Evacuation claims hearings and discrimination at a Lake Tahoe resort

Vol. 41, No. 11, September 9, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Evacuation claims hearings were the main business of this eight-page issue. Hearings on the Lane-Hillings bill were set for San Francisco and Los Angeles in late September, and the paper reported that expert testimony was being sought on implementing the bill and measuring losses. On the front page, a column told of four Nisei refused service at a Lake Tahoe resort dining room, where the manager admitted it was policy, and argued that the final victory against racial bias was still to be gained. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter and an editorial covered Foreign Minister Shigemitsu’s visit.

Also inside: Bill Hosokawa’s “From the Frying Pan” on the end of summer vacation, and Robert L. Birchman on proposals to end the Trumbull Park riots. Wilfred M. Motokane Jr. was among the first cadets at the new Air Force Academy, and Dr. Hiroshi Yamauchi was honored at the University of California Medical School. Sports pages followed Lodi’s state baseball title and Roy Hashitani’s golf win.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Discrimination at Tahoe Resort, page 1. Four Nisei were refused service at a Lake Tahoe resort dining room because of their ancestry, and the manager admitted it was policy. The column argues that such discrimination persists nationwide and that the Nisei should have pursued charges under California’s civil rights law.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reflects on the end of summer vacation and his children’s anticipation of school, including his son’s hopes for high school football. He also notes the pleasant quiet that will settle over the household during the day.
• Seek End to Trumbull Park Riots, by Robert L. Birchman, page 4. The Chicago NAACP presented Mayor Richard Daley with eleven proposals to end the racial violence at Trumbull Park Homes. The proposals include police protection for Negro tenants, integration of Negro policemen, and investigation of organizations fomenting disorder.
• A Gravy Train: Suing School, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The author criticizes parents who sue schools after disciplinary actions against their children and blames parental indifference for juvenile delinquency. Seattle survey data shows Oriental children had a far lower delinquency rate, which the author attributes to home discipline and family closeness.
• Terrific Heat Plagues Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A week of 100-plus degree heat in Los Angeles recalls the author’s wartime memories at Poston. The column reflects on the discomfort of dressing formally during the heat.
• Editorial: Present State of Japan Explains Gravity of Shigemitsu Mission, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Foreign Minister Shigemitsu’s U.S. visit aimed to strengthen Japan-U.S. relations amid Communist influence in Japanese labor. The editorial argues that a prosperous, trade-oriented Japan would reduce Communist hopes.
• Very Truly Yours: Chapter Publishes Directory, by Harry Honda, page 8. The Cleveland JACL published a city-wide directory of Japanese American families, following similar efforts by other chapters and vernacular newspapers. The author encourages copies of directories be sent to the Pacific Citizen.

National

• Expert Testimony Sought for Claims Hearings on West Coast in Late September, by P.C. Staff, page 1. House Judiciary subcommittee hearings on the Japanese American evacuation claims bill are scheduled for San Francisco and Los Angeles in late September. The hearings will seek expert testimony on implementing the Lane-Hillings bill and measuring losses.
• Japanese Nationality Laws Explained, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese nationality is automatically lost when a Japanese subject acquires foreign nationality voluntarily, according to the Japanese Embassy. Women who regain American citizenship must also have their names removed from the family register (Koseki) within a set time.
• New Regulations Tell Limitations on Mailing Packages to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The U.S. Post Office has notified the JACL Washington Office of new Japanese restrictions on mailed packages. The rules cover gift parcel value limits, prohibited items, and import licensing requirements.
• Washington Newsletter: Shigemitsu Mission, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Foreign Minister Shigemitsu visited Washington to discuss continuing U.S.-Japan partnership in defense of the free world. The talks were judged successful as a means of personal understanding, with specifics left to subordinates.

Military & Veterans

• Air Cadet Motokane First Nisei to Join Air Force Academy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Wilfred M. Motokane Jr. of Honolulu is among the 306 cadets in the first class at the new Air Force Academy. The cadets are receiving college-level academic training while learning military life at Lowry AFB in Denver.
• Nisei Helicopter Crewman Rides with Eisenhower, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Army helicopter crewman Hiro Tsukimura carried President and Mrs. Eisenhower, an event noted in a Fowler JACL newsletter. Tsukimura had earlier been stationed at West Point.
• First Nisei West Pointer Lt. Shibata Resigns, Plans Law Career, by P.C. Staff, page 3. First Lt. George Shibata, the first Nisei appointed to West Point, resigned from the Air Force after combat service in Korea. He plans to study law at the University of Southern California.

