 1956 issue

Vol. 42, No. 19, May 11, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

An editorial titled “Wear It Proudly Like a Badge” urged JACL members to renew, saying national membership was running at about 60 percent of last year’s record pace. Elsewhere on the front page, Sen. Thomas H. Kuchel was honored at a dinner with Bay Area chapter presidents, and Sen. Warren G. Magnuson asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to act quickly on the Lane Evacuation Claims bill. The Senate also passed a JACL-supported bill repealing the ban on Mongolian labor on reclamation projects.

This eight-page issue also reported on the dedication of the Shonien children’s center in Southern California, where Judge John F. Aiso spoke. Tokyo Rose won permission to move to San Francisco to fight deportation. Harry K. Honda’s column weighed the word “Jap,” and Mike Masaoka wrote on Japan’s constitution. Sports pages covered the first world judo tournament in Tokyo, and chapter news came from Detroit, Placer, Cleveland and Fowler.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Wear It Proudly Like a Badge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL editorial urges members to renew their membership as national membership has fallen to about 60 percent of last year’s record pace. It argues that a strong, inspired membership is essential to protect the gains won through decades of sacrifice.
• 14th Biennial National JACL Convention Package Deal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. National Convention Board and San Francisco JACL executive members pledged to register under a $20 package deal covering registration, program, events, and banquet. Masao Satow urged others to follow suit to help underwrite convention expenses paid in advance.

National

• Sen. Kuchel Meets Bay Area JACLers, Community Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Thomas H. Kuchel and his staff were honored at a dinner with Bay Area JACL chapter presidents and community leaders. The senator was thanked for his strong floor statement refuting the Lincoln Yamamoto letter and for his support of evacuation claims and other bills affecting Japanese Americans.
• Population Study of Midwest Japanese Due, by Tak Terasaki, page 1. The Midwest District Council is conducting a population study of Japanese Americans in the Midwest to determine its impact on meeting the national JACL budget. The study is to be presented at the MDC meeting in Cincinnati, where some chapters report difficulty meeting quotas due to membership and leadership losses.
• Truck Knocks House Off Foundation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A runaway potato truck in Jerome, Utah crashed into the home of Mrs. Ogata, shifting the house 18 inches off its foundation and injuring her. The driver apparently fainted before reaching a stop sign.
• Eisenhower Has Bill OK’d by Congress Permitting Use of Mongolian Labor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate passed a JACL-supported bill repealing the prohibition on employing Mongolian labor on reclamation projects, now awaiting presidential signature. The measure would remove the last statutory vestige of discrimination by name against Asians, including Japanese.
• Magnuson Urges Claims Bill Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to act quickly on the Lane Evacuation Claims bill (H.R. 7763), which passed the House in March. He stated that evacuees were entitled to full restitution of their wartime losses.
• Three Television Networks Work to Avoid Offending Minorities in Songs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. NBC, CBS, and ABC have banned or altered certain songs and lyrics, including words offensive to Negroes, Jews, and Chinese, and a paragraph referencing Japs, to avoid offending minority groups. Networks say many songs were written when the words carried no racial connotation.
• Tokyo Rose Granted OK to Move to San Francisco for Deportation Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Iva Toguri D’Aquino, known as Tokyo Rose, was granted permission to travel to San Francisco to fight deportation proceedings. She was ordered deported after her release from prison following a six-year treason sentence.
• Songs on TV Banned or Changed to Avoid Offense, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Three television networks have banned some songs and changed lyrics to avoid offending minority groups, according to Daily Variety. The JACL has also campaigned against old movies on TV that ridicule any group.
• Japan’s Constitution Under Review, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The Japanese House of Representatives passed a bill to establish a research council to examine the postwar constitution, which the majority party argues was drafted under Occupation pressure. The Socialist opposition warns the measure would lead to restoring imperial authority and militarization.
• Senate Passes Hawaii Land Claims Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Senate passed with amendment a bill allowing claims for return of Hawaii lands conveyed during World War II by Japanese American organizations. The bill has been sent back to the House for consideration.

