Property claims and Issei naturalization in the news, February 1949

Vol. 28, No. 6, February 12, 1949. 8 pages. View this issue

Two Japanese American causes ran through this eight-page issue. The Senate passed a bill letting the Attorney General pay up to $1,000 for property lost or damaged during the war, and a House committee unanimously approved the Judd bill on naturalization. Edward J. Ennis answered readers’ questions on evacuation claims, and I. H. Gordon argued that the committee’s vote showed a new awareness of the Far East. The editorial page took up spy scares, insurance discrimination and Hawaii’s Senator Tsukiyama, while Bill Hosokawa wrote about a Nisei restaurant owner who turned away a customer.

Elsewhere, the remains of 33 Nisei soldiers came home from Europe, and an all-Nisei VFW post was chartered in Los Angeles. Chicago civic groups looked at cemetery discrimination, and a four-man counterfeiting case ended in federal prison terms. Chapter news, sports pages and the Nisei soprano Tomi Kanazawa in Madame Butterfly fill out the issue.

What’s in this issue

National

• Federal Prison Terms Given to Four in Chicago Counterfeiting Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four Chicago men were sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from one to five years for conspiracy to counterfeit and possession of counterfeiting materials. The arrests followed a Secret Service raid in December that seized substantial counterfeiting equipment.
• Hawaiian Issei Eager to Take Out Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Hawaii Times poll found that most resident Issei would seek citizenship if naturalization were opened to them. Of 162 replies, 108 said they would become citizens while only 25 were not interested.
• Utah Senate Considers Bills to Permit Issei to Hunt, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Utah legislators introduced bills to let Japanese aliens who have lived in the state 15 years obtain licenses to carry arms and hunt. The Utah Nippon Wild Life Federation backed the measures.
• House Committee Approves Issei Naturalization Measure, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously reported out the Judd bill granting naturalization and immigration equality regardless of race. Supporters said passage would remove the final racial immigration restrictions from the 1924 Exclusion Act.
• Largest Group of Strandees Sail for Home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A total of 348 persons of Japanese ancestry sailed from Yokohama aboard the General Gordon for Honolulu and San Francisco. The large group resulted from delays caused by a Pacific coast shipping tieup.
• Nisei Soprano Will Sing Mme. Butterfly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles Nisei soprano Tomi Kanazawa will sing the title role in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House. The production opens the spring season of the new Pacific Opera company.
• Senate Immigration Committee Seeks Funds to Continue Study, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Pat McCarran requested $135,000 to continue a special Senate committee’s investigation of immigration and naturalization laws. He described the effort as an objective appraisal intended to produce a comprehensive report and omnibus legislation.
• ADC Supports Move to Curb Senate Filibuster, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee joined 20 other national organizations in a resolution urging the Senate to curb the filibuster and adopt majority rule. The groups argued that civil rights legislation should receive a vote.

Incarceration & Redress

• Senate Passes Bill to Repay Nisei, Issei for Damage, Loss of War-Confiscated Property, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate passed a bill authorizing the Attorney General to pay up to $1,000 for loss or damage to personal property impounded during the war. Claims exceeding $1,000 must still go to Congress, and the bill now moves to the House Judiciary Committee.
• New Day for Nisei Canadians, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Canadian Japanese evacuees will be permitted to return to British Columbia’s coastal areas at the end of March after seven years of restriction. The article traces the history of Japanese immigration to Canada, the evacuation, and the property losses suffered.

Community

• Ex-Wyoming Chapter Gives Treasury Funds to National JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The former Big Horn Mountain JACL chapter sent its remaining treasury balance of $77.90 to the National JACL. The chapter ended activities during the war and its members have scattered to other states.
• Yellowstone JACL Finishes ADC Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Yellowstone JACL was among the first chapters to conclude its ADC fund drive. It forwarded $600 to the National JACL.
• Chicago Civic Groups Seek Solution to Problem of Race Discrimination in Cemeteries, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Chicago cemeteries refused burial to persons of Japanese ancestry, including Nisei war veterans, prompting civic groups to seek a solution. Several cemeteries offered segregated plots, while a Chicago rabbi and a Unitarian church indicated more open policies.
• Chicago Credit Union Declares Dividend of Four Percent, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL credit union declared a 4% dividend at its second annual meeting. Total assets grew to $6,627.68 at year end, and the board was expanded from nine to fifteen members.
• West L.A. Chapter Elects Uchida as New President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Elmer Uchida was named 1949 president of the West Los Angeles JACL chapter, with Aki Okao and Alvin Sato as vice presidents. The full slate of other officers was also listed.
• Snake River Plans Double ’48 for Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Snake River JACL launched a 1949 membership drive aiming to double its 1948 membership to 386. Five districts will be covered in a house-to-house campaign.
• Ellis Community Center in Chicago Celebrates Birthday, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Ellis community center in Chicago planned an open house and worship service to mark its first anniversary. The program included Japanese dance, music, judo demonstrations, and a children’s movie.
• Japanese Movie Is Shown by JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Livingston-Merced JACL sponsored a Japanese movie at the Livingston Christian church that drew about 150 attendees. Proceeds went into the chapter treasury.
• Watsonville Installs New JACL Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The recently incorporated Watsonville JACL installed its new officers at a dinner meeting, with regional director Joe Grant Masaoka conducting the swearing-in. A committee was also named to handle evacuation claims.
• Bowling Champion George Kobo Garners First Place in Los Angeles Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. George Kobo won the Los Angeles Nisei individual bowling championship under the Petersen ranking system. George Yasukochi, Monty Tanaka, Tady Shimizu, and Yo Nomura placed next and will represent the city in future matches.
• Chicago Architect Wins First Prize in National Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Chicago Nisei architect Joseph Y. Fujikawa won the $1,000 first prize in a national competition sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art and Architectural Record. The contest was intended to showcase new talent.
• Philadelphia JACL Installs Jack Ozawa as New President, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Jack Ozawa was installed as president of the Philadelphia JACL chapter at a banquet in January. The chapter plans a membership drive for 100 members and will help members file evacuation claims.
• John Uchimura Wins Gold Pin for High Rating at San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 8. John Uchimura, a San Jose Technical High School senior, received a gold pin for the highest scholarship ever recorded at the school. He was honored at a special assembly by his instructor.

