Vol. 37, No. 17, October 23, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Hiroshi Miyamura’s trip to the Nation’s Capital to receive the Medal of Honor led the front page. The Washington, D.C. JACL chapter and the Washington Office planned to host him and his party at a dinner and a Japanese Embassy luncheon, and he was also to speak at the fifth annual Nisei Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery. The page also reported that the Justice Department ruled the date of receipt, not the postmark, decides whether evacuation claims were filed on time, and that the JACL planned to sponsor an amendment in January.
Inside are a Mike Lee column on the split in Congress, Larry Tajiri’s columns on Scene magazine and a San Francisco interior decorating firm, and Harry K. Honda on Japan’s population problem. District convention plans, chapter news, sports and honesty awards fill the middle pages.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- Hiroshi Miyamura Hosted by Washington JACL at Medal of Honor Ceremonies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Medal of Honor winner Hiroshi Miyamura and his party will be guests of the Washington D.C. JACL chapter and Washington Office during their Nation’s Capital visit. The group will attend White House ceremonies, a chapter dinner, and a Japanese Embassy luncheon before returning to Gallup, N.M.
- Nisei Memorial Day Services at Arlington to Feature Miyamura and Draft Official, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Medal of Honor winner Hiroshi Miyamura and Col. Campbell Johnson will speak at the fifth annual Nisei Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery. The services honor Nisei soldiers including those of the Lost Texas Battalion rescue.
- New York 442nd Veterans Slate Third Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 442nd Association will hold its third annual reunion in New York with a luncheon showing color films of the Honolulu reunion. New officers will be installed at the Sunday session.
National
- Rare California Mollusk Presented as Gift to Japanese Emperor, page 1. An American oceanographic team including two Nisei members presented a rare California mollusk to Emperor Hirohito in Tokyo. The Emperor, a marine biologist, reportedly was pleased with the gift and asked many questions.
- Nisei Unrseryman Wins Long Fight Over Oakland Zoning Ruling, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank H. Ogawa won a five-year fight to operate his Oakland wholesale nursery after neighbors protested his lath house permit. The City Attorney ruled the nursery was within permitted use, leading to dismissal of the appeal.
- San Fernando Valley Home Denied to Nisei Veteran, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Veteran John Kanda was denied a home purchase in Branford Manor after his deposit was returned following loan rejection. JACL legal counsel Frank Chuman took up the case with community support.
Incarceration & Redress
- Postmark Date Ruled Out as Timely for Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department ruled that the date of receipt, not postmark date, determines timely filing of evacuation claims. The JACL plans to sponsor an amendment next January to treat claims postmarked before the deadline as timely.
Commentary
- Congressional Lineup, by Mike Lee, page 2. Mike Lee analyzes the nearly even split between Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the implications for Senate organization. He also discusses the narrow House margin and how absenteeism could affect votes.
- Very Truly Yours: Farm Concessions, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry K. Honda discusses a proposal for agricultural concessions as a way to address Japan’s population problem and avert war. He examines options such as leasing farmland in Brazil or Dutch New Guinea.
- From the Frying Pan: Scene, a Good Gamble, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. The author praises Chicago-based Nisei magazine Scene and urges readers to subscribe to support its continued publication. He notes its financial struggles despite its quality.
Community
- Four Sons, All Doctors, Honor Parents at Gala Dinner-Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Four physician and dentist sons hosted about 500 guests at a dinner-dance honoring their parents Dr. and Mrs. Eijiro Nishijima in Hawaii. Dr. Eijiro Nishijima came to the Islands in 1901 and was the 15th doctor licensed there.
- Honest Man Honored: Harry T. Yamachika Returns Lost Wallet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Harry T. Yamachika received a gold trophy in Honolulu for returning a wallet containing $100 to its owner. He said he believes honesty is the best policy.
