Alien land law struck down and evacuee claims funds restored

Vol. 34, No. 16, April 19, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue

Two stories about Japanese Americans and the law led this issue. California’s Supreme Court ruled the 1920 Alien Land Act unconstitutional by a 4-3 vote in the Sei Fujii case, and Saburo Kido and Larry Tajiri each wrote about what the ruling meant. On the front page, the Senate restored $9,000,000 for evacuee loss claims settled under the compromise formula, led by Sens. Magnuson and Hayden. Mike Masaoka returned to Washington to press for the funds, and a Senate hearing report showed where the opposition came from.

Also inside: Dr. Randolph Sakada announced he would not seek a second term as JACL president, and Dr. Monroe Deutsch was named keynote speaker for the 12th biennial JACL convention in San Francisco. Bill Hosokawa wrote about his votes in presidential elections since 1928. Page 6 carries Nisei sports, including Olympic hopefuls Ford Konno and Roy Kuboyama.

What’s in this issue

National

• Senate Restores $9 Million for Evacuee Compromise Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate restored $9,000,000 to the Justice Department’s deficiency appropriation to pay Japanese American evacuees who settled loss claims under the compromise formula. Sens. Magnuson and Hayden led the effort, and Mike Masaoka credited the JACL ADC with making it possible.
• Senate Judiciary Committee Reports Out Private Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Senate Judiciary Committee favorably reported 11 private bills for relief of persons of Japanese ancestry, ten already passed by the House. The bills provide for adoptions and permanent residence for Japanese nationals, including spouses and children of American servicemen and citizens.
• Bill Suspending Deportation of 52 Aliens Wins House Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The House passed a Senate concurrent resolution suspending deportation for 52 alien Japanese under the JACL ADC-sponsored 1948 law. The list includes many individuals with alternate names and spellings.
• Canada Nears Completion of Claims Program, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Canada’s Custodian of Enemy Alien Property reported that 1,296 awards totaling $1,254,121 have been made to persons of Japanese ancestry for evacuation losses. Twenty-six claims totaling $60,327 remain to be paid.

Incarceration & Redress

• California Supreme Court Rules Alien Land Law Invalid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California’s Supreme Court declared the 1920 Alien Land Act unconstitutional by a 4-3 vote in the Sei Fujii case. The majority held the land act was invalid because of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, though it declined to rely on the UN Charter argument.
• Dr. Monroe Deutsch Selected as JACL Keynote Speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Monroe E. Deutsch, provost emeritus of the University of California, will deliver the keynote at the 12th biennial JACL convention in San Francisco. His wartime support for Japanese Americans is noted as a reason for the selection.
• Committee Discloses Debate Over Evacuee Claims Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Closed-door Senate Appropriations hearings revealed bipartisan opposition that led to dropping the $14,800,000 request, with McKellar, Ferguson and McClellan questioning the settlements. Justice Department officials reported suspected fraud in only one of about 23,000 claims.
• Nisei USA: Farewell to the Alien Land Law, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri traces four decades of the Alien Land Act from its 1913 and 1920 passage through Supreme Court challenges and 1945-47 escheat actions. He concludes that the state’s highest court has finally repudiated a law born of anti-Japanese racism.

