Four weeks to the 1954 JACL convention, and an Issei naturalization push

Vol. 39, No. 6, August 6, 1954. 12 pages. View this issue

The Los Angeles convention of Sept. 2-6 was the thread running through this 12-page issue. The front page covered the Monterey pre-convention rally, where Miss National JACL Janet Fukuda welcomed some 150 delegates. Roy Nishikawa wrote about the trip, Masao W. Satow reported national membership at 11,424, and the paper listed the Sayonara Ball, golf and bowling tournaments, and a family hotel plan. The Hillings evacuation claims bill drew a plea from Rep. Oakley Hunter, who asked for hearings in Fresno. Naturalization of Issei also ran through the issue, with 200 and then 400 petitioners called for examinations in Los Angeles.

Also inside: reports on several California Exchange Clubs challenging the national group’s whites-only membership policy, and a preview of the Nisei Week Festival in Little Tokyo. Bill Hosokawa and Larry Tajiri wrote columns, Mike Masaoka sent his Washington newsletter, and the sports pages followed the Monterey golf cup.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Four Weeks Remain ’til Convention Time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Janet Fukuda, Miss National JACL of 1954, charmed civic leaders and JACLers at the pre-convention rally of the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council in Monterey. The rally drew delegates ahead of the Sept. 2-6 national convention in Los Angeles.
• Expansion of Services in Future May Require Increase in Budget, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL officials told the NCWNDC that expanded services may require higher appropriations, and asked the district not to set quota ceilings until the national convention in Los Angeles. The district has added a $10,000 regional office quota to its chapters’ fundraising goals.
• Fire Destroys Sacramento Home During Record Heat Wave, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A fire, believed caused by faulty wiring, spread through the Yoshisuke Keikoan home in Sacramento before anyone noticed during a 107-degree heat wave. Only the main floor and kitchen were spared.
• Two Hundred Issei to Be Examined for Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two hundred Issei will be examined for naturalization on Aug. 9 in Los Angeles, the largest group ever called in a single day. The JACL regional office said the session will practically complete the present file of Issei petitioners.
• Hawaii as Pacific Crossroads, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka describes the influx of international visitors to Hawaii, including race relations conferees, Southeast Asian newspaper editors, and Fulbright scholars. He highlights sociologist Jitsuichi Masuoka’s view that Hawaii models harmonious race relations.
• Nisei Pianist Mineko Sasahara Solos With Boston Pops, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mineko Sasahara, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sasahara of Cleveland, performed as guest soloist with the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler. She played Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 2 at Symphony Hall.
• Seattle Nisei Chartered as First Hill Lions Club, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle Nisei leaders and businessmen organized the First Hill Lions Club with 22 charter members, sponsored by the Capitol Hill Lions. James Matsuoka was elected first president.
• Sayonara Ball Orchestra Picked, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Elliott Brothers orchestra has been selected to play at the Sayonara Ball on Sept. 6 at the Statler Hotel during the National JACL Convention. Tickets are $3 per person and chapter members will have advance registration cards.
• On to L.A.! Roy Nishikawa Reports on NCWN Trip, by Roy Nishikawa, page 5. Nishikawa recounts a trip to the Monterey pre-convention rally with Miss National JACL Janet Fukuda and other officials. He praises Fukuda’s poise and reports that many Northern Californians pledged to attend the national convention.
• Blind JACLer of Sugar City, by Alice Kasai, page 5. Kasai profiles Tommy Miyasaki of Sugar City, Idaho, a blind World War II veteran who earned a degree in dairy husbandry at Utah State and now runs a poultry farm. She calls his story an inspiration to fellow JACLers.
• Suggest Unique Park, by Frank Freeman, page 6. Mercury-News columnist Frank Freeman proposed that San Jose give a park site to local Japanese American residents to develop as a Japanese garden. He also suggested similar park developments for other ethnic groups.
• Ken Dyo Injured as Car Careens Into Ditch, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mrs. Ken Dyo was hospitalized after Ken Dyo, temporarily blinded by oncoming headlights, swerved into a ditch while driving Janet Fukuda home. Mrs. Dyo was not seriously injured but remained under observation.
• Betty Farrington Elected Hawaii Delegate to Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Republican Betty Farrington won election as Hawaii’s delegate to Congress, filling the vacancy after the death of her husband Joseph Farrington. She received 43,247 votes.
• Arizona JACL Selects Eva Oda as Thunderbird Princess, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Eva Oda of Mesa, Arizona, was selected Thunderbird Princess of 1954 and will serve as delegate-at-large to the National JACL Convention in Los Angeles. The Arizona contingent plans a conspicuous presence at the convention.
