442nd veterans in Hawaii and the fight over the MGM film

Vol. 30, No. 5, February 4, 1950. 8 pages. View this issue

Hawaii’s 442nd veterans pressed for a place in the forthcoming MGM film about the regiment. Lawrence Nakatsuka reported that Earl Finch and Col. Kendall Fielder were asking MGM and the Army for island roles and Hawaiian history in the picture, and an editorial urged that regional feelings not hold up production. The front page also carried news that Toshiye Nishida became the first Tule Lake renunciant to have citizenship restored by federal court order, that Sen. Richard Russell again blocked the Walter Resolution, and that the Senate confirmed Karl Bendetsen, which a JACL editorial criticized.

Other pieces include columns by Larry Tajiri, I. H. Gordon, Bill Hosokawa and Jobo Nakamura. Tomiko Kanazawa was set to sing the title role in NBC’s televised Madame Butterfly. Sports pages followed the bowling congress dispute, with a Wisconsin lawsuit over its race-based membership rule, along with Nisei basketball news and chapter installations across the country.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

  • 442nd Veterans in Hawaii Make Strong Bid to Obtain Recognition in MGM Film, by By LAWRENCE NAKATSUKA, page 1. Hawaii Nisei and veterans are lobbying MGM and the Army to include Hawaiian soldiers and history in the forthcoming 442nd film. Earl Finch, Col. Kendall Fielder, and the 442nd Veterans Club pressed Hollywood writer Robert Pirosh and Army officials to visit Hawaii and cast island veterans.
  • Senate Committee Confirms Nomination of Bendetsen, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Senate unanimously confirmed Karl Bendetsen as Assistant Secretary of the Army, despite JACL opposition due to his role directing the 1942 mass evacuation. Bendetsen had also received a Distinguished Service Medal for his part in the evacuation.
  • 442nd Veteran Succumbs in Minneapolis, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Henry M. Terazawa, a Concord, California native and veteran of the 442nd and 34th Infantry Division, died in a Minneapolis hospital. Graveside services were scheduled at the San Bruno National Cemetery.

National

  • New GI Brides’ Bills Entered in Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegate Joseph Farrington introduced bills to allow American soldiers in Japan to marry Japanese women, who are currently barred from citizenship eligibility. Most American soldiers seeking such marriages were reportedly Nisei.
  • Walter Resolution Passage Blocked by Sen. Russell, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Richard Russell objected again on Feb. 1, withholding Senate action on the Walter Resolution for equality in naturalization. JACL ADC director Mike Masaoka said he would seek to move the bill onto the legislative calendar.
  • John Aiso Named to Far East Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney John F. Aiso was appointed to the American Bar Association’s committee on Far Eastern law. He is the first Nisei to serve on an ABA standing committee.
  • ADC Urges Congress Support Statehood for Hawaii, Alaska, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee urged Congress to grant statehood to Hawaii and Alaska, stressing Hawaii’s wartime loyalty and strategic importance. Mike Masaoka argued that statehood would demonstrate that democracy is not a matter of skin color or ancestry.

