A Supreme Court petition on California’s fishing law, and the push for Issei citizenship

Vol. 26, No. 3, January 17, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue

A petition filed in the Supreme Court led the news. It challenged California’s fish and game code, which barred Japanese aliens from commercial fishing, and it carried the names of Dean Acheson and A. L. Wirin. Howard Goldstein’s analysis on page 2 looked at license records and concluded the 1945 amendment was effectively aimed at Japanese fishermen. The JACL’s Anti-Discrimination Committee campaign ran through the issue: Francis Biddle pledged support for the evacuation claims bill, about 100 Issei in the Twin Cities filed first papers for naturalization, and chapters set fundraising quotas.

Elsewhere, the Tokyo trial of eight Nisei drew an editorial and a court report, and three justices stepped aside in the racial restrictive covenant cases. Ina Sugihara wrote about the presidential pardons for Nisei conscientious objectors. Chapter news covers new officers in Cleveland, Philadelphia and Yellowstone, bowling results, and a notice that Dillon Myer had taken a new State Department post. The issue ran 8 pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Supreme Court Hearing on Takahashi Case Testing California Fish and Game Code, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A petition for writ of certiorari challenging California’s fish and game code barring Japanese aliens from commercial fishing was filed in the Supreme Court, joined by Dean Acheson and A. L. Wirin. The case follows a split California Supreme Court decision upholding the law.
• Army Court Rejects Dismissal Motion in Tokyo Nisei Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A U.S. Army provost court in Tokyo rejected defense motions to dismiss murder and riot charges against eight Nisei, seven from Hawaii. The defense then opened its case with testimony about a borrowed knife.
• Three U.S. Supreme Court Justices Disqualify Selves in Race Covenant Cases, by Tosuke Yamasaki, page 1. Justices Reed, Jackson, and Rutledge disqualified themselves in the racial restrictive covenant cases, creating a possible 3-3 tie that would uphold lower court rulings. Solicitor General Perlman argued the government considered such covenants unconstitutional.
• California’s Anti-Alien Fishing Law Aimed at Japanese Fishermen, by Howard Goldstein, page 2. Goldstein examines fish commission records and finds that between 1930 and 1945 almost no aliens ineligible for citizenship other than Japanese applied for commercial fishing licenses. He concludes the 1945 amendment was effectively aimed at Japanese fishermen.
• Issei Seek U.S. Citizenship, by Peter Ohtaki, page 3. About 100 Issei in the Twin Cities filed first papers for naturalization through a JACL-backed campaign coordinated with local organizations. Organizers hoped the show of Issei interest would help naturalization bills pass.
• Court Considers Test of Deportation Stays for Alien Hardship Cases, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals took under advisement a case involving seven Japanese aliens facing deportation. Attorney A. L. Wirin argued the deportations were discriminatory and that the Attorney General acted arbitrarily in denying stays.
• Dillon Myer Takes State Dept. Post, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dillon S. Myer, former WRA director, took over as president of the Institute of Inter-American Affairs in Washington. He had previously served in various Washington posts since 1934.
• National Science Academy Will Continue to Accept Nisei for Research Project in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The National Academy of Sciences told the JACL ADC it will keep accepting applications from Nisei physicians, chemists, and lab technicians for its research project in Japan. About 50 applications had been received.

Incarceration & Redress

• Man Killed by MPs in Tokyo Not Nisei GI, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A man in an American army uniform shot by military police in Tokyo was identified as a Japanese national who posed as a Nisei CID agent and committed armed robberies. He was fatally wounded while attempting to escape.

Obituaries

• Fred Toyota Succumbs After Long Illness, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred Toyota, 27, a prominent Nisei athlete and Salt Lake City JACL member, died after a prolonged illness, one day after a bedside marriage. His career included student body leadership in Nevada and YBA and JACL service in Salt Lake City.

