Buddhist dog tags, naturalization bills and evacuation claims, January 1949

Vol. 28, No. 2, January 15, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

A campaign by Buddhists led the front page: the Army chief of chaplains recommended stamping an “X” on the dog tags of soldiers whose faith was not recognized, after groups in Hawaii and on the Pacific coast pressed the case. Also on page one, Senator J. Howard McGrath introduced bill S136 to end racial discrimination in naturalization law, and Delegate Joseph R. Farrington introduced HR 1214. Edward J. Ennis answered reader questions on evacuation claims, and Secretary of State Dean Acheson thanked the JACL for a gift of vases.

Elsewhere in these 8 pages, Bill Hosokawa wrote about Nisei GIs and their Japanese brides and about why the term is Japanese American. Togo Tanaka wrote about a woman who wanted nothing to do with the ADC. Esther L’Ecluse reported on a student meeting in Tokyo. The remains of 122 Nisei soldiers returned to Hawaii, and page seven covers sports.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

Campaign by Buddhists Results In Proposal for Change in Army Designation of Faiths, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Army chief of chaplains recommended adding an “X” designation on dog tags for soldiers of faiths not recognized by the army, such as Buddhists. The change followed a campaign by Buddhist groups in Hawaii and on the Pacific coast, who estimated that about 20,000 Japanese American World War II soldiers were Buddhist.
Nisei GI Gets Big Cash Award in Knifing Case, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Cpl. Robert Higa was awarded $11,500 in damages by a Honolulu circuit judge after being stabbed in an unprovoked attack at a Koko Head tavern. The assailant was serving a five-year sentence for the attack.
Washington ADC Answers Evacuee Claims Questions, by Edward J. Ennis, page 2. Edward J. Ennis, JACL ADC special counsel, answered reader questions about the evacuation claims law, covering settlements, lease improvements, lease valuation, crop and equipment losses, and debts. The answers explain which losses may be claimed under the statute.
Bodies of 122 Nisei Returned Home to Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The remains of 122 members of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Combat Team arrived in Hawaii aboard the Army Transport Sinnett. Most had been buried in temporary cemeteries in Italy and France and were expected to be interred in the new National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Mother of GI Hero Thanks U.S. for Funeral, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The mother of Sgt. Frank Hachiya, a posthumously decorated Silver Star recipient killed at Leyte, thanked the American people for his military funeral in Hood River, Oregon. The event was sponsored by the Veterans Council and Mid-Columbia JACL after the town had earlier removed Nisei names from its honor roll.
Remains of GI Returned from Pacific Area, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The body of Sgt. George I. Nakamura was returned from the Pacific theater to the United States for reinterment. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee was advised of the return on January 14.
New U.S. Cemeteries Near Epinal, Florence, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei war dead will be reinterred in new permanent military cemeteries near Epinal, France and Florence, Italy. The Epinal site is near Bruyeres, where the 442nd fought to rescue the Lost Texas Battalion.

National

Sen. McGrath Backs Bill for Naturalization Equality, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator J. Howard McGrath introduced a bill (S136) to eliminate racial discrimination in American naturalization laws. He told the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee he introduced it to show his interest and would support the House bill if it passed.
U.S. Study Notes Nation-wide Prevalence of Racial Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Library of Congress Legislative Reference Service publication found racial and religious prejudice exists throughout the country, not only in particular regions. It argued that legislation can correct the outward social manifestations of prejudice.
Dean Acheson Hails Record of Nisei in War, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Secretary of State Dean Acheson thanked the JACL for a Christmas gift of cloisonne vases in appreciation of his Supreme Court arguments in the Takahashi and Oyama cases. In his note he called the war record of Americans of Japanese ancestry highly honorable and patriotic.
Sen. McCarran Asks for Repayment of Contraband Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Pat McCarran reintroduced a bill to indemnify owners of contraband articles lost or damaged while in Department of Justice custody. The bill was approved by the Senate in the previous Congress but the House did not act before adjournment.
Bipartisan Support of Proposed Bill Noted in Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegate Joseph R. Farrington introduced HR 1214, a bill for equality in naturalization and immigration identical to measures by three other congressmen. The comprehensive bill covers Japanese, Koreans, and all other Asian and Pacific islander peoples currently barred from naturalization.
Campaign Seeks Goats to Aid Okinawans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Hawaii campaign to raise $30,000 for shipping 500 milk goats to Okinawa to relieve malnutrition had reached half its goal. The drive was organized by the Hawaii Christian Society for Okinawa Recovery.

