Vol. 26, No. 26, June 26, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue
Two victories for Japanese Americans shared the news in this 1948 issue. Congress sent the evacuation claims bill, H.R. 3999, to the President, and Tosuke Yamasaki described the final-week work behind it, crediting Mike Masaoka and the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee. The California Fish and Game Commission voted to issue commercial fishing licenses to resident Japanese aliens after the Takahashi decision. Bill Hosokawa’s column welcomed the claims bill, and an editorial named naturalization for the Issei as the next goal.
Other pages followed the Vanport flood, with contributions for about 350 Nisei and Issei refugees. Seattle held memorial services for eight 442nd Combat Team soldiers. California’s VFW endorsed the Judd naturalization bill. The Kawakita treason trial opened in Los Angeles, and Canada’s Commons repealed its voting ban on persons of Japanese ancestry. The Army transport Sadao Munemori was also named.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- California Commission Moves to Issue Commercial Fishing Licenses to Japanese Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to issue commercial fishing licenses to resident Japanese aliens following the Supreme Court’s Takahashi decision. The action removes a racially discriminatory barrier that had affected more than 500 alien Japanese fishermen.
- Edward Ennis Retained to Aid JACL ADC in Matters Arising from Passage of Claims Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee retained Edward J. Ennis as special counsel on evacuation claims matters. Ennis will help create procedures allowing small evacuee claims to be paid without costly legal proceedings.
- Government Witness Testifies Regarding Alleged Brutalities as Kawakita Trial Opens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The treason trial of Tomoya Kawakita opened in Los Angeles federal court with testimony from former POW Ralph Montgomery about brutalities at the Oeyama camp. The defense contended Kawakita had renounced his U.S. citizenship and was not responsible for the acts charged.
Obituaries
- Mrs. Oyama’s Body Found in Flooded City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The body of Mrs. Izumi Oyama, one of the Japanese Americans lost in the May 30 Vanport flood, was recovered and identified by her husband. Services were to be held at the Nichiren church.
- U.S. Buddhist Head Dies in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bishop Ryotai Matsukage, titular head of the Buddhist Churches of America, died June 21 in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness. His funeral arrangements and wake services in San Francisco were outlined.
Military & Veterans
- Congress Sends Evacuation Claims Bill to President, by Tosuke Yamasaki, page 1. Congress completed action on H.R. 3999, authorizing the Attorney General to settle evacuation damage claims up to $2,500 without further approval. The bill was the culmination of a long JACL ADC effort and awaited only the President’s signature.
- Seattle Pays Tribute to Nisei GIs at Memorial Services, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle held memorial rites for eight Nisei soldiers of the 442nd Combat Team killed in France and Italy. Speakers recounted the unit’s record, including the rescue of the Lost Battalion.
- Chicago 442 Vets Plan Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Veterans of the 442nd Combat Team in the Chicago area will hold a reunion, with Lt. Col. Sherwood Dixon among attendees. Former members are asked to submit their contact information to organizers.
- California VFW Unanimously Approves Resolution Asking Citizenship for Issei Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California encampment of the Veterans of Foreign Wars unanimously endorsed the Judd naturalization bill, H.R. 6809, to grant citizenship to resident Japanese aliens. The resolution cited the wartime loyalty of Japanese Americans and their alien parents.
National
- Nisei Elected Head of Nevada Boys State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Enomoto of Las Vegas was elected governor of the Nevada Boys State, defeating a Federalist rival. The annual American Legion-sponsored program included a legislative session and a capitol inspection.
Community
- Army Transport Named for Nisei Hero Sadao Munemori Awaits Cargo Assignment, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Army transport formerly the Winchester Victory was renamed the USAT Sadao Munemori in honor of the Nisei Medal of Honor recipient. The JACL ADC had requested the vessel be assigned to Pacific service.
- Contributions from Hundreds of Nisei Groups Pour in for 350 Vanport Flood Refugees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese American organizations nationwide contributed to aid roughly 350 Nisei and Issei refugees from the Vanport flood, who were housed temporarily in Portland. Relief drives continued to support rehabilitation of the displaced families.
- Hold Inquest Into Death of Chicago Youths, by P.C. Staff, page 7. An inquest was scheduled into the drowning deaths of two Chicago boys found in the Chicago River. Investigators said the deaths appeared accidental after witnesses reported seeing the boys playing near the bridge.
Commentary
- Next the Naturalization Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 4. With the evacuation claims bill passed, the editorial argues that naturalization rights for Issei are the next critical goal of the JACL ADC. It contends that citizenship would end many forms of discrimination against Japanese Americans.
- Legion and the VFW, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial contrasts the American Legion national leadership’s continued opposition to naturalization for Japanese aliens with the California VFW’s unanimous support. It notes local Legion posts are also beginning to back citizenship for resident aliens.
- Behind the Claims Bill: Mike Masaoka and JACL ADC Win Two-Year Fight Against Time, Indifference in Congress, by Tosuke Yamasaki, page 4. Washington correspondent Tosuke Yamasaki recounts the final-week maneuvering that won passage of H.R. 3999 and the Senate and House procedures involved. He credits Mike Masaoka’s persistent lobbying and the cooperation of key legislators for the victory.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa celebrates the passage of the evacuation claims bill and warns that payment may be delayed by procedural work. He also reflects on the Judd bill hearings and praises the selection of Nisei Susan Nagumo and Jerry Aikawa for public roles.
- Nisei Guy’s Column on Manhattan Business Methods, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The columnist contrasts the frugal saving habits of Issei businessmen with the New York practice of lavish spending to attract customers. He concludes that Japanese Americans may need to adapt to showmanship to rise financially.
- Japanese Canadian Citizens Win Franchise as Commons Repeals Discriminatory Law, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Canada’s House of Commons repealed the Dominion Elections Act provision barring persons of Japanese ancestry from voting in federal elections. British Columbia’s provincial restriction remained in place, prompting criticism from the CCF.
In-Depth
- Japanese Americans Farm Salt River Valley Soil, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A profile based on Lawrence Cardwell’s Arizona Highways article describes the Nisei and Issei farmers of the Salt River Valley and their produce farming. It recounts the 1934 anti-Japanese demonstrations and the wartime evacuation before the community’s return.
Arts & Entertainment
- Kuniyoshi Show, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A column reports on a Kuniyoshi exhibit and the controversy over paintings the State Department had sent abroad, which were later disposed of as government surplus. It notes the artist’s advocacy for improved conditions for American artists.
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