Vol. 25, No. 18, November 8, 1947. 8 pages. View this issue
The report of the President’s Committee on Civil Rights led the news. Larry Tajiri wrote that its recommendations on wartime evacuation, naturalization and alien land laws would lend weight to the legislative program of the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington. Excerpts from the report appeared beside his story. AFL president William Green wrote to Joe Grant Masaoka that the federation opposed racial discrimination, and a Fresno judge ordered the Kitahara family’s farm properties escheated to the state under the California Alien Land law.
Elsewhere in these eight pages, Mike Masaoka reported on ADC work to about 200 people in Fresno. The Pacific Southwest district council elected Frank Chuman president. Bill Hosokawa’s column and an editorial on the memorial in Bruyeres to the 442nd Combat Team round out the commentary. A review of Bartley Crum’s book on Palestine by Toshi Miyazaki, and a notice of a recital by violinist Teruko Akagi, appeared as well.
What’s in this issue
National
- Civil Rights Group’s Program Will Aid Legislative Campaign of JACL-ADC in Washington, by LARRY TAJIRI, page 1. The President’s Committee on Civil Rights released a report recommending remedial action on wartime evacuation, naturalization, and alien land laws affecting Japanese Americans. These recommendations lend weight to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee’s legislative program in Washington.
- Green Opposes Discrimination in Locals, Declares AFL Policy Against Race Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 1. AFL president William Green wrote to ADC director Joe Grant Masaoka that the federation opposes racial discrimination, though some local unions have practiced it. He noted the AFL employs a Japanese American organizer and pledged to work against local discrimination.
- Housing Restrictions, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL prepared a brief for Supreme Court restrictive covenant cases arguing that such covenants create racial ghettos. The editorial argues that the fight against housing restrictions protects all minorities.
Incarceration & Redress
- Wartime Evacuation of Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Excerpts from the President’s Committee on Civil Rights report describe the mass evacuation of 110,000 Japanese Americans without trial and call for review of its implications. The report also discusses citizenship barriers and the need for compensation of evacuation property losses.
- Fresno Judge Orders Farm Properties Escheated to State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Fresno superior court judge ruled that the Kitahara family violated the California Alien Land law by holding farm property in their American-born children’s names. The properties were ordered escheated to the state, and the defendants planned to appeal.
Community
- Congressman Tells JACL Group of Support for Claims, Naturalization Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Representative McDonough pledged support for the evacuation claims bill and Issei naturalization at the Pacific Southwest district council in Los Angeles. Frank Chuman was elected council president at the all-day session.
- First Stranded Issei to Return to Territory, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Shintaro Yamada, a Hawaiian businessman stranded in Japan since 1941, received permission to return to Hawaii through efforts of his two Nisei sons. He was scheduled to sail from Yokohama on Nov. 10.
- Masaoka Tells Fresno Group of ADC Aims, by P.C. Staff, page 3. ADC director Mike Masaoka gave a first-hand report on Washington legislation to 200 people in Fresno. He emphasized JACL-ADC achievements and discussed the Oyama Alien Land law trial.
- Chicago Nisei Speaker Hits Biased News Coverage, by WILLIAM SIMMS, page 3. Radio writer Rod Holmgren told the Chicago JACL that the American press and radio present slanted news and attacked the Thomas committee. He argued that liberal commentators had been dropped from networks.
- Friends Committee Honored with Nobel Peace Prize, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the American Friends Service Committee. It recalls the Quakers’ long service to Japanese Americans before, during, and after evacuation.
Commentary
- Nisei Elected to Democratic, GOP Committees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dick Kunishima and George Sakamoto were elected to county committees of the Democratic and Republican parties in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Both are residents of Seabrook Farms.
- Trend Toward Liberalism, by LARRY TAJIRI, page 4. Wartime experiences have pushed Japanese Americans toward political liberalism, with few Nisei belonging to third parties. The author argues that liberal positions on civil rights issues align with Nisei interests.
- Editorial: Pilgrimage to Bruyeres, by LARRY TAJIRI, page 4. The editorial praises Mayor Louis Gillon of Bruyeres and the townspeople for dedicating a memorial to the 442nd Combat Team. It expresses hope that Nisei veterans will return to the town.
- From the Frying Pan, by BILL HOSOKAWA, page 6. Columnist Bill Hosokawa comments on Peruvian efforts to seize property of absent Japanese aliens, on congressional witch-hunts, and on the number of Nisei insurance agents. The column ranges across several unrelated items.
- Letter from Col. Elliott R. Thorpe on West Point Nisei Candidates, by ELLIOTT R. THORPE, page 6. Colonel Thorpe, commander of Nisei soldiers at the Presidio of Monterey, disputes the claim that the Army discourages Nisei officers. He says he has nominated many Nisei for commissions and that the Army offers equal opportunity.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Mother Found Dead in Utah Home, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Haru Fujisada was found dead in her Ogden kitchen, and police said a bloody knife was near the gas stove. Her nine-month-old daughter was unharmed in her arms.
- Japanese American Remains Begin Journey Back to United States, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bodies of 442nd Combat Team soldiers killed in France in 1944 were set to return from Epinal cemetery. JACL representatives attended the Arlington reburial ceremony for the first Pacific-area dead on Oct. 30.
- Nisei Give Active Roles in CIO, AFL Trade Unions, by KOJI ARIYOSHI, page 5. Two Nisei, George Tokunaga of the AFL and Jack Kawano of the CIO-ILWU, were delegates at national labor conventions. The article traces Kawano’s organizing work on Honolulu’s waterfront and the importance of nondiscriminatory unions.
- Chicago Teruko Akagi Recital Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nisei violinist Teruko Akagi, whose career was interrupted by evacuation, will give a recital at Kimball Hall in Chicago on Nov. 30. She has performed with the National Women’s Symphony Orchestra.
- Monterey Nisei Army Language Recruitment, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Lt. Spady A. Koyama arrived in Salt Lake City to recruit Nisei for the army language school at the Presidio of Monterey. The Japanese course is nine months and graduates may receive technician ratings.
JACL
- Issei Membership Recommendation to be Discussed by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Intermountain JACL District Council convention in Idaho Falls will coincide with a national board meeting. Issues include a staff recommendation to open JACL membership to Issei and election of officers.
Arts & Entertainment
- Bartley Crum Goes Behind Scenes in Palestine Issue, by TOSHI MIYAZAKI, page 5. Reviewer Toshi Miyazaki examines Bartley Crum’s book Behind the Silken Curtain, an account of Anglo-American diplomacy in Palestine. The review highlights Crum’s criticisms of State Department secrecy and his support for partition and Jewish immigration.
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