Compensation claims, immigration reform and a Hawaii appointment

Vol. 34, No. 3, January 19, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

Sakae Takahashi, a decorated 442nd Combat Team veteran and Honolulu supervisor, was named treasurer of the Territory of Hawaii, and that led the front page. The issue also followed the money and the law. JACL urged claimants to send in compromise settlement offers, and Mike Masaoka warned in a column that the program could be dismantled if they stopped. The House Judiciary Committee began work on the Walter Omnibus Immigration and Naturalization Bill, and JACL representatives argued before the Board of Immigration Appeals. Larry Tajiri looked back at the 1942 mass removal of Japanese Americans.

Also inside: a column by Bill Hosokawa on his children’s toys, Hiroshi Kashiwagi on the Nisei Experimental Group’s Bay Area shows, and a sports page on the National JACL bowling tournament in Denver. Chapter news covered new officers in Cleveland, Denver, Alameda and Marysville. The eight pages also reported on Go for Broke! playing in Tokyo.

What’s in this issue

National

• Veteran of 442nd Unit Named to High Territorial Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sakae Takahashi, a decorated 442nd Combat Team veteran and Honolulu supervisor, was appointed treasurer of the Territory of Hawaii by Governor Oren Long. He succeeds William B. Kuh and plans to continue his private law practice while serving.
• Better Woman Named Member of Grand Jury, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sally Furushiro, a 30-year-old Denver bookkeeper, was sworn in as one of eleven members of the Denver Grand Jury on January 15. She is believed to be the first Nisei to serve on the investigative body.
• Hawaii Judge Not Surprised by Supreme Court’s Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge J. Frank McLaughlin, whose ruling that parts of the Nationality Act of 1940 were unconstitutional was returned for specific findings by the Supreme Court, said he was not surprised by the decision. The Murata and Okimura cases are expected to set a pattern affecting hundreds of Nisei who returned from Japan.
• San Jose Nisei Regains California Liquor License, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takeo Hashimoto, a San Jose drug store operator, regained a liquor license he lost in 1942 when he was sent to a wartime relocation center. The State Board of Equalization approved reissuance based on an opinion from Attorney General Edmund G. Brown.
• Seek Japanese War Bride Missing in New York City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The husband of Sue Thunelius, formerly Sumie Mayeda, placed an advertisement in the Hokubei Shimpo asking for community help in locating her. She has been missing since January 3 and was last seen at a party in Manhattan.
• Urge Claimants to Forward Compromise Settlement Offers to Department of Justice, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department is processing compromise evacuation claims so quickly that it may run out of offers, JACL ADC reported. Mike Masaoka urged claimants to submit their offers promptly to sustain the program and secure needed congressional appropriations.
• Ask Newspaper Guild’s Aid to Eliminate Derogatory Term, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shosuke Sasaki, a member of the Standard & Poor’s unit, asked the New York Newspaper Guild to ban the term ‘Jap’ from news stories and headlines as offensive. He argued the term is not an accepted abbreviation and is used with contempt.
• Produce Buyer Cleared of Celery Theft Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroshi Yamamoto, a Long Beach produce buyer, was cleared in Superior Court of stealing 1,489 crates of celery worth $3,000 from a Redwood City farmer. The District Attorney’s office moved to dismiss the complaint.
• Assemblyman Pledges to Support Issei Pension Eligibility, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Assemblyman Frank Luckel of San Diego assured the San Diego JACL he would support legislation extending old-age pensions to legally resident Japanese aliens. He pledged to back a resolution from the California Federation for Civic Unity.
• House Judiciary Group Starts Study on Omnibus Measure, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The House Judiciary Committee began consideration of the Walter Omnibus Immigration and Naturalization Bill, which would provide immigration opportunities to Asians including Japanese. The JACL ADC endorses the measure, which has a companion bill sponsored by Senator McCarran.

