Vol. 38, No. 11, March 12, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue
The 1954 National JACL bowling tournament in Chicago led the front page, with Fred Fujita reporting the new champions and the choice of Long Beach as host for 1955. Beside it ran news for Issei: some 300 men whose naturalization had been withheld because of a 5-F draft classification might soon be sworn in at a mass ceremony in San Francisco. Haruo Ishimaru wrote on page 5 about the court decisions that cleared the way. Mike Masaoka’s column on page 2 followed Hawaii statehood as it came before the Senate.
Also inside: rules for the Miss JACL of 1954 contest, a payment bill for 16 evacuation claims, and Saburo Kido’s report on a campaign for orphans in Japan. Chapter news came from Coachella Valley, Ventura County, Arkansas Valley and Hollywood, and page 6 prints the official tournament scores.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Chicago Hosts 1954 National JACL Bowling Tournament; Long Beach Chosen for 1955, by Fred Fujita, page 1. The 1954 National JACL bowling tournament in Chicago crowned its champions across women’s and men’s events, with new tournament records set. Long Beach was selected as host city for the 1955 tournament.
- Convention Queen Contest Rules Announced for National JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rules for the Miss JACL of 1954 contest for the September Statler Hotel convention were announced. Candidates must be citizens of Japanese ancestry and JACL members in the Pacific Southwest District.
Community
- Seek Early Date for Naturalization of 300 ‘5-F’ Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some 300 Issei whose naturalization was withheld due to 5-F draft classification may soon be sworn in at a mass ceremony in San Francisco. Regional officials are seeking a March 26 date with the immigration service.
- Seek Quick Stop to San Francisco Crime Wave, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco JACL and Northern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce asked police to halt a wave of burglaries targeting Issei and Nisei businesses in uptown. Rep. McDonough also urged a full-time passport office in Los Angeles.
- Parents Rescue Son Unconscious in Fire, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A bedside radio short-circuit started a fire at the George Utsumi home in San Mateo. Parents rescued their overcome son Gary and got all children to safety.
- Youth Wins Scholarship for Automotive Designs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edwin T. Kitasako of Halcyon won a four-year scholarship to Art Center to study automotive design. He was one of five winners in the Motor Life national competition.
- Two Nisei in Line for Top Jobs, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Univ. of Hawaii extension officials Y. Baron Goto and James Shigeta have been nominated for leadership roles in a foreign aid trainee program. Their selection reflects the value of Asian-American specialists training Asian visitors.
- Coachella Valley Elections Held, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tek Nishimoto was elected 1954 president of the Coachella Valley JACL chapter at a combined potluck and election meeting. Other cabinet officers were also installed.
- Dr. Tokuyama Named Ventura County CL Head, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Sam Tokuyama was installed as president of the Ventura County JACL chapter by National JACL treasurer Dr. Roy Nishikawa. Recently naturalized Issei were also honored at the event.
- Arkansas Valley Chapter Reorganizes, Hears Mas Satow and Min Yasui, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Arkansas Valley JACL chapter launched a membership drive and began drafting a new constitution while reorganizing. Mas Satow and Min Yasui addressed the chapter meeting.
- Hollywood CL Sponsors Issei Citizenship Class, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Hollywood JACL continues its Americanization and citizenship class for Issei through the Los Angeles Board of Education. Miki Moriwaki instructs 42 students in the spring semester.
- Buddhist Churches of America Set Up New Administrative Board, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Buddhist Churches of America will create a new administrative board including elected directors, regional representatives, priests, and youth organization members. A $20,000 budget for 1954 was established.
- NCWNDC Boosts Quota to Keep Regional Office, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Haruo Ishimaru will continue as Northern California JACL regional director after the NCWNDC executive board met. Chapters increased their quotas to balance the district budget.
- Early Call for JACL Confab Registration Made by N.C. Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Northern California chapters ordered package deals and pre-registration fees early for the September National JACL convention. Greeting advertisements for the convention souvenir booklet were also received.
- Time Too Short to Moot CL, by Saburo Kido, page 5. Kido reports on a campaign to raise $50,000 for mixed-blood GI orphans in Japan and discusses possibly reviving a JACL chapter in Japan. He also describes the Japanese American journalists’ Tokyo trip and a luncheon with Governor Yasui.
National
- House Approves ’55 Fiscal Budget for Justice Dept., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House passed fiscal 1955 appropriations for the Justice Department without further cuts to agencies affecting Japanese Americans. The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee.
- Japan Ambassador Sadao Iguchi Assumes Post in Washington, D.C., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sadao Iguchi arrived in Washington as Japan’s second postwar envoy to the United States. He pledged to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.
- Statehood Showdown: Hawaii Before the Senate, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Hawaii statehood is now before the Senate for debate and vote for the first time in congressional history. Key test votes on Alaska linkage, commonwealth substitution, and recommittal will determine the outcome.
- Over 2,000 Renounce Japanese Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japan’s Justice Ministry reported 2,340 Nisei and Japanese in the United States renounced Japanese citizenship during 1951-52. Many renunciations followed naturalization as U.S. citizens.
Incarceration & Redress
- Eisenhower Expected to Sign Bill Paying Uncompromised Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A supplemental appropriations bill covering payment of 16 adjudicated evacuation claims totaling $133,211.37 has been sent to the President. The awards were separate from compromised settlements.
- Happy Ending for 5-F Issei Naturalization, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Court decisions by Judges Goodman and Knous removed the 5-F barrier to naturalization and reentry for Issei. Ishimaru credits JACL attorneys and Mike Masaoka for securing final resolution without further appeal.
Commentary
- Tokyo Topics: Japanese Teachers Union Leads Opposition to Rearmament, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The Japan Teachers Union has become the most effective opponent of rearmament, shaping anti-American sentiment among students. Japanese leaders are restudying the movement as a threat to national interests.
- Question of Racial Groups, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda examines whether racially organized social and business groups are desirable in Hawaii, citing varied panel views. He concludes that equal individual dignity must be upheld while opposing discrimination and segregation.
Military & Veterans
- Red Cross Honors Nisei GI, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Cpl. George Sakasegawa of Salinas was named honorary chairman of the local Red Cross fund drive. A former Chinese prisoner of war, he praised the Red Cross for its support during his captivity and recovery.
Sports
- Official Scores of Chicago’s National JACL Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Official results list prize winners across men’s and women’s events in the eighth National JACL bowling tournament at Hyde Park. Scores, squads, and handicap results are detailed.
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