New citizens, evacuation claims and a security rule for civil servants

Vol. 36, No. 19, May 8, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

Citizenship for the Issei filled much of this eight-page issue. Stories told of five Issei sworn in at Cleveland, Okinawa-born Matsukichi Nakasato taking the naturalization oath in Japanese in Honolulu, and citizenship classes in Sanger, Berkeley and East Los Angeles. On the front page, the JACL Washington Office reported that Nisei civil service workers were not expected to be adversely affected by the new government security program. Mike Masaoka wrote on President Eisenhower’s letter about the Walter-McCarran Act, and the paper reported the House approving $225,000 for the evacuation claims program.

Editorials backed removing 21 prewar Japanese organizations from the Attorney General’s list, restoring citizenship to strandees who voted in Japanese elections, and Eisenhower’s request to admit 240,000 immigrants above quota. Bill Hosokawa and Harry K. Honda wrote columns, with Honda reporting from the PSWDC convention in Phoenix. Page six carries sports, and page four tracks the JACL membership drive chapter by chapter.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Civil Service Workers Affected by Adverse Rule, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Washington Office reported that Nisei civil service workers are not expected to be adversely affected by the new government security program. The office offered to assist JACL members who feel unjustly released from federal service.
• Chicagoans Told Son OK as POW, page 1. The family of Pvt. Ray Hikida, a Chicago Nisei soldier missing in Korea, learned he was alive and held as a prisoner in North Korea. The information came from a fellow prisoner who smuggled out a list of names.
• Honor Nisei Marine, page 1. Pfc. Arthur Kozuki was posthumously awarded a Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism in fighting flames after a jet plane explosion. The incident occurred last August in Korean waters.
• Fowler Nisei Physician Assigned to Japan Post, page 2. Captain Arthur Ninomiya, a Fowler physician, is being assigned to a hospital in the Far East Air Force command in Japan. He recently completed an indoctrination course at Gunter Air Force Base.