Community

Suspect Held for Assault on Cupertino Nisei Girls, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George M. Conrad was held in San Jose for investigation in the January 5 assault of two Cupertino Nisei girls. The victims identified him from a lineup after deputies tracked his getaway car.
Aged Issei Honored at Parlier Buddhist Church, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fifty-three Issei, all aged 70 or older, were honored at a day-long celebration at the Parlier Buddhist church. The event recognized the elder members of the community.
Japanese Linguists Sought by U.S. Army Interpreter Service, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The translator and interpreter service of GHQ Far East Command sought qualified Japanese linguists to fill translator vacancies in Tokyo. Positions paid between $2,900 and $3,700 annually plus allowances on two-year contracts.
Nisei Doctor Appointed for Utah School, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. H. H. Kato of Ogden was appointed part-time physician-psychiatrist for the Utah State Industrial School. The appointment followed recommendations for psychiatric care for the emotionally ill children housed there.
Ogden Signs First 1949 JACL Member, by P.C. Staff, page 2. George Sonoda became the first person to sign up as a 1949 member of the Ogden JACL. The chapter’s membership drive, directed by vice president Mits Endo, aims to sign over 200 members.
Officers of Chicago JACL Chapter Attend Rizal Day Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Three Chicago JACL members attended the Rizal Day program hosted by the Filipino National Council of Chicago. Tats Kushida noted that Filipino Post No. 509 of The American Legion supported the naturalization equality bill by resolution.
Nisei Progressives Will Hold Founding Conference in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles Nisei Progressives will hold their founding conference with speakers Carey McWilliams and Judge Stanley Moffatt. The group aims to advance the economic, political and social rights of the Nisei and pursue a program for peace and freedom for all.
Two Churches Merge in New York City, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two Japanese churches in New York City merged under the name Japanese American Church of Christ (Reformed) at a special service on January 9. The new church has more than 250 members.
Illinois to Show Painting by Serisawa, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sueo Serisawa of Los Angeles will be one of eight Southern California artists shown in the second invitational exhibit of contemporary American painting at the University of Illinois in February.
Blizzard Photos by Nisei Photographer Featured in Life, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Photos by Denver Nisei photographer Carl Iwasaki of a blizzard that isolated communities in Wyoming and Colorado were featured in Life magazine. His full-page image of a frozen calf received the lead spot in the coverage.
Vegetable, Hay Land Available in California, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 300 acres of vegetable and hay land near Sunol are available to an experienced farmer with capital and equipment. The offer is circulated by the Northern California JACL as a public service.
Two Nisei Drowned, One Missing as Skiff Capsizes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two Nisei brothers drowned and another Nisei was believed drowned when a high wave capsized their skiff while fishing off Maui on December 17. The sole survivor reached the rocky shore of Kahoolawe.
Cancelled, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Spring Valley, New York high school senior class canceled its Washington trip after learning Negro classmates would face discrimination there. The editorial praises the students for upholding democratic principles.
Postoffice, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A small postoffice in New York’s Chinatown is run by Postmistress May Bue Chang, who knows most of her thousands of customers by first name. The item highlights this unusual local institution.
Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Kubo was elected president of the Salt Lake City YBA with other cabinet officers announced. The slate includes vice presidents, secretaries and committee chairs.
Farm Trainees, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Kon Yagi and Sam Kuwata were among eleven veterans selected for advanced training in farm management under the veterans farm program in Brigham City, Utah.
Women Visitor Mrs. Takako Shibusawa in United States, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mrs. Takako Shibusawa, a prominent postwar Japanese women’s leader, stopped in Honolulu en route to a tour of the mainland at the invitation of the All Texas Women’s League. She is active in philanthropic work and writes for Tokyo newspapers.
Amy Toda Named as Member of Utah Ski Team, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Amy Toda of Salt Lake City was named to the four-woman Utah team for the 1949 western interstate ski meet at Sun Valley. She recently won the Snow Cup trials at Alta.
Iseri Will Lead Sacramento Swimmers, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tak Iseri, a 15-year-old swimmer and two-time Far Western AAU 100-meter breaststroke champion, was named captain-elect of the Sacramento YMCA swim team. The team will compete in Northern California meets.
Ogden IDC Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ogden will host the November IDC convention on November 25 to 27, with a bowling tournament held in conjunction with it. Ken Uchida, Ogden JACL president, made the announcement.
Charges Against Nisei Union Members Dismissed in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Federal judges reversed a Hawaii Supreme Court interpretation and dismissed charges against ILWU members, most of Japanese ancestry, arising from the 1946 sugar and 1947 pineapple strikes. The court found the grand jury selection unfairly constituted and the conspiracy statute unconstitutional.