- Denver Nisei Youngsters Honored for Honesty, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two Denver Nisei youths, Richard Tsuda and Steve Umemoto, were awarded gold pins and savings accounts for returning a purse and billfold. Their honesty was recognized by the Rocky Mountain News-Central Bank Honor Club.
- Tokyo Topics: Role of Japanese Leadership in Asian Labor Stressed at ILO Meet, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. The ILO Asian Regional Conference in Tokyo drew over 200 delegates from about 20 nations to discuss labor standards. Japanese leadership in Asian labor was emphasized, though Japan still lacks a minimum wage law.
- Observance of Jr. Chamber Week May Heal Cleavage of Two Honolulu Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Honolulu Junior Chamber are joining forces to plan Junior Chamber Week in January. The partnership is viewed as a significant step after past tensions over the Nisei forming their own racial organization.
- Central California District Council Ready for Nov. 15 Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Pre-registration rates were announced for the Central California District Council convention at Fresno’s Hotel Californian on Nov. 15. National JACL officials and regional dignitaries are invited to attend.
- Pacific Northwest Convention Schedule Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The tentative schedule for the Pacific Northwest JACL District Council convention in Portland Dec. 5-6 was announced. Events include registration, a banquet, a dance, golf, and an outing at Timberline Lodge.
- Reedley Float, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The local Japanese American community entered a fruit basket float in the Reedley Fiesta parade. The float accompanied a $304 donation to the Reedley Red Cross Ambulance fund.
- Chapter Memo, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chapter news from Detroit, Southern Alameda County, San Francisco, Hollywood, and Chicago JACL chapters covers programs, political rallies, a costume party, and an inaugural ball. Each chapter’s activities for the fall season are described.
- Denver Program Honoring Issei Citizens Planned for Oct. 30, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A potluck supper and program honoring new Issei citizens of the Denver area is planned at the Glenarm YWCA. The event is sponsored by the Mile-Hi JACL chapter.
- Gardena Valley Chapter First to Win Holiday Issue Support, by Tats Kushida, page 6. The Gardena Valley JACL chapter has already surpassed last year’s Holiday Issue advertising total with support from local merchants. The article profiles prominent members and the chapter’s community involvement.
- Naturalization Ceremonies Recognize New Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Fourteen Japanese aliens were among those naturalized in Los Angeles federal court. The article also notes Denver and Seattle citizenship events.
- Construction Plans for New Shonien Home Submitted for City Approval, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Plans for a new Japanese children’s home replacing the old Shonien were submitted to the City Planning Department by an all-Nisei professional team. Community fundraising for the project has been ongoing.
- Report Canadian Nisei in East Coast Swindle, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Hartford Japanese American reported that a man claiming to be a Canadian Nisei borrowed money under a false car-breakdown story. Similar requests were reportedly made to Japanese residents in Chicago and New York.
Sports
- Seattle Golfer Wins California Open, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ervin Furukawa of Seattle won low gross honors and the California State Nisei Open at Pebble Beach with an 80-84 score. Frank Yoshioka finished one stroke behind.
- Yonamine Stars in Japan World Series, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Honolulu’s Wally Yonamine helped the Tokyo Giants win the Japanese championship over the Nankai Hawks with timely hitting and base running. Many sportswriters felt he deserved series MVP honors.
- Swimmer Tanabe Changes Mind, Now at Indiana U., by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hilo teen swimmer Richard Tanabe switched his enrollment from the University of Florida to Indiana University alongside Honolulu swimmer Bill Woolsey. The move was reportedly influenced by Mrs. Helene Harms of the AAU women’s swimming committee.
- Denver Bowling Tournament Plans Expanded, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mountain Plains JACL bowling tournament in Denver on Nov. 28-29 now includes women bowlers. Guaranteed prizes and handicap rules were announced along with entry details.
Arts & Entertainment
- Interior Decorating Bonanza, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tomoye and Henri Takahashi’s San Francisco firm has popularized Japanese handmade paper and folk art in American interior design. Their products have won Good Design awards and appeared in major magazines.
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