Vol. 38, No. 20, May 14, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue
Congress had passed an appropriation of $1,560,000 for evacuation claims awards under $2,500, and the bill awaited President Eisenhower’s signature. Mike Masaoka explained that the money covers remaining claims for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1954. The front page also followed Issei becoming citizens: a mass naturalization in San Francisco expected to bring close to 1,500 Issei to citizenship, a banquet for 42 Issei in Pocatello, and one in San Diego for nearly 60.
Inside this 8-page issue are Lawrence Nakatsuka on Hawaii’s statehood, Chizu Tiyama’s Chicago Corner, and Haruo Ishimaru’s visits to JACL chapters in Gilroy and San Francisco. Michael Lombardi wrote about Kabuki and Japan’s classic theaters. Sports pages cover the national AAU judo tournament in Los Angeles and Nisei athletes such as Cookie Moriya and George Taniguchi. Bill Hosokawa profiled architect I.M. Pei, and Larry Tajiri wrote in Vagaries.
What’s in this issue
National
- Evacuation Claims Appropriation Bill Awaits President’s Signing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Supplemental appropriations including $1,560,000 for evacuation claims awards under $2,500 passed Congress and awaited President Eisenhower’s signature. Mike Masaoka explained that the funds cover remaining claims for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 1954.
- Ike Confers with T.H. Group on Statehood for Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower told a 55-member Hawaiian delegation that the statehood question rests with Congress. The delegation had urged House members to support sending the statehood bill to conference.
- Social Security Coverage for Japanese American Day Workers, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka urged Congressman Daniel Reed to extend Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance coverage to Japanese American day workers. He argued that domestic day workers should receive the same protections as other employees.
- Gilroy Off to a Fine Start, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Ishimaru visited the young Gilroy JACL chapter to encourage plans for an installation dinner featuring an agricultural extension slide lecture. He praised the chapter’s new officers for a promising start.
Incarceration & Redress
- End of May Mass Naturalization Rites in S.F. Means 1,500 Issei Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A mass naturalization ceremony in San Francisco was expected to be the last of its kind, bringing close to 1,500 Issei of the Bay Area, Stockton and San Jose areas to citizenship. Haruo Ishimaru said efforts would follow to arrange group examinations for remaining Issei in Northern California.
Community
- 42 Idaho Issei Feted as Ready for Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Forty-two Issei in the Pocatello area were honored for completing Americanization classes at a banquet sponsored by the Pocatello JACL and school districts. Speakers included National JACL President Hito Okada and local officials.
- San Diego Honors 50 Issei Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. More than 100 people attended a San Diego JACL banquet honoring nearly 60 newly naturalized Issei. Community leaders and officials offered congratulations and chapter certificates were presented.
- East Los Angeles Sponsors Petite Girl in Playground Queen Race, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The East Los Angeles JACL is sponsoring Jean Yabuki, 17, as its candidate for the Fresno Playground Friendship Festival queen. The chapter hopes to repeat last year’s victory by Stella Nakadate.
- St. Louis Host to MDC Meeting May 29-30, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The St. Louis JACL announced fees and accommodations for the Midwest District Council meeting at the Forest Park Hotel. Delegates from eight chapters will attend a registration, business sessions and a barbecue.
- Coachella Valley JACL Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tek Nishimoto was installed as president of the Coachella Valley JACL at a dinner in Indio. Homer Varner praised Japanese residents as an asset to the community.
- Mile-Hi Sign Up Passes 500 Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mile-Hi JACL in Denver reported 517 members signed up in its 1954 drive, short of the 588 record from 1953. The chapter extended the drive to May 15 to try to break the record.
- 200 Attend Mother’s Day Party in Detroit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Detroit JACL hosted a Mothers’ Day party attended by 200 people at the Central YWCA. The program included musical performances, dance and a skit, followed by a buffet.
- Montana JACL Turns in 1954 National Quota, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Montana JACL became one of the first chapters to fulfill its 1954 National JACL quota. The chapter also increased membership from 22 to 33.
