Evacuation claims awards and Issei citizenship, March 1954

Vol. 38, No. 10, March 5, 1954. 12 pages. View this issue

Money owed to Japanese Americans after the wartime forced removal led the news. Sixteen claims adjudicated by the Dept. of Justice under the 1948 Evacuation Claims Act were recommended for $133,211.37 in the first Supplementary Appropriations Bill. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter followed the President’s legislative program, and he urged that Peruvian Japanese be covered by the Refugee Relief Act. Issei naturalization ran through the issue: Santa Barbara, Salt Lake City and Lodi honored new citizens, and immigration officials began processing petitions held under 5-F status.

Elsewhere, Hiroshi Miyamura was guest of honor at a Utah banquet, and Ford Konno set a new world 220-yard freestyle mark. Planning for the 13th JACL national convention in Los Angeles was under way. Saburo Kido described his trip to Japan, George Yasukochi wrote about JACL chapters, and Henry Mori reported on a new medical center in Little Tokyo. Bill Hosokawa and Larry Tajiri wrote the editorial page columns.

What’s in this issue

National

• $74,000 Evacuee Claim Award in Supplementary Appropriations Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sixteen evacuee claims adjudicated by the Dept. of Justice were recommended for $133,211.37 in payments in the first Supplementary Appropriations Bill, according to the JACL Washington Office. All awards were made under the adjudication procedures of the 1948 Evacuation Claims Act and exceeded the Attorney General’s regular authority.
• Jehovah Witness Nisei on Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Leveson Izumihara, a 21-year-old conscientious objector, is on trial in Honolulu for refusing induction into the army. His attorney argues he is a minister of the Jehovah Witnesses, while the government disputes his status as a bona fide minister.
• Matoba 5-F Case Settled, Judge Concurs with Tsuji Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge W. Lee Knous of U.S. District Court in Denver ruled in favor of Harry G. Matoba, whose naturalization was held up over his World War I 5-F classification. The decision concurs with the San Francisco Tsuji ruling and implies the 5-F issue is fully settled.
• Justice Dept. Appropriations OK’d for Early Action by Congressmen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Appropriations Committee recommended $42,200,000 for Dept. of Justice agencies affecting Japanese Americans, including $200,000 for the Japanese Claims Section. JACL’s Mike Masaoka said the focus will be on Rep. Patrick Hillings’ bill allowing remaining claimants to elect court settlement.
• JACL Submits Testimony for FEPC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Washington Representative Mike Masaoka submitted a statement to the Senate Labor Subcommittee supporting the Ives bill prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry. The statement cites WRA experience as proof that employers can accept workers of different backgrounds.

Military & Veterans

• Fowler Legion Auxiliary to Dedicate Memorial for Nisei War Dead, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A memorial shelf at the Fowler Public Library will honor three Nisei who died in World War II: Yeichi Hiyama, Todd Sakohira and Takao Ninomiya. The American Legion and its Auxiliary plan to dedicate a book to each Fowler serviceman killed in the three wars.
• Miyamura Honored by Utah Junior Chamber of Commerce, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura was guest of honor at a Utah Junior Chamber of Commerce banquet in Salt Lake City on Feb. 21. He also visited Mt. Olympus and Salt Lake JACL members during his stay.

