Nisei lawmakers in Hawaii and Issei naturalization classes

Vol. 36, No. 9, February 27, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

Nisei in Hawaii’s Territorial Legislature led the front page. Lawrence Nakatsuka reported that six of fifteen senators and ten of thirty representatives were of Japanese ancestry, and a second story described how Nisei opened the 27th Legislature. Another front-page story told of the 100th Infantry Battalion, reactivated in Honolulu as part of the 442nd Infantry Regiment (Res.). Naturalization for Issei ran through the issue: a Seattle citizenship class near its oral examination, reassurance for Los Angeles applicants, and Hiroshi Matsuo’s advice on taking the test. Frank F. Chuman was named JACL legal counsel, succeeding Saburo Kido.

Also inside are two short stories by Jack Matsuye and Paul Itaya, a page of sports with the National JACL bowling tournament and the Tokyo Giants’ U.S. tour, and chapter news from Orange County and East Los Angeles. Editorials took up Hawaiian statehood and California’s Senate Constitutional Amendment 21, and Bill Hosokawa wrote From the Frying Pan.

What’s in this issue

National

Nisei Legislators Give Hawaii Unique Place in American Political History, by By LAWRENCE NAKATSUKA, page 1. Nisei serve in unusually large numbers in the Hawaii Territorial Legislature, with six of fifteen senators and ten of thirty representatives of Japanese ancestry. The article notes their prominence, including their role opening the 27th Legislature on Feb. 18.
Japanese Ceramic Designer Unafraid of Imitators, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shoji Hamada, the Japanese potter whose work was shown at the S.F. Museum, is not troubled by a young man copying his pieces. He said later he would be credited for good copies and blamed for poor ones.
Hawaiian Statehood, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Public hearings on H.R. 49 for Hawaiian statehood opened in the House, with proponents hopeful after broad bipartisan support. The editorial argues Congress should ratify the recognized loyalty of Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
Japan-Born Painter Tatsuo Arai Exhibits Works for First Time in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Paintings by Tatsuo Arai, regarded as Japan’s leading abstractionist, are on exhibit at the Riverside Museum through Mar. 8. The 48-year-old artist leads the Modern Art Association of Tokyo.

Military & Veterans

100th Infantry Bn. (Res.) Reactivated in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The famed 100th Infantry Battalion was reactivated into the U.S. Army Reserves at Ft. DeRussy and will be part of the 442nd Infantry Regiment (Res.). Former commander Farrant L. Turner praised the unit’s wartime record.

Community

Seattle Committee Ready for Second Citizenship Class, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Close to 400 Seattle Issei in a JACL-sponsored Americanization course are four weeks from an oral examination. A second class begins Mar. 23.
Reassurance Given Los Angeles Issei Naturalization Applicants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles immigration director H. R. Landon assured Issei applicants they may take examinations in Japanese, and new procedures to speed naturalization were discussed. Community leaders also conferred with federal judges on mass swear-in arrangements.
Ex-Mayor of Seattle Leads Japan Society, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Seattle mayor William F. Devin was elected president of the Japan Society of Seattle, recognized for his 1950 goodwill tour of the Orient. Other officers were also chosen.
Americanization, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Southland Issei are active in naturalization, including a citizenship certificate ceremony in Gardena and a new citizenship class in Hollywood. Mass examinations for Issei may also be offered if interpreters are available.
Tokyo Topics: Nisei Journalists, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei have made notable contributions to Japanese journalism, with profiles of staff at the Nippon Times, Mainichi, Radio Press, Kyodo, and other outlets. Many of these Nisei have lost or regained their U.S. citizenship.
Gov. Dewey Extends Welcome Message to EDC Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey sent a message celebrating the Eastern District Council JACL testimonial to Mike Masaoka. The message praised the end of discriminatory laws against people from Japan.
Hawaii Legislature Opens With Nisei Senators and Representatives in Prominent Roles, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Nisei Sen. Kazuhisa Abe and Rep. Thomas T. Sakakihara opened the 27th Legislature, and Sen. Wilfred C. Tsukiyama was re-elected Senate president. The article notes party breakdowns among Nisei legislators.
Pacific Southwest District Council Quarterly Session at Coachella Valley, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The PSWDC quarterly meeting in Indio discussed the 1954 National JACL convention, finances, and membership reports. Delegates also planned the 1953 district convention in Phoenix.
Orange County JACL Sets Installation March 14, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Orange County JACL chapter will install its 1953 officers on March 14 at Huntington Beach Memorial Hall. Dr. Roy Nishikawa will serve as installing officer.
Parliamentary Procedure Explained by JACLer, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Min Yasui spoke to the Brighton Nisei Women’s Club in Colorado on parliamentary procedure and gave a demonstration. He had previously taught the subject at a WCCA center.
Who’s Who in JACL: John T. Noguchi and Jack T. Tamai, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column profiles two chapter presidents, John T. Noguchi of Mile-Hi JACL and Jack T. Tamai of Omaha JACL. Biographical details and chapter plans are given.
East L.A. JACL Prexy Edison Uno Again, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The East Los Angeles JACL board approved its 1953 slate of officers led by Edison Uno. Installation was set for the county inaugural ball.
Pacific Southwest Credit Union Officials Chosen, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Saburo Kido was reelected president of the Pacific Southwest Credit Union. Membership has increased and a 3 percent dividend for 1953 is anticipated.
Srvice, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Chikara Sumiya provided a notice regarding service. Additional content was limited.
Intermountain Christian Youth Conference Mar. 7-8, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Intermountain Christian Youth Conference will be held March 7-8 in Salt Lake City with the Rev. Masumi Toyotome as speaker. Delegates from several states will attend a banquet and talent show.

