Tule Lake renunciants in court, and a ruined monument to a Japanese aviator

Vol. 28, No. 3, January 22, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

Court cases and immigration law ran through this eight-page issue. The Federal Court of Appeals set a January 27 hearing on ACLU-sponsored test cases affecting more than 5,000 Tule Lake renunciants. Rep. Sidney R. Yates introduced the bill for equality in naturalization and immigration as HR 14444, and Mike Masaoka noted its bipartisan sponsorship. The front page also told of an attempt to destroy a Utah memorial to aviator Masashi Goto, and of an Army order that nearly halted marriages between GIs and Japanese women.

On the opinion pages, Bill Hosokawa asked whether Nisei would be the first laid off if the postwar boom ended, and Edward J. Ennis answered readers’ questions on evacuation claims. Elsewhere were reports on Nisei in the film Tokyo Joe, a story on Sessue Hayakawa, chapter installations, and sports pages covering bowling and an upcoming basketball tournament in Salt Lake City.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

  • Reveal Attempt to Destroy Memorial to Ill-Fated Japanese Aviator, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A monument to aviator Masashi Goto, who crashed in the Uinta Mountains in 1929, was reportedly vandalized in an act of wartime intolerance. Deseret News editors invited public participation in restoring the memorial.
  • Nisei GI Who Died in Burma Buried at Golden Gate Cemetery, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tech. Sgt. Takeo Fujino, a Nisei soldier killed in Burma, was reburied with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery. The brief report covers the ceremony.
  • Army Proposal on New Religious Designation Satisfies Buddhists, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Buddhist groups are satisfied with a tentative Army plan to add an ‘X’ designation for servicemen of non-Catholic, Protestant, or Hebrew faiths. Servicemen may also wear an additional faith-specific tag, such as plastic Buddhist tags made by the Hawaii YBA Federation.
  • Memorial Services Held for Nisei GI, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Memorial rites were held in Stockton for Tech. Sgt. Richard A. Otsubo, a 442nd Combat Team veteran killed in France in 1944. He was later interred at Golden Gate National Cemetery.
  • Nisei Veteran Tops List in Land Drawing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Iver Takaichi Nii, a Nisei World War II veteran, was first selected in a drawing for government land tracts in the Yakima reclamation project. He is currently attending Oregon State College.
  • Nisei Wins Admittance to Minnesota Bar, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Charles Tatsuda became the first Nisei, and possibly the first Asian American, admitted to the Minnesota Bar. He is an active member of the Twin Cities UCL chapter.
  • Nisei Veteran Nominated as Box Elder’s Farmer of Year, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sam I. Kuwata, a World War II veteran operating a 50-acre farm near Brigham City, Utah, was named outstanding young farmer by the Box Elder Young Farmers. He advances to area competition at Logan.
  • Without Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Private Felix Longoria, killed in World War II, was denied reburial rites in his hometown of Three Rivers, Texas, because of racial objections. Texans raised funds and officials arranged burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

National

  • Army Order Bars Marriages Between GIs and Japanese Girls, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An Army order has nearly halted marriages between American soldiers, mostly Nisei, and Japanese women because of U.S. immigration laws barring the brides. Consul General Johnson said that while the marriages stopped, inquiries about procedures remain numerous.
  • Nisei Girl Declines Nomination in DAR Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Grace Oshima, a senior at Soldan-Blewett High School in St. Louis, declined to represent her school in a DAR-sponsored contest to protest the organization’s discriminatory practices. Her classmates also refused to name an alternate in support of her stance.
  • JACL ADC Backs Free Postage Plan for Food Gifts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee endorsed HR 297, a bill introduced by Rep. George Sadowski to allow free postage on food and clothing gift packages to war-ravaged countries. The bill would apply regardless of whether recipient nations were allies or enemies.
  • Seek Repeal of California Marriage Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman Robert L. Condon introduced a bill to repeal California’s miscegenation law, already ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court. Three other assemblymen joined in seeking repeal.
  • U.S. Supreme Court Considers Validity of Hawaii Wartime Law on Language Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Hawaii’s wartime law restricting foreign language teaching to children, which a lower federal court had struck down. Attorneys argued the law was racist in purpose and effect, while the territory defended it as a reasonable exercise of legislative power.
  • Cemetery Directors Deny Discrimination in Masuda Case, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Directors of Westminster Memorial Park wrote to the Pacific Citizen denying they discriminated against Sgt. Kazuo Masuda in his interment. Chairman John H. McWhinney said the board approved all requests made by the family.
  • Congressman Keeps Promise, Introduces Naturalization Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Sidney R. Yates introduced the ENI bill for equality in naturalization and immigration as HR 14444, fulfilling a campaign promise. Mike Masaoka noted the bill has bipartisan sponsorship from all sections of the country.
  • Bill Proposes Citizenship for Parents of GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Philip J. Philbin introduced HR 262 to allow parents of U.S. military servicemembers to naturalize without normal requirements, including those ineligible for citizenship. The JACL ADC said it would support the measure while focusing primarily on the ENI bill.

