Vol. 25, No. 19, November 15, 1947. 8 pages. View this issue
Racially restrictive housing covenants and the return of Nisei veterans ran through the news of this eight-page issue. Attorney General Tom Clark told the Supreme Court that enforcing such covenants was contrary to public policy, while Robert Sato was blocked from buying a home for his mother in Denver. The Army renamed the Wilson Victory the U.S.S. Pvt. Sadao Munemori, and Iva Toguri D’Aquino, identified as Tokyo Rose, was reported to face no Justice Department objection to returning to the United States. Larry Tajiri wrote about her case in his column.
Bill Hosokawa contributed three columns, on eating out in New York, postwar prices and astrology. Boyd Haight told the story of Hiroshima survivor Susan Toi. Sports pages followed Wat Misaka’s debut with the Knickerbockers, and JACL news covered the 10th biennial national convention planned for Salt Lake City in August 1948.
What’s in this issue
National
- Iva Toguri to Visit U.S.? Justice Department Reported No Objection, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department reportedly has no objection to Iva Toguri D’Aquino, identified as Tokyo Rose, returning to the United States. Her citizenship status and possible future charges remain uncertain.
- Urge Nisei Support Oriental American Housing Cases, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Wilkinson urged Japanese Americans to support Los Angeles restrictive covenant cases involving Korean and Chinese Americans. The cases are headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Senate Committee to Consider Evacuation Claims Proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate Judiciary Committee appointed a subcommittee to consider H.R. 3999, the evacuation claims bill. Supporters hope for Senate approval before the next regular session.
- Attorney General Clark Says Restrictive Covenants Against United States Public Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Attorney General Tom Clark told the Supreme Court that judicial enforcement of racially restrictive covenants is contrary to public policy. The filing addresses cases involving Negroes as well as Chinese and Korean American veterans.
- Rep. Poulson Will Back Legislation for Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Norris Poulson told an Issei naturalization committee he supports legislation granting naturalization rights to resident Japanese aliens. He admitted he had favored wartime restrictions.
- Delgadillo Case, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Supreme Court ruled against deporting Jose Delgadillo, calling the government’s attempt capricious. The editorial argues the same technicality is used to deport certain Japanese aliens.
- No Action Seen For Six Months, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Property Custodian in the Department of Justice is expected to take at least six months to act on claims against prewar Japanese property. Book publisher Sugihara made this observation after testifying in Washington.
Military & Veterans
- Army Renames Ship for Nisei War Hero Sadao Munemori, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Army redesignated the Wilson Victory as the U.S.S. Pvt. Sadao Munemori in honor of the Nisei Medal of Honor recipient. Munemori died shielding comrades from a grenade in Italy in 1945.
- Sgt. Ota Cited for Part in Pacific War, by P.C. Staff, page 1. General Mark Clark posthumously presented a Commendation Ribbon to the father of Tech. Sgt. Daniel Ota, a Nisei interpreter killed in a 1946 plane crash. Ota was honored for his skill interrogating Japanese officers.
- Covenant Bars Nisei Veteran From Home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Denver restrictive covenant has blocked veteran Robert Sato from buying a home for his mother. The JACL and Denver Unity Council may take up his case.
- Nisei Veterans March in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Over 200 Nisei veterans marched in the Los Angeles Armistice Day parade under the Nisei Veterans Association banner. They were honored at City Hall with a moment of silence.
Incarceration & Redress
- Wilson Victory Ship Honors Nisei Hero, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Wilson Victory, which brought the 442nd home in 1946, was renamed for Pfc. Sadao Munemori. The first U.S. vessel named for a Nisei, it honors his Medal of Honor sacrifice.
Community
- Nisei Chemist Will Take New Post on Caltech Faculty, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Tom Takashi Omori is leaving Carnegie Tech to become a chemical research professor at Caltech. He is a former UCLA student and Los Angeles resident.
- Support Given Evacuee Group Recalled at San Francisco Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL members honored former Committee on American Principles and Fair Play members at a San Francisco gathering. Speakers recalled their support for evacuee civil rights and return to the West Coast.
- Central California Buddhists Hold Fresno Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Ben Nakamura was installed as president of the Central California Young Buddhists Association at a Fresno conference attended by over 400. Victor McLaglen was among the featured speakers.
- 58 Stranded Nisei Return From Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Fifty-eight war-stranded Nisei returned to the United States aboard the Marine Lynx from Yokohama. Most were children when the war began and were cleared by U.S. authorities.
