Compromise plan for evacuation claims, and a girl’s letter on Manzanar

Vol. 32, No. 10, March 10, 1951. 8 pages. View this issue

The Justice Department asked Congress this week for authority to make compromise settlements of evacuation claims, up to $2,500 each. Deputy Attorney General Peyton Ford said that, under the 1948 claims law, the more than 23,000 claims, totaling $133 million, could take 20 years to resolve. Also on the front page, 12-year-old Norma Imoto won a $2,500 prize for a letter that describes her family’s forced removal to Manzanar. Mike Masaoka of the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee urged Congress to end racial bias in immigration and naturalization law, and JACL president Dr. Randolph Sakada protested a false radio claim about Hawaii’s Japanese aliens.

Bill Hosokawa wrote three columns, on leaving Los Angeles for New York, on Nisei joining Rotary clubs, and on a letter from Tokyo about the Korean War. Seven of the eight pages carry chapter news and sports, including previews of the National JACL bowling tournament in Los Angeles and Ford Konno’s two U.S. swimming records.

What’s in this issue

National

• Justice Department Requests Authority for Compromise Plan to Settle Claims of Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department asked Congress for authority to compromise evacuation claims up to $2,500 each. Deputy Attorney General Peyton Ford said the current adjudication process could take 20 years to resolve more than 23,000 claims totaling $133 million.
• JACL Asks End of Racial Bias in Citizenship Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka, director of the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee, urged a joint congressional committee to eliminate racial discrimination in immigration and naturalization laws. He proposed a quota priority system and was commended by Rep. Frank Chelf for his testimony.
• Charge U.S. Agency Operates Detention Camp for Chinese, by I. H. Gordon, page 1. Counsel for American President Lines charged the Immigration Service with holding Chinese immigrants in what he called concentration camps in San Francisco. He told a joint House-Senate committee that detainees are isolated for weeks while screened for admission.
• Federal Judge Rules Nisei Voted Under Duress in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. U.S. Judge William M. Byrne ruled that Akio Kuwahara, who voted in a 1946 Japanese election, was entitled to regain his U.S. citizenship. The judge found the vote was not voluntary given the occupation context.
• Dr. Sakada Protests Attack by ABC Network Commentator on Hawaii’s Japanese Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL national president Dr. Randolph Sakada protested to ABC president Robert Kintner over Paul Harvey’s false claim that Japanese aliens in Hawaii used garage transmitters to guide attack planes at Pearl Harbor. Sakada demanded a retraction and public apology.