Community

  • Flower Market Group Gives $1,000 to JACL ADC Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Southern California Flower Market voted to donate $1,000 to the JACL-ADC fund drive, the third consecutive year of such a donation. Its president said the organization’s work is too vital to be weakened by lack of financial support.
  • Case Scholarship Won by Cleveland Nisei Student, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Inada, valedictorian of East Technical High School in Cleveland, won a four-year scholarship to Case Institute of Technology. He is active in student government and honor societies and plans to study electronic physics.
  • Central California JACL District Council Organized at Fresno Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The new Central California JACL district council will be formally organized at a constitutional convention in Fresno, preceded by a pre-convention meeting in Reedley. The program includes a banquet, panel discussion, and sports events.
  • Hawaii Nisei Petitions for U.S. Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Iwao Motoyama, a Honolulu native drafted into the Japanese army during WWII, left Japan to pursue a federal court petition to restore his American citizenship. He was granted permission to appear in Honolulu for the case.
  • Iwasaki Named New President of Reedley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Charles Iwasaki was installed as president of the Reedley JACL with a new 1950 cabinet at a dinner dance in Fresno. Dr. Earl Lyon urged Nisei to take a more active role in community affairs and politics.
  • Cleveland Nisei Appear in Folk Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Cleveland JACL members performed a traditional Japanese sakura-ondo dance at the Cleveland Press City-Wide Folk Festival before a capacity crowd. The Cleveland Press said plans are underway for a bigger festival next year.
  • Southwest Area JACL Plans Regional Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Southwest District Council plans a regional convention in Los Angeles this spring or summer, sponsored by four city chapters. The convention is intended to address pressing matters concerning the Southwest area before the national convention.
  • Eden Township Hears Luther Hoffman at Installation Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Luther Hoffman, former Topaz project director, spoke at the Eden Township JACL installation dinner in San Leandro. The chapter is compiling a directory of persons of Japanese descent in the area and running a membership drive.
  • Japanese Send Stone Lanterns to Salt Lake Garden, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two stone lanterns are en route from Japan for the Japanese section of the International Peace Garden in Salt Lake City’s Jordan Park. A Tokyo committee organized by Tamotsu Murayama is sending them.
  • Cleveland Chapter Plans Member Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cleveland JACL held a pre-membership rally at the YMCA Johnson Room to kick off the 1950 drive. Skits, dancing, and refreshments were featured, and pledges and sign-ups were taken that evening.
  • Nisei Grocer Shoots Suspect in Attempted Store Robbery, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento grocer Tetsuzo Nakanishi shot Jack Holden after Holden and an accomplice attacked him and fled with $45 from the register. Holden was hospitalized and the accomplice, Mrs. Geneva French Rose, was jailed.
  • Philadelphia Meet to Rally Delegates for Chicago Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Eastern District Council will hold a pre-convention rally in Philadelphia on April 15-16 as the first stop toward the national convention in Chicago. Events include a general assembly, song contest, bowling tournament, and a gala dinner-dance.
  • Dr. Kambara Heads Los Angeles JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. George Kambara was elected president of the Downtown Los Angeles JACL chapter at a luncheon meeting. Other new officers were also named.
  • Deas Will Speak at San Francisco Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. J. Roger Deas, research secretary for Gov. Earl Warren, will speak at the San Francisco JACL installation dinner on Feb. 11. Victor Abe will be installed as the new chapter president.
  • Southern Alameda County JACL Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New officers of the Southern Alameda County JACL were installed in Niles, with a talk by Deputy District Attorney George Oakes Jr. on his experiences in occupied Japan. Oakes described the Japanese people’s surprise at fair treatment by occupation troops.
  • Chapters Install New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Monterey and Salinas Valley JACL chapters installed new officers at a dinner meeting, with Joe Grant Masaoka giving the main address. Local officials including Mayor L. K. Smith made short remarks.
  • Chicago Chapter Initiates Campaign for 1,500 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL chapter launched a membership drive for 1,500 members for 1950, organized by district and special committees. Drive chairman Dr. Frank Sakamoto urged current members to renew early and asked the chapter to focus on Nisei not recently reached.
  • Seek Formation of Interclub Group, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Salt Lake City JACL initiated an interclub council of local Nisei organizations to encourage civic participation and coordinate social calendars. Representatives from numerous clubs were named to join.
  • Appoint Endo JACL Bowling Commissioner, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL President Hito Okada named Gish Endo of East Oakland national bowling commissioner. The San Francisco tournament committee announced officials for the March national tournament.
  • Check Held for Ex-Minidoka Man, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Treasury Department is holding a check for former Minidoka resident Jensaku Makita for six months. Claimants can contact the Department of Disbursement in Salt Lake City.

Incarceration & Redress

  • U.S. Citizenship Restored to Tule Renunciant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toshiye Nishida became the first of roughly 5,000 Tule Lake renunciants to have American citizenship restored by federal court order. The Justice Department agreed to set up procedures for others after the Ninth Circuit upheld the ruling.
  • Bigots Threaten Pasadena Realtor Who Opposed Bias in Real Estate Operations, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pasadena realtor William C. Carr faced threats to drive him out of business after selling homes to non-Caucasian families. Friends and organizations including the ACLU rallied to his defense.
  • New Evacuee Claims Office Planned for San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Justice Department’s Claims Division opened a Los Angeles office in July 1949 to process evacuation loss claims and planned a similar office in San Francisco in February. William W. Palmer replaces William Jacobs as attorney-in-charge in Los Angeles.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Nisei Soprano to Sing Lead Role in NBC Television Opera, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tomiko Kanazawa will sing the title role in NBC’s television presentation of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly on Feb. 6. The production is expected to reach an audience of over one million viewers.