• Watsonville Church Receives Japanese Community Pledges, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Japanese community of Watsonville pledged contributions to the Westview Presbyterian Church, which held ground-breaking ceremonies for an $80,000 church building.
• Akira Sanbonmatsu’s Poem ‘Masao’ Read at East Los Angeles JACL, by Akira Sanbonmatsu, page 7. A poem by Akira Sanbonmatsu of the East Los Angeles JACL, titled Masao, addresses a young Nisei farm boy’s hidden love and unwritten family codes. It was read before the chapter and well received.
• Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club Barred From National Exchange Over Nisei Member, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club says the National Exchange Club revoked its charter after it included a Nisei member and refused to return $700 in initiation fees. The club plans to renew its demand for the money.
• Cooperation of Workers Shown in Building Japanese House at MoMA, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Architect Junzo Yoshimura praised the diverse workers who helped build the Japanese Exhibition House at the Museum of Modern Art garden, including two Nisei and an Issei carpenter. He emphasized that a house should serve as shelter for human life.
• Little Tokyo Witnesses Bitterest Battle in Nisei Week Queen History, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Nisei Week queen contest among ten candidates became the most heated in years, with nearly 900,000 ballots distributed to merchants. The coronation is set for Aug. 15 at the Hollywood Palladium.
• Family Travel Boon Announced for National JACL Convention at Statler, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Los Angeles Statler announced a family plan with no charge for children under 14 sharing a room with parents during the Sept. 2-6 National JACL Convention. Convention housing chairman Marvel Miyata welcomed the policy.
• Pre-Registration Logjam at National JACL Convention Desk, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mabel Ota, registration chairman, urged delegates to submit advance registrations to avoid a last-minute logjam at the National JACL Convention. About 10 delegates and boosters had pre-registered by July.
• World Council of Churches Assembly to Discuss Racial Tensions, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Aug. 19-31 World Council of Churches meeting at Evanston will include a subsection on the church amid racial and ethnic tensions. Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa, who will attend as a delegate, expects three principal viewpoints on segregation.
• Monterey Chapter Hosts NCWNDC Pre-Convention Rally and Golf Tournament, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 9. The Monterey JACL hosted the NCWNDC Pre-National Convention Rally with about 180 attendees and honored 16 new Issei citizens. Trophies were presented at the first district council golf tournament and Miss National JACL Janet Fukuda was a highlight.
• Nisei Flyers Ready for Henry Ohye Trophy Race, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The third biennial Henry Ohye Trophy Race sponsored by Nisei Flyers of America is scheduled for the weekend, with 29 pilots entered. The race was opened to non-Nisei flyers this year.
• Honors and Achievements of Nisei Across the Nation, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A roundup of notable Nisei achievements includes Toma Tasaki’s election as Hawaii American Legion commander, Frank Sato’s CPA exam pass, and Kiyoshi Mihara’s naval ROTC honors. Other honorees include nurses and an Army band member.
• Sansei Attendants Chosen for Seattle Seafair Junior Royalty, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Sharon Hagimori and David Mimbu were chosen as Sansei attendants to Seattle’s Junior Royalty during the Seafair festivities. They took part in the Kiddies Parade and Torchlight Parade.
• National JACL Convention Souvenir Booklet Ready for Press, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A 120-page souvenir booklet for the National JACL Convention is complete and will be included in $30 package deals. Co-editors Michi Kataoka and Charles Asawa oversaw a volunteer crew assembling greetings, pictures and articles.
• Nisei Girl Princess at Salinas Colmo del Rodeo, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Pat Kita, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Harry Y. Kita and sponsored by Salinas JACL, was one of four princesses in the Colmo del Rodeo Queen’s court. The float was viewed by an estimated 100,000 people in the night parade.
• 400 Issei Petitioners to Be Called for Naturalization Exams, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Los Angeles INS office will call 400 Issei petitioners for oral examinations on Aug. 12 and 13. JACL will provide 18 interpreters to help catch up on the backlog of applicants.
• Nisei Week Festival Decorations and Program Set for Little Tokyo, by Henry Mori, page 11. Henry Mori previews the 14th Nisei Week Festival, Aug. 14-22, with decorations from Japan and a Pioneer Issei Night opening program. He also describes the queen candidates’ cocktail party and the presence of ex-Mayor Fletcher Bowron.
• Consulting Editorial: War Clouds Gather, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The editors warn that Syngman Rhee’s proposals for reunifying Korea, Russian airfield construction, and a new military manpower plan point to a dangerous future. They urge Nisei not to rest on past gains.

