California’s Alien Land Law, Nisei claims and the Judd bill

Vol. 28, No. 10, March 12, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

The end of enforcement of California’s Alien Land law was the lead story of this eight-page issue. The state Department of Justice would not seek money to enforce the law after the Supreme Court’s Oyama ruling, and an editorial argued that other western states should repeal their own. Pages 1 through 3 followed other legal matters: the Contraband bill passed by Congress, the delayed renunciants case involving 4,200 former Tule Lake residents, and JACL chapters in Chicago, Cleveland and Milwaukee helping families file claims. Hawaii’s legislature also backed equal naturalization. Ken Iseri wrote that House passage of the Judd bill honored the 442nd, and Bill Hosokawa looked at why Nisei in the Deep South took less interest in civil rights.

Other items include Takeshi Yoshihara’s appointment to the Naval Academy, Tats Kushida’s review of the film The Clay Pigeon, and national JACL bowling results from Salt Lake City.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Appointed to Annapolis, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takeshi Yoshihara of Renton, Wash., became the first Nisei appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was photographed with two classmates who were named alternates after the competitive examinations.
  • First Mainland Nisei to Die with 100th Reburied at San Bruno, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The remains of T/3 Kiyoshi J. Shiramizu, probably the first mainland Nisei killed in action with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Italy, were given final burial at Golden Gate National Cemetery. He died in the siege of Cassino in January 1944.
  • Six Nisei Graduate Army Language School, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Six Nisei soldiers completed the nine-month Japanese language course at the Army Language School at the Presidio of Monterey on Feb. 24. The graduates included Corporals Kihara, Motokane, Ono, Tamura, Wakakuwa and Watanabe.

National

  • California Attorney General Will Not Seek Funds for Enforcing Alien Land Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The State Department of Justice will not request a special budget appropriation to enforce the California Alien Land law for 1949-50. The decision follows the Supreme Court’s Oyama ruling, which upheld a Nisei’s right to inherit property from an ineligible alien parent.
  • California Farmer Receives $103,000 Government Refund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mitoshi Hirahara, a Watsonville farmer, is receiving a refund of $103,000 after a long tax court fight over an assessment levied while his family was evacuated. The government stipulated judgment in his favor, and the refund includes interest and additional payment.
  • Contraband Bill Passed by Congress Permits Payment of Claims for Damage to Goods Held in Government Custody, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House passed the Contraband bill, which compensates aliens and persons of Japanese ancestry for property lost or damaged while in Justice Department custody. Claims under $1,000 may be paid by the Attorney General, while larger claims must go to Congress.
  • Tokyo Rose Trial, Renunciants Case Delayed in Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The hearing on the renunciants case, which asks why 4,200 former Tule Lake residents must undergo individual trials to regain citizenship, was postponed until March 21. The defense motions in the Iva Toguri D’Aquino case were rescheduled for March 14.
  • Nisei to Represent Hawaii University on U.S. Debate Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hideto Kono, a Nisei student, was chosen as one of two University of Hawaii varsity debaters for a tour of seven mainland colleges. He will debate the question of whether Communist activity in the Far East threatens American security.
  • Utah Legislature Approves Hunting Rights for Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Utah legislature passed and the governor signed a bill allowing aliens ineligible for citizenship who have lived in the state 15 years to carry firearms and hunt upon paying the resident fee. Henry Y. Kasai of the Utah Nippon Wild Life Federation said the measure places Issei on the same footing as resident citizens for hunting and fishing.
  • Naturalization Group to Hold Conference in New York City, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship will hold an all-day conference on challenges to American citizenship at the Hotel Astor on March 25. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee is an affiliated agency, and speakers include Rep. Walter Judd and Rep. Emanuel Celler.
  • Milwaukee Journal Favors Judd Naturalization Proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Milwaukee Journal editorially urged passage of the Judd bill, arguing it would round out immigration law and end discrimination against persons of Japanese ancestry. The editorial was prompted by the Milwaukee JACL chapter and sent to the JACL ADC Washington office.
  • U.S. Films on Nisei Will Aid Return of Canadians, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Films showing the successful return of Japanese Americans to the Pacific Coast will be shown in Vancouver to help Canadians prepare for the return of evacuees. Restrictions lifted at the end of March have opened the coast zone to Canadian evacuees.
  • Hawaii Legislature Supports Bill Providing Equality in Naturalization, Immigration, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. The Hawaiian House passed a resolution urging Congress to permit naturalization of all peoples regardless of race or national origin. The action came the same day the U.S. House passed immigration and naturalization legislation making all legal residents eligible regardless of race.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Serisawa Named Head of State’s Water Colorists, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles artist Sueo Serisawa was elected president of the California Water Color society, which has 286 members. The election follows a number of recent awards for the 39-year-old painter.
  • Noguchi’s Sculptures Now on Exhibition in New York City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An exhibition of sculptured abstractions by Isamu Noguchi is on view at the Egan gallery in New York until March 26. The works use materials including Tennessee and Georgia marble, aluminum, and balsa wood.
  • Hayakawa Hopes to Return to U.S. After Film in France, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sessue Hayakawa, who completed a villain role in Humphrey Bogart’s Tokyo Joe, is leaving for France to fulfill a film contract. He hopes to return to the United States and bring his wife and three children who were stranded in Japan.