JACL

Chuman Appointed JACL Legal Counsel, Succeeds Sab Kido, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank F. Chuman was appointed JACL legal counsel by National President George J. Inagaki, replacing Saburo Kido who resigned. Chuman’s background in JACL leadership and legal practice is outlined.
Araki: Pay Tribute to Issei, Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese Ambassador Eikichi Araki spoke at an Eastern District JACL function and praised Mike Masaoka’s legislative work. He credited Issei and Nisei goodwill for improved U.S.-Japan relations.

Incarceration & Redress

No Takers Now for ‘Peace’ Statue, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A eight-ton granite statue by Benjamin Bufano, once planned as a gift from the San Francisco JACL to the city, is being auctioned because no one wants it. Storage charges have accumulated for ten years.

Commentary

Naturalization Test, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroshi Matsuo, who took his naturalization examination in New York, advised other Issei to stay calm and use common sense. He described sample questions asked during the test.
Howard Imazeki, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Howard Matsuji Imazeki, a former American newspaperman working in Tokyo for U.S. security forces, is recovering from illness. His alien status complicates his citizenship as his return permit nears expiration.
Musings, by Kats H. Kunitsugu, page 3. The editor introduces a new literary experimental page open to contributors, with minimal editing. Reader reactions to the first issue are discussed.
Editorial: Senate Constitutional Amendment 21, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges Californians to defeat Senate Constitutional Amendment 21 because it would legalize discrimination. It argues the measure would erase social progress made in recent years.
From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa describes a New Year’s gathering hosted by Herb in Denver and comments on Chinese American community life. He reflects on the contrast between Issei and Chinese American presentation.
Letter to the Editor: Subscriptions and Editorial Policy, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. The Pacific Citizen editor responds to a reader who cancelled a subscription over editorial differences. The response emphasizes the need for subscriptions and discusses reader responsibilities.
Opinions from Other Newspapers: Immigration Act, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Excerpts from other newspapers discuss the McCarran Immigration Act and President Eisenhower’s call to Congress to revise it. Critics argue that the law’s national origin standards should be lowered.
Letter to the Editor: Gerald Kubo, by Jerome D. Greene, page 8. A letter from Cambridge, Massachusetts praises the Pacific Citizen’s role in promoting Japanese American loyalty and integration. The writer urges Japanese Americans to be recognized as Americans.

In-Depth

Japanese Art, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. A major exhibit of Japanese art sponsored by the Japanese government fills nine galleries at the National Gallery in Washington. The writer urges Americans, especially Nisei, to see the show as it travels to other cities.
A Day in a Factory, by Jack Matsuye, page 3. A short story follows Taro, a factory worker who gambles during his shift and loses his rent money. The story depicts the monotony of factory work and the pull of gambling.

Arts & Entertainment

Madame B’s Revenge, by Paul Itaya, page 3. A short story set in Japan follows Hisako, who chooses to stay in Japan to teach rather than marry Roy and move to America. She ends their engagement and tells him she belongs only to herself.

Sports

Sportscope: Over 300 Keglers Competing for National JACL Tourney Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Roy Higa won a TKO and Tommy Kono set a world weightlifting record. The column also covers bowling, boxing, and swimming results.
Tokyo Giants Win First Two Games on U.S. Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Tokyo Giants won their first two exhibition games against American squads at Fresno and Visalia. Upcoming games against Tucson and the S.F. Seals were scheduled.
Hawaii Nisei Nine Barnstorm Tour of Japan Cancelled, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Plans to bring the Hawaii Red Sox Nisei baseball champions to Japan were dropped due to weather and poor scheduling. The team needed 22 games to meet expenses.
Buckeye Swimmers Break Pool Marks, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ohio State’s Hawaiian Nisei swimmers Yoshi Oyakawa and Ford Konno broke pool records in a Big Ten dual meet at Madison, Wis. Ohio State won the meet.
Nisei Skier Nipped for First Twice, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Katherine Toda narrowly lost first place in a giant slalom championship at Alta, Utah, and placed second in a slalom event at Reno. Both races were close finishes.
Fuzzy Shimada Entering National JACL Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Fuzzy Shimada of San Francisco is the top-ranked Nisei bowler in the seventh annual National JACL bowling tournament. Bay Area bowlers dominate the leaderboard.
Cancel Hawaii Nisei Nine Barnstorm Tour of Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Plans for the Hawaii Red Sox to tour Japan were cancelled this year because of weather and poor scheduling. The team could not secure enough games to cover expenses.
Horiuchi Scores TKO in 46 Seconds of First Round in Oahu Amateur Main, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Don Horiuchi of the Citywide AA knocked out Uli Roberson of the Navy in 46 seconds of the first round. The bout was the main event of the Oahu Amateur Boxing Association show.
Northern California Nisei Golf Tourney Confirmed for Pebble Beach April 18-19, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 1953 Northern California Nisei golf tournament will be held April 18-19 at Pebble Beach. Fresno and Turlock Nisei golf associations are sponsoring the event.

Obituaries

Miss Annie Clo Watson Impressed by Japan, Wants Revisit After World Tour, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 7. Miss Annie Clo Watson, executive secretary of International Institute in San Francisco, toured Kansai and expressed a desire to return to Japan for further study. She described the institute’s work helping immigrants and DPs.
St. Louis Surgeon Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Japanese-born Nisei surgeon in St. Louis died on Feb. 21. He had received his medical education in California and was interned in Arkansas during the war.
Veteran Educator Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Flora J. Cooke, an educator who lectured on progressive education, died at age 88. She had served as principal of Francis W. Parker School and as a trustee.
Prewar Hosteler Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sakutaro Nakano, a prewar San Francisco Japanese Association leader and hosteler, died in Japan at age 72. He had been president of the San Francisco Japanese Association.

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