JACL

Boise Valley Names Ishihara President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Ishihara was named president of the Boise Valley JACL chapter for 1949. A full slate of cabinet officers was also announced.
Take Steps to Form JACL Unit in Dayton, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A group of Nisei in Dayton, Ohio met with Midwest Regional Representative Tats Kushida to discuss organizing a JACL chapter. The group expected to easily reach the 25-member minimum needed to start the chapter.
Cleveland JACL Holds Public Meet on Evacuee Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Cleveland JACL chapter held a public meeting on evacuation claims attended by about 100 Issei and Nisei. Midwest Regional Representative Tats Kushida explained JACL services and also met with groups supporting the naturalization bill.
Tami Reelected Chapter President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Thomas T. Tami was unanimously reelected president of the Snake River JACL chapter for 1949. Other officers were also elected to serve the chapter.
JACL Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL began its annual membership drive with a goal of 10,000 members. The editorial notes membership peaked at 23,000 in 1942 and has since fallen below 16,000 despite continued need for its work.
Detroit JACL Holds Meetings on Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Detroit JACL chapter held separate public meetings for Issei and Nisei on evacuation loss claims. Midwest Regional Representative Tats Kushida explained the JACL’s informational and limited stenographic services.

Obituaries

Final Rites Held for One of Oldest Issei in America, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Minekichi Fukui, 96, of Wheatland, Calif., was buried after services at the Marysville Buddhist church. He was one of the oldest persons of Japanese ancestry in the United States.
Aged Angeleno Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kyujiro Sano, 90, died in Los Angeles on January 9 from injuries sustained in a fire. He is survived by his widow, Shizuno, three sons and two daughters.
Final Rites Held for Widow of Noted University Professor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Funeral services were held in Berkeley for Mrs. Ellen Kuno, widow of Oriental languages professor Y. S. Kuno. She had lived in the Bay Area for 67 years and is survived by a son, Lawrence.
Shiro Kashiwa Elected as Leader of Honolulu Bussei, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Shiro Kashiwa was reelected president of the Young Buddhist Association of Honolulu, which was incorporated and became a participating agency of the Honolulu Community Chest. The Buddhist army tag change was also welcomed by Hawaii Buddhists.

Incarceration & Redress

National JACL Asks Court to Enjoin Enforcement of Hawaii Language School Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Supreme Court in the Hawaiian Language Case, asking that a wartime Hawaii statute restricting teaching of languages other than English be declared unconstitutional. The brief argues the law stemmed from wartime racism tied to the language school misconceptions used to justify evacuation.
Gen. Clark’s Letter on Nisei GI Burial Sent to Cemeteries, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 2. General Mark Clark’s letter supporting the right of Sgt. Kazuo Masuda to a desirable burial plot was circulated to cemeteries and newspapers by the JACL ADC. The letter praised the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and asked that the Masuda family be allowed a resting place as an honored American.

Arts & Entertainment

Nisei Girl Wins Singing Role in Bogart’s “Tokyo Joe” Film, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Karie Shindo, a young Nisei singer, won a role as a torch singer in the Humphrey Bogart film Tokyo Joe, singing two numbers. Several other Japanese and Nisei actors, including Sessue Hayakawa, were also cast in the Hollywood film about the occupation of Japan.
The Return of Hayakawa, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sessue Hayakawa returned to Hollywood to appear in Tokyo Joe after decades working in France. The editorial traces his silent-film career and Hollywood’s history of race stereotyping.
Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This column reports Hollywood and entertainment news including Sono Osato in The Kissing Bandit and a possible all-Nisei cast for Private Tanaka. It also notes an Oakland army base wedding involving a Japanese bride that drew press restrictions.

