Utah votes to repeal its Alien Land law, and the fight over Oyama

Vol. 24, No. 7, February 22, 1947. 8 pages. View this issue

Utah’s State Senate voted 20 to 0 to repeal the 1943 Utah Alien Land law, and the bill now goes to the House of Representatives. The front page also followed a Justice Department appeal in the Soldier Brides’ Act case and a call from JACL leaders for the Civil Rights Defense Union to reconsider its withdrawal from the Oyama Alien Land law case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Larry Tajiri reviewed Andrew Lind’s book on the Hawaiian sabotage rumors, and John Kitasako reported on Mike Masaoka’s legislative work in Washington, where Senator William Langer introduced a bill to remove racial bars to naturalization.

Elmer R. Smith returned to the empty Minidoka relocation center in Idaho in a column called “Sentimental Journey.” Bill Hosokawa and Sachi L. Wada wrote columns, and Jobo Nakamura’s short story followed a young Nisei in Chicago looking for work. These eight pages also carry chapter news from Spokane, Oakland and Denver, and notes on Nisei veterans of the 442nd.

What’s in this issue

National

  • Utah Senate Passes Alien Land Law Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Utah State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 122 to repeal the 1943 Utah Alien Land law aimed at persons of Japanese ancestry. Senators including the Senate president and Sen. Elias Day spoke in favor, and the bill now goes to the State House of Representatives.
  • Report 900 Stranded Nisei Cleared For Return to U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. About 900 American citizens of Japanese ancestry stranded in Japan during the war have been cleared by U.S. authorities to return home but lack shipping. Consul Alexis Johnson said all were carefully screened and retained their American citizenship.
  • First Papers Issued to Issei Applicant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takeshi Takagi, a resident alien of Japanese ancestry, received his first naturalization papers in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The JACL noted Issei remain ineligible for final citizenship papers except for certain other Orientals.
  • Introduce Bill To Permit Entry Of GI’s Wife, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Francis E. Walter introduced private bill H.R. 1935 to admit Canadian-born Seiko Jane Kimura, wife of 2nd Lt. Makoto M. Kimura, under the Soldier Brides’ Act. The bill was introduced at the request of JACL’s Mike Masaoka.
  • Ushiroda Loses to Democrat In Special Hawaii Election, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Earl Neilsen, a Democrat backed by the CIO Political Action Committee, narrowly defeated Republican Shunzo Ushiroda by 16 votes in a Hawaii district where most voters are of Japanese ancestry. The result created an even party split in the Territorial House.
  • Sponsors Bill To Remove Racial Bars In U.S. Naturalization Laws, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator William Langer introduced S. 602, a companion to Delegate Farrington’s H.R. 857, to eliminate racial bars to naturalization and immigration. JACL’s Mike Masaoka praised the bill as a milestone.
  • House Committee Seeks Restrictions on Bilingual Papers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee asked editors of bilingual newspapers to help oppose a House Un-American Activities Committee recommendation requiring English translations and denying second-class mailing privileges. The proposal would affect such papers.
  • Mike Masaoka Prepares For All-Out Legislative Drive, by John Kitasako, page 2. Mike Masaoka, JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee national legislative director, set up his Washington office and registered as a lobbyist, the first Nisei to do so. Though Congress was still organizing under Republican control, Masaoka was lobbying for private bills and educating officials.
  • Masaoka Confers With Senator On Naturalization Issues, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka met with Senator Chapman Revercomb, chairman of the Senate immigration and naturalization subcommittee, who promised special attention to Japanese naturalization and immigration problems. Masaoka also asked him to support an evacuation claims bill.
  • U.S. Answer Filed in Nisei Property Case, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Attorney General Tom Clark filed an answer in federal court to Robert Tadashi Ishii’s suit to recover property seized by the Alien Property Custodian during the war. The government argued the property belonged to Ishii’s father, who is now in Japan.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Justice Department to Appeal Court Verdict in Bouiss Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department will appeal a federal court decision holding that the Soldier Brides’ Act applies to Nisei wives of American veterans. Until the courts rule, Canadian-born Nisei wives will not be granted entry without private bills in Congress.
  • California CRDU May Reconsider Oyama Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL leaders urged the Northern California Civil Rights Defense Union to reconsider its withdrawal of support for the Oyama Alien Land law case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Southern California Legal Defense Fund stated it would support the case regardless.
  • Gen. DeWitt’s Evacuation Policy Upheld by Group in Stockton, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Joaquin Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association passed a resolution upholding Gen. DeWitt’s 1942 mass evacuation and condemning remarks by Dillon Myer. The chapter took no position on compensating evacuees for property losses.
  • California Civic Unity Group Urges Passage of Evacuation Claims Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Approximately 125 delegates to the California Council for Civic Unity conference at Asilomar urged Congress to pass an evacuation claims bill. They also asked for amendments to the California Alien Land Law and support for removing nationality restrictions.