Community

• Issei Applicants for Old Age Assistance to Get Japanese Forms, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Issei may now apply for California Old Age Assistance following an amendment effective Sept. 7. Japanese translations of the supplemental application form will be made available as a public service.
• Sammy Lee to Open Santa Ana Medical Practice, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Sammy Lee, the former Olympic diving champion, has leased an office suite in Santa Ana where he will practice as an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist after his Air Force discharge. Lee was previously turned down twice in the area because of his Korean ancestry.
• Nisei Dentists Pass State Board Examinations, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Twelve Nisei were among the successful candidates in the California state board of dental examiners’ licensing exams announced Aug. 30. The group includes dentists from Sacramento, Fresno, and Los Angeles.
• Stella Nakadate Visits Governor in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Stella Nakadate, queen of the Los Angeles Nisei Week Festival, visited Governor Samuel Wilder King in Honolulu during a two-week prize vacation. She was accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Taneko Nakadate.
• Episcopalians Meet in Hawaii, by Larry Nakatsuka, page 3. The Episcopal General Convention is being held in Honolulu after being moved from Houston over segregation concerns. The convention includes delegates of many races and will consider a resolution on racial desegregation.
• Hiroshi Yamauchi Honored at UC Medical School, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Hiroshi Yamauchi, a Nisei, received the Gold Head Cane as top graduate of the University of California Medical School and is now interning at King County Hospital in Seattle. The San Francisco Chronicle praised the award as a rebuke to charges of white chauvinism.
• Nagoya YMCA Dedicates New Wing with U.S. Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new addition to the Nagoya YMCA was completed with funds raised in California by Issei and Nisei. The fundraising drive was led by the late Dr. Galen M. Fisher.
• Silversmith Osaki Wins State Fair Prize, by Tom T. Ito, page 3. Sacramento silversmith Harry A. Osaki won first prize in the metalwork division of the California State Fair crafts competition. His winning piece was a silver work.
• Myra-Jo Okazaki Receives $5,000 Fellowship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Myra-Jo Okazaki, a University of Hawaii graduate, was named recipient of the Li Foundation Fellowship for social science research. She plans to study at Radcliffe College for a master’s degree in psychology.
• Redlands U. Frosh Co-ed Wins Award at Orange County JAYs Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Orange County Japanese American Youths held their first annual installation banquet in Santa Ana. Agnes Morioka received a $100 scholarship and George Inagaki, national JACL president, addressed the group.
• Downtown L.A. JACL Sponsors Naturalization Class, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL is sponsoring an Americanization class to prepare Issei for naturalization at the Hobart Blvd. school. An English course for foreign-born residents will also be offered on Monday evenings.
• Gardena Valley JACL Benefit Movie Features Guest Singer, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Soprano Shige Yano will perform as guest singer at the Gardena Valley JACL benefit movie nights on Sept. 23-24. Proceeds will support the national JACL program.
• Fresno JACL End of Summer Barbecue, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fresno JACLers and their families gathered at the International Institute for an end-of-summer family barbecue. Mike Iwatsubo served as general chairman.
• Scene Magazine Ends, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Scene magazine, an all-English Nisei publication, has ceased publication after years of losses. Its suspension illustrates the limited market for Nisei magazines.

Obituaries

• Nisei Drowns off Mexican Shores, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George S. Kojima, a Nisei gardener, drowned while bathing off Johnson Ranch Beach south of Ensenada during a Labor Day vacation. His body was later found washed ashore.
• Lt. Shibata Honored at Pentagon Ceremony for Journalist Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Nisei news cameraman, Inouye, who was killed in a 1950 plane crash in Japan while covering a story, was honored with a Gold Star plaque at a Defense Department ceremony. He died with 11 other newspapermen.

Arts & Entertainment

• Gentle Wolfhound Star Rejoins Old Regiment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Actor Hugh O’Reilly has rejoined the 27th Infantry, whose members raised more than $187,000 for a Japanese orphanage in Osaka. The story of this effort is being filmed for release.
• Well-Known Scripter for Home Again, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Michael Blankfort is scripting a film adaptation of James Edmiston’s novel Home Again about a Japanese American family during mass evacuation. Casting ideas include Sono Osato and other Nisei actresses for the lead role.
• Tired Staying at Ritzy Waikiki, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The columnist describes tiring of luxury Waikiki hotel life and moving to a modest Nisei-owned hotel. A nagging tourist guest provides a memorable episode during the stay.
• Japanese Tarzan Arrives, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Japanese film company produced a version of Tarzan starring swimming champion Hironoshin Furuhashi, shot in the San Fernando Valley. The film is titled Brooba.

Sports

• Lodi Collects 21-15 Win in Nisei Baseball Tournament, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Placer JACL of Lodi won its third California State Nisei Baseball championship by defeating a Los Angeles team 21-15. The team’s heavy hitting powered the win in a wild game.
• Roy Hashitani of Oregon Cops NW Nisei Open, by George Azu, page 6. Roy Hashitani of Ontario, Oregon, won the Northwest Nisei Open 36-hole golf tournament at Eastmoreland in sweltering heat. Ervin Furukawa of Seattle finished second after a birdie on the 37th hole.

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