Obituaries

• Two Issei Die in Highway Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco Issei Yoshitomo Kyono and his wife Okino were killed in a head-on collision near Gallup, New Mexico, while traveling to a relative’s funeral in Denver. The couple operated a cleaning shop in San Francisco and were active in the Pine Methodist Church.

Community

• Soldier’s Wife Dies as Auto Rams Tree, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Margaret Ito, 17-year-old wife of a Nisei soldier, was killed in Sacramento when her husband’s car went out of control on Highway 40 and struck a tree. Her husband James, an airman stationed at Camp Kohler, was seriously injured.
• Install New Cleveland JACL Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Municipal Judge Charles A. Vanik administered the oath of office to the new Cleveland JACL cabinet headed by president Henry Tanaka at the fourth annual Inaugural Ball. Officers and guests of honor were recognized at the Richmond Country Club event.
• Walter Asks House Group to Approve Omnibus Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Francis Walter urged colleagues to approve the Omnibus immigration bill that repeals racial discrimination in immigration and naturalization. He argued that approving it would support friendly relations with Japan following the Japanese Peace Treaty.
• Mas Oji Heads Marysville JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Marysville JACL named Mas Oji president for 1952, with Ben Kawata as vice-president. A full slate of officers and regional representatives was also announced.
• Salt Lake JACL Pushes Drive for New Memberships, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Salt Lake JACL is conducting a membership drive directed by Mary Wada, targeting bowlers and national headquarters contacts. The chapter plans to conclude its drive at a general meeting on January 25 featuring speaker Winifred Hazen.
• Fort Lupton Group Makes Strides in Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Fort Lupton JACL has signed 80 percent of eligible Nisei in its area, reporting 100 members including 79 active members and 18 junior associates. The chapter is also planning cooperation with a Red Cross blood donor drive.
• Screen Star Visits Nisei GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Esther Williams, MGM star, visited wounded Nisei combat veterans of the Korean conflict at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii. She autographed casts and read comic books to patients, having previously attended the premiere of the 442nd film Go for Broke!
• Civil Liberties Union Asks Nisei to Aid Nippon Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The American Civil Liberties Union appealed to Issei and Nisei for financial aid on behalf of the Japanese Civil Liberties Union, formed in 1948 with about 3000 members. The Tokyo organization estimates it needs $2,500 annually for two years to become self-sustaining.
• Go for Broke! Attracting Big Crowds to Tokyo Movie House, by P.C. Staff, page 3. MGM’s film Go for Broke! is drawing capacity audiences at Tokyo’s Hibiya Theater under the Japanese title Nisei Butai. The Nichi-Bei Times reported that an Asahi Shimbun critic considered it too early for Japanese audiences to view a war picture.
• Letter-Box: Seven Lonely Girls, by Seven Lonely Girls, page 6. Seven Salt Lake City women wrote requesting that the Pacific Citizen print names of lonely Nisei servicemen and hospitalized veterans for correspondence. They pledged to answer all letters in hopes of meeting men.
• Seattle Youth Wins Honor From Exchange Club, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jim Nishimura, a Lincoln High School senior and president of the Greenwood Boys Club junior board, was named Boy of the Month by the Seattle Exchange Club. He was recognized for his service and character in the club.
• Chicago Mam’selles Install Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago Mam’selles held their annual installation banquet, with Grace Kawano succeeding Kay Kitahata as president. Mrs. Edwin Kitow led the installation service.
• California Unity Group to Fight America Plus, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The California Federation for Civic Unity board, with JACL representatives Saburo Kido and Haruo Ishimaru, resolved to oppose the America Plus initiative Freedom of Choice, which would abrogate civil rights. JACL also planned legislation for Issei old-age pensions.
• Aiso, Chuman, McKibbin Open New Law Offices, by P.C. Staff, page 7. John F. Aiso, Frank F. Chuman, and David McKibbin III launched a new law firm in Los Angeles’s Douglas Building. Aiso attained lieutenant-colonel rank in military intelligence, the highest attained by a Nisei at that time.
• Belated Visit to Little Joyce Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Chicago columnist forwarded a letter from 7-year-old Joyce Inouye to Santa requesting a two-wheel bicycle, and sporting goods operator Morris Mages delivered the bicycle belatedly. The story was reported by Will Leonard of the Chicago Daily Tribune.
• Hollywood Center Wins Court Battle for School Building, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Hollywood Japanese Community Center won a court ruling against the Los Angeles City School District to regain its former language school building. A compromise was reached under which the school district will vacate the site once a replacement building is remodeled.
• Ellis Center Takes Part in Interracial Program, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Ellis Community Center Church in Chicago voted to combine activities with the Kenwood Community Church in an interracial, interdenominational experiment. Joint worship services will begin February 17.
• Choir Groups Plan Joint Program in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pine Methodist Church choir will join the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church choir for a joint vesper program on January 20. The event continues the church’s efforts to advance racial brotherhood.
• Chicago Ellis Center Tells Schedule of Adult Activities, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Ellis Community Center announced its first-quarter adult education courses, including Americanization classes, ceramics, conversational Japanese, Chinese cooking, and music appreciation. Ben Haddick serves as director.
• Chicago Pastor Addresses Fete in Pittsburgh, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Chicago, spoke at a George Washington Carver Memorial Day observance in Pittsburgh attended by over 1,200 people. His sermon was titled The Christian Witness in the Present Crisis.
• Denver JACL Nets $1000 From Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Denver JACL raised close to $1,000 at its inaugural New Year’s Eve dance at the Albany Hotel. Roy Mayeda was installed as president, and the chapter recognized members for community service.
• Alameda Chapter Plans Installation of New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Alameda JACL will install its new officers led by Dr. Roland S. Kadonaga on January 20, with Mayor Frank P. Osborn administering the oath. Haruo Ishimaru will speak at the chapter’s annual dinner.
• Chicago Resettlers Will Sponsor Double Feature, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Chicago Resettlers Committee will present two Japanese films, the samurai film Katame Okami and the musical Jyo Netsu Rhumba, on January 19 and 20. Koshi Yoma, a classical singer, will make a personal appearance.
• Jim Ushio Heads Murray Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Jim Ushio was named 1952 president of the Mt. Olympus JACL in Murray, Utah, with Dorothy Mukai and Harry Mitsunaga as vice-presidents. A full slate of officers was announced.

