Evacuation claims funding and a Nisei veteran denied a job

Vol. 34, No. 14, April 5, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

Money for Japanese American evacuation claims led the front page. The House Appropriations Committee recommended $745,000 for the 1953 fiscal year, and Mike Masaoka explained that the funds would largely pay compromised claims under the Evacuation Claims Act. The page also followed the case of Sagie Nishioka, a disabled 442nd veteran. Oregon Governor Douglas McKay condemned the State Tax Commission for refusing to hire him, and the commission then offered him a position. An editorial on page 4 took up his case.

Other stories covered the omnibus immigration bill, with a rebuttal by Masaoka to a Washington Post editorial on page 5, and a Fresno service club that quit its national organization over a ban on a Nisei member. Ford Konno and Yoshi Oyakawa won titles in national swimming championships, and the sports pages ran chapter basketball, bowling and golf results. Chapter news looked ahead to the 1952 JACL national convention and to honoring Issei pioneers.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Acquit Nisei Ex-GI of Assault, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nisei war veteran in Honolulu was acquitted of assault and battery after an argument over Hawaiian statehood with a woman who accused him of being a Jap. The case drew attention to ongoing prejudice faced by Nisei veterans.
• Nisei Officer Gets Air Award for Latest Exploit in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Mineo Inuzuka, a 442nd veteran and battlefield-commissioned platoon leader, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a reconnaissance mission in Korea. He earlier earned the Distinguished Service Cross for single-handedly neutralizing enemy positions.
• Oregon Governor Declares Refusal to Hire 442nd Vet ‘Stupid, Damned Outrage’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Douglas McKay condemned the State Tax Commission for refusing to hire Sagie Nishioka, a disabled 442nd veteran, on racial grounds. The commission reversed course and offered Nishioka a junior accountant position.
• DSC Awarded, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Distinguished Service Cross was posthumously awarded to Pfc. Fumio Moriyama, killed in action in Korea. His brother received the medal at Fort Shafter.
• Nisei to Serve With Housing Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Chizu Iiyama of the Chicago Resettlers Committee will serve on the board of the Housing Conference of Chicago to work for better housing. The committee is a welfare-referral agency for Japanese Americans.
• Salem Yagawa Named Commander of Nisei Post 9938, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Salem Yagawa, a Pacific World War II lieutenant, was elected commander of Nisei VFW Post 9938 in Los Angeles. Other veterans were named to vice-commander posts.
• Konno Goes After AAU Laurels, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ohio State swimmer Ford Konno and teammates competed for the National AAU indoor championship in New Haven. The article previews Konno’s rivalry with Yale swimmers and Yoshi Oyakawa’s strong NCAA performance.

National

• House Group Reports Fund for Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Appropriations Committee recommended $745,000 for the fiscal 1953 evacuation claims program. Mike Masaoka explained the funds would largely pay compromised claims under the Evacuation Claims Act.
• Little Chance Seen for Early Vote on Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Passage of the Walter omnibus immigration and naturalization bill before the Easter recess appears unlikely, according to Mike Masaoka. Representative Walter reportedly assured Masaoka he would push for prompt consideration.
• Protest Paper’s Publication of Wild Rumors Arising from Bombing of House in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei, Black, and other leaders protested a Los Angeles Tribune story that blamed Japanese Americans for a bombing in a Black veteran’s home. Leaders praised long-standing cooperation between the Black and Japanese communities.
• Senate Passes Private Bills for Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Senate passed twelve private relief bills for persons of Japanese ancestry, including adoptions, marriages, and citizenship restoration. Several bills were sent to the House or the President for signature.
• House Committee Reports Out Seven Private Japanese Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The House Judiciary Committee favorably reported seven private bills for persons of Japanese ancestry, including admissions of adopted children and a widow of a soldier killed in Korea. Two Senate-initiated bills were also reported.
• Masaoka Answers Newspaper’s Editorial on Omnibus Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Mike Masaoka rebutted a Washington Post editorial criticizing the Walter-McCarran omnibus bills, defending their Asian immigration and naturalization provisions. He argued the bills represent a step forward despite limitations.

