California's Alien Land Law ruled unconstitutional

Vol. 34, No. 17, April 26, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

California’s Supreme Court struck down the state’s Alien Land Law, and that ruling led this issue. Chief Justice Phil Gibson wrote that the law was designed and administered as an instrument of racial discrimination against Japanese farmers. The paper reported that the state had not yet said whether it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on the UN Charter question. JACL first vice president Frank Chuman called the Sei Fujii decision the greatest for Californians of Japanese ancestry in our time. The House also passed the Walter omnibus immigration bill, 206 to 68, which would remove race bars to immigration and naturalization.

Elsewhere, the Senate restored $9 million for evacuation claims payments, and Larry Tajiri wrote about the Nisei and Japan. Bill Hosokawa and Mary Oyama contributed family columns. Nisei athletes filled the sports pages: Norman Tamanaha’s fifth place in the Boston Marathon, and Tommy Kono and George Yoshioka in weightlifting.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

No Decision Yet by California on Appeal to State Court Ruling Outlawing Anti-Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California had not announced whether it would appeal the State Supreme Court’s April 17 decision finding the Alien Land Law unconstitutional. The ruling could be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court on the UN Charter question.
Justice Gibson’s Majority Opinion Strikes Down Alien Land Law as Racial Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chief Justice Phil Gibson wrote that the law was designed and administered as an instrument of racial discrimination against Japanese farmers. Justice Schauer dissented, charging the majority with refusing to follow the law.
JACL Official Hails Court Verdict in Land Law Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL first vice president Frank Chuman called the California Supreme Court’s Fujii decision the greatest decision for Californians of Japanese ancestry in our time. He spoke at a Long Beach Issei recognition banquet.

Community

Los Angeles May Bid for JACL Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council voted unanimously to bid for the 1954 National JACL Convention. Chairman Edison Uno cited the city’s facilities, manpower, and community support.
Rashomon Benefit Nets Nearly $500 for Denver Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ticket sales for a Denver showing of the film Rashomon raised $478.90 for the JACL-ADC. The film ran at the Vogue Art Cinema during the first two weeks of April.
Utah Flood Forces Family’s Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Floodwaters from the Spanish Fork river surrounded the Nabo Kaneko home and flooded farmland on April 23. Neighbors evacuated the family by horse and wagon.
Manzanar Co-op Gives Funds to JACL Program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Manzanar Cooperative Enterprise donated $749.65 to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee. Trustees said the funds could be well used advancing the interests of Issei and Nisei.
California Agency Restores, Denies Liquor Sales Permits, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The State Board of Equalization restored two liquor licenses to Alfred Obayashi of San Diego but denied Toshikuni Taenaka’s request in Watts. The board cited protests and suggested a more suitable location.
Girl Scouts Learn Japanese Ondo Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. More than 30 Girl Scouts from Berea, Ohio, learned the Japanese ondo folk dance from Cleveland instructors. They performed before a capacity audience at the Berea High School auditorium.
Dayton JACL Holds Welcoming Party, by P.C. Staff, page 2. New Dayton JACL members were welcomed at a get-acquainted party at the home of Dr. and Mrs. James Taguchi. Guests included University of Dayton students from Hawaii and Japanese foods were served.
Fowler Chapter Holds Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The organizational meeting of the new Fowler JACL chapter was held at the community hall on April 25. It is the 83rd chapter and belongs to the Central California District Council.
California School Picks Nisei as Girls State Delegate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Nisei student from San Pedro High School was selected to represent the school at Girls State in Sacramento. The selection went to the top-ranking junior student.
Nisei Named to Iowa Pastorate, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rev. Tom Fukuyama, director of Brotherhood House in Denver, accepted a call to the Congregational Church in McGregor, Iowa. He is the first Nisei to pastor there.
Nisei Attends Signal Corps Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Wilbur Kashiwagi, liaison representative for the Sacramento Signal Depot, attended a two-week Signal Corps conference in Philadelphia. He is the first Nisei liaison representative from that depot.
Boise Valley Plans Annual June Affair, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Boise Valley JACL will hold its annual June banquet honoring high school and college graduates at the Golden Pheasant. Social chairman Lois Itami will be in charge.
Phoenix Masaoka Meets Columnist Bert Fireman, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka met with Phoenix Gazette columnist Bert Fireman to urge press and radio support for the McCarran Omnibus measure. A photo shows Masaoka with former 442nd battle comrades in Phoenix.
Seek Names of Eligible Issei for JACL’s Pioneer Night, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Friends and chapters are asked to submit names of eligible Issei for recognition at the June Pioneer Night program in San Francisco. The deadline for submissions is April 30.
Rotary Elects Nisei Official, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Francis Wakasugi was elected vice president of the Costilla County Rotary Club in Colorado. Four other Nisei also received bids to join the club.
Letter Carriers Ask Seniority for Nisei Employes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California convention of the Letter Carriers Mutual Aid supported restoring seniority lost by Nisei postal workers due to evacuation. Todd Kamiya reported the legislation was broadened to cover all prewar Nisei federal workers.
Denver Clubs Plan Community Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A community square dance sponsored by the JACL, Adult Fellowship, and Brighton JAA will be held in Denver. Proceeds will be donated to the National JACL-ADC.
Social Winds Up Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Cleveland JACL held a welcome social for new members on March 29 with square dancing and refreshments. Tomi Andow served as chairman.
Terry Yamanaka Crowned Miss Portrait of Spring, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Terry Yamanaka of the Charmettes Girls Club was crowned Miss Portrait of Spring at a Chicago dance sponsored by the Girls Inter-Club Council. Her court included several other young women.
Optometrist Opens Pasadena Office, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. John Koyama announced the opening of a Pasadena branch office, the fourth of his practices in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Takao Shishino will be in charge of the new location.

