Claims Act changes and the coming ‘Go for Broke!’ premieres

Vol. 32, No. 15, April 21, 1951. 8 pages. View this issue

Two stories shared the front page of this eight-page issue. JACL officials met in Washington on proposed changes to the Evacuation Claims Act, including compromise settlements to speed payments, and an editorial backed the idea while warning that vague wording could leave claimants short. The other story was the May release of MGM’s film about the 442nd Combat Team, Go for Broke!, with premieres planned in Honolulu, Hollywood and Washington, D.C., and Van Johnson due to attend. Larry Tajiri wrote on the return of Gen. MacArthur and on the pending naturalization and immigration bills.

Elsewhere, Togo Tanaka challenged Paul Harvey’s Pearl Harbor spy charge, and Bill Hosokawa wrote on anti-Chinese American feeling. Nisei veterans in the VFW asked for repeal of the California Alien Land Law, and a Nisei cameraman in Korea led a charge. Sports covered Ford Konno’s American record in the 220-yard freestyle.

What’s in this issue

National

• GI to Launch “Go for Broke!” With Premiere Showing in Hawaii, Washington, Hollywood, by P.C. Staff, page 1. MGM’s film about the 442nd Combat Team will premiere in Honolulu, Hollywood, and Washington, D.C. in May, with Van Johnson attending and Purple Heart veterans participating. President Truman reportedly admired the film at a private screening.
• Nisei in VFW Ask Repeal of Alien Land Act, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Veterans from three Nisei VFW posts meeting in Hanford asked for repeal of the California Alien Land Law and endorsed the Geller bill to remove race restrictions from citizenship. Thirty-eight members attended the meeting.
• Fresno Supervisors Will Be Asked to Back Pension Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toru Ikeda of the Central California ADC will ask the Fresno Board of Supervisors to support Assembly Bill 2204, which would extend state old-age pensions to Issei. The bill is before the California Assembly social welfare committee.
• Chicago Woman Receives Award for Sword Loss, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Chiharu Goda of Chicago received a $50 indemnity for four Japanese swords damaged while stored with Marysville police before the 1942 evacuation. She had originally requested $200 under the 81st Congress claims law.
• Charge MPs Knocked Down Photographer in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nisei news photographer and other cameramen alleged they were struck or manhandled by Air Force military police while covering Gen. MacArthur’s arrival in Honolulu. Air Force Secretary Finletter later expressed regret for the reported mistreatment.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei GI Cameraman Leads Assault on Enemy Positions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dick Aoyama, a Nisei newsreel photographer filming in Korea, assumed command of a squad when the attack stalled and led a successful 500-yard charge. Witnesses said he killed three enemy soldiers with a borrowed M-1 rifle.
• Replacement Problem Faced by 442nd Cited by Holifield in Opposing Army Segregation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Chet Holifield and Rep. Sidney Yates opposed a Senate-approved clause allowing draftees to choose segregated units, citing the 442nd’s replacement difficulties as evidence segregation wastes lives. Yates argued voluntary segregation would freeze the nation’s social structure.
• Report Nisei GI Killed in War in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense reported Pvt. Seiken Ganeku killed in action in Korea and listed several Nisei soldiers wounded. The casualties were reported to the JACL ADC by the Department of Defense.
• Wins Silver Star, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sgt. Taeko Ono of Honolulu received the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Korea while serving with the 7th Cavalry Division. The award was reported in this week’s news.
• 442nd Combat Team Veterans Urged to Take Active Part in Affairs of Community, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Masato Doi, a 442nd veteran and Columbia law graduate, urged Honolulu 442nd veterans at their eighth anniversary party to take an active role in civic affairs. He stressed that the veterans club must remain non-partisan.