Community

• Twelve-Year-Old Girl Wins $2,500 Scholarship for Letter About War Relocation Camp, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Norma Imoto, 12, of Sun Valley, Calif., won a $2,500 prize for her letter ‘Why I Want to Grow Up in America’ in a national contest. Her letter, which describes her family’s evacuation to Manzanar, will be read on the Voice of America broadcast.
• Nisei Leads School Class, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ben Naraki was named president of the senior class at Cerrito High School in Richmond, Calif. The brief notes his election.
• Sumio Doi Named Member of State Fruit Board, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Auburn fruit grower Sumio Doi was appointed to the California fresh fruit marketing advisory board. His term runs from March 1, 1951 to February 29, 1952.
• Reedley Chapter Installs Cabinet at Dinner Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Reedley JACL installed its new cabinet officers at a dinner dance in Fresno. Guests included regional officials, and several Reedley members received certificates of merit.
• Omaha Installs New Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Omaha JACL installed its new cabinet at its fourth annual dinner-dance at Father Flanagan’s Boys Home. Monsignor Nicholas Wegner of Boys Town spoke, and Bob Nakadoi received the President’s Pin.
• Taro Yashima Speaks on Folk Art at New York JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Artist and author Taro Yashima spoke to the New York JACL on folk art of many nations, displaying dolls from his collection. He is the author of The New Sun and Horizon is Calling.
• Nisei to Speak at Community Forum, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mary Oyama Mittwer of East Los Angeles JACL will speak at a forum on social problems of minority groups. Three other speakers from civil rights organizations will also participate.
• Nisei Minister Named Dean to Tokyo College, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rev. Shunji Forrest Nishibayashi of Los Angeles was appointed dean of the Central Theological College in Tokyo. He departed San Francisco to take up his duties at Japan’s only Anglican seminary.
• Omaha Chapter Supports ADC, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Omaha JACL sent $226 to the National JACL to support the ADC drive. The chapter advanced the funds from its own treasury despite an incomplete local drive.
• Students Plan Meet in Boulder, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The sixth annual Nisei Intermountain Collegiate Conference will be held in Boulder, Colorado, April 20-22. Planned activities include a benefit movie, basketball tournament, banquet and dance.
• Tani Sets 1800 Member Goal for Chicago JACL Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Aki Tani, chairman of the Chicago JACL membership drive, set a goal of 1,800 members for 1951. Tani noted the chapter’s strong campaign structure and its prior status as the largest chapter in JACL history.
• Julius Numata Heads Northwest Buddhists, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Julius Numata of Weiser, Idaho was elected president of the Northwest Young Buddhist League at its convention in Ontario, Oregon. Mary Nakata of Portland was crowned convention queen.
• Denver JACL Holds Victory Fete After Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Denver JACL celebrated its most successful membership drive, surpassing its goal of 400 members. Mami Katagiri and Mrs. Atsuyo Ito led the campaign.
• DC Chapter Plans Meeting During Cherry Blossom Time, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Eastern district council will meet in Washington April 6-8 during Cherry Blossom Time. Delegates from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Seabrook are expected.
• Nisei Scientist Wins $30,000 Research Grant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Samuel Jiro Kimura of the UC School of Medicine received a $30,000 five-year Markle Foundation grant. Kimura previously studied A-bomb effects on eyes in Japan.
• Masaokas Attend Civil Liberties Clearing House Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike and Etsu Masaoka represented the JACL at the fourth annual Conference on Civil Liberties Clearing House in Washington. Mike Masaoka was nominated for a third term on the steering committee.
• French Camp JACL Plans Program for Coming Year, by P.C. Staff, page 3. French Camp JACL president John Fujiki announced a tentative schedule of events for the coming year. Activities include an installation banquet, picnics, dances, a fair participation, and an ADC drive.
• Chuman to Chair Discussion Group, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Frank Chuman, JACL first national vice president, will chair a discussion group at an Institute of Human Relations at Scripps College. The institute addresses cultural problems in local communities.
• Albuquerque JACL Ends ADC Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Albuquerque JACL raised $197 from 16 Issei-Nisei families for the ADC campaign under President George Matsubara. Treasurer Mrs. Arthur Togami reported enthusiastic support.
• Omaha JACL Points to Membership Record, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Omaha JACL reached a record membership of 112 despite a local population of about 100 Nisei and Issei. The figures were reported at the chapter’s last meeting.
• Los Angeles Nisei Will Take Part in Red Cross Blood Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Japanese community in Los Angeles will cooperate with the American Red Cross blood program for the first time. Donations will be credited toward community members’ future transfusion needs.
• Matsumura-Oura Rites Held in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mary Matsumura of Seattle married Kazumi Oura of Milwaukee in a double-ring ceremony at the University of Chicago chapel. The groom has served as president of the Milwaukee JACL.
• Twin Valley Team Wins Bussei Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Twin Valley team from the Snake River Valley won the Northwest Young Buddhists League basketball championship over Seattle. Gaylord Iwasaki was named the tournament’s most inspirational player.
• UCL Fetes New Members at Party, by P.C. Staff, page 8. New members of the United Citizens League of Santa Clara County were welcomed at a party in San Jose featuring games, dancing and refreshments. Samuel Tanase served as chairman.

Military & Veterans

• Appoint Nisei as Colonel in ROTC at UC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thomas T. Inami of Madera was among five University of California seniors appointed cadet colonel in the campus ROTC unit. Inami is a civil engineering student and holds several honors and society memberships.
• One Killed, 7 Hurt with U.S. Army in Korea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense announced Nisei casualties in the Korean War, including one killed and several wounded. The list names soldiers from Hawaii and California.
• Oxy’s Candidate for Fastest Nisei Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. This sports roundup covers Joe Maruyama’s track success at Occidental College and Mukai’s wrestling results at Utah. It also notes swimming and boxing results involving Nisei athletes.
• Two Veterans Get Commissions in Korean War, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Nisei World War II veterans Haruo Sazaki and George T. Sakai received battlefield commissions as second lieutenants in Korea. Both are serving at IX Corps Headquarters.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei Soprano Will Leave on European Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles-born soprano Tomi Kanazawa will depart New York with her husband, conductor Leo Mueller, for a European tour. They will visit Israel and France before singing in Stockholm with the Royal Opera.

