Vol. 40, No. 12, March 25, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue
Housing discrimination in San Leandro was the news that most touched the community in this eight-page issue. Dr. Satoru Larry Aikawa, a Nisei dentist, gave up buying a home after the seller received a threatening phone call. The JACL protested to the mayor, and an editorial and a column by Haruo Ishimaru both took up the case. On the front page, Larry Tajiri’s Vagaries looked at William G. Bonelli, a California politician whose career rested on anti-Japanese agitation and who was defeated in 1954.
Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka reported that the House approved about $1,068,267 for evacuation claims payments, and wrote on Hawaii and Alaska statehood. A report on the Walter-McCarran Act noted 3,777 Japanese admitted in fiscal 1954. Sports pages covered the Salt Lake Nisei Invitational basketball tournament, and Tamotsu Murayama wrote from Japan.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Deposed Liquor Czar Bonelli, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Larry Tajiri examines William G. Bonelli’s career of anti-Japanese political agitation and his eventual defeat in 1954. The column also explains how race-baiting politicians like Bonelli, Tenney and Costello were rejected by California voters.
- More American Know-How, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Japan Bureau Chief Tamotsu Murayama describes American-style pharmacies opened in Tokyo by Issei and Nisei businessmen. He notes the continuing Japanese appetite for American products and the growing role of Nisei in Japanese business.
- Nisei Ignorance of Language, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama argues that Nisei going to Japan for business must learn adequate Japanese, since excuses based on language ignorance are increasingly unacceptable. He notes that some Caucasians speak Japanese better than many Nisei.
- Very Truly Yours: To Phoenix and Points South, by Harry Honda, page 5. Harry Honda recounts a trip to Phoenix for the Arizona JACL hospitality and the PSWDC-era memories it revived. He describes Arizona’s desert landscape, saguaro cactus and cultivated irrigated fields.
- Housing Discrimination, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Regional director Haruo Ishimaru reports on the Eden Township JACL meeting addressing the San Leandro housing case. He argues that the JACL must remain vigilant because anti-Japanese prejudice is only dormant in many areas.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Nisei Girl Sits as City Mayor, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reports that Toshie Matsuhara, a 17-year-old Roosevelt High senior, served as Los Angeles mayor for a day during Girls Day in Government. The column also covers the campaign of George L. Thomas for the City Council and a proposed city pay raise charter amendment.
- Don’t Sell to Orientals, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial condemns the anonymous death threat that blocked Dr. Larry Aikawa’s purchase of a San Leandro home. It notes that neighborhood surveys showed most residents would welcome the family, but calls the anonymous intimidation a sinister tactic.
- From the Frying Pan: Snow Tire Fiasco, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa recounts switching from snow tires to summer tires in Denver, only to face a fresh snowfall the next day. The column extends into a humorous reflection on his poor luck at guessing, raffles and card games.
- Washington Newsletter: Engle Report Favors Hawaii-Alaska Statehood, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka summarizes the 126-page House Interior Committee report recommending statehood for Hawaii and Alaska. He also notes a California appellate ruling allowing a cemetery to segregate its mausoleum.
- Town Hall Asia Mission and Dr. George Togasaki, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. George Kiyoshi Togasaki, a founder of the JACL movement, is touring the United States as Japan’s representative in a Town Hall goodwill mission. The tour involves fourteen Asian and Near Eastern countries discussing Asian affairs with Americans.
Community
- Death Threat Snags Sale of San Leandro Home to Nisei; JACL Protests to Mayor, One-Man Poll Proves Satisfying, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nisei dentist, Dr. Satoru Larry Aikawa, abandoned his purchase of a San Leandro home after the seller received a threatening phone call and neighborhood opposition. The local JACL chapter and the district council protested to the mayor, while a neighbor’s poll found most residents would welcome the family.
- Parlier 20th Anniversary Banquet Deemed Success, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Parlier JACL celebrated its 20th anniversary with a banquet attended by over 130 people, honoring 28 new citizens. Principal speaker Saburo Kido urged Issei and Nisei to take greater part in community affairs.
- Fiesta by the Sea May 14-15, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Santa Barbara chapter president Tom Hirashima is preparing the biennial PSWDC convention themed Fiesta by the Sea for May 14-15. Kushida’s column also covers his speaking engagements and the popularity of the book Home Again.
- Sam Ishikawa Is Back, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sam Ishikawa returns to the United States as bureau manager of the Jiji Press in New York after two years in Japan. He traveled via Europe to survey economic conditions before taking the post.
National
- Walter-McCarran Act Increasing; Admit 4,000 Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House-Senate task force report found that immigration into the United States rose 22 per cent in fiscal 1954, with 3,777 Japanese admitted. The study also detailed quota, nonquota and nonimmigrant admissions and the orphan provisions of Public Law 162.
- Ex-Senator Cain Urges End of Defunct Organizations on Proscribed List, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Senator Harry Cain called the Attorney General’s proscribed list of defunct organizations indefensible and urged its liquidation. The JACL, a member of the Civil Liberties Clearing House, has long pressed for removing such groups from the list.
- Private Bill to Aid Okinawan Has Committee OK, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Senate Judiciary Committee reported favorably on a private bill for Chokichi Iraha, an Okinawa-born double amputee receiving care in Denver. Iraha lost both hands in a 1950 Army Engineers accident and contracted tuberculosis while in U.S. care.
- $1 Million for Claims Payment Okayed by House, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The House approved about $1,068,267 for evacuation claims payments in a supplemental appropriations bill, now pending before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Masaoka explained the funds are for actual claim payments rather than Justice Department administrative costs.
Military & Veterans
- Crash Costs Nisei Airman Right Leg, but Considers Himself Lucky to Be Alive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Lt. Masaru Dick Uyehara lost his right leg after the crash of a B-57 jet bomber in Maryland, which killed the pilot. Uyehara described ejecting from the plane and plans to pursue dental school after recovery.
Obituaries
- Togo Tanaka’s Mother Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Katsu Tanaka died March 8 after a long illness. She was the mother of Tom Tanaka, editor and head of the Chicago Publishing Corp.
Sports
- Six Teams Tangle Mar. 31-Apr. 2 for Salt Lake Nisei Invitational Basketball Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Six teams will compete for the 20th annual Salt Lake Nisei Invitational Basketball Tournament, with the defending San Francisco Chinese Saints seeking a fourth straight title. The Southern California and Northern California all-star teams are considered the strongest challengers.
- Calif. Nisei Cage Championship Tilt Sunday in S.F., by P.C. Staff, page 6. The state Nisei Athletic Union basketball championship will be decided between the Southern California Lords and the Northern California Protos at Booker T. Washington court. The Lords are defending the title won by Southland teams last year.
- Toronto Cagers Accept Chicago Tournament Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Toronto Mustangs accepted the Chicago Nisei Athletic Association invitation to its April 9-10 tournament. The squad includes three Miyasaki brothers who stand over six feet tall.
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