Community

• Nisei Sworn In as Policeman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. James Nakagawa, a war veteran, became believed to be Denver’s first Nisei policeman when he was sworn in on April 16. He will complete five weeks of police school followed by six months of probation.
• Chicago Issei Killed by Train, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tatsuki Honda, 72, was struck and killed by a Milwaukee Road freight train at a Chicago crossing while his wife watched. The couple had been hurrying to catch a street car.
• Madera Student Wins Spelling Bee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Horace Mochizuki, an eighth grader at Ripperdan school, won the Madera County spelling contest. He will represent the county at the Central Valleys Spelling Bee in Sacramento on May 5.
• Detroit Selects Leaders for Next Midwest Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Peter Fujioka, Louise Hiraga, and Clem Miyaga were selected to lead preparations for the Midwest district JACL convention in Detroit in September. Delegates will come from eight midwestern chapters.
• Fresno Pharmacist Named Director, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Masao Yamamoto, chief pharmacist at Fresno County General Hospital, was appointed regional director of the Pharmacy Newer Aspect Association. The association has scheduled a seminar in San Francisco from July 30 to August 3.
• Young Buddhists Plan Conference in Sacramento, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Western Young Buddhists League will hold its ninth annual convention in Sacramento April 27-29 with a memorial service, oratorical contest, and talent show. Registration is open to all interested persons.
• Wyoming JACL Elects Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kas Urwiler was elected president of the Northern Wyoming JACL at an April 14 election, with Charles Ando and Tom Ujifusa as vice presidents. The chapter also voted to give lifetime membership to four servicemen.
• Mountain Plains Council Backs Compromise Payments of Wartime Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Delegates to the Mountain Plains JACL convention in Denver approved compromise settlements of up to three-fourths of compensable evacuation losses as a way to speed payments. They also endorsed equal naturalization and immigration rights in pending omnibus bills.
• Participation by Japanese Americans in Service Clubs in Hawaii, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Nisei participation in Hawaii service clubs such as Rotary is growing, with the new West Honolulu Rotary including eight Japanese American members out of 87. Nisei now hold officer and director posts in newer interracial clubs.
• Japanese Cherry Trees Gift to Salt Lake Ends in Disaster, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A gift of cherry trees from Tokyo Boy Scouts to Salt Lake City was destroyed at Seattle after federal officials refused entry under pit-bearing tree regulations. Sender Tamotsu Murayama faced a large freight bill and the Salt Lake community responded with sympathy.
• Placerites Plan for Third Annual Community Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Placer County JACL will hold its third annual community picnic on May 6 at the JACL recreation park with games, concessions, and a queen contest. A dance at Loomis Regional Memorial Hall will close the day.
• Mountain Plains Council Elects Takeno Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Roy Takeno was elected chairman of the Mountain Plains JACL district council for 1951-53 at the Denver convention. Other officers were also chosen for the regional posts.
• Nisei to Take Part in Seattle Trade Exhibition, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle will host a Japanese Trade Fair June 17 to July 3 at the University of Washington Pavilion to promote trade and cultural ties with Japan. Local Japanese American leaders serve on the executive committee and several local firms will exhibit.
• Dayton JACL Slates Potluck Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Dayton JACL will hold a potluck dinner May 20 featuring Rev. Herman Ray, who recently returned after 26 years in Japan. The dinner will honor Dayton Issei.
• Wada Will Participate in Round-Table Talk, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yori Wada of the B.T. Washington Community Center will represent the JACL in a round-table discussion on public schools at Girls High School in San Francisco on April 24. The event is part of City-wide Public School Week.
• Nisei Urged to Place Relief Orders Before June Deadline, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The American Friends Service Committee urged groups to place relief supply orders for Japan before June 30, when government reimbursement for ocean freight ends. Powdered whole milk for the baby feeding program was especially needed.
• San Diego Chapter Reveals Plans for Reactivation Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A dinner meeting of San Diego Nisei leaders on April 14 discussed reactivating the local JACL chapter. A committee was appointed to plan a general meeting on May 11.
• Southern Alameda County JACL Picnic Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Southern Alameda County JACL will hold its third annual community picnic on April 21 at Sunset Beach near Watsonville. Picnickers will travel by caravan from Warm Springs Grammar School.
• Honor Chapter Prexy, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Shigeo Watanabe, president of the Chicago JACL chapter in 1949-50, was honored at a recognition dinner on April 14. The event was held at the Columbia Yacht Club.
• Government Will Replace Lost Alien Registration Cards, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Immigration and Naturalization Service announced procedures for issuing replacement alien registration cards to those who lost them or changed their names. Applicants must apply through a field office, submit two photos, and pay one dollar.
• ADC Official Will Consult Legislators in Sacramento on Bills Affecting Issei Group, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sam Ishikawa, temporary West Coast ADC director, traveled to Sacramento to consult legislators on bills affecting Issei, including AB 2204 on old-age pensions and AB 1967 on fishing licenses. He also discussed bills on liquor license restoration and escheat compromise settlement refunds.

In-Depth

• Box-Score on Race Relations: Spencer’s Analysis of Nisei Language Behavior Is Based on Study in Relocation Camp, by Elmer R. Smith, page 2. Elmer Smith reviews Robert Spencer’s article on distinctive Nisei speech patterns and largely agrees that Nisei speech differs from standard English. He questions whether those differences are as pronounced as Spencer suggests, noting that Nisei have dropped many camp-era language habits.
• Book Review: These Are Americans Gives Graphic Account of Nisei Wartime Loyalty in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The reviewer praises John Rademaker’s book These Are Americans for documenting Hawaii’s Japanese Americans during and after Pearl Harbor. It describes the homefront contributions and military service of the Nisei as evidence of democratic loyalty.

Commentary

• The Pearl Harbor Lie: Paul Harvey Has Not Yet Retracted His Spy Charge, by Togo Tanaka, page 2. Togo Tanaka criticizes radio commentator Paul Harvey for repeating the claim that Japanese aliens signaled Pearl Harbor attackers from garages. Harvey promised to check Hawaiian sources but has provided no evidence after nearly two years.
• Compromise on Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial supports the proposed compromise settlement amendment to the evacuation claims act as a way to speed payments. It warns that vague wording such as compensable items and the three-fourths cap could leave claimants short unless clarified.
• The Return of the General, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri examines the national reaction to Gen. MacArthur’s return and the removal of him from command, arguing the President was right to affirm civilian control of the military. He also discusses the pending Walter and Judd bills on naturalization and immigration equality.
• Minority Week: Ponder the Cost, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A reprinted column notes that discrimination carries economic costs, citing Chicago relief data showing a disproportionate share going to Negro families. Another item describes how California insurers eased discriminatory auto insurance pricing under legislative pressure.
• Cousin Willie and the Melons, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A humorous column recounts the narrator’s struggle to dispose of a crate of cantaloupes sent by his cousin Willie, including the costly cab rides and failed attempts to give them away. He ends up paying a waste collector to haul them off.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa discusses Carey McWilliams’s view that anti-Chinese American sentiment, while rising, is less severe than wartime anti-Japanese feeling. He urges Chinese Americans not to deflect suspicion onto other communities.

Sports

• Konno Betters U.S. Record in 220-Yard Event, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ford Konno, an 18-year-old McKinley High senior, set a new American record in the 220-yard freestyle at the Hawaiian AAU indoor championships with a time of 2:06.1. The world record is held by John Marshall of Australia.
• High School Player Hospitalized When Hit by Foul Tip, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kiyoto Arakawa, Central Union High second baseman, was hospitalized in Fresno after a foul ball struck him in the eye during a game. Doctors reported a sinus bone fracture.

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