- Attorney Okrand Returns from Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Attorney Fred Okrand returned from a four-week visit to Japan where he conferred with Nisei seeking to return to the United States. He also met with American consular officials to speed processing of applications.
- Critical Analysis of the Nisei Discussed by San Francisco Panel, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. A San Francisco JACL panel discussed Nisei apathy in civic participation, communication skills and neglect of younger Nisei. Ishimaru noted the panel’s frank criticisms and the chapter’s need to address them.
- Michael Lombardi on Kabuki Traditions, by Michael Lombardi, page 7. Lombardi describes how Kabuki’s performers inherit their art through family dynasties that have continued for over 300 years. He notes the Azuma troupe’s sponsorship and its handmade stage platforms prepared for the American tour.
Commentary
- State Dept. Objection Prevents Passage of Stranded Voter Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Albert Gore blocked passage of the Watkins bill that would restore citizenship to Nisei who voted in Japanese elections during the occupation. The measure was passed over in the Senate after State Department objections were raised.
- New Meaning to Hawaii’s Statehood Fight, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka argues that the fall of Dien Bien Phu gives new urgency to Hawaii’s statehood, since granting it would counter Communist propaganda about American racial practices. He notes that Asian observers closely watch the issue and that statehood would demonstrate democracy for all races.
- Chicago Corner: Nisei Mothers and School Conditions, by Chizu Tiyama, page 4. Tiyama reports on the Illinois Congress of Parents and Teachers convention, where delegates pressed for emergency school building funds and opposed universal military training. She describes resolutions supporting the United Nations, federal aid to education and unsegregated schools.
- Editorials: Indo-China Question, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial examines Vice-President Nixon’s and President Eisenhower’s arguments that Japan’s economic dependence on southeast Asia makes Indo-China important to the United States. It warns that American intervention could provoke Chinese involvement and that statehood for Hawaii would strengthen the Pacific cause.
- Letters from America, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial promotes Letters from America Week, urging Americans to write overseas relatives and friends to counter Soviet propaganda. It presents letter-writing as a way for citizens to act as goodwill ambassadors.
- From the Frying Pan: I.M. Pei, Designer, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa profiles architect I.M. Pei, a Chinese immigrant who designs major projects for William Zeckendorf’s Webb & Knapp. He describes Pei’s work on Denver’s Mile High Center and an amusing anecdote from Pei’s trip to Kyoto.
- Vagaries: Twain Has Met, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri criticizes literary treatments of interracial romance that predestine tragedy, citing Michener’s Sayonara and Mason’s And Two Shall Meet. He argues real interracial marriages have been less tragic and that social attitudes have improved.
Military & Veterans
- Mexican Jury Cases, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that systematic exclusion of persons of Mexican descent from Texas juries violated the 14th Amendment. Masaoka argued the decision bears on the rights of Issei and Nisei because jury selection cannot consider national origin.
Arts & Entertainment
- Kabuki Just One of Japan’s Great Classic Theaters, by Michael Lombardi, page 5. Lombardi explains that Japan has three classic theaters, Noh, Bunraku and Kabuki, with Kabuki the most popular and continuously performed. He describes how Kabuki’s family-based tradition and integrated arts make it especially engaging.
Sports
- Judo Nat’l AAU Tournament Held in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Gene LeBell was named grand champion at the second national AAU judo tournament held at the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Seattle Dojo won the team championship, and Japan dominated the Asian Games with 760 points.
- Cookie Moriya Retains Individual Championships, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Cookie Moriya of Wheaton College retained his individual titles in the Elmhurst Invitational by running the two miles in 9:30.7. He is coached by Gil Dodds and also won the Beloit mile twice.
- George Taniguchi Finishes Strong at Bay Meadows, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei jockey George Taniguchi was voted the best apprentice development of the Bay Meadows meet by Northern California turf writers. He rode his first stakes winner, Kingly, in a major upset.
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