Tule Lake renunciants regain citizenship; the Judd bill stalls

Vol. 28, No. 12, March 26, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

A federal court ruling led the issue. Judge Louis E. Goodman ruled on March 21 that 4,394 former Tule Lake renunciants have their American citizenship restored, finding that government attorneys had not acted in good faith in singling them out for individual trials. An editorial welcomed the decision. Herbert Gordon reported that the Judd bill to remove racial barriers in naturalization could be delayed in the Senate, and Mike Masaoka’s work on naturalization and relief packages appeared inside.

Elsewhere in the eight pages: a Denver cemetery’s refusal to bury Sgt. Kenneth Shibata, Toshio Mori’s first book, Yokohama, California, and Bill Hosokawa and Togo Tanaka in their columns. Basketball and wrestling results fill the sports pages, and chapter news came from Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and Seabrook.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • Federal Judge Goodman Rules for Restoration of Citizen Rights to Renunciant Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge Louis E. Goodman ruled on March 21 that 4,394 former Tule Lake renunciants have their American citizenship restored. He found government attorneys had not acted in good faith in singling them out for individual citizenship-proof trials.
  • Legion Commander in Colorado Condemns Refusal of Denver Cemetery to Bury Nisei Hero, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Colorado American Legion commander Harold Ferris condemned Crown Hill cemetery’s refusal to bury Sgt. Kenneth Shibata because of restrictive covenants. Public reaction, including a letter from a Gold Star mother, followed the news.

National

  • Possible Delaying Action Seen in Senate on Judd Proposal, by Herbert Gordon, page 1. The House nearly unanimously passed the Judd bill to remove racial barriers in naturalization, but Senate Judiciary Chairman McCarran may refer it to a subcommittee, delaying action. Supporters are seeking to have it treated as special legislation instead.
  • Chinese Americans Protest Provision in Judd Measure, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chinese groups in San Francisco launched a telegram and lobbying campaign against the Judd bill’s voiding of the 1946 Chinese Wives Act. Sections of the Negro press also objected to the West Indies being placed under the quota system.
  • Cemetery Tells Reasons for Ban on Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Crown Hill cemetery attorney Ira Quiat said burial was restricted to white persons under original articles of incorporation inherited in the 1920s. He argued that Colorado courts’ upholding of restrictive covenants left the cemetery unable to bury non-Caucasians without lawsuits.
  • Ruling Raises Question of Fair Representation of Racial Groups on Juries, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. A federal court ruled the 1947 Maui grand jury was illegally constituted because racial and economic groups were excluded, prompting dismissal of later grand juries in Hawaii. The new Oahu list contains roughly twice as many Japanese names as the one it replaced.
  • Two Liberal Magazines Favor Passage of Naturalization Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The New Republic and The Commonweal both praised the Judd bill as a step toward ending racial discrimination in naturalization. The Commonweal criticized restrictions on wives, children, and British West Indian colonies but urged continued support.
  • JACL-ADC Asks Lower Rate on Relief Packages, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mike Masaoka of the JACL-ADC asked the Post Office Department to reduce parcel post rates for relief packages to the Orient to six cents a pound. He argued this would match rates for Marshall Plan countries.
  • Masaoka Attends National Conference on Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka returned from the ACLU conference and planned to attend the National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship annual conference in New York. Speakers there included Rep. Emanuel Celler and Rep. Walter Judd.