- Winona Trailer Camp Group Begins One Last Move to New Site in Burbank Area, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Residents of the Winona trailer camp began relocating to a new Burbank-area site after a five-year lease was obtained. The camp had housed returning evacuees since shortly after the war.
- Etow Elected Head of Artists Group, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Artist Etow was elected president of the South Bay Artists group in Hermosa. Several of his works were exhibited in a Nisei Week show.
- Rep. Anderson Talks To San Jose JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Congressman Jack Anderson spoke to the United Citizens League of Santa Clara County about his Pacific tour and Congress. The meeting was held at the De Anza Hotel.
- Celebrities Invited to Attend Chicago JACL Inaugural Ball, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago JACL inaugural ball on November 22 at the Sherman Hotel invited screen and stage stars including John Garfield and Mary Martin. Several community leaders are listed as patrons.
- Non-Caucasians Form Group to Fight Housing Restrictions, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Twenty-eight non-Caucasian property owners in southwest Wilshire formed the Wilshire Defense Committee. The group responds to a property owners association seeking to enforce restrictive covenants.
- Idaho Falls JACL Members Raise Funds for Convention by Work in Harvest, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Idaho Falls JACL members worked in the sugar beet and potato harvests to fund the district convention. Committee assignments and convention activities were also announced.
- Covenant Case Continued in L.A. Court, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Los Angeles court action to bar Mr. Lee from a Pasadena home under a restrictive covenant was continued pending a Supreme Court ruling. Civil rights organizations are filing briefs in related cases.
JACL
- Tenth Biennial JACL Convention Will Be Held in Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Salt Lake City and Mt. Olympus chapters are preparing for the 10th biennial JACL national convention in August 1948. Committee chairmen have been named for the program, sports, and social events.
- JACL Official Lays Wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jack Hirose laid a JACL wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington on Armistice Day. The wreath was funded by donations from George Inagaki and William Enomoto.
- Sacramentans Will Reactivate JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two hundred Issei and Nisei heard Mike Masaoka report on Washington legislation and the Oyama alien land law case. Fifty members pledged to reactivate the Sacramento JACL chapter.
- Northern California Council Hears Legislative Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fifty delegates attended a special JACL Northern California District Council session in San Francisco. Speakers reviewed legislation affecting persons of Japanese ancestry and urged continued support for the ADC program.
Commentary
- Veterans Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial traces how the American Legion and VFW once backed anti-Japanese restrictions but gradually reversed course after Nisei wartime service. It notes recent national resolutions and Nisei appointments as signs of change.
- Nisei: The Return of Tokyo Rose, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri examines the case of Iva Toguri D’Aquino, who became identified with the legendary Tokyo Rose. He argues her case reflects on the status of Nisei and the need for group responsibility.
- Get the Prices Down, Uncle, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa writes a lighthearted Denver column on confusing postwar economics, from chicken surpluses to airplanes. He also comments on the Freedom Train and the Train of Tomorrow.
- Celestial Advice for a Nickel, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa mocks astrology and fortune-telling while recounting a fortune cake message. He also describes his dachshund Stanislaus discovering snow for the first time.
In-Depth
- Eating Out in New York, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa surveys the range of New York restaurants, from quick hot dog stands to fine dining. He also reminisces about prewar eating in Los Angeles and New Orleans.
- Young Hiroshima Survivors Recall Horror of Atom Bomb, by Boyd Haight, page 5. Susan Toi, a Hiroshima survivor now living in Atherton, recounts escaping the atomic blast and searching for her aunt. Her brother Kiyoshi also survived, and the family later returned to the United States.
Sports
- Pro Gridders, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Several Nisei are playing professional football this season, including Pau Kuwabara and Raymond Nagahara. Frank Miyaki is reportedly playing in the U.S. Army league in Japan.
- Misaka Boosted, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The New York Knickerbockers are promoting Nisei rookie Wat Misaka, the first Japanese American to play professional basketball. Misaka previously held Kentucky’s Ralph Beard to one point in a 1947 game.
- Debut as Pro Cager, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Wat Misaka made his professional debut as the Knickerbockers defeated the Washington Capitols 80 to 65. The game was played at Madison Square Garden.
- Kiyokawa Passes Hood River Eleven To Camas Victory, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei quarterback Yosh Kiyokawa led Hood River high school to a 13 to 6 win over Camas. His pass to fullback Slack produced the winning touchdown.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.