Community

• Masuda Loses in Livingston City Election, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kazuo Masuda lost his first public office bid in the April 8 Livingston city clerk race, placing third with 80 votes. Incumbent Mrs. Joy Tacheira won with 106 ballots.
• Four Nisei Attend GOP Caucus in Colorado City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four local Nisei were named precinct delegates to the Weld County Republican convention in Greeley. The delegates included Frank Urano, Lee Murata and Floyd Koshio, with Sam Koshio as alternate.
• Fowler Man Seeks School Board Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry Hiracka announced his candidacy for a seat on the Fowler Union Elementary School Board. The brief notes his campaign launch.
• Survey Notes Role of Nisei Group in Hawaiian Life, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two Nisei were appointed to Hawaii’s territorial cabinet for the first time, and a Hawaii Times survey documents growing Nisei representation in postal service, boards, government, judgeships and teaching. The survey shows Nisei holding significant shares of several public posts relative to their population.
• Lawrence Goto Named Honolulu City Treasurer, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Lawrence S. Goto, a 25-year city deputy, was appointed Honolulu city treasurer after the death of William Chung-Hoon, Jr. He announced he would seek the post as a Republican in the year’s election and pledged merit-based promotions.
• Pacific Southwest Council Asks for JACL Endowment Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Southwest district council passed resolutions proposing a JACL endowment fund for persons of Japanese ancestry and urging senators to restore the $14,800,000 evacuation claims appropriation. Mike Masaoka spoke at the meeting on the omnibus immigration bill and claims program.
• Bunco Ring Principals Get Prison Term, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kiyoshi Akamine was sentenced to one to three years in prison after an alleged bunco scheme that swindled two Nisei barbers out of $13,000 in San Francisco. His wife and Yasumi Takeshita received probation on condition they repay the victims.
• Lorraine Yokotobi Named Marysville Entry in Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Lorraine Yokotobi was selected to represent the Marysville JACL in the Miss Homecoming contest finals in Redwood City on May 18. The winner will serve as hostess at the national JACL convention.
• Phoenix Leaders Express Support for Omnibus Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Phoenix community leaders gathered April 15 with Mike Masaoka and Arizona JACL officers to back early Senate consideration of the omnibus immigration and naturalization bill. Masaoka also spoke at a luncheon for media figures and in a radio interview.
• Canadian Nisei Cage Tournament in Montreal, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The fifth annual invitational basketball tournament sponsored by the Montreal Japanese Canadian Citizens Association included teams from Philadelphia and New York. The Quaker City team defeated Toronto 50-39 in the championship bracket.
• Justice Department Names 210 Who Have Settled Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Justice Department provided the JACL ADC a list of 210 evacuees whose evacuation loss claims were compromised and settled. The claimants are expected to be paid before fiscal year end if the funds are approved.
• Two Hawaiians Die in Japan Plane Tragedy, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Two Hawaii residents, Toshio Yamashiro of Honolulu and Kakichi Toyama of Kauai, were among 37 killed in the April 9 Japan Air Lines crash on Oshima Island. Yamashiro’s family and Toyama’s relatives were notified.
• Resettlers Sponsor Meeting to Gauge Progress of Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Chicago Resettlers Committee held a meeting to evaluate Japanese American progress in several fields ahead of the Unity Conference. Corneff Taylor of the Commission on Human Relations discussed the conference, which will assess recommendations made in 1949.

Military & Veterans

• Trixie Tanaka Named Hawaii U. Editor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Trixie Tanaka was named editor of the University of Hawaii student newspaper Ka Leo O Hawaii, succeeding Richard Hashimoto. Archie Shida and Marjori Mori were named yearbook editor and business manager.
• Two Nisei Survive Korean Front Casualties Reported, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Defense Department reported Cpl. Don Yumori of Culver City killed in action and Sgt. Shoji Watanabe of Seattle wounded in Korea. Yumori’s father later learned of his death in a letter from a soldier in the 40th Division.
• Posthumous DSC Medal Presented to Hero’s Father, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Distinguished Service Cross was presented posthumously to Pfc. Arthur Okamura of Honolulu at Fort Shafter, accepted by his father. Other awards were presented to families of Korean War casualties Edward Soma and Pfc. Tamaki.
• Mike Masaoka Cuts West Coast Tour to Lobby for Claims Appropriation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka interrupted his western trip and returned to Washington to urge the Senate to restore the $14,800,000 evacuation claims appropriation. He stressed that time was critical because older claimants were awaiting payment.
• Wounded War Hero Gets DSC Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Set. 1st Cl. Henry H. Yoda received the Distinguished Service Cross at Tripler General Hospital for a one-man assault on a Chinese fortification in September 1951. He was seriously wounded but his action broke enemy resistance.
• Two Nisei Texans Enlist in U.S. Army, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Goichi and Eiji Fujinaka, Nisei Texans brought to Japan as minors, were sworn into the U.S. Army at Camp Asaka and will return to America as GIs.
• Nisei Veterans of 40th Division Home from Far East, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Five Nisei GIs from California’s 40th Division returned from Korean combat aboard the transport Sgt. Sylvester Hamada’s ship at Seattle. The soldiers included Pfc. Tad Takayama and Pfc. Yusuke Omori.

JACL

• Dr. Sakada Will Not Seek Second Term as JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL national president Dr. Randolph Sakada announced he will not run for another term, arguing the presidency should be limited to a single two-year term outside emergencies. He cited the need to bring new leadership into the organization.
• Members Invited to JACL Convention in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Tokuji Hedani, convention board chairman, invited all JACL members to the 12th biennial convention in San Francisco, the first on the West Coast since the war. The convention theme is Homecoming and highlights include a bay cruise and a Nob Hill banquet.
• JACL Opens Nominations for Nisei of the Biennium Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Nominations are open for the Nisei of the Biennium and six category awards to be presented at the June convention in San Francisco. The National Recognitions Committee chaired by Fred Hoshiyama set a May 15 deadline and excluded paid JACL personnel.