Military & Veterans

• Return Bodies of 13 Hawaii Nisei Soldiers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The remains of 13 Nisei soldiers killed in Korea were returned to Hawaii for reburial, with their next of kin identified. The list includes Sergeant Tadao Murakami and Master Sergeant Edward M. Ishibashi among others.
• Nisei Seaman Among Missing as Ship Sinks, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Akira Tida, a Nisei able-bodied seaman from Honolulu, is believed lost at sea with 45 other crew members of the freighter Pennsylvania. Coast Guard planes sighted overturned lifeboats, but no survivors were found after a week-long search.
• Korean War Veteran Praises Morale of American Troops, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Master Sergeant George Fujimoto, returned from Korea, said American troops at the front were well informed and had higher morale than Chinese Communist and North Korean soldiers. He reported that most prisoners he interrogated were happy with humane treatment.
• 442nd Officer Killed in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Captain Jack W. Rodarme, former commander of a company in the 442nd Combat Team, was killed in action in Korea on May 18, 1951. His widow in Twin Falls, Idaho, informed the Chicago JACL and the 34th Division Association.

Incarceration & Redress

• Remind Issei to File Annual Address Report, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Justice Department asked the JACL ADC to warn Japanese aliens who failed to file 1952 annual address reports by January 10 to file immediately. Registration forms will be available at post offices until January 19 to avoid prosecution.
• ADC Charges Denial to Issei of Suspension of Deportation Abuses Discretionary Power, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL representatives argued before the Board of Immigration Appeals that denying suspension of deportation based on past membership in proscribed organizations abuses the Attorney General’s discretion. Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka urged reversal in cases involving four Japanese aliens from Los Angeles.

