1949: evacuation claims, the Judd Bill and a JACL convention in New York

Vol. 28, No. 24, June 18, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

Evacuation claims and the Judd Bill ran through much of this eight-page issue. The Senate cut funds elsewhere in the Justice Department bill but left the $1,200,000 evacuation claims fund intact, and the House and Senate still had to settle their differences. Larry Tajiri wrote about the wide newspaper support for the Judd bill, and Herb Gordon described JACL president Hito Okada and national director Masao Satow meeting Congressional leaders in Washington. Several pages covered the first JACL Eastern District Council convention in New York, where Tetsuo Iwasaki was elected chairman.

Other pages carry columns by Bill Hosokawa on FBI files and Togo Tanaka on universities and the wartime ban on Nisei students. An in-depth piece looked at how relocation reshaped life beyond Little Tokyo. Sports, graduation and scholarship news from Los Angeles, Fresno and Reedley fill the later pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Senate’s Economy Funds Cut From Evacuee Claims Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate’s appropriations bill for the Justice Department passed with cuts elsewhere but left the $1,200,000 evacuation claims fund intact. The bill must go to conference to resolve differences between House and Senate versions, delaying final passage.
• Senate Passes Private Bills for Admittance, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate passed three private bills admitting four persons of Japanese ancestry, including two fiancees of GI veterans and twin daughters of a veteran’s Japanese national wife. The JACL ADC reported the action on June 8.
• Minorities Should Work for Common Goals, Group Told, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Edwin S. Newman and Lindsay H. White urged minority groups to work together on shared goals rather than competing for status on a social pyramid. Both praised JACL’s legal and legislative program and outlined pending civil rights legislation.
• U.S. Press Supports the Judd Bill, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. A wide range of American newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, have editorially endorsed the Judd bill for naturalization and immigration equality. The editorial contrasts this support with the racist campaigns that led to the 1924 exclusion act.

Community

• Chicago JACL Group Honors Okada and Satow, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chicago chapter officers and members held a dinner in honor of national JACL president Hito Okada and national director Masao Satow. The gathering also previewed plans for the 1950 national JACL convention.
• Benito School Honors Nisei Girl, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Namie Mayeda was honored as girl of the year at the San Benito high school banquet in Hollister, California. The event took place on June 8 at a Santa Cruz venue.
• Eastern District Convention Hears Judd Bill Sponsor Urge Passage of Equality Measure, by Ina Sugihara, page 1. Rep. Walter Judd urged passage of the Judd Bill, arguing that lifting the Oriental immigration ban would help prevent Asian peoples from turning to communism. Mike Masaoka also spoke at the JACL Eastern District Council dinner in New York.
• Ogden Will Begin Evacuee Claims Aid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Ogden chapter of the JACL will begin processing evacuee claims under the direction of Roy Nakatani. A survey indicated many former evacuees plan to use the service, with special meetings to be announced.
• Two Nisei Artists Win Awards at San Francisco Show, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Miyoko Ito and Mine Okubo were among ten artists honored in the San Francisco Art Association’s drawing and print exhibition. The works are on display at the San Francisco Museum of Art.
• High School Student Critically Wounded in Gunshot Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ken Hirai, a 17-year-old honor student, was critically wounded when a pistol accidentally discharged during a Belmont high school graduation rehearsal in Los Angeles. The gun reportedly belonged to a classmate and was being handled in a cardboard box.
• It’s Not All Work and No Play: At JACL’s New York Parley, by Mitsu Yasuda, page 2. Mitsu Yasuda offers a lighthearted account of the JACL Eastern District Council convention in New York, describing the leaders relaxing at games and the serious civil rights discussions that followed. She notes the convention’s strong sense of unity and purpose.
• Increased, Enlarged Activity Urged for JACL at First Eastern District Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The first JACL Eastern District Council convention in New York passed a resolution calling for expanded JACL activity and endorsed the national organization’s civil rights program. Six further recommendations covered welfare surveys, naturalization classes, credit union services, and scholarships.
• Elect Iwasaki to Head EDC for Coming Year, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tetsuo Iwasaki of Philadelphia was elected chairman of the JACL Eastern District Council at the June 12 elections. Other officers included Harvey Aki as vice president and Alice Miyazawa as recording secretary.
• Former Classmates Aid Japan Teacher With Relief Goods, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Former classmates of Fumi Miyagi, a Tokyo schoolteacher and North Central College graduate, sent her relief packages. A letter from Miss Miyagi was read at the 25th reunion of the class of 1924.
• Shimasaki Elected as EDC’s Man on Nominating Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ira Shimasaki was elected the EDC representative on the National Nominating Committee at the first Eastern District convention. The convention also nominated members from the Eastern area for various national committees.
• Names in the FBI’s Files, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa examines the Judith Coplon trial, in which confidential FBI reports containing unverified accusations against individuals were made public. He warns that Nisei may also have files based on baseless informant reports.
• Aiko Outa Seeks Nisei Queen Title, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Aiko Outa, representing the Southwest Los Angeles JACL, was chosen as the first official queen candidate for Los Angeles’ Nisei Week. The queen will be selected on August 13.
• Acknowledge Nisei Contribution to Colorado’s Building Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The University of Colorado acknowledged a $200 contribution from the Denver JACL and Nisei war veterans to its Memorial building fund. The chapter’s gift will be recognized with a bronze tablet at the new center.
• Nisei Honored at North Central College, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lucy Kodani, a North Central College junior, was named to lead the senior graduating class at baccalaureate and commencement exercises. She was also secretary of the junior class and a member of the women’s athletic board.
• Church Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Christ Congregational church of Chicago will hold its annual picnic on July 3 at Illinois state park. The event will welcome the Rev. George Aki and his family.
• Chicago Buddhists Plan Fifth Annual July 4th Carnival, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago Buddhist church will hold its fifth annual Fourth of July carnival on July 2 through 4, featuring games, food booths, and a prize drawing with a grand prize television set. A carnival dance will be held at Shotwell hall on July 2.
• Fresno Barn Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Fresno Joint Fellowship will host a barn dance at the International Institute on June 18 to honor Fresno area graduates. Kei Kitahara will serve as master of ceremonies.
• Graduates Receive Scholarships from Fresno League, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Yasuko Arakawa and Ray Tsukimura were named winners of $50 scholarships from the American Loyalty League (JACL) at a Fresno awards banquet. Several other Nisei graduates received honorable mention for scholastic and extracurricular achievements.
• Okada, Satow Visit Congress Leaders During Capital Stay, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL president Hito Okada and national director Masao Satow met with Congressional leaders and Justice Department officials in Washington to discuss naturalization, immigration, and evacuation claims. Okada expressed frustration that the Senate Judiciary Committee had stalled the Judd bill.
• Record Number of Nisei Graduate in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A record 251 Nisei students graduated from 16 Los Angeles city high schools this week. Roosevelt had the largest group with 75 graduates.
• Four Nisei Students Win Honors at Reedley College, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Four Nisei were honored at the second annual graduation of Reedley College on June 7, with two initiated into Alpha Gamma Sigma. Seventeen other Nisei received degrees at the ceremonies.
• Church Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A second church picnic notice describes the annual Christ Congregational church event. The announcement lists committee chairmen for the affair.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei Veteran Awarded $1500 Fellowship by Chicago Institute, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroshi Tamura, a Nisei veteran, won a $1,500 Edward L. Ryerson traveling fellowship from the Art Institute of Chicago. He had earlier studied at the Chouinard Art Institute and his army drawings appeared in the Pacific Citizen during the war.
• Nisei Cameraman Toge Fujihira Embarks Soon on an Adventure in Africa, by L.S., page 2. Toge Fujihira, a Nisei cameraman, will fly to Liberia in September to film two religious documentaries on Liberian life. His previous films include Methodist productions on Oklahoma Indians and the Seminoles of the Everglades.
• Lily Nakai Will Give Piano Recital in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Lily Nakai, a Salt Lake City pianist who studied in Hollywood before evacuation, will perform a piano recital on June 28. Her studies have earned her multiple awards, including a National Federation of Music Clubs certificate.