Commentary

• Guest Editorial: Epilogue for the Alien Land Law, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Former JACL president Saburo Kido welcomes the California Supreme Court’s invalidation of the Alien Land Act as a step toward equal rights for the Issei. He credits Sei Fujii and urges California not to appeal the ruling.
• The Homecoming Speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that Dr. Monroe Deutsch is an appropriate keynote speaker for the San Francisco convention. It credits him with defending Japanese American rights throughout the war and resettlement period.
• Potatoes and Politics, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A humorous column criticizes government potato policy, noting surplus dyeing and dumping two years ago and now a shortage that raises prices for consumers. It questions whether the government could manage supply better.
• Nisei and the Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column observes that few Nisei have publicly discussed the coming presidential election and asks whether Nisei Democrats or Republicans are backing particular candidates. It notes no comparable Democratic successor to Roosevelt has emerged.
• Bill Hosokawa: From the Frying Pan – This Year? Who Knows, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa recalls presidential elections from 1928 to 1948, describing his changing votes and disillusionment. He concludes that he will wait for the July conventions before deciding this year’s vote.
• Box-Score on Race Relations: Last of a Series, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Elmer Smith concludes his weekly column on race relations and thanks readers for their feedback. He previews a new series on the Japanese in the Americas, intended to show Nisei and Sansei the pioneering role of their parents.
• Spectacular (poem), by Toyo Suyemoto, page 6. A short poem by Toyo Suyemoto reflects on the gesture of breaking bread and lifting a cup as more memorable than the words spoken. The poem celebrates quiet ritual over speech.

Arts & Entertainment

• Food Can Be Fun: Of Spaghetti, Butadofu and Sweet Potato Pie, by Jobo Nakamura, page 5. Jobo Nakamura offers a guide to affordable restaurants in San Francisco’s Japantown, Chinatown and Italian districts ahead of the convention. He recommends Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Southern restaurants.
• Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A miscellany column reports on Yuriko Kikuchi’s return to the Martha Graham company, Isamu Noguchi’s decor, a Broadway stereotype complaint, book jacket design by Eddie Shimano, and a Hawaiian florist’s stamp suggestion.

Sports

• Aihara, Uyeda Return to Competition, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Henry Aihara and George Uyeda, two top Nisei trackmen, continue competing in club teams, with Aihara training for the hop, step and jump Olympic event. Bob Watanabe and Carl Otsuki are also noted as strong Nisei sprinters.
• Nisei NCAA Champ Trains for Olympics, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Roy Kuboyama, the new NCAA flyweight champion, will train for Olympic tryouts after a short rest. Norman Tamanaha, age 45, competes in the Boston Marathon seeking a spot on the Olympic team.
• Chiyo Tashima Defends Bowling Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Chiyo Tashima successfully defended her Western Challenge bowling championship in a televised match against Millie Hiljus. Other Nisei bowlers, including George Inai and Henry Takahashi, advanced in San Francisco tournaments.
• Konno Leaves School to Begin Active Training for Olympics, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ford Konno and Richard Cleveland left Ohio State to train in Hawaii for Olympic swimming tryouts after competing in the Honolulu AAU meet. Konno won three AAU championships and is considered a top American hope.
• Harry Kaneshige Places Second in Idaho State Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Harry Kaneshige took second and Tucker Itano fifth in the Idaho State Bowling Association tournament at Boise. Bill Nishioka and Etsu Nishioka were also elected to Caldwell bowling association posts.
• Hisamoto Wins Bum Bowlers Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Opie Hisamoto of the Denver Nisei bowling league won the Bum Bowlers tournament with a 1226 six-game score. Iwao Nishikawa and Sam Kato also placed in the prize money.
• Kojima, Kai Leave to Join Pro Nines in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hawaiian Nisei baseball players Kats Kojima and Tomo Kai departed for Japan to begin professional careers with the Hanshin Tigers and Kintetsu Pearls. Their signings mark a step for Hawaiian Nisei in Japanese baseball.
• Philadelphian Ford Enters Hawaiian AAU Swimming Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ford Konno, the Honolulu Nisei swimmer, returned to Hawaii for an AAU meet and rest before Olympic tryouts. Richard Cleveland also competed in the meet.
• Manji Named to All-Star Cage Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Robert Manji of Yuba City was named to a B division all-star basketball team. The item also notes other Nisei athletes at junior colleges and universities.
• Chicago, Denver Split Cage Series, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Chicago Romans split two games with Denver teams to close the Nisei basketball season, losing to Denver Whites 62-60 with Tak Tsutsui scoring 83 points. The Salt Lake City YBA Juniors also lost their games.
• California Judo Titles at Stake in San Jose Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A San Jose invitational judo tournament organized by Coach Yosh Uchida may decide the California State judo championship with 14 teams entered. Nisei football players Tom Yagi and Tackle Kajioka also reported for spring training at San Jose State.
• Ventura County JACL Plans Perch Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Ventura County JACL will hold a two-day perch derby on April 19 and 20 in Oxnard.

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