Community

  • Sentence Utah Nisei to Prison for Patricide, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kenichi Imaizumi of Syracuse, Utah, was sentenced to 15 years in the state penitentiary after pleading guilty to second degree murder in the strangulation death of his father. The first degree charge was reduced after the district attorney judged the evidence insufficient.
  • Bodies of Three Nisei Returned From Europe, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Army announced that the remains of three Nisei soldiers from California are being returned from temporary military cemeteries in France. The next-of-kin for each soldier were listed.
  • JACL Representatives Meet with Ikeda, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Representatives of the Fresno, Reedley and Tulare JACL chapters met with newly appointed central California director Toru Ikeda to discuss evacuation claims, Nisei employment, and membership. Also considered were reactivation of the Kern and Kings county chapters and formation of a district council.
  • Gardena Nisei Named Buddhist Leader, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tom Hide of Gardena was elected head of the Southern District Young Buddhist League at a two-day conference at Senshin. West Los Angeles won the bid to host the 1950 conference, and a full cabinet was named.
  • San Francisco Holds Election by Mail, by P.C. Staff, page 2. San Francisco JACL members are voting by mail to select the 1949 chapter cabinet and board of governors, with ballots due March 14. Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki was the sole nominee for honorary chairman, and several candidates were listed for other offices.
  • Nisei Couple Returns After Strange Round-World Journey, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Abraham Noboru Taniguchi and his wife returned to the United States aboard the President Cleveland after a long journey that began at the Jerome relocation center. The couple, who met at the camp, were ordered to leave on the Gripsholm in 1948 and later returned via Singapore and Japan.
  • Cleveland JACL Aids Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Cleveland JACL volunteers helped about 40 people complete evacuation claims forms at the International Institute of the YWCA. Volunteers included typists and translators who worked several evenings on the effort.
  • Makoto Iwamatsu Reunited with Parents, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Makoto Iwamatsu, a 15-year-old Japanese boy granted permanent residence by a special act of Congress, arrived in New York and was reunited with his parents after a 10-year separation. His father had done underground work against Japanese militarists and worked for the OSS during the war.
  • Movies Featured by Detroit JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. More than 150 people attended the Detroit JACL’s first general meeting of the year on February 26. Three films were shown, including The Nisei Story and films on the national JACL convention.
  • Blind Hawaii War Veteran Will Get New Seeing-Eye Dog, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yoshinao Omiya, a blinded veteran of the 100th Battalion, will travel to the mainland in April to get a new seeing-eye dog after his dog Audrey was killed by a truck. He plans to train with The Seeing Eye in Morristown, N.J., and visit former comrades along the way.
  • Nisei Will Teach in Pasadena School, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A. Grace Shinoda was appointed to the teaching staff of John C. Fremont school in Pasadena, the only Nisei teacher in that city. She is a University of Redlands graduate who majored in sociology and education and was an honor society member.
  • Cleveland JACL Plans Educational Program, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Cleveland JACL has planned a full educational program for 1949 under program chairman Alice Morihiro. Events include a visit to the Karamu House theater, a panel on marriage in April, a May workshop, and a Midwest district council in September.
  • Snake River Tops Double ’48 Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Snake River JACL chapter exceeded its goal in the Double 48 membership drive, ending with 325 members. Awards were given to top campaigners at a dinner at the Payette country club.
  • Student Body Chief Delegate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. David Ogawa was elected student body president of Foshay junior high school in Los Angeles. He was also chosen as one of the official delegates from the Los Angeles YWCA to the national YWCA convention in San Francisco.