Sports

Nisei Scientist Aids in Tests of Artificially Produced Vaccine, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. William N. Takahashi, a Nisei assistant professor of plant pathology at UC Berkeley, participated in producing and photographing an artificially cultured hog cholera virus. The work could lead to vaccines made from virus cultures instead of sick animals.
ClO Charges Bowling Group Bars Nisei, Other Non-Whites, Asks Ban on ABC Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The New Jersey CIO Council asked the state to prohibit the American Bowling Congress national tournament because its membership rules bar non-Caucasian bowlers. Hawaiian delegates’ resolution to end the restriction was voted down.
Coach Kajikawa, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Bill Kajikawa led Arizona State to the Sunshine basketball tournament title in his debut as head coach. The Sun Devils defeated Central Oklahoma in the final and are contenders for the Border Conference title.
Bowl Gridder, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Alfred Miyamoto, a Hawaii-born guard for Drake University, played in the Salad Bowl. Cpl. Bert Arakawa also played in the Rice Bowl in Tokyo for the Army Ground Forces team.
The Toe, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Everett Fujihara, a guard and place-kicker from Analy High School, scored the extra points that won games for the Western All-Stars in Hawaii. His clutch kicking also won three one-point victories for his high school team.
Leahy’s Praise, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy praised St. Louis College coach Allen Nagata after his team beat the Western high school all-stars in Honolulu. Kauai quarterback Richard Hadama was also singled out as a standout player.
Hawaii All-Stars Split Utah Games, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Hawaii Nisei All-Stars lost to Brooklawn Creamery and defeated the Salt Lake Nisei All-Stars in games at the Pioneer gym. The result was an even split of their Utah visit.
Honolulu Editor Names Sakata as Year’s Nisei Athlete, by Wallace Hirai, page 8. Harold Sakata, second-place finisher in weightlifting at the 1948 London Olympics, was named Hawaii’s Nisei athlete of 1948 by Hawaii Times sports editor Wallace Hirai. Hirai also cited golfer Ken Miyaoka, boxer Bob Takeshita and football player Wally Yonamine.
Nakasako Chosen on All-Loop Eleven, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Yuk Nakasako, guard for L.A. Polytechnic, was named to the all-Northern League team. Teammate Eddie Ota made the first team and Kenji Watanabe made the second team.

Commentary

Saints and Sinners, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial reflects on how the misdeeds of one member of a minority group can cause unfavorable reactions toward the whole group. It argues that minority groups should be allowed their sinners as well as their saints.
No Race Barriers in Medicine, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Surgeons of Japanese ancestry assisted by a haole cardiologist successfully performed a blue baby operation on a Chinese ancestry boy in Hawaii. The editorial, reprinted from the Hawaii Times, praises the spirit of cooperation across races.
Nisei GIs and War Brides, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa suggests sociology research into why Nisei GIs married Japanese women rather than Nisei women. He speculates about the qualities of companionship, devotion and temperament that may have attracted them.
A Note on Semantics, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa explains why the term is Japanese American rather than American Japanese. Editors decided Japanese should come first because it functions as an adjective describing the kind of American.
Go Away, She Said, I’m Not Interested in These Problems, by Togo Tanaka, page 6. Togo Tanaka describes a Chicago woman who refused to donate to the ADC, saying she was not interested in other Japanese. He argues that distancing herself from the community cannot shield her from consequences affecting all people of Japanese ancestry.
The Forgotten Law, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial notes that the District of Columbia had 1869 and 1872 laws banning racial discrimination in public accommodations and entertainment that may still be enforceable. It contrasts this with the ongoing airport segregation dispute and state antimiscegenation laws.

In-Depth

First Postwar U.S., Japan Student Meet Held in Tokyo, by Esther L’Ecluse, page 5. Nisei and American students met with Japanese students at Rikkyo University in Tokyo for a conference promoting understanding between the two countries. Round table discussions covered politics, economics, social welfare, education, culture and religion.

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