Obituaries

• Ray Taketa, JACL Official, Dies Suddenly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ray M. Taketa, executive secretary of the United Citizens League of Santa Clara County, died suddenly on June 12 after a short illness. A Pacific War veteran who served with military intelligence, he had led the JACL post for about 15 months.
• Issei Passes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hikoshiro Asaka, a former Watsonville and Santa Cruz resident, died in Chicago at age 74 after a hemorrhage. Funeral services were held at Elm-La Salle Bible church.

In-Depth

• Before Pearl Harbor, the Ghetto of Little Tokyo Was Broken Open by Relocation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article traces how pre-war discrimination kept Nisei confined to Little Tokyo-style ethnic enclaves and how wartime evacuation and relocation diversified their occupations across the country. It draws on Morton Grodzins’ book to document how government relocation policy reshaped Japanese American life.

Commentary

• Hollywood Studio Plans Film on Japanese Americans and Other Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Brief notes report a Hollywood studio planning a film about Japanese Americans and Nisei achievements in music, dance, photography, and business. Several Nisei professionals and a Nisei soprano are mentioned.
• War Paralyzes University’s Role, by Togo Tanaka, page 6. Togo Tanaka criticizes American universities for failing to question the War Department’s wartime ban on Nisei students. He argues that war paralyzed institutions meant to be centers of independent thinking.
• Chairman of Committees Wield Strong Influence on Legislation, by Herb Gordon, page 6. Herb Gordon reports on JACL leaders Okada and Satow meeting Congressional leaders in Washington and notes that committee chairmen hold outsized power over bills like the Judd bill. He concludes that legislative progress will take time.

Sports

• Gish Endo Wins $300 Top Award, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Gish Endo won first place in the junior division of the June Classic bowling tournament in Oakland, earning $300. Nisei bowlers continue to be barred from many tournaments by the Bowling Congress.
• Aihara Emerges as Real Champion, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Henry Aihara of USC broke the University of Washington stadium record with a 24-foot 9-inch broad jump at the Pacific Coast Conference meet. He is the only Nisei to hold an NCAA track and field title.
• Bob Takeshita Loses by TKO to Terry Young, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Welterweight Bob Takeshita suffered a technical knockout loss to Terry Young in the seventh round in Honolulu on June 13. The loss set back his drive for national recognition.

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