Harry Matoba’s citizenship and the fight over Hawaii statehood

Vol. 38, No. 12, March 19, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue

Harry G. Matoba was sworn in as a citizen in Denver after a federal judge ruled that his World War I 5-F draft classification did not bar him, and the front page opened with his story. Hawaii statehood ran through the issue as well: Lawrence Nakatsuka reported on the Senate’s 46 to 43 vote tying Alaska to Hawaii’s bill, and Mike Masaoka wrote two columns on the vote and on Wilfred Tsukiyama and Hiram Fong lobbying in Washington.

Other Washington news covered a bill to let Peruvian Japanese interned in the U.S. during World War II adjust to permanent residence, and a Senate committee’s approval of a fair employment bill. Tamotsu Mura wrote on Canada’s prime minister visiting Japan. Chapter news came from Dayton, Detroit and Philadelphia, along with bowling tournament decisions. Three editorials closed the issue on page 8.

What’s in this issue

National

• Matoba Naturalized, Once Denied Rights Because of 5-F Status, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry G. Matoba, once denied naturalization because of a 5-F draft classification in World War I, was sworn in as a citizen in Denver after a federal judge ruled the classification did not bar him. The government had a 60-day window to appeal but was not expected to pursue one.
• Peruvian Japanese Included in Refugee Relief Act Amendments, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Judiciary Committee favorably reported a bill, backed by Mike Masaoka, allowing Peruvian Japanese interned in the U.S. during World War II to adjust their status to permanent residence without counting against Japan’s immigration quota. The JACL endorsed the measure.
• Nisei Defend S.F. Council for Civic Unity Against Red Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei leaders dismissed charges by a Veterans Administration security officer that the San Francisco Council for Civic Unity was Communist-controlled, which led to a suspension of an employee. Congressman John Shelley demanded the Attorney General investigate and publicly clear the council.
• Silver Lining Pointed Out Despite Senate Setback on Hawaii Statehood, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 1. The Senate voted 46 to 43 to tie Alaska statehood to Hawaii’s bill, a setback for Hawaii supporters. Nisei advocates found encouragement in Sen. Hugh Butler’s praise of Wilfred Tsukiyama and in the decline of overtly racial attacks against statehood.
• High Court Acts on First Test Case of I&N Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court declined to rule on whether aliens returning from temporary work in Alaska should be treated as entering for the first time under the Walter-McCarran Act. It was the first challenge under the act to reach the high court.
• Senate Dismisses Japanese Yen Deposit Claims Against Office of Alien Property, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Senate passed a bill dismissing Japanese yen deposit claims after five earlier blocks by the JACL, which argued it was unconstitutional. Sen. Dirksen said the bill addresses administrative burdens, while Sen. Gore questioned whether the rights of Nisei claimants were protected.
• Senate Labor Committee Favorably Acts on CL-Endorsed FEP Measure, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Senate Labor and Welfare Committee passed a fair employment bill prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin, which the JACL endorsed. Floor opposition is expected and passage this session was considered unlikely.

Community

• Welfare Cases Among Chicago War Brides on Increase, CRC Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago Resettlers Committee reported a noticeable rise in welfare cases among Japanese war brides and said it will study the problem. Citizenship classes for Issei are being conducted by several local groups.
• N.Y. Pioneer Dies, Sent 9 to College, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Matsujiro Asai, who moved his family to Ithaca, New York, in 1920 so his children could attend Cornell, died of cancer on March 4. All nine of his children attended the university.
• Monterey Nisei Feted for 20 Years Service as Carmel Fireman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seizo Kodani, chief of the Carmel Highlands fire department, was recognized with a gold badge for 20 years of service. He is believed to be the only Nisei fire chief on the mainland and has long been active with the Monterey Peninsula JACL.
• Chicago CL Credit Union Elects Okabe Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tom Okabe was elected president of the Chicago JACL Credit Union, with other officers chosen to assist him. The brief reports the new slate of credit union officers.
• Visit of Canadian Prime Minister Hailed, by Tamotsu Mura, page 3. Canadian Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent’s visit to Japan is praised as encouraging for Japanese Canadians pursuing evacuation claims. The article also reviews the history of Japanese immigration to Canada and the Japanese Canadian experience.
• Senate Side of Capitol Hill Employs First Regular Nisei Secretary, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Toshiko Nakayama became the first Nisei to work full time on the Senate side of Capitol Hill, as an employee in Sen. Prescott Bush’s office. Her career includes teaching Japanese in Army programs and work at several federal agencies.
• Excellent Attendance at EDC Session Despite Heavy Rainstorm, by Grayce Uyehara, page 4. The Eastern District Council met in Philadelphia with 68 members registered despite heavy rain. The session covered JACL history, chapter programming, and a fund drive quota, and installed the Philadelphia chapter’s new board.
• Detroit Clers Install Cabinet, by James Sugimura, page 6. Sixty JACL members and guests attended the installation of Detroit chapter officers, with Louis Miriani as the new president. Speakers and program participants were recognized at the dinner.
• Watsonville Nisei Scores Hole in One, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Harry Okamura scored a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole at Pasatiempo course. He is a member of the Watsonville Eagle club.

Commentary

• Senate Statehood Showdown, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka analyzes the Senate vote tying Alaska and Hawaii statehood, calling it a political maneuver that jeopardized Hawaii’s chances. He argues the White House will determine whether the package passes the House.
• Nisei Lobbyists for Statehood, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka describes Hawaii Nisei legislators Wilfred Tsukiyama and Hiram Fong lobbying in Washington for statehood. He argues they embody American ideals and undercut old prejudices against Asian Americans.
• Editorial: VA Sees Red, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial condemns a Veterans Administration security officer’s unfounded labeling of the San Francisco Council for Civic Unity as Red. It notes the council’s respectable membership and praises Congressman Shelley’s demand for an investigation.
• Editorial: Mutual Security, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial welcomes the mutual security agreement between the United States and Japan as evidence Japan is turning over a new leaf politically. It notes the agreement drew American approval in sharp contrast to the wartime climate after Pearl Harbor.
• Editorial: Sub-Cabinet Appointment, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises the appointment of Chicago Negro lawyer J. Ernest Wilkins as assistant secretary of labor, arguing race should be irrelevant to government service. It presents the appointment as recognition of qualified individuals regardless of skin color.
• From the Frying Pan: Ten Bucks, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A father recounts how his 13-year-old son suddenly took up household chores and then asked to borrow ten dollars for gas for model airplanes. The column explores repayment terms and the boy’s interest in aeronautics.
• Mother’s Take: Ten Bucks, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The column explores how a parent can encourage a child’s aeronautics interest while teaching responsibility about borrowing money. It discusses matching-funds ideas and the terms of the loan.

JACL

• Dayton JACL Elects Yoichi Sato President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Dayton JACL chapter installed Yoichi Sato as president along with other 1954 officers at its February 14 dinner. Retiring president Hideo Yoshihara was presented a JACL pin.
• CL Bowlers Vote to Keep National on Scratch Basis, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Team captains at the eighth National JACL Bowling Tournament voted to keep the event on a scratch basis and accepted Long Beach’s bid for 1955 and Salt Lake City’s bid for 1956. Eligibility rules were also clarified.

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