Community

  • Midwest JACL Convention Set for Cleveland, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 1949 Midwest District Council convention will be held in Cleveland on September 17-18 with business sessions, a banquet, and booster activities. Delegates from seven Midwest chapters are expected to attend.
  • Denver Nisei Appointed to Teaching Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shyoko Hiraga, 21, became Denver’s first Nisei public school teacher when the Board of Education appointed her a permanent supply teacher. Her first assignment is third grade at Wyatt Elementary School.
  • Nisei Initiated Into Education Fraternity, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Alice H. Shikamura was initiated into Pi Lambda Theta at Stanford University, one of 82 women honored. Her master’s thesis studied vocational intentions of second-generation Japanese students at three California universities.
  • Mrs. Uyehara Named to Post on Philadelphia Fellowship Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Grayce Uyehara, a Japanese American civic leader in Philadelphia, was elected to the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Fellowship Commission. The commission coordinates nine city agencies working on intergroup relations.
  • Detroit JACL Plans Forum on Nisei Housing Problems, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Detroit JACL chapter will hold a round table on housing problems affecting Japanese Americans on April 2. Speakers include representatives from the Mayor’s Interracial Committee and an architect from Smith, Hinchman and Grylls.
  • Salt Lakers Prepare for Youth Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Salt Lake City members prepared for the fifth annual Intermountain Youth Conference on April 2-3, with delegates from Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Oregon. Events include a square dance mixer and a conference dinner.
  • Cleveland JACL Hails Close of Successful Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cleveland JACL chapter held a membership social for about 200 people to close a citywide drive that doubled its membership to 277. The chapter also voted to host a Midwest district council convention in the fall.
  • Nisei Mother’s River Death Listed Suicide, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Joaquin County officials ruled the death of Mrs. Seiko Inouye, a 36-year-old Mandeville Island mother of three, a suicide. She was found floating in a river with a deep wrist wound.
  • French Camp Plans First JACL Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The French Camp JACL scheduled its first banquet for March 25 at the Tai Tung in Stockton. Committee chairmen for finances and invitations were named.
  • Floyd Schmoe Plans to Build Home for Hiroshima Family, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle’s Floyd Schmoe will lead a group of Americans and Japanese students to build a Japanese-style home in Hiroshima this summer as protest against atomic destruction. The home will be given to a family who lost theirs in the bombing.
  • Seabrook JACL Installs New Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Vernon Ichisaka was sworn in as president of the Seabrook JACL chapter in New Jersey, succeeding Ray Bano. Approximately 60 people attended the installation banquet, where Legion commander Herbert Brauer spoke.
  • Call Meet on Chapter Aid for Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Northern California and Western Nevada JACL chapters will meet in San Francisco on March 27 to plan local help with evacuation claims. The meeting follows a National JACL ruling that lifted the limited-services restriction.
  • Chicago Chapter Holds Video Swing Dance April 2, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Chicago JACL chapter will hold its Video Swing fundraising dance on April 2 at the Interportal House, with a drawing for television sets and other prizes. Mike Tristano’s orchestra will provide music.
  • Explains CARE Operations, by P.C. Staff, page 8. CARE mission chief Paul Gordon described the organization’s food and textile package program to Japan. Packages cost $10 with guaranteed delivery and recipients sign receipts returned to donors.
  • Marriage: Masa Shishido and Ken Yamamoto, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Masa Shishido and Ken Yamamoto were married on February 27 at the Oakland Congregational church. The couple will live in Oakland after their honeymoon.
  • Stranded Nisei Return Aboard Wilson, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Thirty war-stranded Nisei returned to Japan on March 24 aboard the President Wilson, along with other passengers of Japanese ancestry. The article lists the names of those returning.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Attorney Will Aid Issei Claimants in Ohio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Chicago attorneys will handle roughly 50 mostly Issei evacuation claims in Cleveland on April 2 and 3 through arrangements with the Midwest Regional office. The Cleveland chapter assisted in completing the non-claim portions of the official forms.
  • Joint Services Set for Seven Veterans at Seattle Church, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joint services will honor seven Nisei veterans who died with the 442nd Combat Team in Europe, held at the Seattle Buddhist church on March 26. George H. Revele, a former staff officer under Gen. Mark Clark, will be the main speaker.
  • Oregon Governor, Community Leaders Pay Tribute to Nisei War Hero at Portland Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Oregon Governor Douglas McKay led officials and military representatives in honoring First Sgt. Tami Takemoto at Portland Masonic temple. Takemoto was the first Portland Nisei war dead returned for burial, having died with the 442nd in Italy in 1944.

