Equality in naturalization: the Judd bill and a Penn denial

Vol. 28, No. 19, May 14, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

Citizenship for Issei was the main subject of this 8-page issue. Rep. Francis Walter introduced a resolution on May 10 to remove race as a naturalization requirement for about 90,000 Issei, and Mike Masaoka explained that it came because the Judd bill could be delayed in the Senate. Larry Tajiri’s editorial praised the Walter resolution. On the front page, University of Pennsylvania president Harold Stassen denied any anti-Nisei discrimination since 1944 and asked the paper to correct a February report.

Elsewhere, Togo Tanaka answered a review of Toshio Mori’s book Yokohama, California, and Lawrence Nakatsuka reported on Hawaii’s new law on foreign language schools. Larry Tajiri also looked at how Hollywood’s portrayal of Nisei changed. Page 8 reports on Tule Lake renunciants returning to the United States to testify in suits to regain citizenship, and page 6 carries sports news.

What’s in this issue

National

• University of Pennsylvania Declares President Stassen Denies Anti-Nisei Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. University of Pennsylvania president Harold Stassen states the school has not discriminated against Japanese American students since 1944, when the army lifted its wartime restriction. He asks the Pacific Citizen to correct a February report that a Nisei applicant was ignored.
• ADC Sponsors Bills to Admit Alien Spouses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Identical bills introduced by Rep. Frank Chelf and Del. Joseph Farrington would admit alien spouses and minor children of WWII veterans regardless of race. The measures were referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
• Issei Citizenship Proposal: Resolution Will Eliminate Race as Requirement Under U.S. Naturalization Procedure, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Francis Walter introduced a resolution on May 10 to give citizenship rights to about 90,000 Issei, removing race as a naturalization requirement. Mike Masaoka said it was introduced because the Judd bill could be delayed in the Senate.
• San Jose Nisei Charges State Liquor Board With Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toshi Taketa filed suit against the State Board of Equalization to regain an off-sale liquor license cancelled on racial grounds after Pearl Harbor. His attorney calls it a test case, and a hearing is set for May 27.
• The Haste and Waste of Bigotry: Hawaiian Legislature Passes Bill Removing Wartime Bans on Foreign Language Schools, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. The Hawaiian governor signed a bill largely removing the restrictions the 1943 territorial legislature placed on foreign language schools. The new law only limits instruction for children below the second grade.
• Tokyo Rose Case Defense Wins Government-Paid Travel for Witnesses, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The defense in the Tokyo Rose case of Mrs. Toguri d’Aquino won the right to have 17 of its 18 witnesses brought to the July 5 trial at government expense. Judge Roche denied the defense’s request for the names of government witnesses.
• New York City Official Backs Issei Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 2. New York City Councilman Stanley Isaacs urged Senator Irving Ives to push for Senate passage of the Judd bill for equality in naturalization and immigration. He called the bill progress in removing bars to Japanese and other Asian applicants.
• Judd Will Discuss Bill in Philadelphia, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Walter Judd will speak on equality in naturalization at the International Institute annual meeting in Philadelphia on May 19. The Judd bill would open citizenship to 90,000 Japanese and other Asian aliens.
• Civil Rights Called California’s Number One Problem by Official, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Richard Dettering, executive director of the California Federation for Civic Unity, says civil rights is California’s top problem after touring northern California. He cites discrimination against Japanese Americans, Latin Americans, and Negroes in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
• Masaoka Stresses Urgent Need for Fair Employment Measure, by Mike Masaoka, page 3. The JACL ADC filed a statement with the House labor subcommittee urging passage of fair employment practices legislation. The statement argues that eliminating race and religion as employment factors will strengthen the national economy and protect Nisei and Issei workers.
• Reedley Chamber of Commerce Urges Judd Bill Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chamber of Commerce in Reedley, California, recommended passage of the Judd bill for equality in naturalization and immigration. An editorial in the Reedley Exponent called the bill an enlightened step toward goodwill with Asian nations.
• Meet with JACL, International Institute Officials to Iron Out Difficulties in House-Passed Equality in Naturalization Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chinese community representatives, the International Institute, and JACL ADC met in San Francisco to resolve concerns over Judd bill provisions affecting Chinese wives and Filipinos. Masaoka described an amendment allowing alien spouses of citizens to enter quota-free.