Community

• Denver Scholar Wins Four-Year College Aid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Carl A. Yorimoto, a Manual High School student, won a four-year full tuition scholarship from the Boettcher Foundation to any Colorado college. He was selected from 425 applicants after screening with tests and interviews.
• Nisei Market Being Sued $3,000 by Detained Customer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Patrocina Mendoza filed a $3,000 damage suit against Nisei market proprietors in Fresno, alleging she was unlawfully detained in the store for half an hour. She claimed management detained her to ensure items she had not paid for were purchased.
• Bay Area Commercial Artists Win Prizes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hisashi Tani of San Francisco and Hiroto Arai of Berkeley won prizes in the eighth annual advertising art exhibition sponsored by the San Francisco Society of Artists and Art Directors. Tani won in the direct mail division and Arai worked on a winning company publication exhibit.
• Refugees From Kagoshima Arrive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A second group of Japanese immigrants from Kagoshima prefecture arrived at San Francisco International Airport under the U.S. Refugee Relief Act. They will work in the Delano grape fields and many plan to later bring their families to America.
• Dr. James Hara Studied Complications, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. James Hara, an ear-nose-throat specialist, traveled to Montreal to present a paper on intracranial complications from ear diseases. His research found that drug-resistant bacteria have reduced the effectiveness of antibiotics over the past decade.
• Parlier JACL Round-Up Parade Entry, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Parlier JACL will sponsor an entry in the 11th annual Veterans’ Round-Up parade on May 20, with Miss Rickie Kozuki in charge. The chapter also named James Kozuki to lead its picnic planning.
• Fowler JACL to Celebrate Fifth Anniversary May 26, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Fowler JACL will hold an outdoor evening supper celebrating its fifth anniversary at the city park on May 26. Bill Hashimoto chairs the event, which will also feature voting movies.
• San Jose Issei Witness Voting Movies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Close to 100 newly naturalized Issei attended an educational meeting at San Jose High School to watch films on voting procedure. Eiichi Sakauye chaired the meeting, and Rev. Hoffman narrated the films.
• Shonien Child Care Center Opens New Building, by Tsune Kawai, page 3. The Japanese Children’s Home of Southern California dedicated its new Shonien building, a child welfare center built by Nisei volunteers. The center launched a $50,000 fundraising drive extending beyond the Nisei community for the first time.
• Berkeley Homes Tour Features Takahashi Residence, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The new home of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Takahashi in Berkeley will be among five homes shown on the Women’s Architectural League annual tour on May 20. The house features a darkroom for Dr. Takahashi’s photography hobby.
• Japanese Acrobat Hurt in Circus Fall, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Takeo Usui, a Tokyo acrobat with Ringling Bros. and Barnum-Bailey Circus, fell 30 feet during a performance at Madison Square Garden. He was not seriously injured, and a troupe of Japanese girls also appears in the spectacles.
• Detroit CL Dance Acclaimed as Success, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The spring Carousel dance sponsored by the Detroit JACL drew some 200 people to the Elks Hall. The evening featured acrobatic stunts, vocal renditions by war brides, and skits by the University of Michigan Hawaiian Club.
• Chicago Corner, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 4. The column reports on the Council Against Discrimination dinner where Senator Neuberger suggested a federal police force to enforce anti-discrimination laws. It also covers a Nisei teen’s community improvement speech, Buddhist church events, and Chicago-area Nisei achievements.
• NC-WNDC Quarterly Meeting Banquet May 20, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Judge Louis E. Goodman of the U.S. District Court will speak at the annual quarterly meeting banquet of the JACL NC-WNDC in San Jose on May 20. The program includes a golf tournament, business meeting, workshop, and dance.
• SLC Graduates Dinner-Dance at El Gaucho June 2, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Salt Lake JACL graduation affair has been changed from a formal ball to a dinner-dance at El Gaucho Inn on June 2. Invitations are being sent to graduates of high schools, colleges, and universities in the Salt Lake area.
• Detroit JACL Membership Reaches 373, by Yoshiko Inouye, page 4. Detroit JACL announced final membership of 373, a gain of 75 new members over the past year. Delegates were named for the Midwest District Council meeting in Cincinnati.
• Placer JACL Eighth Community Picnic Draws Record Crowd, by Roy T. Yoshida, page 5. Nearly 5,000 people attended the eighth annual Placer JACL community picnic at Penryn on April 22. Yoshiko Kono of Rocklin was crowned picnic queen after a day of races, games, and a greased pig chase.
• Cleveland Chapter to Emphasize Public Service, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cleveland JACL plans greater emphasis on community service after a board meeting with newly elected officers. A Recognition Night for newly naturalized Issei and war brides is planned for June 9.
• Cortez JACL Confirms May 12 Dance Date, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cortez JACL confirmed its annual Springtime Dance for May 12 at Veterans Memorial Hall, with Morry Hall and his combo providing music. A $1 donation is requested at the door.
• Tokyo Topics: 8 Million Tokyoites, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. The column describes the rapidly growing population of Tokyo, now over 8 million, and the traffic conditions it creates. It also reports on Japanese reactions to a South Carolina law requiring labeling of Japanese textiles.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. The column reports on the dedication of the Japanese Children’s Home of Southern California, where Judge Aiso spoke on parental responsibility. It also covers a reunion of old acquaintances and philately discussions.
• Shonien Dedicated, Judge Aiso Speaks, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Judge John F. Aiso delivered the main address at the dedication of the Shonien, stressing parental duties to provide love and care. Nobu T. Kawai thanked supporters for the $55,000 edifice realized after ten years of planning.
• Teahouse Movie Criticized by Japanese Newsmen, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Japanese movie critics predicted that MGM’s Teahouse of the August Moon may fail due to inaccuracies, including a village set that does not resemble Okinawa. MGM is spending over a million dollars to improve accuracy after complaints from Japanese moviegoers.
• Ontario Nisei Valedictorian Theodore Sakano, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Theodore Sakano, who graduates with a perfect grade average, will be valedictorian of the Ontario High School class of 116 students. Calvin Tanabe will be salutatorian.
• Yosh Honda Elected Mayor Pro Tem of Fowler, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Yosh Honda, son of Mr. and Mrs. Yakichi Honda, was elected mayor pro tem at a Fowler city council meeting. He will assume the duties of mayor in the absence of Mayor John Panzak.
• No. Calif. Nisei Flower Market Supplies Flowers for State Society Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Nisei-owned California Flower Market provided flowers and corsages for the annual California State Society dinner in Washington honoring distinguished Californians. Mike Masaoka and Harry Korematsu arranged the flowers.
• Mongolian Labor Ban Repeal Bill Introduced, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Companion bills to repeal the Mongolian labor prohibition were introduced in the House by several representatives. The JACL noted that the discriminatory provision had remained in law even though it was rarely enforced.
• Turnout of Sansei in New York Biggest Ever, by Akis Hayashi, page 8. A Family Frolic at Joan of Arc Junior High School in New York drew 450 people, the largest gathering of Sansei children in the area to date. Organizers noted the growing size of the third generation.