Community

• Sailors Putting Japanese Student Through College, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Miss Hisayo Kawahara, a former interpreter at the U.S. Hospital in Yokosuka, was admitted to San Jose State College for spring semester. Funds contributed by American naval hospital personnel made it possible for her to study journalism.
• Two Stores on Same Street Burglarized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Miyako restaurant and Evergreen Fountain on Buchanan Street in San Francisco were both burglarized over a weekend. Losses totaled roughly $1,400 combined.
• 25-Year-Old Japan Girl Too Old to Adopt Legally, But Portlanders Do It Anyway, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kazuko Saijo, a Japanese seamstress, has joined the Dr. Esley W. Davis family in Portland, although she is too old for legal adoption. She arrived on the Hikawa Maru and was admitted on the immigration quota after the Davises sponsored her.
• Twin Cities Credit Union Declares 2 1/2 Percent After Year’s Operation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Twin Cities United Citizens League credit union declared a 2.5 percent dividend at its first annual meeting. Dr. George Nishida handed the presidency to Mrs. Kay Kushino, and new officers were installed for 1954.
• 59 Girls Vie for Title in Cherry Blossom Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A total of 59 girls entered the second annual Cherry Blossom Festival sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. The contest is part of the festival program.
• Nisei Minister Elevated to High Post, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Rev. Harry S. Komuro was named superintendent of the Methodist Mission of Hawaii, the first Nisei and first island-born man to hold the post. He has been active in community work, labor relations boards and Rotary, and supported Hawaii statehood.
• 63 Santa Barbara Issei Receive Citizenship Certificates, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sixty-three Issei completed citizenship training at Santa Barbara High School and received certificates, with three men naturalized at Brighton district court. The local JACL chapter was credited with much of the success of the program.
• Utah Judge, SLC Mayor Congratulate 22 New Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Judge A. H. Elliott told 22 newly naturalized Issei at a Salt Lake City JACL dinner that citizenship carries both privilege and responsibility. Mayor Earl J. Glade also extended congratulations, and the youngest honoree was 8-year-old Bert Kaneko.
• Lodi Community Honors 29 New Issei Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Washington’s Birthday program in Lodi honored 29 local Issei who became American citizens. Community leaders including Mayor Mabel Richey delivered congratulations at the ceremony.
• Eisenhower Signs Bill for Fiancee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. President Eisenhower signed a private bill allowing Eiko Tanaka of Japan to enter the United States to marry Sacramento resident George Imai, whom she met while he was stationed in Japan. The bill was introduced by Rep. John E. Moss, Jr.
• Chapter Memo, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chapter news from Twin Cities UCL, Livingston-Merced, Salt Lake City, Fresno, Idaho Falls and Monterey Peninsula JACL covers membership drives, a ski outing, and home improvements. Each chapter reports on its current activities and goals for 1954.
• Placer County CL Community-Wide Picnic Plans Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Placer County JACL announced its sixth annual county-wide community picnic for April 4 at JACL Recreation Park near Penryn. Committee chairmen were named for finance, programming, grounds, concessions and publicity, with a queen contest and Issei entertainment planned.
• Livingston-Merced JACL Signs Up 122 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Spud Masuda reported the 1954 Livingston-Merced JACL membership drive ended with 122 members. Team 5 under Bob Morimoto won the contest.
• Sacramento Post Office Naturalization Examinations, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Group naturalization examinations were conducted at the Sacramento Post Office for applicants from Florin, Mayhew and Walnut Grove, areas without local JACL chapters. Interpreters and secretaries assisted with the process.
• New Horizons: 1954 JACL Convention Planning, by Edison T. Uno, page 5. Preparations for the 13th biennial JACL national convention in Los Angeles are underway, with Dr. Roy Nishikawa as convention chairman. The program includes family outings, sports, a Queen contest and a Sayonara Ball at the Hotel Statler.
• Selma CL Auxiliary Introduces Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Selma JACL Auxiliary held its third annual potluck dinner attended by over 75 people. New 1954 officers including president Mrs. Shizuko Kobashi were introduced.
• French Camp and Stockton CLs Hold Joint Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 5. French Camp and Stockton JACL chapters will hold a joint installation dinner March 12 featuring former national president Saburo Kido as main speaker. Installing officer is Haruo Ishimaru.
• Dr. M. R. Nakata to Head Portland JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. M. R. Nakata was installed as Portland JACL president at a February 10 dinner along with a full cabinet. George Azumano served as installing officer.
• Amendment to Include Peru Japanese in Refugee Bill Urged by Masaoka, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mike Masaoka urged House Judiciary Subcommittee to amend the Refugee Relief Act to include Peruvian Japanese stranded in the United States. The JACL supports the effort to prevent deportation to Japan for these persons brought over during the war.
• San Francisco Next VFW Confab City, by P.C. Staff, page 7. San Francisco was chosen as the 1955 convention city for the Nisei Veterans of Foreign Wars convention held in Sacramento. The Los Angeles Nisei Memorial Post was recognized for a 199 percent membership increase.
• Nisei Farmer Injured in Tractor Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Frank Noto of Gilroy was seriously injured when a tractor overturned on him while filling ditches. He was taken to Wheeler Hospital unconscious.
