Housing discrimination, the Iva d’Aquino sentence and Issei citizenship

Vol. 29, No. 15, October 8, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

The JACL’s challenge to the Los Angeles County Housing Authority led this eight-page issue. The organization asked the Board of Supervisors to make the authority’s commissioners show cause why they should not be removed for racially discriminatory tenant selection, and it asked for a public hearing. The same front page reported the ten-year sentence given to Iva Toguri d’Aquino for treason, with her brother and sister saying they believed her innocent. An editorial, “Punishing a Legend,” argued the sentence was unduly harsh. Mike Masaoka’s Washington work on the Walter resolution and Issei citizenship was covered by I. H. Gordon and in an editorial.

Other pages follow JACL national director Masao Satow’s chapter tour, a protest to the British government over Nisei troops in Japan, and Bill Hosokawa and Joe Oyama’s columns. Sports coverage on pages 6 and 7 looks at the white-males-only rule of the American Bowling Congress and the University of Hawaii football team’s Nisei players.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • Ishikawa Asks Public Hearing to Investigate Alleged Misconduct of Los Angeles County Housing Officials Who Practice Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL asked the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to direct Housing Authority commissioners to show cause why they should not be removed for racially discriminatory tenant selection. The JACL also requested a public hearing, joined by several civil rights groups.
  • Sister, Brother Back Innocence of Mrs. d’Aquino, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred and Inez Toguri, siblings of Iva d’Aquino, said they always will believe their sister is innocent. They expressed extreme disappointment at the jury’s verdict.
  • Defendant Faces $10,000 Fine, Loss of Citizenship as Result of Conviction, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge Michael J. Roche sentenced Iva Toguri d’Aquino to ten years, a $10,000 fine, and automatic loss of citizenship after her treason conviction. Her attorney argued grounds for appeal including jurisdiction and double jeopardy.
  • California Paper Declares Mrs. d’Aquino Should Receive New Trial in Treason Case, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Alameda Times-Star argued that Mrs. d’Aquino deserves a new trial because the judge’s remarks about trial cost effectively pressured jurors toward a verdict. The paper also criticized the prosecution for excluding non-white jurors.

National

  • Statehood Critic Booed for References to Oriental Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. G. Ridley’s opposition to Hawaii statehood, based on the loyalty of Oriental immigrant parents, drew boos at a Town Meeting of the Air broadcast. Ridley later said the overwhelming majority of citizens of Oriental ancestry are as good American citizens as he is.
  • Japanese Canadian Strandees Return to Dominion Homes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. More than 100 Canadian residents stranded in Japan during the war have returned to Canada since V-J day, according to the New Canadian. Some Japanese Canadians in Japan have been denied permission to return.
  • Iva d’Aquino Given 10-Year Sentence on Treason Count, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Iva Toguri d’Aquino was sentenced to ten years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and loss of American citizenship for treason. Her attorney Wayne M. Collins said he would appeal for a new trial.
  • Sen. McCarran Favors Issei Citizenship Bill, Tells Watsonville Editor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Pat McCarran wrote that he strongly favors the principles of the Walter resolution and Judd bill removing racial bars from naturalization. The Watsonville Register-Pajaronian criticized the delay in action on the bills.
  • Walter Resolution Prospects Dim as Senator McCarran Continues Tour of Europe, by I. H. Gordon, page 2. Passage of the Walter resolution, which would remove racial bars from naturalization, depends on Sen. McCarran returning to lead the Judiciary Committee before adjournment. Mike Masaoka outlined the procedural steps still required.
  • Discuss Alien Land Law Test Case Problems in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL and ADC officials met in Washington to plan another test of the California Alien Land law before the Supreme Court. They also reviewed progress on evacuation claims, with over 8500 claims filed totaling about $32 million.
  • The Shadow of Fear, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The ACLU annual report found minority civil rights strengthened over the past year through state fair employment laws and court decisions. It warned that civil liberties generally suffered in a hysterical climate of fear.
  • Released by Army Official, Prof. Oyama Under Detention, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Prof. Ikuo Oyama of Northwestern University was released after detention in Tokyo on charges of slandering the Japanese government. He had made remarks suggesting U.S. troops remain in Japan after the peace treaty.

Community

  • Phoenix Paper Salutes Nisei in Salt River Valley, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Arizona Times published an editorial praising the Arizona JACL chapter and its 90 members for their citizenship. It recalled the wartime sacrifices of Nisei who spent time in WRA camps.
  • State Marriage Laws Force Couple to Travel 2800 Miles, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Stan and Mary Henshall traveled 2800 miles across several states because Nisei-white marriages were refused licenses in four states. They finally married in College Place, Washington.
  • Broadway Stars to Perform at N.Y. JACL Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Several Broadway night club stars will perform at the New York JACL’s fifth anniversary ball at the Hotel Delmonico on Oct. 5. Roger Stanley’s orchestra will provide music for the event.
  • Chicago Buddhists Hold Ohigan Service, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Chicago YBA held its autumnal Ohigan service with a large congregation hearing Rev. Gyodo Kono. The YBA cabinet was installed after the service.
  • Chicago JACL Seeks Support from Clubs for Coming Bazaar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Chicago JACL is asking Nisei organizations and other Asian American groups to sponsor booths at its October bazaar to raise funds for the national convention. The bazaar will feature Oriental Holiday entertainment.
  • Girl Wins Chicago Fashion Contest Preliminary, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Becky Yamaguchi of Berkeley, Calif., was among the winners of preliminary rounds in the Chicago American fashion contest. Winning designs will advance to finals at the Congress Hotel on Oct. 18.
  • Salinas Jr. JACL Makes Plans for Thanksgiving Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Salinas Junior JACL planned its second annual Thanksgiving dance at the Moose hall and selected committee chairmen. Tickets for a related drawing will be sold by members.
  • Plan Denver Convention for Plains Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Denver chapter decided to host the first district convention of Mountain Plains JACL chapters on Nov. 12-13. Committees and planned activities were discussed.