JACL

• Girl Heads Spokane JACL Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Blanche Shiosaki was elected president of the Spokane JACL chapter, one of few women to lead a local chapter this year. The full cabinet was also named.

Military & Veterans

• Munemori Portrait Will Be Placed on Board Army Vessel, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A portrait of Pfc. Sadao Munemori, the only Nisei Medal of Honor recipient, was presented by his mother to JACL ADC representatives. It will be placed aboard the Army Transport Sadao Munemori.
• VFW Charters All-Nisei Post in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new all-Nisei Veterans of Foreign Wars post composed of 442nd Combat Team veterans is being formed in the Los Angeles area. The national VFW has granted a charter for the post, to be named Nisei Memorial Post No. 9938.
• Remains of 33 Nisei Soldiers Returned from Europe to Next of Kin in United States, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The bodies of 33 Nisei soldiers killed in combat in Europe were returned to the United States aboard the Army Transport Eric G. Gibson. A list of the soldiers and their next of kin across several states was published.
• Nisei Combat Team Musicians Make Hawaii Night Club Debut, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Shelby Serenaders, an instrumental quintet from the 442nd Combat Team, made their night club debut at Cafe Pagoda in Honolulu. The group had performed in Europe and several eastern American cities.
• Portland Memorial Rites Held for GI Killed in Jeep Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Memorial rites were held in Portland for Pvt. Albert Yutaka Nakata, the first Nisei soldier returned to Portland for reburial after dying in a 1946 jeep collision. Two other Oregon Nisei soldiers were previously buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Nisei Vets Unbeaten, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Nisei Vets basketball team in Watsonville remained unbeaten through eight games in the city cage league. It led the standings with an unblemished record.

Commentary

• House Committee’s Approval of Naturalization Proposal Shows Awareness of Far East, by I. H. Gordon, page 3. The unanimous House Judiciary Committee approval of the naturalization bill reflects growing American attention to the Far East. The author argues the bill is a defensive measure against communist propaganda that exploits American racial immigration laws.
• We’re Allergic to Spy Scares, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial contrasts a real Soviet spy ring in Japan and China with the baseless spy scare manufactured against West Coast Japanese Americans by the Dies Committee and sensationalist press. It argues that the wartime spy hysteria was the biggest dud of all.
• Discrimination in Insurance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. West Coast insurers have refused or surcharged policies for Japanese Americans on the premise they could not get fair trials. The editorial points to a Los Angeles jury verdict and argues this position is a prejudgment against trial by jury.
• Senator Tsukiyama, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial dismisses rumors that Wilfred Tsukiyama was chosen Hawaii Senate president to create opposition to statehood. It argues his selection reflects his ability and public service record.
• Questions on Evacuee Claims, by Edward J. Ennis, page 5. A question-and-answer column by JACL ADC special counsel Edward J. Ennis addresses evacuation claims involving capital gains taxes, chicken flock losses, travel expenses, and a car purchase. Answers explain how the Government is likely to calculate losses.
• Hosokawa: From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa describes a Nisei restaurant operator in Alliance, Nebraska who refused service to a Sioux Indian woman. He reflects on the incongruity of former victims of discrimination practicing it, and on the value of friends willing to stand up against prejudice.
• Report on Minnesota, by Edward M. Kitazumi, page 6. A letter from Edward M. Kitazumi challenges a report by Rev. Daisuke Kitagawa on Nisei in Minnesota, arguing the findings were one-sided. He calls for unity among Nisei rather than sectional division between Minnesota and California returnees.

Obituaries

• Remains of Nisei GI Returned to U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 3. The remains of Pfc. Haluto Moriguchi were returned from Europe for reinterment at the request of his next of kin in San Francisco. The notice was issued by the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Sports

• Honolulu Stadium Fiasco Hits Career of Young Nisei Boxer, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Robert Takeshita and Rudy Cruz were suspended by the Territorial Boxing Commission after a Feb. 1 bout ruled a no contest in Honolulu. The suspension threatened Takeshita’s rising career, which had earned him a Class I world welterweight rating.
• Yamada Turns Out for Track Team at Wisconsin, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Yosh Yamada, formerly of Oakland, played halfback on Wisconsin’s football team and is training for indoor track. He also holds a strong scholastic record.
• Evelyn Kawamoto Sets New Record in Hawaii Swim Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Fifteen-year-old Evelyn Kawamoto broke the territorial women’s 100-yard backstroke record in Hawaii with a time of 1:36. She may compete in the National AAU women’s outdoor meet on the mainland.
• Yamate, Taniguchi Aid Saratoga Club Win Tennis Crown, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Henry Yamate and Hitoshi Taniguchi helped the Saratoga Tennis club capture the Northern California Class B tennis championship. Both players finished the season undefeated.

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