Military & Veterans

• Ex-Officer of 442nd Named By Illinois Democratic Party, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sherwood Dixon, former commander of the 3rd battalion of the 442nd Combat Team, was nominated for Illinois lieutenant governor by the Democratic party. Nisei veterans in the Chicago area planned to campaign for him.
• Nisei GI, Posing as Officer, Arrested in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pvt. John Sakurai was arrested at the San Francisco airport after posing as a captain and writing bad checks while AWOL. Two airline reservation clerks helped alert authorities.

Community

• Tats Kushida Will Take Part in Town Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tats Kushida, JACL Midwest regional representative, will join a Chicago town hall discussion on implementing the President’s Committee on Civil Rights report. He will highlight problems facing Japanese Americans.
• $40 Thousand Goal Set for Financial Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL-ADC regional office set a $4,000 financial drive for the Pacific Southwest, to be run by chapters through February. Delegates also voted for a dollar-per-member quota and discussed organizing a Pasadena chapter.
• Cleveland JACL Elects Chida 1948 President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. George Chida was elected president of the Cleveland JACL for 1948 by mail ballot, with a full slate of cabinet officers. The cabinet was to be installed at an inaugural dinner on January 16.
• Issei Supporters Set Quotas for Financial Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Northern California Kisei Domei set district quotas for a second fundraising campaign to be completed by March 1. Materials for local solicitors were being prepared at the regional office.
• Denver Chapter Raises Funds for ADC Program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Denver JACL ADC committee raised nearly $1,700 for the program. Donations could be mailed to the Tri-state JACL office for forwarding to national headquarters.
• Plan Court Test of Idaho Alien Property Law, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Intermountain JACL chapters approved an $8,000 assessment toward the $160,000 JACL ADC budget. Delegates also discussed court tests of Idaho’s anti-alien land and fishing laws.
• County Officials Honored for Aid to Evacuee Returnees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Los Angeles County officials led by Arthur J. Will were honored for helping 900 Japanese American returnees obtain emergency housing at the Winona trailer camp in Burbank. The award was presented at the annual Committee on Human Relations meeting.
• Cincinnati JACL Sets Member Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cincinnati JACL will hold a membership drive kickoff on January 23 featuring national vice president Dr. Randolph Mas Sakada. Tom Kanno is the newly elected chapter president.
• Office Moves to Larger Quarters, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL and Anti-Discrimination Committee eastern regional office moved to 49 West 44th Street in New York. Sam Ishikawa is regional director.
• Community Center Elects Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Ellis community center work campers in Chicago elected Wacky Wakamatsu as president and recently redecorated the third floor social room. They also planned a Valentine social and Easter sunrise service.
• New York JACL Sets Valentine’s Day for Winter Ball, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The New York JACL will hold its winter ball on February 14 at the Grand Street Boys Association. Tickets were priced at $3.60 per couple and $2.40 single.
• Hannah Tani Will Take Part in Interracial Panel, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hannah Tani, a Chicago JACL member, will join an interracial panel on social problems in mixed groups sponsored by Englewood B’nai B’rith young people. The panel is scheduled for February 4.
• Nurses Complete Training Course, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mitsue Endow and Kiyo Sato, Cleveland JACL members, completed nurses’ training at Frances Payne Bolton school. Endow took a staff nurse position in New York and Sato was to receive her master’s degree.
• Fresno JACL Sends Holiday Fruit Gifts, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Fresno American Loyalty League sent packages of glace fruit to members of Congress and organizations supporting the JACL-ADC campaign. Many letters of appreciation were received.
• Rev. Kubose to Give Keynote Address at Bussei Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Rev. G. M. Kubose of the Chicago Buddhist church will deliver the keynote address at the 12th annual Intermountain Bussei conference in Syracuse, Utah. The conference features services, a banquet, and a talent show.
• Elect Jack Ozawa Head of Philadelphia JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Jack Ozawa, former editor of the Penn Notes, was elected president of the Philadelphia JACL chapter. Other officers were also named.
• Min Iwasaki Wins Singles Sweepstakes in Salt Lake City, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A sweepstakes and mixed doubles bowling contest was held at the JACL traveling Temple alleys in Salt Lake City. Min Iwasaki won the men’s singles and Choppy Umemoto and Grace Yonezu took the mixed doubles.
• Board of Governors Picked for Salt Lake JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Alice Kasai announced the Salt Lake City JACL board of governors and committee chairmen for the year. Positions cover women’s auxiliary, bulletin, ADC, membership, and other areas.
• Nisei Northwest Bowlers Vie in Annual Classics, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The second annual Northwest Nisei bowling classic was scheduled for January 17 and 18 in Seattle. Competition included team, doubles, and singles events drawing entries from across the Northwest.
• Yellowstone JACL Selects Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hiroshi Miyasaki was elected president of the Yellowstone JACL for 1948 at its January meeting. Other cabinet members were also named.