Community

• Sanger Citizenship Classes, page 1. Approximately 50 Issei meet at Sanger High School twice weekly to study for citizenship through June. Classes are led by Yoshito Fujimoto.
• Three Ft. Lupton Issei Pass Naturalization Examination, page 1. Three Issei of Fort Lupton, Colorado, passed their naturalization examinations at the local district court. Tadashi Nakata took his test in English because he is under 50.
• Masaoka Main Speaker at Chicago Issei Fete, page 1. Mike Masaoka will be principal speaker at the Chicago chapter’s Issei Appreciation dinner on May 16. Issei who assisted in ADC drives will be honored.
• School Head Awarded First Wist Scholarship, page 1. Yoshiaki Eto, Kipapa Elementary school principal, received the first scholarship from the Benjamin O. Wist Memorial Fund. He will pursue a Master of Education degree at Columbia University.
• Family of the Year, page 2. The Fujieda family of Oahu was honored as Americans of Japanese ancestry who typify the best of ordinary neighbors. Their son Cpl. Susumu Shingawa returned home after being freed in Korea.
• Berkeley Issei End Study for Citizenship, page 2. 181 Issei graduated from the Berkeley citizenship class in a ceremony at the Little Theater. Officials praised the success of the program, and review classes will continue for those preparing for exams.
• Waikiki Beach Frontage Proposals Being Studied, page 2. Honolulu Mayor Wilson urged condemnation of Waikiki beach frontage for public use, opposed by several supervisors who favor private hotel development. Nisei supervisor Matsuo Takabuki indicated support for the master plan.
• Denver Issei Naturalized, page 2. Mrs. Misao Uba and H. G. Matoba of Denver became the first native-born Japanese admitted to U.S. citizenship in Colorado. They were among 122 new Americans sworn in at the U.S. District Court.
• Hollywood CL to Fete Citizenship Students, page 2. The Hollywood JACL chapter will honor Issei students in Americanization classes at Dayton Heights School with refreshments. Arthur Ito, chapter president, announced the event.
• Watsonville Nihonjin Directory to Be Published, page 2. The Watsonville JACL chapter is conducting a census of the Japanese American population in the Pajaro Valley. It is the first survey since prewar days.
• Evacuation Claims Policy, Personnel to Be Retained, page 3. The new administration will keep its present personnel and policies in the evacuation claims program, according to assurances from Warren Burger. JACL leaders praised Enoch Ellison’s administration of the program.
• Masaoka Opens Washington Office, page 3. Mike Masaoka announced the opening of Mike M. Masaoka Consultants in Washington, D.C., specializing in legislation and public relations. He will work alongside attorney Edward J. Ennis.
• Berkeley Issei End Study for Citizenship, page 3. Mrs. Nichols and others attended the Berkeley Issei citizenship program graduation. Local officials congratulated the graduates on their naturalization.
• San Diego CL Starts Membership Campaign, page 4. The San Diego JACL membership drive reported 81 members, with La Jolla and Pacific Beach reaching 100 percent membership among Nisei residents. George Kodama, chapter treasurer, announced the progress.
• Denver Still Leads in Membership Race, page 4. The Mile-Hi chapter of Denver leads the membership drive with 576 members, surpassing its 1952 mark of 558. Its goal of 600 members is nearly assured.
• ELA CL Sponsors Citizenship Class, page 4. The East Los Angeles JACL chapter is sponsoring Americanization classes for Boyle Heights Issei at Roosevelt High School. Instructor Toshiko Nakamura Rowe will teach Wednesday and Friday evenings.
• Chicago Signs Up 500, House-to-House Canvass Not Yet Started, page 4. The Chicago JACL chapter has signed up more than 500 members through mail, phone and personal contact. Sixty-four members contributed $10 each under Operation Sawbuck.
• San Mateo Host at NCWNDC Quarterly Meet, page 4. San Mateo JACL will host the May 17 quarterly Northern California-Western Nevada district council meeting, followed by a banquet and dance. Delegates must register with Yobu Tanaka by May 11.
• PHX Convention Best Ever, page 4. Some 254 boosters and delegates attended the PSWDC convention in Phoenix under the theme Fun in the Sun. Former Senate Majority Leader Ernest McFarland spoke about Nisei war service.
• Art Classes, page 4. Taro Yashima, a New York City artist and illustrator, is teaching Sunday art study classes at the Japanese Free Methodist church in Boyle Heights. Classes are for beginning and advanced students.
• Southwest LA JACL to Hear Talk on Cancer, page 5. A panel of medical specialists will discuss cancer at the Southwest Los Angeles JACL chapter meeting on May 19. The panel includes Dr. Mitsuya Yamaguchi, Dr. George Tsunekawa, Dr. George Baba and Dr. Tom Watanabe.
• Low Averaged Women Bowlers Eligible for Special Awards at Sac’to Meet, page 6. The Sacramento Oriental Girls Bowling League Memorial Day tournament adds a trophy for bowlers averaging 135 or under who hit the highest scratch series. Entries are due May 16.
• Nisei Bowling Brief, page 6. Denver women’s bowling league elected Sally Furushiro as president for 1953-54. Chicago bowlers had notable performances in recent league play.
• L.A. Woman Lands First Trout at Crowley Lake, page 6. Mrs. Grace Amasuga of Los Angeles caught the first Crowley Lake trout of the season. Some 3,200 fishermen used Los Angeles city-operated boats on the lake.
• Calendar of Events – Accidents Mar Weekend for Trio in San Jose, page 6. Several traffic accidents marred the holiday weekend in San Jose, injuring three people including Victor Abe and Kome Kato. Sunny weather drew many motorists to the roads.
• Chicago JACL Chapter Members Honored, page 6. Members of the Chicago JACL chapter were recognized for their membership contributions. The chapter continued its drive to recruit members.
• Hawaii Caucasian Population May Be Decreasing Less Rapidly, page 7. The Territorial Bureau of Health Statistics reports that Hawaii’s Caucasian population may not be declining as fast as some reports indicated. Statistics before the 1950 census were largely inaccurate.
• Farewell Dinner-Dance May 29 for National Headquarters, page 7. A farewell dinner-dance honoring 10 years of service by National JACL headquarters in Salt Lake City will be held May 29 at Fred and Joe’s Cafe. Tickets are $3 per person.
• Nakatsuka: Oath in Japanese, by L. Nakatsuka, page 7. Matsukichi Nakasato, a Honolulu cook, became one of 76 new citizens when he took the oath in Japanese. Among the new citizens was Rev. Houn Tamayose, whose son served in the 442nd Regiment.
• International Trucks Reduce Retail Prices, page 7. Asahi Auto Sales announced price reductions of $87 to $152 on International R-line trucks. The cuts cover models from pick-up trucks to 19,500-pound capacity trucks.
• Sanger Artist, page 7. Ellen Ogawa of Sanger is studying art education at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley this spring. She works toward a Bachelor of Art Education degree.

National

• JACL Urges Attorney General to Drop 21 Proscribed Japanese Organization from List, page 1. The JACL will urge Attorney General Brownell to remove 21 prewar Japanese organizations from the subversive list, since they are defunct and were not espionage or sabotage groups. JACL leaders will request a meeting to discuss the matter.
• First Japanese Quota Immigrant Volunteers into U.S. Air Force, page 1. Sozaburo Kujiraoka, the first Japanese quota immigrant admitted under the 1952 Act, volunteered for the United States Air Force. He had been working at a local nursery to earn money for college.
• Administer Oath of Allegiance in Japanese to Okinawa-born Honolulan, by L. Nakatsuka, page 1. Federal Judge J. Frank McLaughlin allowed Matsukichi Nakasato, a 68-year-old Okinawa-born Honolulu resident, to take the naturalization oath in Japanese through an interpreter. The ruling clarified that applicants may take the oath in their native language.
• House Approves $225,000 Funds for Claims Program, page 2. The House approved $225,000 for the evacuation claims program, with JACL agreement that only administrative funds were requested this year. Larger claims will require supplemental appropriations later.
• Urge More Funds for Claims, I&NS Administrations, page 4. The PSWDC convention in Phoenix unanimously adopted resolutions urging Congress to fund the evacuation claims program and provide immigration examiners. The resolutions were sent to President Eisenhower and other officials.