Commentary

• Change in Attitude Regarding Loyalty of Hawaii’s Nisei Shown in Letters to Papers, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. Letters to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reveal that debate in Hawaii has shifted from whether Nisei are loyal to academic arguments about why. The exchange was sparked by a legislative report criticizing the schools’ teaching of Americanism.
• With Apologies to Kipling, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A humorous verse invites Nisei to return to Los Angeles, celebrating its sunshine, Little Tokyo, and food. The piece is written in the style of Kipling.
• Sentimental Ties to the Southland, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on why he remains in New York rather than returning to Los Angeles, citing a desire for new opportunities. He describes the wartime evacuation as a turning point that left lasting scars on his generation.
• Three Nisei Rotarians, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa notes that Nisei have increasingly been accepted into Rotary clubs and other service organizations in Colorado and beyond. He highlights Kish Otsuka, Dr. George Uyemura and Floyd Koshio as examples.
• From the Frying Pan: A Letter from Japan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa quotes a Tokyo newspaperman’s pessimistic view of the Korean War as a stalemate with no side confident of victory. The letter warns that Chinese manpower and possible air-supported offensives could prove dangerous.

JACL

• JACL Program Extended After Salt Lake Convention, by Elmer R. Smith, page 6. Elmer Smith reviews the JACL’s 1948-50 program and its push for a naturalization bill for Issei. He explains how Senators McCarran and Russell blocked the legislation, and lists other laws the JACL-ADC supported.

Sports

• Lloyd Hahn Wins All-Events at Gardena, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Lloyd Hahn of Los Angeles won the all-events title at the first annual Gardena Valley bowling tournament with a 1891 scratch total. Nasy Fujimoto and George Shibao also placed highly.
• Brazil’s Okamoto Is Latest Swim Star, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tetsuo Okamoto of Brazil, of Japanese ancestry, won two events at the Pan-American Games in Buenos Aires. The report also covers Brazil’s baseball team losing to Wake Forest.
• Hawaiian Team Upsets Mainichi Orions, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Waialua club of Oahu defeated Japan’s Mainichi Orions 4-1 in their Hawaii debut before 7,000 fans. The game also featured former Honolulu pitcher Henry Wakabayashi.
• Adachi Hits 718 Series in Doubles Bowling Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ken Adachi rolled a 718 scratch series in the San Mateo Bowl doubles tournament. His team, Blu-Whie Laundry, was among the favorites for the National JACL tournament.
• Two Nisei Win Bowling Titles at Palo Alto, by P.C. Staff, page 7. George Nozawa won the all-events title at the Palo Alto city bowling tournament with 1953 pins. He and Tom Sako also set a tournament doubles record.
• San Jose Team Enters Salt Lake Cage Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The defending champion San Jose Zebras will compete in the 16th annual Salt Lake JACL Intermountain basketball tournament March 29-31. The team is led by Jiro Nakamura and Chi Akizuki.
• 64 Teams Enter JACL National Bowling Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sixty-four teams have entered the fifth annual National JACL bowling tournament in Los Angeles, March 16-18. The field is the strongest in tournament history, with the defending champion San Francisco team among the entrants.
• Hawaii Sends Team to National JACL Bowling Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Hawaii AJA All-Stars, with a 906 team average, will compete in the National JACL bowling tournament in Los Angeles. The squad is led by Eddie Matsueda and Clarence Matsumoto.
• Nisei Photographer Reports on Pan-American Games, by Toge Fujihira, page 8. Photographer Toge Fujihira reports on the Pan-American Games baseball matches in Buenos Aires, including Brazil’s all-Japanese-ancestry team. He notes Tetsuo Okamoto as the most successful athlete of Japanese ancestry in the games.
• Ford Konno Breaks Two U.S. Records in Hawaiian Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ford Konno, an 18-year-old Nisei high school senior, set American interscholastic records in the 400 and 220-yard freestyle at the Yale meet. His coach believes he may challenge world freestyle records.

Incarceration & Redress

• Japanese American Family, Barred from Occupying Home, Wins Damages in L.A. Court, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Saito family won damages after an 1946 injunction barred them from their Los Angeles home because of their race. The award followed the 1948 Supreme Court decision against enforcing restrictive covenants.

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