The 1954 JACL convention in Los Angeles and the evacuation claims hearings

Vol. 39, No. 10, September 3, 1954. 12 pages. View this issue

The 13th biennial JACL National Convention in Los Angeles shaped this twelve-page issue. The paper expected about 1,500 delegates and boosters, and nearly 300 volunteers had spent two years preparing. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa and George Inagaki welcomed delegates and urged them to take the Council sessions seriously. Editorials, Mike Masaoka, Bill Hosokawa and Larry Tajiri looked ahead under the theme New Horizons. On the front page, Haruo Ishimaru reported on House subcommittee hearings in San Francisco over the Hillings Amendment, where Mike Masaoka and Edward Ennis testified on evacuation claims.

Other items include the signing of a law that lets several hundred Peruvian Japanese remain in the United States, and a question over how many Issei receive California pensions. Convention plans fill the later pages: a golf tournament, an Issei banquet with Japanese song and dance, two plays by Hiroshi Kashiwagi in San Francisco, and a nomination for Dr. Toyo Shimizu in the Public Health Service.

What’s in this issue

Community

• New Horizon convention to attract 1,500, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 13th biennial JACL National Convention in Los Angeles is expected to draw about 1,500 delegates and boosters. Close to 300 volunteers worked over two years to prepare the event hosted by the local chapters.
• Pinball machine looted, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A burglar rifled pinball machines and cash boxes at Mako Tsuchiyama’s Cue Ball pool hall in Watsonville. The owner reported $384 stolen.
• Salt Lake Jr. JACL delegate appointed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Salt Lake chapter delegates to the national convention include Rupert Hachiya and Hatsumi Mitsunaga, the latter representing the Jr. JACL. Mas Yano will attend as Intermountain District delegate and appear before the Jonas Subcommittee.
• Toronto Buddhist church, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toronto Japanese Buddhists have purchased a site at Bathurst and Barton Streets for a new temple. Rev. Takashi Tsuji is planning a fund-raising campaign for a modernistic structure.
• Arizona CLer heads Red Cross chapter, by Robert Uno, page 3. Tom Ikeda, wartime president of the Arizona JACL, was installed as Mesa branch president of the Maricopa County American Red Cross. He is a Mesa produce rancher and native-born son of Mesa.
• Heart of Convention, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 5. Convention Board chairman Roy Nishikawa welcomes delegates and explains that Council sessions are the heart of the National JACL program. He notes the scheduled 22 hours of meetings and the importance of hearing the Hillings hearings in Los Angeles.
• Chicago Corner: Employment trends in Chicago, by John Y. Yoshino, page 7. Yoshino reports that Nisei women in Chicago enjoy strong employment prospects and high salaries despite a tightening labor market. He notes that many Nisei students are turning away from secretarial training toward professional fields.
• Special Japanese entertainment bill for Issei banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Issei Banquet at the Statler Hotel will honor naturalized Issei with Japanese song and dance performances. Judge John Aiso will speak on the contributions of Issei and the significance of citizenship.
• Busier ‘n’ Bees, by Tats Kushida, page 10. Kushida reports on the frenetic activity in the JACL regional office during convention preparation and Congressional hearing statements. Volunteers cut stencils and committee members handled registration and other tasks.
• Convention newsletter: New Horizons, by Henry Mori, page 11. Mori reflects on how Nisei have progressed since the wartime evacuation and how New Horizons inspires progress. He notes that the convention will bring together many successful individuals for the first time since 1938.

National

• Masaoka, Ennis open testimony at claims law hearings in S.F., by Haruo Ishimaru, page 1. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Claims opened five days of hearings on the Hillings Amendment with testimony from Mike Masaoka and Edward Ennis. Masaoka reviewed the history of the Evacuation Claims Act and the need for compromise on smaller claims.
• Berkeley China Club congratulates Exchange Clubs for anti-race stand, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Berkeley China Club sent a letter congratulating 15 California Exchange Clubs for pushing to end whites-only membership. The letter rebuked national executive secretary Herold Harter for his remarks about the controversy.

JACL

• May be last of extravagant national confabs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 13th biennial JACL convention in Los Angeles may be the last of the extravagant national gatherings. Nearly 300 volunteers in six host chapters spent two years preparing the event.
• Sharp aloha shirt at outing may win prize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The loudest Aloha shirt worn at the JACL Convention Outing at Royal Palms will receive a special prize. Miss National JACL Janet Fukuda and her court will serve as judges.

