Vol. 26, No. 4, January 24, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue
The Supreme Court’s reversal in the Oyama case dominated the issue. Authorities in Stockton and Fresno weighed what the ruling meant for pending escheat cases, and attorneys expected California to cancel many of them. Saburo Kido called it one of the most important legal victories for persons of Japanese descent, Larry Tajiri’s editorial called it a milestone, and Eiji Tanabe explained why the JACL backed the case. Tosuke Yamasaki’s report covered the 6-3 split among the justices.
Other pages carry Mike Masaoka’s talks with Justice Department officials on evacuation claims and naturalization, and Supreme Court hearings on racially restrictive housing covenants, where the JACL filed an amicus brief. There are columns by Bill Hosokawa and Roku Suyehana, news of 442nd veterans gathering in Washington, a campaign in Cleveland for Issei citizenship, and testimony in Honolulu on voting among Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
What’s in this issue
National
- Dyama Case Decision Upholds Nisei Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court’s reversal of the California Supreme Court in the Oyama case is discussed, with local authorities in Stockton and Fresno considering its effect on pending escheat cases. Officials indicated the ruling may void many cases involving Japanese American property held by citizen children.
- Masaoka Discusses Program of ADC With U.S. Counsel, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka met with Justice Department officials on Jan. 13 to press for Congressional action on evacuation claims, naturalization, and deportation matters. He also conferred with Dillon Myer on evacuation and naturalization issues.
- Impact of Increased Housing Restrictions Upon Minorities Stressed Before High Tribunal, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Two days of Supreme Court hearings on racially restrictive housing covenants highlighted harm to Negroes, Jews, Orientals and other minorities. The Solicitor General argued covenants are contrary to public policy and the JACL filed an amicus brief.
Community
- California Buddhists To Hold State-Wide Confab in March, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The first postwar conference of the Young Buddhist League will meet in Los Angeles on March 27 and 28 to plan fostering Buddhism. Albert Hirota and Bill Kitayama have been named conference co-chairmen.
- St. Louis JACL Plans Inaugural Dinner Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The St. Louis JACL will hold its installation dinner dance on Jan. 30 at the Melbourne hotel. Col. E. B. Meissner will be the main speaker and the new cabinet will be introduced.
- Nisei Returns from Japan With Soldier Husband, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Several war brides of Japanese ancestry arrived in Seattle aboard the Army transport General Leroy Eltinge. Staff Sgt. Peter Sciuto and his Nisei wife Grace discuss their plans and families.
- Cleveland Chapter Initiates Drive for Issei Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Cleveland JACL launched a campaign seeking Ohio congressional backing for naturalization bills affecting about 90,000 alien Japanese. The chapter cited George Shiba’s family as an example of the injustice faced by Issei.
- Senate Investigator Told Hawaii Japanese Americans Do Not Practice Bloc Voting, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Judge Carl E. Wimberley heard testimony in Honolulu that Japanese Americans do not vote as a racial bloc in territorial elections. Witnesses including Mayor John H. Wilson and candidate Chuck Mau supported this view.
Commentary
- Supreme Court Decision Marks Great Legal Victory for Nisei, by Saburo Kido, page 3. Kido calls the Oyama decision one of the most important legal victories for persons of Japanese descent, securing roughly 90 million dollars in Nisei-held property. He reviews the majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions and the reasoning behind them.
- Oyama Case Decision, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial calls the Oyama ruling a milestone and criticizes the shameful record of anti-Oriental legislation in California. It argues the decision effectively invalidates the Alien Land law and restores clear title to Nisei property.
- Lure of Manhattan, by Roku Suyehana, page 5. The writer reflects on half a year in New York City and the magnetic dream that draws Nisei there. He describes the city’s business energy, opportunities, and frenetic pace.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa records brief encounters on a western road trip, including county agents praising Japanese American farmers and an old German remedy. He notes local people’s recollections of Nisei who worked in the area.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Killed in Italy to Be Buried in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Eighth Army will return the body of Cpl. Eiichi Haita, a 442nd soldier killed in Italy, to Japan at the request of his parents. The first such request from a Japan resident under the policy returning war dead was honored.
- Veterans of 442nd Unit Recall Campaigns at Cocktail Party, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Former officers and Nisei veterans of the 442nd gathered in Washington with Col. Virgil R. Miller to recall their wartime campaigns. The reception was hosted by Col. and Mrs. James M. Hanley.
Incarceration & Redress
- Legal Authorities Believe Oyama Decision May Force Cancelling of California Cases, by Tosuke Yamasaki, page 4. Attorneys expect California to cancel pending escheat cases involving citizen children holding land deeded by alien parents. The decision was a 6-3 split with four justices urging broader invalidation of the Alien Land law.
- JACL and the Oyama Case, by Eiji Tanabe, page 6. Tanabe explains why the JACL backed the Oyama case, noting the threat to title insurance and property purchases. He argues the victory restores economic footing for Japanese Americans in California.
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