Community

• Charge Suspect With Swindling $5,000 from Pocatello Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Pocatello Nisei farmer was swindled of $5,000 in cash by Edwin So, who was later arrested in Denver. So awaits trial in Pocatello district court after Sheriff Alma Marley and Detective Chief Nelson traced him.
• Nisei Girl Wins School Honors in New Jersey, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Julie Yoshizaki of Seabrook Farms placed first on the Bridgeton High School honor roll. She was also voted most likely to succeed by classmates and was awarded the Dickenson College scholarship.
• JACL Float Takes Trophy and Prize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Snake River JACL won a trophy and second prize for its patriotic-themed float in the Payette blossom festival parade on May 7. Two soldiers, Tets Nakamura and Frank Adachi, rode on the float.
• ADC Opposes Segregation in Play Areas, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Washington chapter and JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee petitioned the District of Columbia recreation board to abolish racial segregation in district recreational areas. The petition was signed by Iva Shimasaki and Mike Masaoka.
• Herbert Gordon Will Attend Housing Conference for ADC, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Herbert Gordon, Washington public relations director, will attend the national public housing conference in Washington on May 17-18 as the JACL ADC’s official delegate. The conference will feature Congressional housing action and reports on housing needs.
• Nisei Donation to Jewish Fund Wins Friendly Comment, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Masaoka donated a dollar to the Washington United Jewish Appeal, accompanied by a letter expressing hope for Jewish security in Israel. The gift drew friendly comment and was reprinted in several Washington dailies.
• Los Angeles Leads Chicago JACL in Membership Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Los Angeles is running ahead of Chicago in the midwest-versus-west-coast JACL membership contest. The report notes Los Angeles chapter totals across its four units.
• Illinois Democratic Leader Supports Judd Proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George D. Kells, chairman of the Illinois State Democratic party, told JACL representative Tats Kuda he would seek early enactment of H.R. 199, the Judd bill. Kells is also an alderman of Chicago’s 28th ward.
• Seattle ADC Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee drive in the Seattle area has collected $6,498.50 to date, campaign treasurer Tad Yamaguchi reported. The total reflects community financial support for the ADC campaign.
• JACL Representatives Initiate Financial Campaign in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sam Ishikawa and Keisaburo Koda arrived in Honolulu to begin a territory-wide JACL ADC fund drive. Mike Masaoka is scheduled to speak at several Hawaii meetings, and the Judd bill would admit about 43,000 Hawaii Issei to citizenship.
• Lois Kanagawa Weds Skipper Yee in Stockton Ceremony, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lois Kanagawa, a College of the Pacific graduate, married Skipper Yee, a COP senior, in a ceremony at Morris Chapel on May 6. The bride is a violinist who performed with the Pacific orchestra.
• Henry Tani Speaks to Rotary Group in Missouri City, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Henry Tani, first vice president of the National JACL, addressed the Webster Groves Rotary Club near St. Louis. Several Rotarians showed sympathetic interest in JACL-ADC efforts to remove national origin barriers to citizenship and immigration.
• Dr. Heyamoto Returns Hawaiian Boxing, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Robert Takeshita, a welterweight, is preparing a comeback following his reinstatement by the Hawaii Boxing Commission. Chester Yasui, a former territorial featherweight champion, has turned professional.
• Visit Japan for 60 Days, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei and Issei are now permitted to visit relatives in Japan for up to 60 days. Kusano Travel Bureau in San Francisco is an authorized agent for booking such trips.
• Akiyama Receives Wesley Jones Memorial Trophy, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Nisei student at Lewis and Clark College in Portland received the Wesley Jones Memorial trophy at the 39th annual May fete. The award honors his skiing, service, and leadership.
• Nisei Girl Wins Ping Pong Title of South Dakota, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ruth Hijikata won the South Dakota state women’s ping pong championship by defeating her sister Lilyan in the final. Ruth also won the state mixed doubles title with partner Bud Damon.
• Fresno ELLE Girls Hold Mothers Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Fresno ELLE girls held a dinner for their mothers at the Belmont Inn on May 7. The new cabinet was installed by candlelight, led by president Clara Honda.
• Sponsor Raps Bias, Withdraws Bowling Team from Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Berkeley restaurant owner Larry Blake withdrew his bowling team from the California state tournament rather than replace a Nisei member under an ABC rule requiring three white males. Columnist Herb Caen praised Blake’s stand.
• Beach Party, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Cortez Young Peoples Club held a beach party at Santa Cruz on April 30. Activities included a weiner bake, beachcombing, fishing, and concessions.
• Salutatorian, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mary Shigeno was named salutatorian of the Emmett, Idaho high school graduating class. She had been editor of the school paper and treasurer of the student body.
• Pathologist Passes National Board Tests, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. H.T. Tamaki, chief pathologist at Montgomery Hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania, passed national board examinations. He took the tests in Boston.
• West Fresno Group Protests Highway Move, by P.C. Staff, page 7. West Fresno residents, including Japanese American businessmen, oppose plans to relocate U.S. Highway 99 through Fresno. The relocation would demolish the Fresno Buddhist church and other Japanese American properties.
• Community Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Residents of Cortez, Turlock and Modesto enjoyed a community picnic sponsored by the Cortez JACL on April 23. Races, relays, and prize drawings were held under President George Yuge.
• Reno, Penryn Meet in Bowling Matches, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Reno JACL bowling teams traveled to Sacramento for return matches with Penryn teams on May 8. The Reno A team lost while the B team won.
• Entries Still Open for Judo Tourney at San Jose State, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Entries remain open for an invitational judo tournament at San Jose State College on May 21. Individuals and five-man teams may enter, with trophies in junior and senior divisions.
• Japan Night Set by Detroit JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Detroit JACL will present its first Japan Night on May 21 at the Downtown YMCA. A troupe of 20 Chicago Nisei performers will present classical and modern Japanese dances.
• Tule Lake Renunciants Return to Testify at Court Hearing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tetsuo Kawakami and Isao James Kuromi, who renounced citizenship at Tule Lake, returned to the United States to testify in their suits to regain citizenship. They are among the first of about 1,000 Tule Lake renunciants permitted to return.
• Three Strandees Seek to Regain Property Vested by U.S. in War, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Three Nisei stranded in Japan during the war filed suits in Washington to regain property seized by the Office of Alien Property Custodian. The petitioners include Mrs. Yoshie Ogawa, Mrs. Miwa Morii, and Sunao Yoshimura.