Incarceration & Redress

• Over $25 millions appropriated for evacuation claims payment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower signed a supplemental appropriations bill bringing total evacuation claims appropriations to over $25 million. Masaoka noted that the claims program was made possible only through JACL sponsorship of the legislation.
• Compromised amount over 23 million dollars paid on claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 23 million dollars has been paid on compromised evacuation claims, and about 3,000 larger claims remain unadjudicated. Administrative costs have exceeded one million dollars to date.
• President signs law preventing deportation of Peruvian Japanese, by Mike Masaoka, page 3. President Eisenhower signed an amendment to the Refugee Relief Act allowing several hundred Peruvian Japanese to adjust their status and remain permanently in the United States. Masaoka lobbied Rep. Francis Walter to include them in the legislation.
• JACL official disputes figures on Issei receiving California pensions, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. JACL regional director Haruo Ishimaru disputed a state report that only 1,632 Issei receive California pensions. He explained that state old-age pensions are restricted to U.S. citizens and that JACL plans to resubmit legislation to change this.

Commentary

• Whai makes JACL tick, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial welcomes delegates to the 13th national JACL convention in Los Angeles and urges them to attend National Council sessions. It notes that five congressmen are present to add distinction to the convention.
• Past Conventions, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reflects on the importance of the biennial JACL conventions and the democratic commitment of the delegates. He recounts memorable conventions from the post-war era and honors Dr. T. T. Yatabe as Father of the JACL.
• Where do we go from here?, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka traces how Nisei moved from being called New Americans before Pearl Harbor to full acceptance as citizens. He argues that future progress for Japanese Americans depends on individual effort rather than group identity.
• Welcome to Convenfioneers, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 5. Convention Board chairman Roy Nishikawa welcomes delegates to the 13th Biennial National JACL Convention. He pledges that the board will consider every service request, emphasizing efficiency, service, and hospitality.
• Get Packing, by George Inagaki, page 6. Inagaki urges delegates to pack and prepare for the National Convention, which he expects to be outstanding. He stresses that delegates must work intensively during the Council sessions because the future of the JACL depends on them.
• National scope of JACL, by George Inagaki, page 6. Inagaki emphasizes that JACL’s effectiveness depends on national unity and that chapters must consider each other’s circumstances. He asks delegates to think in national terms about planning and budget.
• What is JACL’s future? Where do we go from here?, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 7. Nishikawa argues that JACL should set higher goals now that its major legislative objectives have been achieved. He proposes expanding work beyond persons of Japanese ancestry toward justice for all peoples.
• New Horizons, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 7. Nishikawa explains that the convention theme New Horizons means continually raising goals and growing as an organization. He concludes that JACL will become what its members make it.
• Editorials: Convention Theme, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The editorial reflects on the theme New Horizons for the 1954 national convention and notes parallels with the 1938 Los Angeles convention. It argues that decisions made at this convention will shape the future for the Sansei generation.
• From the Frying Pan: Exciting Decade Ahead, by Bill Hosokawa, page 12. Hosokawa observes that Nisei are making economic and social progress and are on the move across the country. He concludes that the most exciting decade in Nisei history lies ahead.
• Lessons to Remember, by Larry Tajiri, page 12. Tajiri reviews the JACL’s legislative accomplishments including deportation relief, evacuation claims, and naturalization reform. He warns that housing discrimination and organized prejudice remain challenges for the years ahead.

Military & Veterans

• Seattle editor believes Miyamura merits top award, by Budd Fukei, page 2. Budd Fukei of the Northwest Times argues that Medal of Honor winner Hiroshi Miyamura should receive the JACL Nisei of the Biennium award. He cites Miyamura’s selection among the Ten Outstanding Young Men of 1953.
• Dr. Toyo Shimizu nominated senior dental surgeon, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Dr. Toyo Shimizu of Fort Defiance, Arizona was nominated to be Senior Dental Surgeon in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service. He is the highest ranking Nisei officer in the Public Health Service.

In-Depth

• Smoglites: At last, we arrive!, by Mary O., page 8. The author describes disembarking in Honolulu after a seasick voyage and being greeted by relatives at the pier. She recounts the Island hospitality and the pleasant scenery surrounding Waikiki.

Arts & Entertainment

• Plans in S.F. for two plays by Hiroshi Kashiwagi, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The San Francisco JACL and Buchanan YM-YWCA will present two plays by Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Plums Can Wait and Laughter and False Teeth, on Sept. 10-11. The productions feature the Nisei Players directed by Ted R. Samuel.

Sports

• 65 golfers vie for trophies in 36-hole National Convention tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Sixty-five golfers entered the 36-hole JACL Convention golf tournament held over the Baldwin Hills and Fox Hills courses. Trophy donors and tee times for the first round were announced.

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