Commentary

  • A Note on William C. Carr, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises realtor William C. Carr for his wartime support of Japanese Americans and his postwar efforts to open housing to non-Caucasian families. It condemns the realty profession’s segregationist practices and the threats now facing Carr for his stance.
  • The Bendetsen Case, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial criticizes the Senate for confirming Karl Bendetsen as Assistant Secretary of the Army within a week and without hearing opponents. It notes serious charges of prejudice tied to Bendetsen’s handling of the 1942 mass evacuation.
  • Hawaii and the 442nd Picture, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial acknowledges Hawaiian fears of being ignored in the MGM 442nd film and notes Mike Masaoka’s assurance that Hawaiian AJA roles would be recognized. It urges that regional feelings not obstruct production of the film.
  • The Visitors from Nippon, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri’s Nisei USA column comments on visiting Japanese officials, including Diet members who apologized to Governor Warren for wartime suffering. He discusses Warren’s changed attitude, the burden on Nisei hosts, and the contrast with prewar visitors.
  • From the Side of the Hill: Hard Work Behind ADC’s Drive for Walter Resolution, by I. H. Gordon, page 4. Gordon traces the history of naturalization laws that excluded Asians and describes the years of effort by JACL ADC to pass the Walter Resolution. He credits the JACL’s grassroots work and the sacrifice of Nisei soldiers as key to its progress.
  • Quickie Roundup on Minority Week, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This column covers San Francisco’s approval of a voluntary FEPC program instead of an ordinance, an interracial quartet on Arthur Godfrey’s show, and a New Orleans candidate’s defeat. It also reports on Carey McWilliams being denied a Portland school auditorium.
  • Ruminations on Birthdays, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa reflects on turning another year older, recalling childhood reading and his daughter Susan’s eagerness to grow up. He jokes about the unwelcome gifts from his brother and wife and about a birthday that passed without much notice.
  • Departure from Chicago: You Can Go, by Jobo Nakamura, page 6. Nakamura reflects on leaving Chicago after six years, recalling the city’s streets and the Nisei he knew there. He also describes meeting Yoichi, a Kibei stranded in San Francisco who had left a houseboy job.

Sports

  • Nisei Cagers Big News in Placer County, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei basketball players George Goto, Jim Yokota, and Vic Nakamoto are starring for Placer College and Placer High School in Placer County. Yokota and Nakamoto led Placer High to a 47-23 win over Yuba City.
  • Iseri Has Eye on Olympic Team Berth, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei star Iseri is pursuing a berth on the Olympic team, with a standout showing at the AAU Championships in Los Angeles. Coverage also includes other Nisei athletic achievements.
  • Little Benny Morinaga Sparks Ontario Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Benny Morinaga is the captain and leading playmaker of the undefeated Ontario, Oregon high school varsity team. The column also notes other Nisei prep athletes around the West.
  • Sports Editor Continues Fight on ABC, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Seattle sports editor Royal Brougham continues to criticize the American Bowling Congress for barring non-Caucasians from its leagues. Recent state actions in Wisconsin, Illinois, and New York are cited as adding pressure on the ABC.
  • Wisconsin Files Suit to Outlaw American Bowling Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Wisconsin’s attorney general filed suit to enjoin the American Bowling Congress over its race-based membership rule. Brith Sholem also asked Pennsylvania authorities to investigate the ABC’s discrimination.
  • Four Nisei 300 Bowlers Enter National JACL Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Four Nisei bowlers who have rolled perfect 300 games will compete in the National JACL bowling tournament in San Francisco. The article also lists top recent series scores by Nisei bowlers.
  • Portland League Quits ABC Over ‘White Males Only’ Rule, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Bonneville Power Administration bowling league in Portland withdrew from the local association after the ABC ordered a Chinese American bowler removed. The league said it would not remain affiliated with a body enforcing racial discrimination.
  • Hawaiians Enter Annual Intermountain Cage Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The defending champion Hawaii AJA All-Stars will return to the 15th annual Intermountain Nisei basketball tournament in Salt Lake City in March. The islanders are expected to field last year’s starting lineup.

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