Community

  • Nisei Progressives Schedule Founding Conference in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The founding conference of the Nisei Progressives will take place January 26 in Los Angeles, with Carey McWilliams as main speaker. The group aims to advance the economic, political, and social rights of Nisei.
  • Yamagishi Elected Reno JACL Prexy, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Fred Yamagishi was named president of the Reno JACL chapter for 1949, along with a supporting cabinet. The short report lists the officers.
  • Twin Cities Group Reelects President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Twin Cities UCL chapter of JACL reelected Tomo Kosobayashi as president at its January 14 meeting attended by over 90 Nisei. The chapter also leads Midwest JACL chapters in 1949 membership sign-ups.
  • Blind Nisei Girl Operates Candy, Tobacco Enterprise, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Aiko Kuroki, a blind Nisei from Berkeley, became the first person to operate a private business in the Contra Costa County Hall of Records in Martinez. She runs a tobacco and candy stand with her guide dog, Bonnie, under a Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation program.
  • St. Louis JACL Chapter Holds Inaugural Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The St. Louis JACL held its third annual inaugural dinner, installing Joe Tanaka as president and presenting a $500 check to the ADC. Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman was the featured speaker.
  • Report Problems Affecting Issei Fishermen Resolved; Identity Cards to Be Issued, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Immigration Service agreed to issue seaman’s identification cards to Japanese alien fishermen, eliminating the need for Japanese government passports. The change resolves a long-standing problem for tuna fishermen stopping at Mexican and South American ports.
  • Cleveland Chapter Plans to Boost Membership Roster, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cleveland JACL launched a citywide membership drive aiming for 250 members, up from 150. Two competing units will be led by Hoshi Miyake and Jimmy Akiya.
  • Former Judge Gives Oath of Office to Arizona Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Former Judge Alfred C. Lockwood administered the oath to the 1949 Arizona JACL cabinet at a New Year’s Eve social in Mesa. George Shogo Saito succeeds Carl Sato as president.
  • Puyallup Names 1949 Cabinet at First Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Puyallup Valley JACL elected Kaz Yamane to a second term as president along with a full cabinet at its January annual election. A community basket social and dance followed.
  • Weather Forces Postponement of Ogden Claims Clinics, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hazardous road conditions forced the Ogden JACL to postpone its evacuee claims clinics. Claims forms and translations were made available at several local businesses in the meantime.
  • San Mateo JACL Slates Installation of New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Mateo County JACL will hold an installation ball for its 1949 officers on February 5 at the Hotel Benjamin Franklin. Joe Grant Masaoka will administer the oath of office.
  • Reedley JACL Names 1949 Officials, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Marshal Hirose was elected president of the Reedley JACL chapter, succeeding Masaru Abe. A tentative calendar for the year was drawn up at a joint meeting of the old and new cabinets.
  • Denver Cabinet Is Installed, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tom Yanaga and his cabinet were sworn in as officers of the Fort Lupton JACL at a general meeting. Roy Takeno conducted the installation, and a skating party for members is planned.
  • Idaho Falls Man Held for Alleged Threatening Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 8. R. Kato, 69, was held in Bonneville County jail on charges of sending threatening letters to the Paul Saito family demanding a cafe. Bond was set at $250.
  • New York JACL Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The New York JACL installed its new officers for 1949 at a dinner, with Tom Hayashi presiding as toastmaster. Akira Hayashi succeeds Tom Hayashi as president.
  • Utah Wildlife Group Donated Hay to Feed Starving Animals, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Utah-Nippon Wildlife Federation donated two tons of hay for starving deer and began a campaign to feed pheasants and quail statewide. The group is headed by Yoshitaka.
  • Ellis Center Has New Parish Worker, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rhoda Nishimura, a former Berkeley Christian worker and Vassar graduate, will be installed as parish worker at the Ellis Community Center church in Chicago. She succeeds Marion Yamabe.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Federal Appeals Court Sets Hearing on Case Affecting 5,000 Tule Lake Renunciants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The ACLU-sponsored test cases affecting over 5,000 Tule Lake renunciants will be heard by the Federal Court of Appeals on January 27. The brief argues the renunciations were invalid due to the injustice of evacuation and the confusion at Tule Lake.
  • Two Plead Guilty in Counterfeiting Case in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Isamu Honda and Robert Kono pleaded guilty to counterfeiting charges in Chicago federal court and will be sentenced February 3. Two others requested time to obtain lawyers.
  • Chicago Group Urged to Study Cemetery Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Homer T. Jack proposed that Chicago’s Commission on Human Relations study racial discrimination in cemeteries, prompted by denial of burial plots to persons of Japanese ancestry. The proposal was presented at a city conference on civic unity.
  • File Test Cases Over Arrests of Japanese Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two test cases were filed challenging government deportation of resident Japanese aliens Frank Y. Miyazawa and Makio Kobayashi under the expired Alien Enemy Act. Judge Michael J. Roche ordered them freed pending final determination.