Community

  • Report Denver Family Overcome by Carbon Monoxide Fumes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Denver family of four was overcome by carbon monoxide from a clogged flue on a gas water heater. All four were found unconscious and taken to Denver General Hospital in serious condition.
  • Nisei Girl Among Victims of L.A. Explosion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A woman of Japanese ancestry, Akiko Otomo, 23, was reportedly among those killed in the O’Connor Electroplate plant explosion in Los Angeles. Japanese Americans were also among the 700 made homeless by the blast.
  • Noted Nursery Operator, Wife Die in Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ichizo Sakata, a noted Loomis nurseryman, and his wife Wai were killed when their pickup collided with a tanker on Highway 40 near Roseville. Their son Ray was seriously injured in the crash.
  • David Trevithick To Speak Before Salt Lake JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. David R. Trevithick, public relations chairman for the Utah Centennial, will describe plans for the state’s centennial at the February Salt Lake JACL meeting. Student essay and oratorical contest winners will also speak.
  • Henry Sakemi Named Chairman Of Pacific Southwest Council, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Henry Sakemi of Coachella Valley was named 1947 chairman of the JACL Pacific Southwest District Council at a meeting in Los Angeles. Other cabinet officers and chapter reports were also covered.
  • Denver JACL Cabinet Goes on Record in Support of FEPC, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Denver JACL executive cabinet adopted a resolution urging creation of a Colorado Fair Employment Practices Commission. The resolution cited discrimination against Americans of Japanese ancestry in employment.
  • JACL-ADC Support Announced at Meet In Placer County, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Supporters contributed $1,300 to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee at a meeting of 75 persons in Penryn, Calif. Speakers discussed the need for legislation to aid persons of Japanese ancestry.
  • Painting by Nisei Termed Best of Semester at School, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A western ranch scene painted by Jack Hirai, 17, of Chicago was voted the best of the semester by Wells High School pupils. The painting was displayed at Pulaski Park.
  • Mrs. Brown Speaks On Nisei Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Pauline Bates Brown, former reports officer at the Poston WRA center, described the Japanese American story of the Colorado River relocation camp to the Phoenix Junior Chamber of Commerce. She also addressed a Nisei mothers’ club in the Salt River Valley.
  • San Mateo JACL Contributes To Anti-Discrimination Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Mateo JACL became the first chapter to contribute to the ADC fund, presenting a $1,500 check to Joe Grant Masaoka. The donation came from a whirlwind campaign led by William Enomoto that exceeded the chapter’s $200 goal.
  • Placer Man Not Japanese, Says County Coroner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Placer County Coroner Francis E. West stated that an unidentified murder victim found in a Newcastle tunnel was not of Japanese ancestry. Every returned Japanese American in the county had been accounted for.
  • Yaye Togasaki Gets Appointment to Hospital in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yaye Togasaki, who recently earned a master’s degree in nursing education from Columbia University, received a civil service appointment at the Territorial Hospital for Mental Diseases in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
  • Henry Kasai Named For Americanism Award in Salt Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Henry Y. Kasai, a Salt Lake insurance agent, received an annual Americanism award from the Salt Lake Junior Chamber of Commerce. He had participated in Liberty Loan drives and community work during both world wars.
  • Spokane JACL Holds Kick-off Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Spokane JACL held a kickoff banquet on Feb. 10 that launched its membership drive and honored Spady Koyama, who reenlisted in the Army. Members were given names of potential members and membership materials.
  • Oakland Chapter Begins Drive for New Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Metropolitan Oakland JACL mailed over 400 membership leaflets and began a door-to-door canvass to recruit members through March. Teams were organized in Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Alameda, and Richmond.
  • Discuss Nisei Recreational Problems at Los Angeles YMCA, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Former Japanese YMCA leaders met with the Los Angeles Downtown YMCA to plan integrating Nisei youths into the programs of the city’s YMCA branches. An advisory council was formed to relate Nisei youths to branches and interpret YMCA work to Issei parents.
  • Lodi Buddhists Set Basketball Games, Dance for Feb. 23, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Lodi YBA scheduled a day of basketball games at the Lodi Armory followed by a public dance. The games include a girls’ game and a match against the Oakland Paramounts.
  • Report Sen. Lucas Intervened With Attorney General, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Rev. Ochi, superintendent of the Zen Buddhist sect in America, was released from alien enemy proceedings and technical custody at Seabrook Farms after intervention by Sen. Scott Lucas. Attorney Harold Gordon handled the case and secured character affidavits.
  • Denver Easter Dance Planned by JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Denver JACL will hold an Easter dance on April 6 at the Cosmopolitan hotel, featuring Bill Meyer’s orchestra. It will be the chapter’s first social affair of 1947.