JACL

  • Announce Results of JACL Election in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki was named honorary chairman of the San Francisco JACL following a mail ballot election. Three vice presidents, other officers, and nine board of governors members were also named.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Toshio Mori Tells How He Came to Write His First Book, by Nancy Barr Mavity, page 2. Toshio Mori describes how wartime separation from his Oakland nursery and family inspired him to write Yokohama, California. The book’s stories capture Issei and Nisei life, and his brother Kazuo, a 442nd veteran, is featured in it.
  • Hawaiian Artist Wins Top Prize at Orange Show, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sadamitsu Fujita, a 27-year-old Hawaiian-born artist and Army veteran, won first place in the water color division at the National Orange Show. His winning entry was titled Sunday at the Beach.
  • Nisei Will Participate in U.S. Folk Festival in St. Louis, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese dancers, including sisters Haruko and Tomeko Uyeda, will perform at the 13th National Folk Festival in St. Louis from April 6 to 9. The Chicago and St. Louis JACL chapters arranged the troupe’s appearance.
  • Toshio Mori’s First Book, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial hails Toshio Mori’s Yokohama, California as the first important literary work by a Nisei writer. It praises the book’s humane portrayal of Issei and Nisei life and its warmth toward ordinary people.
  • The Dancing Kettle and Other Japanese Folk Tales, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Nisei Yoshiko Uchida retells fourteen Japanese folk tales in The Dancing Kettle, illustrated by Richard Jones. The reviewer praises her clear, song-like adaptations, which preserve their authentic flavor.
  • The Seven Stars, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Toru Matsumoto’s novel follows seven Japanese youths who drift apart as wartime ideologies divide them. The book depicts Japan’s wartime society, from military propaganda to the occupation.
  • Hiroshima Family Home Project and Other Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Japanese American review column and related items continue on this page. Coverage includes book and entertainment notes relevant to the Nisei community.

Commentary

  • Possible Delay on Judd Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial warns the Judd bill may be delayed a year if folded into an omnibus immigration bill, and suggests treating it as special legislation to expedite Senate action. It argues that objections from Chinese and Negro groups can be addressed by amendment without derailing the bill.
  • Discrimination to the Grave, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial challenges Crown Hill attorney Ira Quiat’s claims, noting the 1948 Supreme Court decision made restrictive covenants unenforceable rather than illegal. It urges the cemetery to bury war veterans regardless of ancestry.
  • Restoration of Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes Judge Goodman’s ruling restoring citizenship to the Tule Lake renunciants and praises his refusal to require individual trials. It argues the coerced renunciations must never be repeated against any group.
  • From the Frying Pan: The Cradle of the Atom Bomb, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa describes Los Alamos, New Mexico, the secretive atomic weapons laboratory town, comparing its barracks-era housing to a WRA camp. He also notes the advanced schools and the health research laboratory studying isotopes.
  • Jack Tenney Attempts to Hide Background of Anti-Nisei Acts, by Togo Tanaka, page 6. Togo Tanaka criticizes California Senator Jack Tenney for claiming friendship with Japanese Americans after a Hawaii trip. He documents Tenney’s wartime role in pushing for permanent exclusion of evacuees.

Sports

  • Watanabe Wins Coast College Wrestling Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Yosh Watanabe of Oregon State won the 121-pound Pacific Coast Conference wrestling title, defeating UCLA’s Evan Oyakawa in the final. Several other Nisei wrestlers also competed in the championships.
  • Berkeley Beats Hawaiians in San Jose Game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Berkeley Nissei Greens won the San Jose Nisei Invitational basketball tournament, beating the Hawaii AJA All-Stars 60 to 59 in double overtime. Johnny Oshida led the Berkeley scoring with 23 points.
  • Seeded Teams Win Opening Games in Salt Lake Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Hawaii AJA All-Stars and Seattle Tokuda Drugs won their first-round games in the Intermountain Invitational Nisei basketball tournament. The tournament finals were scheduled for March 26 at Pioneer gym.
  • Bob Watanabe, 9.7s Sprinter, Will Race for UCLA Team, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Bob Watanabe, a former Salinas resident and 1947 Far East Command 100-yard dash champion, is expected to be one of UCLA’s main sprint hopes this season. He had been timed at 9.78 seconds in the 100-yard dash.
  • Nisei Hockey Star Named on All-Star Team, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Gene Kawamoto, a 17-year-old Cheyenne Mountain high school center, was named to the first team of the all-league hockey squad. He scored two goals in the Indians’ 5-1 win over the league All-Stars.
  • Hawaii Nisei Bowlers Defeat Alaskans in Washington Match, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Hawaiian bowlers Edward Matsueda and Clarence Matsumoto visited Washington, D.C., where they defeated a pair of Alaskan bowlers in an exhibition match. They also won against a local doubles team on their way back to Hawaii.

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