Evacuation claims hearings and a call to rededicate to JACL

Vol. 41, No. 16, October 14, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Two subjects ran through this eight-page issue: the push to amend the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of 1948, and a front-page editorial urging Nisei to rededicate themselves to JACL. Rep. Thomas J. Lane opened House hearings on HR 7763, and a Washington newsletter weighed the bill’s prospects. Harry Honda’s column covered the Los Angeles and San Francisco hearings. Bill Hosokawa wrote in praise of Dillon Myer, the former War Relocation Authority director, and the editorial recalled the sacrifices of Nisei servicemen in World War II.

Elsewhere, the San Francisco chapter agreed to host the 1956 National JACL Convention, and the Justice Department narrowed the listing of Shinto temples on the Attorney General’s proscribed list. Mile-Hi JACL members attended a Denver ceremony for new citizens, including 57 of Japanese ancestry. Tamotsu Murayama’s Tokyo column and Mary Oyama’s reflections on life in Hawaii round out the commentary.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Rededication, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial reflects on JACL’s first decade and the sacrifices of Nisei servicemen in World War II. It calls on Nisei to rededicate themselves to JACL’s ideals so their past sacrifices are not in vain.
• Dillon Myer—Practical Humanitarian, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa praises former WRA director Dillon Myer as a practical humanitarian who earned the trust of evacuees. He recounts Myer’s early WRA decisions and his meeting with President Roosevelt, and encourages Myer to write a book about WRA.
• Holiday Issue Solicitations, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Smoky Sakurada’s Chicago column reports on business news and solicitations for greetings in the Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue. It also notes staff changes at the Japanese American Service Committee and Midwest JACL office.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry Honda, page 6. Harry Honda’s column discusses the 1955 Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue chapter presidents’ roll and the 25th anniversary plans. It also covers the Los Angeles and San Francisco congressional hearings on evacuation claims.
• Smogers Column: Life in Hawaii Adventures, by Mary Oyama, page 7. Mary Oyama recounts humorous early experiences as a mainland visitor in Hawaii, including wardrobe mistakes and navigating Honolulu street names. The column offers lighthearted reflections on becoming a kamaaina.
• Washington Newsletter: Evacuation Claims Bill Outlook, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Washington newsletter analyzes prospects for the Lane-Hillings evacuation claims bill in the Senate and House. It discusses filing deadlines, cost estimates, and the timetable for congressional action.

JACL

• San Francisco to Host 1956 National JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL chapter agreed to host the 14th biennial National JACL Convention in 1956. The convention will be held at the Sheraton-Palace Hotel from August 30 to September 3, with Jerry Enomoto named convention board chairman.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Name Appears on Top National Editorial Cartoon, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Lou Grant editorial cartoon for the Oakland Tribune, ‘Blood Type—American,’ featured the name Yamaguchi on a cross among other fallen soldiers’ names. The cartoon won a nationwide contest sponsored by the local Newspaper Publishers Association.

National

• Shinto Temples Redesignated on Attorney General’s Proscribed List, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department changed the designation of Shinto temples on the Attorney General’s proscribed list to apply only to State Shinto, abolished in 1945. The JACL had long argued that the original designation violated freedom of religion.
• Mass Naturalization Rites for New Citizens on Nov. 11 Protested, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Following protests by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, mass naturalization ceremonies will no longer be held on Veterans Day, November 11. Commissioner Joseph M. Swing said such ceremonies would not be an annual event.
• Citizenship Curb Removed from Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Seattle Housing Authority no longer requires public housing applicants to be United States citizens, according to Charles W. Ross. The change makes it possible to house families in hardship circumstances who were previously ineligible.
• Lane’s Opening Remarks on Japanese American Evacuation Claims Bill HR 7763, by Rep. Thomas J. Lane, page 3. Rep. Thomas J. Lane, chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Claims, opens hearings on HR 7763 to amend the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of 1948. He reviews the evacuation background, the loyalty and combat record of Japanese Americans, and the losses evacuees suffered.
• Blessings of Liberty Theme at National Conference on Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The annual National Conference on Citizenship in Washington explored the blessings of liberty through speakers including Harry P. Cain, Walter J. Mason, and Boyd Campbell. The conference concluded with the naturalization of 100 new citizens.