JACL

• Former U.S. Attorney General Expresses Support of ADC’s Current Legislative Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Former Attorney General Francis Biddle met with Mike Masaoka and pledged support for H.R. 3999, the evacuation claims bill. Biddle noted the bill is an act of grace rather than a claims measure.
• ADC Official Asks Support for Program, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Joe Grant Masaoka met with Los Angeles Republican leaders to seek support for the Issei naturalization bill. He asked that racial barriers be removed from naturalization statutes.
• Seek Procedure to Recover Funds From Japanese Bank, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The West Coast ADC office inquired about recovering 1941 remittances sent to Japan through the Yokohama Specie Bank. Superintendent Maurice Sparling advised that claims be filed with the Office of Alien Property.
• Masaoka Tells Quakers About ADC Program, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mike Masaoka briefed Friends Committee on National Legislation leaders on evacuation claims and Issei naturalization. He asked the Quakers to help complete the unfinished business of evacuation.
• Satow to Visit JACL Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mas Satow, JACL national secretary, announced a two-week tour of Pacific Southwest chapters beginning January 23. He will install cabinet officers in Long Beach and visit numerous other chapters.

Commentary

• Truman’s Pardon of Nisei COs Not General Amnesty, by Ina Sugihara, page 2. A letter writer argues the December 23 presidential pardons were individual clemency rather than a general amnesty, and many conscientious objectors were excluded. The writer cites several inconsistencies in who was pardoned.
• Nisei Angel of Kunshan Now Residing in Kyoto, by Mrs. Yoshiko Shinoda, page 2. A reader reports on Yasuko Kusumoto’s life in Kyoto since repatriating to Japan, including the birth of her daughter and her work for the military government welfare department. She hopes friends will help fund a trip to the U.S.
• Supreme Court Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises the JACL’s amicus brief against restrictive covenants and argues that enforcing them entrenches the ghettoization used to justify evacuation. It concludes the covenant contradicts avowed public policy.
• Trial in Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial examines charges by defense counsel Vincent Esposito that eight Nisei defendants were held in solitary confinement for months and coerced by CID agents. It questions the first degree murder charge and compares the methods to Kempeitai tactics.
• Oriental Immigration, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial refutes Yellow Peril claims by showing that total Asian immigration to the U.S. was small and the resulting populations are modest. It notes pending legislation would make Japanese and Korean aliens eligible for citizenship.
• An Unpublished Novelist, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A personal profile recounts writer George Furiya’s career, from Sacramento and Japan through New York, Argentina, and his return to the U.S. during the war. The piece is continued on page 5.
• Observers Watch Japan’s Move Toward Democracy, by Koji Ariyoshi, page 5. Ariyoshi argues Japan is not genuinely moving toward democracy, citing old-guard diplomats and Zaibatsu interests seeking a soft peace. He notes that many occupation directives remain only on paper.
• From the Frying Pan, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The column discusses a reader’s critique of Nisei race consciousness and a Boise writer’s response. It also reflects on the death of Seattle principal Arthur George Sears, remembered by many Nisei pupils.

In-Depth

• Minority Week, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A roundup of news on minority affairs covering a new University of Judaism, the withdrawal of an anti-Semitic children’s book, Ralph Bunche’s UN appointment, and a San Francisco report linking Negro crime to housing and job discrimination. It also notes the Supreme Court’s quick ruling in the Sipuel case.

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