Vol. 37, No. 3, July 17, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Money for people forced from their homes was the lead story of this eight-page issue. The House passed a supplemental appropriations bill with $8,072,696 for evacuation claims awarded under the compromise settlement program, and the bill went on to the Senate. Mike Masaoka, the Washington JACL representative, said the quiet House debate showed sympathy for the program. Immigration also made the front page: a House subcommittee added 3,000 Japanese to the President’s refugee proposal, and hearings on twelve alien property bills were set to open. Masaoka also wrote on Hawaiian statehood, and Lawrence Nakatsuka reported on plans for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s tenth anniversary reunion in Hawaii.
Elsewhere, more than 400 people marked the Seabrook JACL’s tenth anniversary and honored 148 Issei as new citizens. Japanese Boy Scouts arrived for the national jamboree, and the Nisei Relays were announced. Page 8 carries editorials and columns by Harry K. Honda and others.
What’s in this issue
National
- House Passes Bill Containing $8,072,696 for Evacuation Claims Payment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House passed a supplemental appropriations bill with $8,072,696 for evacuation claims awarded under the compromise settlement program, now sent to the Senate. Mike Masaoka, Washington JACL representative, said the lack of questions during debate showed congressional sympathy for the program.
- Add 3,000 Non-Quota Japanese Immigrants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Judiciary Subcommittee accepted an amendment by Rep. Francis E. Walter adding 3,000 Japanese to the President’s proposal to admit 240,000 refugees outside regular quotas. The amendment marks the first time immigration quotas were extended to Japan and provided naturalization privileges to Japanese.
- Alien Property Bill Hearings to Open, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Twelve bills amending the Trading with the Enemy Act will be considered at a Senate subcommittee hearing investigating the Office of Alien Property. Many bills affect vested property of Issei and Nisei in the United States and Japan, and Mike Masaoka plans to testify.
- Hawaiian Statehood, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Despite extensive Senate hearings and Republican commitment, Hawaiian statehood appears unlikely to be considered before Congress adjourns this year. Masaoka argues Republican leadership controls the outcome and must be willing to push the bill past Southern Democratic opposition.
Community
- Bail Bonds Posted for Other Hawaii Red Trial Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Six of the remaining defendants imprisoned after Communist conspiracy convictions were released on bail after local residents posted $90,000 in personal surety bonds. Among those released were Mrs. Eileen Fujimoto, Koji Ariyoshi, Charles K. Fujimoto, and Jack D. Kimoto.
- Over 400 Attend Seabrook 10th Anniversary Celebration, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 400 people attended the Seabrook JACL Citizenship and Tenth Anniversary banquet where 148 Issei were honored as new citizens. Congressman Walter H. Judd praised the Issei for raising loyal Nisei children and the Nisei Combat Team’s achievements.
- Masaoka Unable to Attend 442 Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka will not attend the 442nd RCT 40th anniversary reunion in Honolulu due to pressing legislative demands in Washington. Several pending matters including Hawaii statehood and DP immigration legislation require his attention.
- Cherry Trees Dedicated in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese cherry trees were dedicated in the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City after an earlier shipment was destroyed by customs regulations. Dr. Shig Matsukawa represented the Tokyo Boy Scouts in the presentation.
- Five Chinese and Japanese Nisei Teach in Whittier Public Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Five Nisei of Chinese and Japanese ancestry serve on the Whittier public school teaching staff. Lex B. Cox, a community leader, identified the teachers and their positions.
- Dr. Sakada Remains Active in Chicago Southside Community Affairs, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Randolph M. Sakada, former National JACL president, continues his involvement in Chicago community affairs including the Southeast Commission. He holds memberships in several civic and service organizations.
- Yellowstone JACL Float Wins First Prize in 4th of July Parade, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Yellowstone JACL chapter float depicting a Japanese garden won first place in the civic section of the Fourth of July Whoopee Days parade. Miss Fumi Ugaki was attendant to the celebration queen.
- Nisei Teacher Joins Mesa School Staff, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Mary Ban Henshall of Nampa, Idaho, will join the faculty at Webster Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, in the fall after teaching in Sedona. She was previously featured in a 1947 Pacific Citizen story as a Nisei school marm.