Commentary

• Changing Perspectives, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. The author reports that ticket distribution for the Midwest District Council is nearly complete and urges JACLers to push sales before Convention. The column also highlights bridge tournament warmups, booklet advertising solicitation, and the upcoming fishing derby.
• Very Truly Yours: Jap-anese, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. The columnist discusses the offensive connotations of the term Jap and how a Nisei editor viewed its unintentional use. He notes that JACL public relations efforts have made progress in encouraging use of Japanese or Nisei.

Sports

• Southwest Nisei Sou’Wester Column, by Tats Kushida, page 5. The column recounts generous meals hosted by the Long Beach-Harbor District JACL for Issei and at a PSWDC session. It also covers the alien land law briefing and the nominations for national JACL offices.
• U.S. Nisei Lose in First World Judo Tournament in Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Shokichi Natsui of Japan won the first world judo championship in Tokyo over Yoshihiko Yoshimatsu. Nisei Mitsuho Kimura of San Francisco and Vincent Tamura of Chicago were eliminated in the competition.
• Nisei Keglers Finish in Money in Los Angeles Examiner Singles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Five Nisei bowlers finished in the money in the seventh Los Angeles Examiner singles classic. Richard Takata won a class B divisional title worth $500 with a 1942 total.
• San Francisco JACL Olympics Entry Deadline Nears, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Francisco JACL Olympics track and field meet on June 3 at Kezar Stadium expects over 150 athletes. Entries with a $1.50 fee must be submitted by May 26 to committee chairman Dick Nishi.
• Sonoma County JACL Bowling League Ends Season, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sonoma County JACL Bowling League concluded its winter season with Holsum Eggs taking the championship. An awards dinner is set for May 26 at the Green Mill Inn.
• Washington JACLers Aid Judo Victory at Pan American Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Two Washington JACL members, Kenzo Uyeno and Donn F. Draeger, competed for the United States in the second Pan-American judo championships in Havana. Uyeno placed second in his division.

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.