Military & Veterans

• Texas Nisei Officer Recalled for Training in Logistical Division, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Col. Robert Saibara, one of the Army’s highest-ranking Nisei officers to serve in Europe during World War II, is attending a week of training at Fort Leavenworth. The training concerns the functions of the Army’s first logistical divisions.
• Nisei Army Nurse, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ayako Tanaka, a former nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, joined the Army Nurses Corps as a first lieutenant. The brief item notes her new rank.
• Nisei Air Cadet Solos in Five Hours to Set Training Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hiroshi Ohta, a Nisei air cadet and World War II paratroop veteran, soloed after only five hours of training, beating the previous record of 15 hours. He is training at the Army Air Base in Waco, Texas.
• Three Nisei Will Speak at Citizenship Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL named Mike Masaoka, Akira Higashi, and Tom Hashi as its official delegates to the fourth National Conference on Citizenship in New York from May 14 to 18. The conference schedule covers immigration, naturalization, and responsible citizenship.
• Boys State Delegate, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee selected Tom Yasuo Otoshi to attend the 1949 Evergreen Boys State in Ellensburg, Washington, from June 16 to 25. The NVC sponsored Otoshi’s attendance.
• Final Burial Given Nisei Soldier Killed in Okinawa Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Final rites were held in Seattle for Sgt. Henry Masaki Nakamura, a Nisei language specialist killed in an Army transport crash at Okinawa in 1945. He was born in Goldbar, Washington and educated in Japan.