Commentary

• Another Exchange Club Challenges National ‘Whites Only’ Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Martinez Exchange Club became the latest California chapter to challenge the national organization’s whites-only membership policy. Several clubs are awaiting developments ahead of an Aug. 6 dissident meeting in Oakland.
• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on the congressional adjournment delay and Senate Majority Leader William Knowland’s first year. He also examines the House Rules Committee’s tabling of Hawaii statehood and what it reveals about racial politics.
• Hillings Bill Endorsed in Congressional Remarks, by Rep. Oakley Hunter, page 2. Congressman Hunter reprinted his remarks urging enactment of the Hillings Bill to speed payment of larger evacuation claims. He recounted that the Army evacuated Japanese Americans without evidence of sabotage or espionage and that their losses were severe.
• On Beauty Contests, by Harry Honda, page 2. Honda comments on a Canadian Nisei columnist’s critique of beauty contests and argues that such contests offer little substance. He suggests the real aspiration of participants is recognition and opportunity.
• Callahan’s Corner: The Old Gray Mare, by George Inagaki, page 6. Inagaki humorously recounts his attempt to buy a used horse and encourages readers to attend the national convention. He comments on the enthusiasm generated by pre-convention rallies in Pasadena and Monterey.
• Eleven Columns of Convention Preparation: Monterey Rally Notes, by Tats Kushida, page 10. Kushida recounts a trip to Monterey for the NCWNDC pre-convention rally and praises the event and the speakers. He notes the cheerful enthusiasm of Northern California delegates for the Los Angeles convention.
• Smoglites: Nisei a Misnomer Now?, by Mary Oya, page 10. Oya reflects that the term Nisei is becoming a misnomer as the age range now runs from one to fifty. She muses on her own family and the changing generational labels.
• Teaching Communism, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The editorial argues that teaching communism in schools could help students recognize the dangers of Marxist ideology. It suggests early education can counter false claims about its supposed benefits.
• Insight into Life, by Bill Hosokawa, page 12. Hosokawa examines personal and service advertisements in Tokyo’s Mainichi newspaper as a window into postwar city life. He sees them as revealing a troubled city seeking escape.
• Iwasaki: Camera Journalist, by Larry Tajiri, page 12. Tajiri profiles Carl Iwasaki, the Denver-based photographer whose work regularly appears in Life and Time. Iwasaki’s photo essay Going Steady, featured in Life in June 1954, is highlighted.

National

• Public Hearings on West Coast Proposed for Hillings Evacuation Claims Bill, by Rep. Oakley Hunter, page 1. Congressman Oakley Hunter urged support for the Hillings Bill to expedite payment of the remaining large evacuation claims and invited the House Subcommittee to hold hearings in Fresno. He argued the Japanese American evacuation was unjustified and that the claims should be settled promptly.
• Mizuha Declines GOP Kauai Senate Nomination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jack H. Mizuha declined a Kauai Republican request to run against incumbent Sen. J. B. Fernandes this fall. Republicans were left temporarily without a prospective candidate.
• Nisei Jet Pilot Based in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Arthur A. Yamane, a Cleveland Nisei, is flying daily missions with the Sabre Fighter Squadron of the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing in South Korea. He arrived in April 1954 and has flown dawn-to-dusk training missions since.
• National Director’s Report, by Masao W. Satow, page 5. Satow reports national membership stands at 11,424 as of Aug. 2, with the NCWNDC enrollment of 4,062 the largest since 1946. Chicago leads chapters with 819 members, and several chapters have surpassed their 1953 totals.
• Exchange Club Protests Racial Discrimination, Visalia Suspended, by Visalia Exchange Club, page 7. The Visalia Exchange Club released a letter protesting the National Exchange Club’s whites-only membership clause as un-American. The letter calls for changing the by-laws and seeks responses from other clubs.
• Christian Science Monitor Defends Right of National Exchange Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Christian Science Monitor praised Stockton and Menlo Park Exchange Clubs for rejecting racial bias but defended the National Exchange Club’s right to remain exclusive. The paper argued that freedom of association includes the right not to be forced together.

