Vol. 34, No. 7, February 16, 1952. 8 pages. View this issue
Jackie Robinson was the guest speaker at the New York JACL installation dinner, where he spoke on race problems and his belief in future progress. Mitsu Yasuda presented him a citation on the chapter’s behalf. The same front page carried a Midwest JACL protest over racially derogatory remarks in the commentary of the film “The Roosevelt Story,” and Mike Masaoka’s report on efforts to win early action on the Omnibus Immigration and Naturalization bills. Two pages covered evacuation claims, including the March 15 deadline for compromise offers.
Elsewhere in these 8 pages, MGM’s “Go for Broke!” was nominated for an Academy Award, and a veteran of the 442nd recalled how people in Italy still remembered Nisei soldiers. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Valentine’s Day, Elmer R. Smith about racial stereotypes, and the editorials took up Hawaii statehood. Sports news covered the National JACL bowling tournament.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Jackie Robinson Guest Speaker at New York JACL Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jackie Robinson spoke on race problems and his belief in future progress at the New York JACL chapter’s installation dinner at Howard Johnson’s. A question-and-answer period followed, and Mitsu Yasuda presented him a citation on the chapter’s behalf.
- New Jersey Senator Will Speak to Eastern Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Robert C. Hendrickson of New Jersey will be the principal speaker when the Seabrook JACL hosts the Eastern district council conference March 31. Charles Nagao announced planned dances and bowling tournaments.
- Nisei VFW Posts Plan Joint Meet in Hanford, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei VFW posts from California will hold their second joint meeting in Hanford Feb. 23-24 to discuss problems affecting Japanese Americans. Participating posts include Hanford, Sacramento and Los Angeles.
- Five District Queens Vie for Crown at Coast Buddhist Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Five district queens will compete for the 1952 WYBL queen title at the Young Buddhist League conference in San Jose, Feb. 22-24. Profiles describe each candidate, including Evelyn Sakamoto, Toni Miyamoto, Nancy Sato, Masako Tagawa and Pearl Yamasaki.
- West Los Angeles Will Take Part in Brotherhood Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The West Los Angeles JACL chapter will present a display of flower arrangement, lacquerware, dolls and other artware at the All Nations Brotherhood program on Feb. 20 at Beth-Zion Temple. Yuki Toya will manage the display.
- Elitch’s Will Open on February 17, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The new Elitch Bowling lanes in Denver open to the public Feb. 17, hosting the 6th annual National JACL bowling tournament beginning Feb. 29. The facility features 24 alleys and modern equipment including compressed air pin setters.
Commentary
- Midwest JACL Protests Racially Derogatory Remarks in Commentary of FDR Film, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Midwest JACL office protested anti-Japanese stereotypes in the commentary of ‘The Roosevelt Story,’ a documentary shown in Chicago. Richard Akagi urged that the commentary be purged of such remarks since the film is recommended for high school and labor union audiences.
- Editorial: Deadline Nears, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial urges use of the compromise plan for evacuation losses under $3,500 before the March 15 deadline. It explains the plan’s speed and efficiency and warns that it should not be used for claims above $3,500.
- Editorial: Statehood for Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial notes that Japanese ancestry is no longer a major obstacle to Hawaiian statehood, with 55 senators publicly in favor. It argues that Sen. McCarran’s planned communism investigation in Hawaii is likely a delaying tactic.
- Box-Score on Race Relations: On Racial Stereotypes, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Elmer Smith responds to criticism of his prior column by explaining that stereotypes arise both from personal experience and from cultural teaching. He proposes that social action must rest on value frameworks such as the American Creed’s principles of dignity, opportunity and equality.
- A Sign of the Times?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on his children’s indifference to Lincoln’s birthday compared with their enthusiasm for Valentine’s Day. He recalls his own boyhood Valentine experiences and a schoolmate named Valentine Sekin.
National
- Senate Approves Bill for Entry of Japanese Child, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate passed a private bill providing for entry of Yoshiyuki Mayeshiro, a Japanese minor whose parents live in Denver. The measure now goes to the House for approval.
- Go for Broke! Story Nominated for Screen Oscar, by P.C. Staff, page 1. MGM’s ‘Go for Broke!’ was nominated for the Academy Award for best story and screenplay, with Robert Pirosh credited as writer. Pirosh also directed the film about the 442nd.
- JACL ADC Asks for Early House, Senate Action on Omnibus Immigration Bills, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka reported efforts to secure early floor consideration of the McCarran and Walter Omnibus Immigration and Naturalization bills. He urged Issei and Nisei to write senators, especially Majority Leader McFarland, requesting immediate Senate debate.
- JACL Joins in Sponsorship of Leadership Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL ADC joined more than fifty organizations in sponsoring a Leadership Conference in Washington on Feb. 17-18. The conference demands a majority cloture rule and enactment of civil rights legislation.
Military & Veterans
- Missing Nisei GI Reported Killed in Korean War, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Defense Department informed the JACL ADC Washington office that Pfc. Kenichi Hamaguchi of Los Angeles was killed in action in Korea. He had previously been reported missing in action.
- Veteran of 442nd Says Italy People Remember Nisei GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kelly Kuwayama, a former 442nd member, revisited Italy en route to Japan and found residents still remembered the Nisei soldiers fondly. His impressions were recorded for the 442nd Association publication On the Line.
- Hold Final Rites for Nisei Soldier Killed in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Final rites for Pfc. Tamiya Ikeda, killed in action in Korea on Nov. 16, were conducted in Sacramento by VFW Nisei Post 8985. He was inducted exactly one year before his death and was killed by enemy small arms fire on patrol.
- Nisei Wartime Strandee Given High U.S. Award for Valor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sgt. Henry H. Yoda of Honolulu received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in Korea near Chorwon, after previously earning the Silver Star. He was wounded but his actions enabled his troops to secure their objective.
Incarceration & Redress
- Justice Department Names Claims Settlement Recipients, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department released names of 105 more evacuation claimants who were paid under compromise settlement procedures. The JACL ADC urged unpaid claimants to notify its Washington office and reminded all that the March 15 deadline for compromise offers is approaching.
- Few Evacuee Claimants Reject Government Counter Offers in Compromise Settlement Action, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Only about seven of more than 3,000 evacuee claimants have rejected government counter-offers, according to the Washington JACL ADC office. The office also explained how to obtain photostatic copies of lost claim forms at about five dollars each.
Obituaries
- Community Leader Dies in California, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Joe Ishii, 32, the first and only Nisei woman on the Fountain Valley school district board, died Feb. 3. She was active in her church and the Orange County Junior Matrons and is survived by her husband and three children.
Arts & Entertainment
- Dore Schary’s Parlay, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article traces how MGM producer Dore Schary and writer Robert Pirosh developed ‘Go for Broke!’ and how the film became a box office success. It credits Schary’s commitment to socially meaningful filmmaking and notes renewed Hollywood interest in Japanese subjects.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.