Vol. 38, No. 21, May 21, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue
Congress and the Supreme Court shaped this eight-page issue. The Senate approved by voice vote a bill restoring citizenship to Nisei who voted in Japanese elections during the occupation, sending it to the House. President Eisenhower signed two appropriation bills authorizing $1,595,722.38 to pay evacuation claims awards under the JACL-sponsored program. JACL officials, including National President George Inagaki, welcomed the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, a subject the editorial page took up as well.
Mike M. Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter gave a bill-by-bill status report on JACL’s legislative program. Bill Hosokawa wrote about spring foods gathered in Seattle, and Larry Tajiri looked at the term skibby. Also inside are preparations for the national convention in Chicago, JACL chapter and district council news, Sportscope, and community notes from across the West Coast and Midwest.
What’s in this issue
National
- Senate Passes Stranded Voters Bill, Now in House, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate approved by voice vote a bill restoring citizenship to Nisei who voted in Japanese elections during the occupation, sending it to the House. The bill, introduced by Sen. Arthur Watkins at JACL request, would enable about 2,000 Nisei to regain citizenship.
- Congressional Committee Oks Restoration of VA Aid to Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Veterans Affairs Committee favorably reported a bill by Rep. Craig Hosmer to restore veterans benefits to Japanese and German nationals whose benefits were canceled after World War II. The VA itself recommended favorable consideration, calling the bar on payments unjustified.
- Segregation Outlawed, Decision Hailed by JACL Officials, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL officials joined Americans in welcoming the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. National President George Inagaki and others said the decision advances equality and civil rights for all minorities, including Japanese Americans.
- Formal Decree Ordering Schools to Quit Segregation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled segregation of Negro and white children in public schools unconstitutional, withholding a formal implementation order pending further arguments. Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.
- Sec’y of Interior McKay Views Alaska State Split, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Interior Secretary Douglas McKay said he saw no reason against splitting Alaska to allow part of it to become a state. He added he had no firm opinion on whether Alaska should become a state.
- Tokyo Topics: Filipino-Japanese Relations, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Murayama, a Japan Boy Scout delegate in Manila, reports Filipinos expressed friendly sentiments toward Japanese scouts despite wartime bitterness. He describes requests from Filipinos seeking information about Japanese soldiers who had been kind during the war.
- Provoo Appeal for New Trial Refused by Judge, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Federal Judge Gregory Noonan refused motions to set aside the life sentence for treason imposed on John David Provoo. Provoo, an ex-Japanese prisoner of war, was convicted in 1953.
Incarceration & Redress
- Eisenhower Signs Two Appropriation Bills to Pay Evacuation Claim Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower signed two appropriation measures authorizing $1,595,722.38 for evacuation claims awards under the JACL-sponsored Evacuation Claims Act. The Treasury Department will begin issuing checks to successful claimants, though mailing may take time.
Community
- Mrs. Akahoshi Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Nobuta Akahoshi, a well-known Oakland Issei women’s leader, died after complications from a stomach operation. She is survived by her husband, son, and daughter.
- Hawaiian Club Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Hawaiian Civic Club opened membership to non-Hawaiians, prompting a resignation protest that was later resolved. Chief Justice Edward Towse became the first non-Hawaiian admitted as an associate member.
- Colorado Youth Exiled from Manchuria Home, by Katherine Kawamura, page 3. Mike Emizawa, a Manchuria-born youth, came to Montrose, Colorado, with sponsorship from John Souder and has become an active high school student leader. He was elected student body vice-president and band president.
- Chicago Corner: Shooting Threatens Family, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. A shooting on Chicago’s southside injured a 13-year-old boy and threatened the family of Mrs. Jane Izumi. The bullet went across the street and crashed through a window at the Izumi residence.
- Marysville Area Issei Sworn In at Mass Naturalization Ceremonies, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Forty-four Issei from Marysville, Yuba City, Gridley, Colusa, and Nicolaus became naturalized citizens in Sacramento federal court. Judge Oliver Carter presided and Frank Okimoto addressed the new citizens for JACL.
- Marriage and Birth Notices, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Vital statistics including births, marriages, engagements, and deaths in Nisei communities across the West Coast and Midwest.
Commentary
- Washington Newsletter: JACL’s Legislative Program, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports that Congress is moving slowly and JACL’s bills face uncertain prospects this session. He gives a bill-by-bill status report covering Hawaiian statehood, evacuation claims, Peruvian Japanese, Nisei voting, pensions, and other measures.
- Nisei Affairs Like McCarthy-Army Feud When It Comes to Trivialities, by Toyo Takata, page 3. Canadian columnist Toyo Takata critiques the televised McCarthy-Army hearings as disorderly and wasteful of time. He notes television seems to hinder government progress.
- Le Societe de Slipped Disc and 1000 Club Notes, by Tats Kushida, page 6. The 1000 Club is explained as a JACL membership tier requiring $25 annual giving to support National Headquarters. Several chapters are pushing for increased 1000 Club membership.
- Editorials: Unanimous Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial welcomes the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling against segregated schools and notes California’s own history with segregation of Japanese and Mexican students. It agrees that separate facilities cannot provide equal protection.
- From the Frying Pan: A Rite of Spring, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa reminisces about spring foods such as radish-top tsukemono, warabi ferns, and fuki gathered in Seattle. He reflects on how Nisei have lost the lore of finding wild edibles.
- Vagaries: Damon Runyon’s Skibby, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri examines the derogatory term skibby, which Damon Runyon popularized in wartime columns, and critiques H.L. Mencken’s account of its origin. He also discusses the offensiveness of the word Jap.
Arts & Entertainment
- Noted Nisei Architect Wins Acclaim; Japan-Bound to Design U.S. Consulate, by Toshi Shimoura, page 3. Detroit architect Minoru Yamasaki has been commissioned by the State Department to design the U.S. consulate in Kobe, Japan. The article profiles his career, family, and notable projects including the St. Louis airport terminal.
JACL
- Nat’l JACL: New Horizons, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Delegates and boosters for the national JACL convention in Chicago are urged to pre-register. Mrs. Mabel Ota, registration chairman, requested that chapters submit names of delegates early.
- Package Deal and Convention Budget Notes, by Harry Honda, page 5. The national convention budget committee explains the $30 package deal and optional event fees. Pasadena JACL was the first chapter to name official delegates.
- Downtowners Seek 100 1000-Clubbers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter set a goal of 100 1000 Club members and challenged other chapters to a membership contest ending June 30. Frank Suzukida chairs the drive.
- Northern California-Western Nevada District Council Meets in Oakland, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. The NCWNDC quarterly meeting approved developing a California legislative program and voter registration drive. Tom Yego and George Nishita were named official delegates to the national convention.
Sports
- Sportscope, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Roundup of Nisei sports news including the Shirai-Espinosa world flyweight title bout and preparations for the San Francisco Nisei Olympics. Several Nisei athletes were noted for strong track and field results.
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