JACL

  • Discuss Formation of Central California JACL District Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representatives from the Fresno, Tulare and Reedley chapters discussed forming a separate Central California JACL district council. Newly appointed area director Toru Ikeda also met with the group, and reactivation of the Kern and Kings county chapters was considered.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Assistance in Filing Evacuee Claims Discussed in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Chicago JACL and Issei committee met to plan claims filing services for the local Japanese American community. Public meetings with Nisei attorneys are planned, and claimants were urged to file well before the January 2, 1950 deadline.
  • Milwaukee JACL Holds Meeting on Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Evacuation claims forms were made available to Milwaukee families at a February 4 chapter meeting at the YMCA. Gus Oura and attorney Robert Dewa explained the bill and the questions on the forms.

Sports

  • Aihara Will Compete for Trojan Team, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Henry Aihara, the 1945 Big Ten and NCAA broad jump champion, is a leading prospect for the USC varsity this season. He previously competed for Northwestern University.
  • Robertson’s of Los Angeles Wins Team Title in National JACL Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Robertson Nursery of Los Angeles won the team championship at the third annual National JACL Bowling tournament in Salt Lake City with 2808 pins. Larry Mekata of Honolulu took the singles title, and the Robertson team edged out Okada Insurance, the 1948 champions.
  • Chinese American Girl Wins Major Honors in Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Julia Wong of Los Angeles was the individual star of the National Nisei Women’s bowling tournament in Salt Lake City, winning the all-events title. She also anchored the winning Los Angeles team and won the women’s doubles and mixed doubles with her husband.
  • Hawaii All-Stars Beat Chicago Nisei Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Hawaii AJA All-Stars defeated the Chicago Nisei All-Stars 2633 to 2443 in a match on March 9. Dyke Miyagawa of Chicago had the high series of the match with 574.
  • Kikuchi Wins over Kimura in Finals of Far West Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. David Kiruchi of San Diego high school defeated Joe Kimura of the San Francisco Olympic Club in the 128-pound final of the Far Western wrestling tournament. Avon Oyakawa of UCLA lost in the 121-pound final.
  • Manchu Grill Accepts Cage Tournament Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Manchu Grill Bears of Denver accepted an invitation to the 14th annual Intermountain Nisei basketball tournament in Salt Lake City. The Bears recently beat the Marusho Miks to become the top team in Denver.
  • Tokuda Drugs Will Defend Cage Title, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tokuda Drugs, champions of the Salt Lake JACL intermountain invitational basketball tournament, will defend their title this year. The team is considered among the best in the Pacific Northwest and the country.
  • Hawaii Nisei Cagers to Play on Mainland, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Hawaii AJA all-star basketball team is scheduled to tour California, with games against the Berkeley Nisseis, the Sacramento JACL Stags, and at the San Jose Zebra invitational tournament. The tour was arranged to raise funds for the trip.

Commentary

  • Fighting Prejudice With Films, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial contrasts wartime Hollywood films that spread anti-Nisei prejudice with recent films that portray Nisei loyalty more accurately. It notes that The Nisei Story is now being sent to British Columbia to prepare the public for the return of Canadian evacuees.
  • Alien Land Law—Statutory Deadwood, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that the Oyama decision has effectively nullified the California Alien Land law, as shown by the state’s decision not to seek enforcement funds. It traces the escheat campaign to Senator Jack Tenney’s legislation and urges other western states to repeal their similar laws.
  • RKO’s The Clay Pigeon, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Midwest JACL regional director Tats Kushida reviews RKO’s film The Clay Pigeon, which was loosely inspired by the Kawakita case. He reports that the film contains a sympathetic sequence honoring a 442nd veteran and does not portray Japanese Americans as disloyal.
  • Tenney’s Hawaiian Journey, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial challenges State Senator Jack Tenney’s claim that he has never discriminated on the basis of race. It argues that his record of anti-Japanese activity in California contradicts his recent statements in Hawaii.
  • Minority Week: The First Nisei in a Job, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column discusses the practice of publicizing the first minority employee hired in a particular job, which National Urban League executive Lester Granger criticized as harmful. It concludes that such firsts will eventually become commonplace.
  • Congress Action Seen as Tribute to Nisei GIs, by Ken Iseri, page 6. Ken Iseri argues that House passage of the Judd bill reflected the sacrifices of Nisei soldiers of the 442nd. He says the Senate’s approval would fulfill the principles of equality for which those soldiers fought and died.
  • Where the Shoe Pinches, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa explains why Nisei in the Deep South are often less interested in civil rights, noting they are generally treated as white and tend to conform to the majority. He concludes that the courage of those who champion unpopular causes deserves recognition.
  • Jobs and Minorities: University of Washington Group Studies Employment Status of Japanese Americans in Seattle, by Elmer R. Smith, page 6. A University of Washington study finds that discrimination limits job opportunities for Japanese Americans and other racial minorities in Seattle, especially in professional fields. The study notes that union membership and employment agencies also reflect exclusion.

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