JACL

  • Nominations Committee for JACL Named, by P.C. Staff, page 2. National President Hito Okada appointed a nominating committee chaired by Patrick Okura to present a slate of national officers for 1950-52. The committee will report by April 1 and results will be announced at the 1950 Chicago convention.
  • Satow to Visit 26 Chapters on Trip, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL national director Masao Satow will visit all 26 chapters of the Northern California-Western Nevada district council beginning Oct. 10. He will bring chapters up to date on national developments.
  • Chicago Gives Free Service for Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 3. More than forty volunteers helped launch a free evacuation claims service by the Chicago JACL-ADC on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The project offers interviewing and attorney assistance to claimants.
  • JACL Protests to British Government on Discrimination Shown Nisei GIs in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL protested a British policy barring non-white U.S. troops from British rest hotels in Japan. It urged the American army to close its rest hotels to Britons until the ban is lifted.
  • JACL Protests British Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Continuing from page 3, the JACL letters to British officials and U.S. defense leaders argued that restricting Nisei and Negro troops from British hotels insults men who fought for the United Nations. The letters urged reciprocal action by the U.S. army.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei GI, Wartime Prisoner in Japan, To Testify at Provoo Treason Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lt. Richard M. Sakakida, a Nisei ex-POW, was to testify in the treason trial of John D. Provoo in New York. Ten Japanese nationals who were government witnesses were also brought to the United States.

Commentary

  • Punishing a Legend, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues Judge Roche punished the legend of Tokyo Rose rather than the individual Iva Toguri, and that her prosecution stemmed only from retaining American citizenship. It calls the ten-year sentence unduly harsh.
  • Nisei Lobby in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises the JACL ADC Washington office under Mike Masaoka for its effective lobbying on Issei citizenship and evacuee claims with limited resources. It notes the office’s day-to-day work on individual problems and legislative progress.
  • Public Opinion Polls on Housing Segregation, by Joe Oyama, page 5. Oyama reviews Canadian and Purdue polls showing most Americans and Canadians oppose housing restrictive covenants by race. The column notes these attitudes are encouraging though stated opinions may not match behavior.
  • Minority Week, by Joe Oyama, page 5. Oyama describes southern women’s campaigns against lynching and racial discrimination. A Negro portrait exhibit anecdote illustrates racial classification confusion.
  • Mas Satow Tours the Nation, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa describes JACL national director Mas Satow’s travels to 76 chapters in 22 states and his preparations for the 1950 Chicago convention. The column highlights the organization’s growth.
  • Susan Encounters a Problem, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa recounts how his young daughter Susan faced racial taunts from a classmate and how the school principal resolved the situation. The story illustrates childhood prejudice and its remedy.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Vagaries, by Joe Oyama, page 5. Joe Oyama’s column reports on Nisei in New York and elsewhere, including an opera based on Tales of Hoffmann, a psychiatry program, costume designer Julia Sze, and a Honolulu sports controversy. It also notes various personal and professional milestones.
  • Words Are Powerful Weapons For Good or For Evil, by Elmer R. Smith, page 6. Elmer Smith reviews S.I. Hayakawa’s book Language in Thought and Action, which explores semantics and how words shape understanding. The review highlights the book’s lessons on racial classification and word meaning.

Sports

  • Hawaii Grows Big Nisei Gridders, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reports that the University of Hawaii football team has several large Nisei players on its roster. Quotes from coach Tommy Kaulukukui and others accompany the column.
  • Organized Bowling’s Phony Restrictions, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The American Bowling Congress’s white-males-only rule bars non-Caucasian bowlers from national competition on the mainland. Sports writers and civic groups have criticized the policy and called for change.
  • Many Nisei Play for Visiting Hawaii Team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The University of Hawaii Rainbows, with several Nisei stars, lost narrowly to Texas Western. Three Nisei backfield players are highlighted.
  • Fellow Employes at Boeing Back Right of Nisei Members to Bowl in Sanctioned League, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Boeing employees backed a Nisei bowling team barred from ABC competition under the white-males-only rule. The Seattle Bowling Association said it would continue efforts to secure ABC affiliation for all members.
  • Nisei Singles Classic Set for Richmond, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Richmond Nisei Bowling Association will host the first annual Nichi-Bei Times Nisei Singles classic in October with an estimated $1,000 prize pot. Entry details and handicap rules are announced.
  • Set Plans for Nisei Cage Meet in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 7. San Jose organizers planned an All-Oriental basketball tournament to be held during the Christmas holiday season. Sectional Nisei champions from across the country will be invited.
  • Two Teams Tie for Lead in Chicago Pin League, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mark Twain and Wah Mee Lo are tied for the lead in the Chicago Nisei bowling league after four weeks. Results and high series for each match are reported.
  • Jim Yokota Scores Twice as Placer Wins, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Jim Yokota scored two touchdowns to lead Placer Union high to an 18-14 win over Willows. Yokota’s second score came from two yards out in the fourth quarter.
  • Hawaiian Golfers Take Top Honors in 1000 Club Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Visiting Honolulu golfers from the 10-10 Golf club won top honors at a tournament sponsored by the JACL 1000 Club in Los Angeles. Individual scores for both teams are reported.
  • John Horio Named Most Valuable Player by Zebra Teammates, by P.C. Staff, page 7. San Jose Zebra pitcher John Horio was voted the team’s most valuable player by his teammates. The honor was determined by a poll of players.

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