• Issei 5-Fs Ruled Eligible for Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Immigration officials will now process naturalization petitions of male Issei previously held under 5-F status, following court decisions and Attorney General instructions. Hundreds of applications at the San Francisco office were affected.
• DC Chapter Clinic Well Liked, by Tats Kushida, page 9. The PSWDC chapter clinic at Chase Hotel drew 123 registered JACLers and covered JACL history, finances, legislation and chapter programming. Evaluation results showed strong approval among participants.
• Orange County CL Installation Banquet, by Tats Kushida, page 9. The Orange County chapter installation banquet at Garden Grove featured a new cabinet headed by Harry Matsukane, a printed program and speaker Col. Sidney Mashbir. The event served as strong public relations for the chapter.
• Intermountain Christian Youth Conference in Idaho Falls, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The 10th annual Intermountain Christian Youth Conference will be held in Idaho Falls on March 6-7 with Rev. Don I. Smith as banquet speaker. Several local ministers will participate.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Doctors Open Office Building, by Henry Mori, page 11. Five Japanese American doctors, a laboratory technician and Kyodo Drug pharmacists moved into a new $100,000 medical center on Second and San Pedro Streets in Little Tokyo. Dick Williams of the Los Angeles Mirror also praised Little Tokyo in a recent column.
• Vital Statistics, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Listings of births, engagements, marriage licenses, weddings and deaths in JACL communities across the western United States and Midwest during February 1954.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter: The President’s Legislative Program, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka notes President Eisenhower has made 196 legislative recommendations to Congress, among the most ambitious programs in presidential history. He analyzes the political strategies of both parties regarding the program ahead of the fall congressional elections.
• Nisei Should Not Be Used as ‘Cudgel’ for Other Minorities, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Col. Sidney F. Mashbir, the former G-2 officer, warned Nisei at a PSWDC chapter clinic banquet not to be used as a cudgel for other minority groups. He praised Nisei wartime service and urged Nisei to stand on their own rather than follow Communist-inspired equality campaigns.
• Outmoded Report Cards, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda reflects on the decline of traditional report cards as schools shift to parent-teacher conferences. He argues that discipline and diligence remain essential to learning and questions whether the change serves students well.
• Corner, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Sakurada’s column covers Chicago JACL events including a Japanese American Council veterans banquet, a JACL cabinet honors dinner, and community notes. It also includes profiles of local Nisei and an anecdote about a jeweler robbed during a parking meter incident.
• Washington Newsletter Column: Mike Masaoka Notes Staff Efforts, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. A column praising Chapter Clinic success and several chapter membership achievements. It also announces Col. Mashbir’s book availability to members and previews the National Bowling Tournament.
• Japan Beckons Nostalgically, by P.C. Staff, page 5. An American President Lines advertisement encouraging readers to visit Japan. Contains promotional content about passenger service.
• Time Short to Motion Tokyo, by Saburo Kido, page 6. Kido, president of the Shin Nichi Bei, recounts his eight-day JAL-sponsored press trip to Japan with National President George Inagaki. He describes meetings with JACLers in Tokyo and the Sumitomo Bank party in Kyoto.
• Me? I Can’t Even…, by George Inagaki, page 6. National President Inagaki reflects on the qualifications required of a JACL national president, including writing, speaking and diplomacy. He praises the staff members and their wives for their devoted work on behalf of JACL.
• Introducing George Yasukochi, by George Yasukochi, page 8. Yasukochi, former Berkeley JACL president, writes on the aims, functions and challenges of JACL chapters. He argues the organization should focus on Nisei rights and civic responsibility while considering a more professional, issue-focused model.
• Mashbir Book and Chapter Clinic Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Coverage of the PSWDC clinic banquet and the involvement of Col. Mashbir, who spoke on Nisei wartime service. Notes that public relations activities strengthen chapter-community ties.
• Politics and Race, by P.C. Staff, page 12. An editorial contrasting democratic reasoning with racially or blood-based political philosophies that lead to totalitarianism. The editors state their preference for reason-based democracy and opposition to racial politics.
• A Word About Lulac, by Bill Hosokawa, page 12. Hosokawa examines the League of United Latin American Citizens in Denver and the struggles of Spanish Americans with prejudice and limited opportunity. He draws parallels to early Nisei experiences and urges understanding and support.
• Vagaries: Michener, a Male Chauvinist, by Larry Tajiri, page 12. Tajiri discusses Sue Kunitomi Embrey’s critique of James Michener’s novel Sayonara, which Embrey argues portrays Japanese women through stereotypes and male chauvinist assumptions. He also reports on the Azuma Kabuki troupe’s New York debut to strong reviews.

Sports

• Sportscope, by P.C. Staff, page 10. A roundup of Nisei sports news including Ford Konno’s world record swim, bowling achievements, basketball playoffs and the Salt Lake Nisei Invitational tournament. It also notes American catch-as-catch-can wrestling gaining popularity in Japan.
• Konno Betters World 220-Yd. Swim Mark Second Time in Two Weeks, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Hawaiian Nisei Ford Konno set a new world 220-yard freestyle record of 2:04.7 for Ohio State against Michigan. Teammate Yoshi Oyakawa also won events in the meet.
• JACL Nine to Play Third Year in Semi-Pro Placer-Nevada League, by Homer Takahashi, page 10. The Placer JACL baseball club will compete in the Placer-Nevada League for a third straight year. The league includes eight teams and allows two outside players per team.

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.