Military & Veterans
- Hawaiian Nisei Balks at Military Service, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ted Nimori, a Hawaiian Nisei, was arrested by federal authorities for refusing to take the oath of military service on grounds of religious conscientious objection as a Jehovah’s Witness. Two other Hawaiian residents were also cited to appear before the federal grand jury.
- 442nd Veterans Celebrate Tenth Anniversary Reunion in Islands, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. Hawaii veterans are preparing to host about 150 delegates and guests from some 20 states and Japan for the 10th anniversary reunion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The program includes a welcome reception, a Punchbowl memorial visit, a luau, and a farewell party.
- Japanese Boy Scouts Arrive in Los Angeles for National Jamboree, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Ten Japanese Boy Scouts arrived in Los Angeles aboard the Nikko Maru to attend the National BSA Jamboree at Irvine Ranch. The group was led by executive commissioner Yorihiro Matsudaira.
Incarceration & Redress
- Denver Nisei Cloudburst Floods Nipponmachi, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A cloudburst dumped 1.43 inches of rain on Denver, flooding Larimer Street’s Nipponmachi and many Japanese American businesses. Attorney Min Yasui and neighbors struggled to clear water from their offices and storefronts.
- Hands Across Pacific: Relief for Kyushu Flood Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The California Japanese Benevolent Society and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California are leading a drive for relief for flood victims in Kyushu. Chapters are urged to send money or non-perishable goods.
In-Depth
- Eleanor Roosevelt During Tour of Japan Visits Nomura, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to former Ambassador Kichisaburo Nomura, who was accused of delaying the Pearl Harbor declaration, is described in detail. Nomura denied intentional delay and said Mrs. Roosevelt’s note of friendship brought him great relief.
JACL
- Chicago JACL Parley Set for Labor Day Weekend in Minneapolis, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The third biennial Midwest District Council convention will be held in Minneapolis September 4-6 at Hotel Radisson. Scheduled events include a pre-convention mixer, sightseeing, business sessions, and a picnic.
- Seattle Chapter Discloses Choice for Masaoka Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Miss Kumiko Homma was selected as Seattle JACL’s candidate for the Ben Masaoka scholarship, announced by chapter president Dr. Kelly Yamada. She hopes to study dental hygiene at Linfield College.
Commentary
- Brotherhood Radio Programs Recommended, by Harold Gordon, page 5. The writer recommends four radio programs on human relations broadcast in San Francisco and encourages listeners to write to stations. The column notes that surveys showed acceptance of non-white neighbors often increased with closer contact.
- Editorial: Hopes for Future, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial welcomes congressional amendments admitting 3,000 Japanese immigrants and a bill to restore citizenship to those who voted in Japanese elections. It stresses the continued need for a legislative representative in Washington.
- Editorial: Boy Scout Jamboree, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial reflects on the participation of Japanese Boy Scouts and Nisei scouters in the National Jamboree at Irvine Ranch. It hopes the visiting scouts make many friends and that the event encourages youth leadership.
- Very Truly Yours: Name Trouble, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. The columnist recounts experiences of Nisei having their names mispronounced or Anglicized. He shares an amusing anecdote about a church congregation hearing an improvised Japanese Lord’s Prayer.
- Vagaries: Book-Burning and Government Libraries, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The column examines the controversy over Communist-authored books in overseas U.S. government libraries and State Department removals. It argues the affair reflects broader challenges in selecting library materials.
- Stiffen the Backbone: Matthews Incident, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The column connects J.B. Matthews’s attack on Protestant clergy to his earlier role in investigations that fomented opposition to Japanese Americans in 1943. It warns that investigative committees have repeatedly targeted blameless individuals and groups.
Sports
- Nisei Relays Set for Rancho La Cienaga, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The statewide Nisei Relays track and field meet will be held July 25-26 at Rancho La Cienaga with teams from across California. Preliminaries are Saturday and finals Sunday, backed by the Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council.
- In Praise of Sports: Richard Tanabe, by Yuji Tanabe, page 6. Richard Tanabe, an 18-year-old swimmer from Hawaii’s Big Island, is headed to the University of Florida on an athletic scholarship. His 200-meter time of 2:12.4 at a Honolulu meet impressed swimming experts.
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