JACL

  • Chicago ADC Sends Check for $5,000 to Headquarters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago chapter forwarded $5,000 to national JACL-ADC headquarters as part of more than $10,000 raised so far. Chairman Tahei Matsunaga expressed confidence the $12,000 goal would be met.
  • ADC Representatives To Discuss Program in Southern Colorado, by P.C. Staff, page 3. T. Kako and Ray Takeno planned meetings with Nisei and Issei in San Luis Valley, Colorado, to discuss legislation and evacuation claims. The Mountain Plains ADC office has been running a five-state financial campaign.
  • Cleveland Ball Crowns Queen Miyo Kunitake, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Miyo Kunitake was crowned queen at the Cleveland JACL’s second annual ball at the Hotel Hollenden, defeating six other candidates. Diane Sashihara and Happy Iwamoto were named her attendants.

Obituaries

  • Passes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. M. Yonemoto of French Camp died January 9 and is survived by his wife and children. Brief notice only.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Nisei Girls Appear in Bogart’s ‘Tokyo Joe’, by Roy Uno, page 3. Nisei performers including Julia Fukuzaki and Dorothy Furumura were cast in Humphrey Bogart’s film Tokyo Joe being shot at Columbia studios. Photos show the actors on set with Sessue Hayakawa.
  • Sessue Hayakawa Hopes for Comeback in Hollywood Films, by Steven Sakai, page 3. Silent film star Sessue Hayakawa returned to Hollywood for a role in Tokyo Joe after a New York visitor alerted him to studio interest. He expressed admiration for the Nisei and hopes to continue acting in the United States.
  • Dudley Yatabe to Be Soloist at Exercises, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Chicago Nisei pianist Dudley Yatabe was selected as piano soloist at his Marshall High School graduation exercises. He plans to continue his musical studies.

Commentary

  • Race Barriers in Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An editorial argues that despite the 1948 Supreme Court ruling against enforcing restrictive covenants, minority groups remain barred from desirable housing through bank lending practices and real estate steering. It calls for further steps, including outlawing covenants themselves.
  • New Slants on Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column reports that Morton Grodzins’ documented book on the wartime evacuation will be published by Chicago University Press, after earlier delays. It reviews other government and academic studies on evacuation and relocation.
  • Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A brief media column noting Japanese-language phonograph records made on the West Coast, a Drew Pearson broadcast on Chicago cemetery discrimination, and Reader’s Digest interest in Mike Masaoka. Also mentions a Nisei conscience-money anecdote.
  • Last Hired, First Fired?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa considers whether Nisei will be the first laid off if the postwar economic boom ends, noting signs of slowing prices and employment. He argues that Nisei are now more skilled, unionized, and widely dispersed than before the war.
  • Mike Learns a New Game, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. A light family anecdote in which the author’s eight-year-old son describes his new game of chasing girls. The piece is part of Hosokawa’s From the Frying Pan column.
  • Questions on Evacuee Claims, by Edward J. Ennis, page 5. Washington ADC answers reader questions about evacuation claims involving a fish hatchery, a poultry farm, printing labels, and a car purchase. Responses explain which losses are recoverable under the Evacuation Claims Act.
  • The Subway Set, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A humorous first-person sketch of New York subway life, covering newspaper reading in crowds, late-night drunks, street musicians, and fare-beating schemes. The writer concludes the system is fast and efficient despite its discomforts.

Sports

  • Ski Star Amy Toda, by P.C. Staff, page 6. University of Utah coed Amy Toda, a Pacific Northwest native who learned to ski in Japan, is representing Utah at the western states ski meet at Sun Valley. Yasi Teramoto of the Yosemite Ski Club is also noted as a leading Sierra skier.
  • Sad Sam’s Sad, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Honolulu boxing manager Sam Ichinose is juggling title fights for flyweight Dado Marino against Manuel Ortiz and Rinty Monaghan. He also seeks a return bout for welterweight Robert Takeshita against Bernard Docusen.
  • Intermountain Nisei Basketball Tournament Set for Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The 14th annual Nisei national basketball tournament will be held in Salt Lake City March 24-26 with teams from five western states. Seattle’s Tokuda Drugs are defending champions.
  • Women Begin Third Round of Play in Bowl League, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Salt Lake City Nisei women’s bowling league began its third round with Main Appliance leading the eight-team field. Individual and team results from the week are reported.
  • Watasaki Takes Lead in Hawaii Bowling Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A 60-game Honolulu tournament is determining five Hawaiian bowlers to represent the islands at the national JACL bowling tournament in Salt Lake City. Masa Watasaki leads the field after twelve games.
  • Hawaiian Team Will Enter 3rd Annual National JACL Bowling Meet in Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The third annual national JACL bowling tournament will be held in Salt Lake City March 4-6 with about 40 teams competing. Entry rules, fees, and events are outlined.
  • Oike-Igata Take Mixed Doubles Event, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Yasuko Oike and Toshi Igata won a mixed doubles event under the Salt Lake City Nisei women’s bowling league. Other prizewinning pairs are listed.

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