Community

• West Fresno Exchange Club Quits National Organization Over Ban on Nisei Member, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The entire membership of the West Fresno Exchange Club resigned and returned its charter after the national organization ordered a Nisei member removed under a whites-only bylaw. The group reorganized as the West Fresno Service Club.
• Chapters Asked for Information on Pioneers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Northern California-Western Nevada JACL chapters were asked to submit names of Issei pioneers to be honored at Pioneer Night during the 1952 national convention. The deadline for submissions is April 30.
• San Francisco JACL Slates Preview of June Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco chapter will preview highlights of the 12th Biennial National JACL Convention, including committee reports and a fashion show. The event is scheduled for April 6 at the Buchanan Street YMCA.
• Registration Deadline Nears, JACL Warns, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL urged Nisei to register to vote before the April 10 deadline for the June primary elections. The article lists the eligibility requirements for registration.
• Seabrook Hosts EDC Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New Jersey Congressman T. Millet Hand told the JACL Eastern District Council banquet that the West Coast evacuation was the greatest wartime mistake. Masaoka also spoke on the omnibus immigration bills.
• Seabrook Gives $2131 to ADC Fund Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Seabrook chapter presented a $2,131 check to Mike Masaoka for the 1952 ADC Fund drive at the Eastern District Council banquet. Harold Fistere was recognized for his leadership of the drive.
• Jun Toguri Heads Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jun Toguri will head the Chicago Resettlers Committee membership drive starting in April. Canvassers will cover the city and Nisei will run a parallel campaign.
• Buddhists Plan Spring Festival at Chicago U., by P.C. Staff, page 7. Chicago Buddhists will celebrate the Wesak festival commemorating Buddha’s birth at Mandel Hall. The program includes speakers, Oriental dances, and music.
• East Los Angeles, Coachella Chapters Hold Desert Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The East Los Angeles JACL chapter held a successful desert outing with the Coachella Valley chapter. Attendees toured the valley’s agricultural sites and learned about farming opportunities.
• Placer JACL to Crown Picnic Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Placer County JACL will crown its picnic queen at the annual community picnic. Four candidates are profiled with their backgrounds.
• Stockton Chapter Has First Meeting Under New Prexy, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Stockton JACL held its first regular meeting under new president Hiroshi Morita and announced the cabinet. Sam Ishikawa and Haruo Ishimaru spoke on JACL functions.
• Issei Pioneers to Be Honored in Long Beach, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Long Beach JACL will hold an Issei Recognition program honoring pioneer residents and Gold Star parents at its annual installation banquet. New officers will be installed.
• Arizona JACL Plans Picnic for Community, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Arizona JACL will host its first community picnic since 1940 at Seven Springs, featuring barbecue and athletic events. The picnic will also honor Issei pioneers of the Salt River valley.

Incarceration & Redress

• Report Job Refusal Not Nisei’s First Brush With Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A friend of Sagie Nishioka recounted that Hood River Legionnaires removed his name and those of other Nisei veterans from the county honor roll during his hospitalization. Nishioka’s war injuries and postwar education are also described.

Commentary

• Oregon Agency Offers Job to Nisei Veteran, by P.C. Staff, page 4. After public outcry, the Oregon Tax Commission offered Sagie Nishioka a job, and he said he would accept if placed in the Portland area. Governor McKay argued that a man good enough to fight for his country is good enough to hold a civilian job.
• A Veteran Meets Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises Oregon’s press, public, and FEPC law for responding to the denial of employment to Sagie Nishioka. It argues that veterans like Nishioka should not have to repeatedly prove their worth.
• Service Clubs and Democracy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial commends the West Fresno Exchange Club for withdrawing over racial membership restrictions. It argues service clubs and national organizations must align membership with democratic practice.
• Reader Finds Prejudice in ‘Japanese War Bride’ Film, by Chester F. Roberts Jr., page 5. A reader argues that the film Japanese War Bride promotes anti-miscegenation propaganda through its characters and plot. He contends the movie’s themes misrepresent Japanese American families and interracial marriages.

Sports

• Zenimura Blasts for .416 Average, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Harvey Zenimura, a Korean War veteran, is leading Fresno State in batting while Fibber Hirayama shines in the outfield. Both Nisei players are contributing to a strong Bulldogs team.
• Tubber Okuda Wins AAU Boxing Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tubber Okuda won the Intermountain AAU senior 126-pound boxing title with a first-round knockout. He then played basketball the same night for the Northern Utah Nisei All-Stars.
• Victories by Konno, Oyakawa Lead Ohio State to Triumph in NCAA Swim Championship, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ford Konno and Yoshi Oyakawa won key events as Ohio State captured the NCAA swimming team title. Konno set a new NCAA record in the 1500-meter freestyle.
• Chiyo Tashima Wins L.A. Femme Bowling Title, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Chiyo Tashima won the Los Angeles women’s bowling championship with strong scores in a playoff. The article reports her victory over Miss Julian in the final match.
• Konno Wins 1500 Meters at AAU Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ford Konno won the AAU 1500-meter freestyle championship with a late surge. He defeated the defending champion John Marshall and Jimmy McLane.
• San Francisco Chinese Saints Win Intermountain Cage Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Francisco Chinese Saints won the 17th annual JACL Intermountain basketball tournament by defeating the Chicago Nisei All-Stars. Cliff Wong led the Saints in scoring.
• West Los Angeles Team Wins California Nisei Cage Title, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The West Los Angeles Lucky Doks won the California State Nisei basketball championship over the San Jose Zebras. Dickie Nagai led the winners in scoring.
• Seabrook Team Garners EDC Bowling Title, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Seabrook Zebras won the team championship in the Eastern District Council bowling tournament. Individual winners and handicap results are also reported.
• Okamoto, Nakauchi Take Honors in EDC Golf Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Harry Okamoto shot low gross and Frank Nakauchi won the handicap flight at the EDC golf tournament in Sumner’s Point. Golfers from New York, Philadelphia, and Seabrook competed.

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