Commentary

• The Story of a Family, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco Park Commission agreed to restore the name Japanese Tea Garden to a section of Golden Gate Park, but the Hagiwara family’s losses from wartime removal remain unrecompensed. The family created the garden and invested an estimated $700,000 before being evicted and losing their property.
• Compromise Settlement Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The compromise settlement program for evacuation claims has accelerated the claims process, which once threatened to take twenty years. Mike Masaoka warned that the Justice Department may dismantle its efficient setup if compromise offers do not keep flowing in.
• Evacuation, Then and Now, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri reviews the 1942 mass evacuation of Japanese Americans, which was driven by wartime hysteria and racial prejudice rather than military necessity. He notes that the policy wrongly treated citizens and aliens alike and drew parallels to the McCarran Act’s preparations for detention camps.
• Cultural Integration, by Elmer Smith, page 4. Elmer Smith argues that cultural pluralism rejects forced assimilation and instead views American culture as enriched through integration of ethnic contributions. He cites contributions from Negro, Latin American, Oriental, and Indian peoples to illustrate his point.
• The Toys Are Still Intact, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa humorously describes his children’s toys surviving a month after Christmas, including a basketball his son Mike inflated with a broken needle. He also shares anecdotes about his daughter Susan’s gymnastics and anticipation of her birthday.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei Experimental Players Take Their Show on the Road, by Hiroshi Kashiwagi, page 5. Hiroshi Kashiwagi recounts the Nisei Experimental Group’s performances of short Kyogen plays and his one-act drama The Plums Can Wait in San Francisco and Berkeley. He describes the rehearsals, costume preparations, and logistics leading to their Bay Area shows.
• Wartime Japanese Evacuation Stimulated Corrective Action, by Stephen Pearce, page 5. Stephen Pearce reviews William Henry Cooke’s pamphlet Peoples of the Southwest: Patterns of Prejudice, which examines discrimination against minority groups in the Southwest. He notes that the harsh Japanese internment program prompted many organizations to work for equal opportunity.

Sports

• Wide Representation for JACL Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 6th annual National JACL bowling tournament in Denver is expected to draw more states than ever, including first-time entries from Montana and Wyoming. Hawaii will not send a team this year due to a competing invitational in Honolulu.
• Rainbows Have Nisei Skyscrapers, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The University of Hawaii basketball team features three tall Nisei players, Fred Furukawa, Tom Ida, and Satoru Amaki, who helped defeat Memphis State. Honolulu’s AJA senior baseball league also prepared to open its season.
• Sako Gets Near-300 Game on Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tad Sako bowled nine straight strikes and a 279 game in San Francisco, narrowly missing a perfect game. Tom Matsumori also started with nine strikes before finishing with a 278 in Salt Lake City.
• Three Nisei Box for California Poly, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Three Nisei boxers, Jim Kashiwagi, Harry Fujimoto, and Graf Shintaku, are on the California Poly squad in San Luis Obispo. Several other Nisei athletes at various colleges and high schools were also noted.
• Grappler Tanaka Gets Overzealous, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hisao Tanaka, a Los Angeles wrestler competing in Texas as Duke Tanaka, was fined $100 in Dallas after a ring incident. The episode occurred when TV overzealousness led to a ring announcer being knocked down.
• Bill Nishita Quits California, Will Try for Pro Ball Career, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bill Nishita, a standout Nisei pitcher, left the University of California to pursue professional baseball, with interest from the Brooklyn Dodgers and Japanese clubs. He indicated he would return to school if his pro effort did not succeed.
• Feb. 1 Deadline Nears for JACL Tournament Entries, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Entries for the sixth annual National JACL bowling tournament in Denver close February 1, with events scheduled February 29 through March 2. The tournament is sanctioned under ABC moral support rules and requires JACL membership.
• Seattle Bowlers Win Major Honors at Northwest Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sakahara Insurance of Seattle retained its team championship at the 6th annual Northwest Nisei Bowling Classic. Pruney Tsuji took the six-game sweepstakes with a 1,216 series.

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