Incarceration & Redress

• Swear in Five Cleveland Japanese at History-Making Naturalization Rites, by By Bud Bergen, Cleveland Press, page 1. Five Japanese were admitted to U.S. citizenship in Cleveland, the first Issei sworn in as citizens in Ohio. The new citizens, including a war bride, expressed joy at finally being able to vote and join their families.
• New Administration Plans to Retain Policy, Personnel for Evacuation Claims, page 2. Warren E. Burger, new assistant attorney general, assured JACL leaders that Enoch Ellison would remain in charge of the evacuation claims program. Burger also pledged to expedite processing of remaining claims.
• Tenchosetsu Rites in Seattle Scored by JACL President, page 3. Seattle JACL president Dr. Kelly Yamada criticized a Japan Night observing Emperor Hirohito’s birthday as incongruous with American principles. He also objected to a Post-Intelligencer article that misrepresented the event.

Commentary

• Eisenhower on the Walter-McCarran Act, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. President Eisenhower’s letter objecting to the Walter-McCarran Act was notably restrained and omitted criticism of the national origins quota system. Observers speculate he chose this approach due to congressional support for the law.
• Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. A profile of Tamotsu Murayama, a Nisei who returned to Tokyo as chief of the editorial department of the Committee for Free Asia. The writer praises his literary ability and notes the Japanese press’s ambivalent treatment of Nisei.
• Stanford Professor Visiting Japan, page 3. Dr. Yamato Ichihashi, Stanford University professor, is visiting Japan to study postwar conditions and plans to publish The Cultural History of Japan. The writer commends his modest, scholarly approach compared to other Nisei spokesmen.
• Parental Infallibility, page 8. A father recounts being asked by his son for help with a seventh grade math problem about the area of a circle. The column humorously reflects on parents’ limited knowledge of academic subjects.
• Welfare State Glorified, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa critiques the welfare state, arguing that government spending creates tax burdens that ultimately fall on the public. He notes that European nationalization has not been adopted in America.
• Proscribed Organizations, page 8. The editorial argues that the 21 prewar Japanese organizations on the Attorney General’s list were not anti-American and should be removed. It urges that a hearing explain their non-subversive nature.
• Strandee Voting, page 8. The editorial supports two congressional bills that would restore citizenship to strandees who voted in postwar Japanese elections. It explains that many Nisei voted under pressure from Occupation authorities.
• PSWDC Convention, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry K. Honda reports on the PSWDC convention in Phoenix, praising the hosts for their hospitality. He notes attendance figures and praises Arizona’s organization.
• A Practical Move, page 8. The editorial endorses President Eisenhower’s request for emergency legislation admitting 240,000 immigrants above quota limits over two years. It frames this as a reasonable response to refugee needs.
• Achi-Kochi, by Dr. Randolph, page 8. A letter to the editor clarifies that the JACL emblem’s eagle head has always pointed to the right. The writer, a past national JACL president, explains the design’s symbolism.

Sports

• San Fernando Pole-Vaulter Cops League Championship, page 6. Art Tsutsui of San Fernando High won the Valley League varsity pole vault championship with a leap of 11 feet 9 inches. Other standout lightweight performances were also reported.
• Sports Roundup: Track Meet at Kezar Stadium June 16, page 6. San Francisco JACL plans a revival of a prewar track meet at Kezar Stadium on June 16 with teams sponsored by various chapters. James Takemori won a judo championship in Washington D.C.
• Draft Slashes Colorado Summer Baseball Program, page 6. The Northern California Nisei Baseball league shrank to six teams this year, down from as many as 14 in prior years, due to the draft. Hiro Yanagi lifted 580 in weightlifting.
• Nisei Swimmers Star for Los Angeles High Team, page 6. Los Angeles High’s swimming squad, captained by Bob Nakamura, has been consistently competitive this season. Takashi Kubota set a school record in the 50-yard breaststroke.
• Cleveland Keg Meet, page 6. The annual Midwest Nisei bowling tournament is scheduled for May 23 and 24 at Chester-30th Lanes in Cleveland. Teams from Chicago, New York, Detroit and other cities are expected.
• Toronto Beats Chicago in Cage Series, page 6. The Toronto Mustangs defeated the Chicago Saints in a championship game at an invitational tournament. Herby Miyasaki scored 22 points for Toronto.

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