Military & Veterans

  • Nisei Veteran Appointed to Los Angeles County Police Squad, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Stanley Uno, a 24-year-old Nisei war veteran, became the first Nisei deputy sheriff in Los Angeles County. Two other Nisei veterans were also assigned as special officers to patrol East First Street after robberies there.
  • Joe E. Brown Presents Photo to Men of 442nd Combat Team, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Actor Joe E. Brown, who entertained the 442nd in Italy, presented a signed photograph to the unit’s veterans through JACL representatives in Chicago. Earl Finch, a friend and counselor to Nisei veterans, accepted it and discussed readjustment problems.
  • Hood River Minister Honored For Fight for Rights of Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rev. W. Sherman Burgoyne of Hood River, Oregon, received a Thomas Jefferson award from the Council Against Intolerance for defending Japanese American evacuees’ return. He had fought to restore the names of Japanese American servicemen removed from the county’s American Legion honor roll.
  • Blind Veteran Of 442nd Enrolls In University, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hanji Kimoto, a 22-year-old 442nd veteran blinded at Leghorn, enrolled at the University of Hawaii as the first blind war veteran in Hawaii to do so. A reader and a roommate will assist him.

JACL

  • Esther L’Ecluse Appointed To JACL Post in California, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Northern California JACL office appointed Esther L’Ecluse to lead public opinion work supporting Issei naturalization, evacuation claims, and repeal of the state Alien Land law. Akimi Sugawara was also appointed to lead the fundraising drive.

Commentary

  • Nisei and Integration, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that the wartime attempt to integrate Nisei into American life failed to produce full assimilation, and draws on an Interior Department study by Robert Cullum to explain why. It concludes that Nisei should relax, pursue personal interests, and stop focusing on integration as a goal.
  • Oyama Test Case, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial criticizes the Civil Rights Defense Union’s withdrawal of support from the Oyama Alien Land law appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. It argues the California decision would cloud Nisei property titles and urges the union to reverse its decision.
  • Hawaiian Sabotage Rumors, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Columnist Larry Tajiri reviews Andrew Lind’s book Hawaii’s Japanese, which debunks the false Hawaiian sabotage rumors that helped justify West Coast mass evacuation. He notes the rumors were widely circulated and influenced public opinion long after officials denied them.
  • Sentimental Journey, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Elmer R. Smith, former community analyst at the Minidoka relocation center, revisits the abandoned camp at Hunt, Idaho. He describes the empty barracks and overgrown grounds that once held a bustling community.
  • From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on an inter-racial gathering in Denver where immigrants from several countries shared their stories. He notes their lives were fuller than many long-established Americans and praises their enthusiasm.
  • Heirs, by Sachi L. Wada, page 5. Sachi L. Wada writes a personal column about a visit with a writer and her husband in Minneapolis, discussing art and philosophy, and about the household’s preparations for moving. She reflects on everyday life and the couple’s modest concerns.
  • Triumph of Reaction, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The editorial laments that Utah and Colorado legislatures rejected or threatened civil rights, FEPC, and anti-covenant bills, which it attributes to reactionary forces. It nonetheless sees progress in the growing public interest in minority rights legislation.
  • At 22 A Boy’s Heart Is Heavy, by Jobo Nakamura, page 6. A short story follows Masao, a 22-year-old Nisei in Chicago, who struggles with self-doubt and rejection while searching for a job. He finally receives a letter offering him a position at a photo supply company, relieving his anxiety.

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