Military & Veterans

• Naturalized Issei Congratulated by Salinas Valley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Salinas Valley JACL congratulated 24 Issei who were naturalized June 21 in San Francisco. The chapter listed the new citizens by name.

Arts & Entertainment

• Tokyo Topics: Looking at the Negro Press, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama describes a Negro magazine feature on Mrs. Miki Sawada’s Elizabeth Saunders Home and reflects on the Negro press in America. He compares it with the immigrant press and notes the economic and political importance of Negro readers.
• Sansei Dancer Appears in Seattle Productions, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Carolyn Okada, a University of Washington sophomore, danced in Greater Seattle productions of Student Prince, Carousel, and Oklahoma at the Green Lake Aqua-theater. She has been dancing since age four.
• Smoglites: We Meet Some Japanese, by Mary Oya, page 9. Mary Oya recounts a voyage to Japan where she met a Japanese landscape artist and an Issei gentleman on the ship. The column includes lighthearted reflections on seasickness and shipboard life.
• Henry Nakamura Resumes Acting Career, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Henry Nakamura, known for his role as Tommy in MGM’s Go For Broke!, is resuming his career after military service. He is currently appearing in the independent film Unchained.

JACL

• Chicago JACL Endorses Shig Wakamatsu for Third National Vice-President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL endorsed Shigeo Wakamatsu, past Midwest District Council chairman, for third national JACL vice-president. Nominations committees across districts are forming candidate slates.
• JACL to Participate in Annual D.C. Conference on Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 5. For the seventh straight year JACL will take part in the Justice Department’s Annual Conference on Citizenship in Washington, Sept. 15-17. George Furukawa will head the JACL delegation, joined by Miyeko Kosobayashi and Tad Masaoka.

Sports

• Monterey CLers Win NCWNDC Golf Cup, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Monterey JACL won the perpetual team trophy at the first NCWNDC golf tournament at Pebble Beach. Chick Abe of Salinas took the individual low gross title after a playoff with George Ura of Watsonville.
• Placer CL Revamps Lineup, Wins Two in a Row, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Placer JACL won a 4-2 upset over Auburn Cubs in a Placer-Nevada league game behind pitcher Russ Bivens, who scored his second straight win. Norm Matsuoka contributed a triple and single.
• 36-Hole Golf Tournament Set for National JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 10. A 36-hole golf tournament at Fox Hills and Baldwin Hills Country Club will be held Sept. 4-5 as a special event of the National JACL Convention. Entry is $10 with an Aug. 20 deadline.
• Bowling Tournament Set for National JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Frank Kishi announced a bowling tournament for the National JACL Convention to be held Sept. 3-4 at Western Bowl. Entry is $3.75 per event with an Aug. 24 deadline.
• Sportscope: Nisei Athletes in the News, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Arthur Kono was eliminated in the third round of the National Junior tennis championships. Kosei Kamo nearly won the Canadian men’s singles title, and Lloyd Kishino qualified for the British Empire Games swimming team.
• San Francisco Nisei Clippers Win Coast Counties League Title, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The San Francisco Nisei Clippers clinched the 1954 Coast Counties Nisei Baseball League championship with a 10-9 win over Mt. View Kyowas. Bob Shiro was the winning pitcher.
• Hutch Aoki Races Miss Salt Lake II in Denver Regatta, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Hutch Aoki brought his powerboat Miss Salt Lake II to the Mile High Boat Association regatta on Sloan’s Lake in Denver. He is preparing for the Gold Cup regatta at Green Lake in Seattle.

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