Issei naturalization and the JACL’s new Washington office

Vol. 36, No. 7, February 13, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

Naturalization was the main thread of this eight-page issue. Chicago Issei were told by Marcus T. Neeley that filing involves no red tape and no attorney fees. Rev. Thomas Jonathan Machida of Seattle became the first Japanese naturalized in the Northwest. Denver planned a graduation fete for 300 Issei students, and a Portland class of 60 neared the end of its Americanization course. The JACL moved its Washington office, with Mike Masaoka remaining its representative, and a special board meeting recommended a supporting membership plan open to Issei and Nisei.

On the editorial page, an editorial urged payment of the evacuation loss claims, about $6.5 million still unpaid. Bill Hosokawa warned of coming red-baiting led by Senator McCarthy, and Harry K. Honda wrote about commentators of fact. Letters from Jack Hamilton and Kenneth M. Nishimoto added readers’ views. Page one also carried a Soldier’s Medal for Cpl. Sadao Fujita and a samurai sword bound for a Washington museum.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Samurai Sword Given to Honolulu Missionary by Shipwrecked Fisherman to Be Shown in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A samurai sword belonging to Manjiro Nakahama, a shipwrecked Japanese fisherman, will be exhibited at the Truxton-Decatur Naval Museum in Washington this summer. The sword was presented to Honolulu missionary Rev. Samuel C. Damon as thanks for raising funds for Nakahama’s trip to Japan.
• Soldier’s Medal Given to Nisei for Saving Life of GI, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cpl. Sadao Fujita of Hanapepe, Kauai, received the Soldier’s Medal in Korea for risking his life to save a fellow soldier from a flooded river. The bridge collapsed moments after he pulled the man to shore.

Community

• No Red Tape for Naturalization, Assures Official, by By L. Nakatsuka, page 1. Chicago Issei were told by Marcus T. Neeley, local immigration and naturalization director, that filing for naturalization involves no red tape and no attorney fees. Forms are available at the Midwest JACL office and applicants should file promptly.
• Seattle Minister First Northwest Issei to Be Sworn In as Citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Thomas Jonathan Machida, pastor of the Seattle Japanese Methodist Church, became the first Japanese to be naturalized in the Northwest. He said he hoped to set a good example for others who would follow.
• Young Nisei Girl Killed, Two Others Injured in Two-Car Seattle Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Miss Jane Nakagawa, 18, died after a two-car collision in Seattle, and two other women were injured. The driver of the car, Mrs. Margaret Yanagimachi, suffered a back injury.
• Denver Planning Graduation Fete for 300 Issei Students, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A graduation ceremony is being planned for 300 Issei studying American history and government in Denver under Fred I. Kaihara. Recognition greetings are expected from immigration officials, the American Legion, and the Denver public schools.
• Cherry Blossoms Fooled Into Bloom in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Unseasonal warmth caused cherry trees to bloom in moderate numbers at Hains Point in Washington in January despite cold winds. The early blossoms surprised local observers.
• Vancouver Rejects City FEP Proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vancouver City Council rejected a bill that would have canceled business licenses of firms practicing discrimination, citing a similar federal bill under consideration in Ottawa. The proposal had been submitted by the Vancouver Joint Labor Committee.
• Arkansas High School Principal Earns M.A., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Paul Makabe, principal of Lincoln High School in Arkansas, received his master of arts degree from the University of Arkansas. He had graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in education from Arkansas State Teachers College.
• Hawaiian Broiler Opens in Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 2. George Furuta opened the Hawaiian Broiler restaurant on Western Avenue in Denver, with an atmosphere evoking the Hawaiian Islands. Specialties include chicken, steak, and ribs, and over $20,000 has been invested.
• Southland Beauty Vies for Western Bussei Title, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hongwanji YBA member June Kuratomi was chosen Miss Southern District at a coronation ball in Los Angeles. She will compete in the Miss WYBL race next month.
• Bank of Tokyo Los Angeles Office Opens, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The new Los Angeles office of the Bank of Tokyo opened on South San Pedro Street and attracted about 100 new accounts on its first day. Board member George Inagaki greeted guests at the opening.
• Festival Promoters Stymied by Law, Can’t Import Cherry Blossoms, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hawaii’s Cherry Blossom Festival planners cannot import real cherry blossoms from Japan due to agricultural restrictions. Organizers may use Mainland blossoms or paper substitutes.
• Tokyo Topics: Boy Scouts, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japan is selecting 16 honored scouts to attend the National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America in Irvine Park, California. The article describes the reactivation of Japanese scouting under the Occupation and its American-influenced structure.
• Americanization Class of 60 Portlanders Nears End, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A class of 60 Portland Issei is nearing completion of its Americanization course by mid-February, taught by instructor Mr. Yasui. The class is part of local efforts to prepare Issei for naturalization.

JACL

• Supporting Member Plan Set Up, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A special National JACL board meeting unanimously recommended a new supporting membership category open to Issei and Nisei, which was endorsed by the NC-WN district council. The plan aims to sustain JACL’s Washington program and was discussed alongside internee claims and naturalization assistance.

Commentary

• Washington Newsletter: Moved to New Address, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Washington JACL-ADC office has separated from the living quarters of Mike and Etsu Masaoka and moved to Suite 51, 1737 H Street NW. The author reflects on the office’s history since 1947 and the documents found in their files.
• Editorial: Unpaid Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges prompt payment of evacuation loss claims, of which about $6.5 million remains unpaid. It argues that awards are only promises until money is appropriated and that elderly Issei may not live to see payment.
• From the Frying Pan: Preposterous, You Say, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. The columnist warns of coming red-baiting led by Senator McCarthy and compares his tactics to the wartime smears against the Nisei. He urges Nisei to recognize trial by headline for what it is.
• Very Truly Yours: Commentators of Fact, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Editor Harry Honda discusses the difference between commentators of fact and commentators of fancy. He argues that a credible commentator must be thoroughly informed on the subject matter.
• Some Frank Talk on Hawaii Statehood, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues Hawaii meets all traditional criteria for statehood, having a population larger than four existing states. It notes that Republican leaders now predict early congressional action on the matter.
• Speak Out!, by Jack Hamilton, page 8. Jack Hamilton of Watsonville responds to Dr. Horii, arguing that racial discrimination must be challenged openly rather than passed off with a shrug. He contends that silence serves the purposes of Japan’s wartime propaganda against American democracy.
• Alien Protests, by Kenneth M. Nishimoto, page 8. Kenneth Nishimoto, an alien seeking citizenship, writes to protest JACL’s support of the McCarran-Walter Act, which he says was too costly in conscience and goodwill. He says he joins Dr. Hayakawa and Togo Tanaka in lodging a strong protest.

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