Military & Veterans

Four Nisei GIs Hurt in Action in Korean Zone, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense reported four Nisei soldiers wounded in action in Korea. They were Cpl. Shigeo Ogawa, Cpl. Teruo Sakoda, Pfc. Takumi Kono, and Pfc. Isamu Uehara.
Nisei Heads Veterans Post in Hood River, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Show Endow Jr. was installed as commander of the Hood River VFW post, the first Nisei to hold the post in Oregon. He is a veteran of the Army who served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater and Italy and France.
Three Return Home from Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Three Southern California Nisei soldiers were among 4,587 Army and Air Force rotation troops who returned from Korea on April 21. They were Sgt. Sam Kajikawa and Cpl. Hiroshi Meifu of Los Angeles and Sgt. I. S. Nakagawa of Long Beach.
Kawakita Moved from L.A. City Jail, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tomoya Kawakita, convicted of wartime brutality to Allied prisoners, was threatened by war veterans in the Los Angeles county jail. Federal authorities considered moving him to the Orange County jail.
California Nisei Wins Silver Star, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sgt. Frank Matsushima of Los Angeles was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Korea. He also holds the Bronze Star from his first four months of combat service.

Obituaries

Widow of Famed Potato King Dies in Santa Monica, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Shime Ushijima, 82, widow of Stockton’s Potato King Kinji Ushijima, died of illness in Santa Monica on April 22. She had been visiting a son when she was stricken.

National

House Passes Walter Omnibus Measure, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House passed the Walter omnibus immigration bill 206 to 68, a measure that would remove race bars to immigration and naturalization. It is similar to the McCarran bill pending in the Senate.
Walter Omnibus Bill Debated in House, Erases Race Bar, by P.C. Staff, page 1. House debate on the Walter bill extended quotas to Asian nations and erased the naturalization race bar. Amendments by Congressman Celler were defeated, including one to remove the Asia-Pacific Triangle formula.
Discuss Possible Intervention By State Department on Problems of Japanese Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka held informal talks with State Department Japan desk officials on whether the department might intervene for Japanese Americans. Requests included better yen deposit exchange rates and extended filing deadlines for vested property.
Senate Passes 11 Private Bills Admitting Individual Japanese Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Senate passed 11 private bills for the relief of persons of Japanese ancestry, ten of which had already passed the House and now go to the President. The bills admit adopted children and relatives.
Two Western Senators Obtain Passage of $9 Million Fund for Evacuee Claims Payments, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senators Magnuson and Hayden led the Senate to restore $9,000,000 for compromised evacuation claims after the Appropriations Committee had cut the funds. The JACL ADC lobbied for the restoration.
Canada Considers New Policy on Strandee Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Canadian government is studying an immigration policy on requests from Japanese Canadians stranded in Japan during the war to return. Two cases of those forced into Japanese service will be reviewed.

JACL

Convention Officials Discuss Plans for Homecoming Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Four associate chairmen of the National JACL convention board met to plan the June San Francisco convention. Biographies describe their longtime JACL service and civic activities.