Community

• Nisei Auditor Elected President of AFL Lodge of Government Employees Union, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Obata of Vacaville was elected president of Public Housing Lodge 476, an AFL government employees union, the first known Nisei to lead an AFL lodge. Obata also hopes the union will implement integration policies.
• NC-WNDC Convention Entry Deadline Set Oct. 20, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WNDC JACL district convention bowling tournament, hosted by Sonoma County chapter, has an entry deadline of October 20. The tournament is set for November 5 at Santa Rosa Bowl.
• Mile-Hi JACLers Attend Citizenship Day Ceremonies, 57 Issei Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mile-Hi JACL representatives attended a Denver ceremony honoring newly naturalized citizens, including 57 new citizens of Japanese ancestry. The JACL has participated in these citizenship programs for ten years.
• Mile-Hi Opens 1955 Community Chest Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Four Mile-Hi JACL members attended the 1955 Denver Community Chest kickoff luncheon. JACL solicitation teams will work the 20th and Larimer Street area to help meet the $2,000,000 quota.
• Tentative IDC Convention Plans of Nov. 25-27 Told, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Snake River chapter in Ontario, Oregon announced the tentative schedule for the eighth biennial Intermountain District Council convention, November 25-27. The program includes a mixer, banquets, luncheons, a fashion show, bowling and business sessions.
• Mile-Hi Chapter Gears for Mountain-Plains Parley on Nov. 25-27, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mile-Hi JACL in Denver will host the Mountain-Plains JACL District Council convention over Thanksgiving weekend, November 25-27. Planning continues under acting president Irvin Matsuda while chapter president Harry Sakata recovers from illness.
• Varied Activities Mark Resumption of Fall Season for Detroit JACLers, by Kay Miyaya, page 4. The Detroit JACL chapter resumed its fall activities, including a Sunday Japanese language class, ballroom dance classes, a bridge club, and flower arrangement classes. The programs are run by chapter officers and volunteers.
• Super-Seasoning Ad and Chapter Memos, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chapter news briefs report on San Diego JACL’s upcoming credit union discussion, Mile-Hi bridge plans, Eden Township citizenship classes, Omaha’s back-to-school weenie bake, and Hollywood JACL bridge lessons.
• Four Star Hollywood Ad and Chicago JACL 1000 Club News, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The 1000 Club honor roll praises chapters for membership gains, with Downtown Los Angeles chapter leading. The article sets a goal of 1,000 active members and outlines the new OPERATIONS BREAKTHROUGH membership campaign for 2,000 by the 1956 national convention.
• Life Member No. 19: Takashi Hori of Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Takashi Hori of Seattle became the 19th Life member of the 1000 Club. He is proprietor of the Panama Hotel and has served in several civic organizations.
• San Diego Receives Lantern as Goodwill Gift from Yokohama, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A 414-foot granite lantern gifted by the people of Yokohama was dedicated at the San Diego Zoological Gardens. The gift was arranged by Saburo Muraoka, San Diego JACL vice-president, and inscribed as a wish for everlasting peace.

In-Depth

• Tokyo Topics: Japan’s No. 1 Anti-American Woman Agitator, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The column profiles Ayako Ishigaki, a former New Yorker who became a prominent anti-American agitator in Japan and was regarded as a queen by Japanese Reds. Her advocacy of women’s freedom made her popular, though her views are described as contrary to national welfare.
• Plagiarism Suit Dismissed in Gene Fowler Minutes of the Last Meeting Case, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A plagiarism suit by the estate of Sadakichi Hartmann against Gene Fowler and Viking Press was dismissed after Fowler made a $2,500 settlement. The article also recounts Hartmann’s remarkable life as an author, artist, and Japanese-born immigrant.

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.