Commentary

• Lines on Albert the Great, by Togo Tanaka, page 2. Togo Tanaka responds to Albert Saijo’s harsh Crossroads review of Toshio Mori’s book Yokohama, California. He argues Mori’s work is more enjoyable and emotionally engaging than Saijo’s intellectual analysis.
• Editorials: The Walter Resolution, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial argues that the Judd bill may be delayed in the Senate by its omnibus immigration study and by objections to West Indies and Chinese-Filipino provisions. It praises Rep. Walter’s resolution as a way to end racial discrimination in naturalization.
• In the Shadow of William Bonelli, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial condemns the California Board of Equalization for refusing to reissue pre-war liquor licenses to Japanese Americans, despite reissuing some to Nisei veterans. It notes that board member William Bonelli has a long record of race-baiting against Japanese Americans.
• Nisei USA: The Movies Learn About Life, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri traces how Hollywood spread anti-Nisei falsehoods during World War II and then shifted toward more sympathetic portrayals. He reviews films like Honored Glory, Clay Pigeon, and Home of the Brave as signs of change.
• A Letter from Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Nisei columnist describes receiving regular letters from his friend Jiro, who moved to Japan for work before the war and now struggles with poverty and health. The writer sends packages to help Jiro and reflects on the choices that separated their lives.
• A Problem for Nisei Parents, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The column tells the story of George, a Denver Nisei who must decide whether to move his daughter into a middle-class neighborhood or a rougher district like the one he grew up in. The piece invites reader suggestions on the dilemma.

In-Depth

• Vignettes from Europe: Little Merchants: The War Made the Children of Naples Old Before Their Time, by T. Takeshi Ohye, page 5. A Nisei World War II veteran describes Naples through the eyes of child street vendors whose childhoods were destroyed by the war. The first in a series, it portrays the boys as prematurely aged by hardship.

Sports

• Heyamoto, 442nd Vet, Wins Game for Washington Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hiromu Heyamoto, a 442nd veteran, drove in the winning run in the tenth inning as the University of Washington baseball team edged Oregon State 6 to 5. Heyamoto also had two hits in five trips at shortstop.
• Skis to Tennis, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Amy Toda, who won the slalom for the University of Utah women’s ski team, is also an accomplished tennis player. She is one of the university entrants in the upcoming Rowland Hall state tennis tournament.
• Aoki’s Speedboat, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jim Aoki of Salt Lake City, who has won several speedboat races with his inboard Jimmy Jr., is preparing a challenge to Turner’s world record in the 225 cubic inch class. The races are scheduled for Haynes Lake near Salt Lake City.
• Aihara’s Leap, by P.C. Staff, page 6. USC’s Henry Aihara leapt 24 feet 4 and 3/4 inches in the broad jump against UCLA, placing second behind teammate Al Lawrence. The jump was one of the best ever by a Nisei athlete.
• Barbell Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Atlas Barbell Club of Brigham City, Utah, entered a seven-man team in the Utah state AAU novice weight-lifting meet on May 14. Ben Yamamoto, 165 pounds, is among the team members.
• Sasaki Places Third, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ray Sasaki of Los Angeles City College placed third in the broad jump with a leap of 22 feet 2 inches at the Western States junior college conference meet on May 7. The result was reported in the sports roundup.
• Sumida Loses Final Bout in Wyoming, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bob Sumida lost the lightweight final to Bud Shipp at the Cody, Wyoming Golden Gloves tournament. Harry Ujifusa Jr. also lost in the featherweight division to Kurt Wallace.
• Boycott, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Philippine Congress motion sought a boycott of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in protest of Australia’s exclusion of Asians. The piece also notes that a boycott would hurt the Games without athletes like Harrison Dillard and Jesse Owens.
• Nisei All-Stars Win, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Fresno Nisei All-Stars defeated the Fresno State College Bulldogs 13 to 4 on May 9. Harvey Zenimura got four of his team’s six hits and the team stole ten bases.

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