Commentary

Hood River Can Be Proud, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Hood River, Oregon, once removed Nisei servicemen’s names from its honor roll, but has since moved toward racial democracy. Its VFW installing Show Endow Jr. as commander symbolizes the community’s integration of Nisei.
Punch Gone from Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco Chronicle editorial praises the State Supreme Court for voiding the Alien Land Law. It argues the U.N. Charter does not override state law and urges the Attorney General to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Nisei and Japan, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri examines the Nisei’s position following ratification of the San Francisco Peace Treaty. He argues Nisei should avoid political involvement with Japan while retaining cultural heritage.
Senators Magnuson, Hayden Win Claims Fund Restoration, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The continuation of coverage details debate in the Senate over evacuation claims funding, including Sen. Saltonstall’s objections. Sen. Magnuson argued the claims should be paid promptly and praised Japanese American cooperation.
Our Son Goes to a Party, by Mary Oyama, page 5. Mary Oyama describes her son’s teen party in Los Angeles, a Stardust-themed dance hosted by a classmate. She reflects on the mixed-race guest list and the poise of the young guests.
Susan Studies the Piano, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa recounts his eight-year-old daughter Susan’s piano recital in Denver. He reflects on how quickly children grow and on the lessons the piano has taught her.
Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 7. This column notes JACL convention speaker prospects, a JACL letter to the FCC on racist wartime films, and Dr. S. I. Hayakawa’s television appearances. It also reports on Lt. Col. Walter Tsukamoto’s service in Korea.

Sports

Makes Olympic Tryouts: Nisei Distance Runner Takes Fifth in Boston Marathon, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Norman Tamanaha, a 45-year-old Hawaiian Nisei, placed fifth in the Boston Marathon and qualified for the U.S. Olympic tryouts. He collapsed at the finish line after finishing in 2:01:55.
Yomiuri Giants Favored Again, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Yomiuri Giants are favored to win the Japanese pro baseball championship after signing Nisei catcher Jun Hirota. The sports roundup also covers Nisei bowling and boxing results.
Tokyo Giants Sign Bill Nishita; Japan Champions May Also Sign Hirayama, Sakuma Next Year, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants signed Nisei pitcher Bill Nishita, and hope to sign additional Nisei players for 1953. Nishita will report to the club on May 1.
Kimura Loses in Bid for U.S. Olympic Berth, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Joe Kimura of San Francisco State was pinned in the semifinals of the Olympic wrestling tryouts at Ames, Iowa. He had earlier pinned Paul Boyko of Toledo University.
Umeda Loses to Teran in Bloody Bout, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tommy Umeda, a 442nd veteran, lost a 10-round decision to Keeny Teran in Los Angeles. Umeda rallied in the final rounds and gave Teran the hardest fight of his career.
Yoshioka Sets New American Lifting Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 7. George Yoshioka set a new American clean and jerk record of 260 pounds in the 123-pound division at the national championships in Honolulu. He broke the previous record of 248 pounds.
Placer JACL Wins Opening League Game, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Placer JACL team rallied in the ninth inning to defeat Nevada City 9 to 8 in the league opener. Norm Matsuoka’s hit gave the Nisei team the lead.
Pacemaker Team Wins San Diego Bowling Crown, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacemaker No. 1 team won the San Diego JACL winter bowling league championship. The league awards dinner honored the season’s top male and female bowlers.
Tom Kono Begins Training for Olympic Team, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Pfc. Tommy Kono, a Sacramento Nisei holding Pacific Coast weightlifting records, is training for the Olympic tryouts in New York in June. He is athletic supervisor at Fort Mason.
Cpl. Umemoto Wins Bout by TKO, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Cpl. Mas Umemoto of Wapato, Washington, won his first bout in the 6th Army boxing championships by a technical knockout in the second round. He floored his opponent in the first round.

Arts & Entertainment

Nisei Soprano Tomi Kanazawa Set for Metropolitan Opera Role, by P.C. Staff, page 5. California-born soprano Tomi Kanazawa will make her Metropolitan Opera debut as Madame Butterfly in Minneapolis on May 18. She is the first singer of Japanese ancestry to appear with the Met.

In-Depth

Japanese in the Americas: Race Relations in Brazil, by Elmer R. Smith, page 6. Smith estimates over 422,000 persons of Japanese ancestry live in the Americas, mostly in Brazil. He outlines Brazil’s cultural diversity and the ethnic groups that make up its population.

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