Home denied to a Nisei soldier’s family, and the 442nd’s welcome home

Vol. 22, No. 26, June 29, 1946. 8 pages. View this issue

A Los Angeles family of Japanese ancestry was denied the right to live in its own home when the State Supreme Court refused to block an injunction based on a racial covenant. The Saito family’s son had served in the U.S. Army in Italy. The same page followed the coming return of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team aboard the Wilson Victory, with a reception planned in New York, and John Kitasako reported on honors for all who fought with Japanese American units. Inside, Larry Tajiri wrote on the American Veterans Committee, Bill Hosokawa said goodbye to Des Moines, and Dillon Myer looked back on four years of the War Relocation Authority.

Other pages followed the Takahashi fishing license case, a review process for Nisei veterans with blue discharges, and Joe Grant Masaoka’s report on a survey of California opinion. Chapter news came from Monterey, Portland, Snake River, Chicago and San Francisco, and a Canadian Legion resolution on deportation also drew coverage.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Family of Nisei Serviceman Denied Right to Occupy Home in Restricted Los Angeles District, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Japanese American family in Los Angeles was denied the right to occupy their home after the State Supreme Court refused to block a Superior Court injunction based on a racial covenant. The Saito family, whose son served in the U.S. Army in Italy, must leave the house under the preliminary injunction.
• Peruvian Residents File Suit to Prevent Deportation to Japan; Kidnapping Charged, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two long-time Japanese residents of Peru filed suits in San Francisco federal court claiming they were kidnapped by U.S. military police and interned in the United States. They sought to prevent deportation to Japan and secure their return to Peru.

National

• California Asks Rehearing on Takahashi Case Ban Invalidated in Superior Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney General Robert W. Kenny sought a rehearing after Judge Henry Willis ruled California’s anti-alien fishing license law unconstitutional. The ACLU indicated it would ask the court to cancel the motion for rehearing.
• Refugee Teacher in U.S. Asked to Return to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Students at Waseda University in Tokyo requested the return of Ikuo Oyama, a 65-year-old Japanese educator exiled in the United States for 14 years. Oyama said he was deeply grateful but will remain to finish an English translation of Japanese constitutional law.
• Favorable Trend in Coast Public Opinion on Evacuees Indicated by Recent Survey, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 3. Polls conducted by James C. Purcell showed a shift in San Francisco public opinion toward accepting Japanese Americans returning to California. Support rose from 25 percent in May 1944 to 72 percent in May 1946.
• Privy Council Will Rule on Canada Orders, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Andrew Brewin is in London to argue before the Privy Council against Canadian deportation orders affecting about 10,000 persons of Japanese ancestry. The hearing is expected in July.
• Harold Ickes Cites Loyalty of Issei to U.S., Supports Revision of Unjust Statutes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Former Interior Secretary Harold Ickes urged revision of immigration and naturalization laws and an immediate halt to the deportation of Japanese aliens. He praised the wartime services of Japanese aliens as substantially contributing to Japan’s defeat.

Community

• Benefits of Hostel Turned Over to JACL, Church Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Profits from the Civic Unity hostel in San Jose, which housed returning evacuees, were turned over to the Japanese Citizens League and Japanese churches. Checks were presented on June 20 to the respective organizations.
• Schmoes Will Leave for Japan Relief Work, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. and Mrs. Floyd Schmoe of the American Friends Service Committee plan to relocate to Japan after four years of aiding Japanese Americans in relocation centers and resettlement. A testimonial banquet in their honor was scheduled in Seattle.
• Nisei Girl to Teach in Kansas School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kate Kyono, a recent graduate of Baker College, was appointed to the teaching staff at Stark High School in Stark, Kansas. The announcement noted her appointment from Denver.
• Snake River JACL to Probe Bias in Beauty Shops, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Snake River JACL chapter in Ontario, Oregon, decided to investigate reports of discrimination against Japanese Americans in local beauty shops. Masako Sugai was appointed chairman of a committee to contact operators.
• New York Group Attends Meeting of New Council, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nine members of the Greater New York Committee for Japanese Americans attended a planning meeting for the Greater New York Council Against Discrimination. Forty representatives of business, labor, church, and civic groups were present.
• Two Colorado Nisei Will Take Citizen Leadership Training, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Elsie Agari and Tsuneko Tokuyasu received partial scholarships from the Denver JACL to attend the Encampment for Citizenship in New York. The six-week course trains leaders from across the country.
• Evacuee Aid Continued by Chicago Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Chicago Resettlers’ Committee information-referral service has helped more than a thousand people since opening five months earlier. Housing remained a major problem, and more than 300 letters were sent to landlords seeking vacancies.
• Lomita Camp, Last of Evacuee Facilities, Finally Closed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Lomita Camp in Los Angeles, the last WRA installation housing evacuees, closed after army engineers required the site. Its residents were moved to trailer camps and a Pasadena hostel.
• Detroit Nisei Will Honor GIs at Dinner Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei in Detroit will honor returning GIs at a dinner-dance sponsored by the Nisei Coordinating Council at the Wardell-Sheraton Hotel. Speeches from civic leaders are planned for the program.
• Seabrook Officials Meet at Dinner With Nisei and Issei Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A group of Nisei and Issei met with representatives of the Citizens League at Seabrook Farms in New Jersey on June 18. Discussion covered current JACL issues and the possibility of forming a Seabrook chapter later.
• Minneapolis Service Offers Help to Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A counseling service in Minneapolis will offer assistance to Nisei and Issei on problems confronting them in the city. The service will continue indefinitely under its established program.
• JACL President Speaks to Weiser Chamber of Commerce, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Joe Saito, president of the Snake River JACL chapter, addressed the Weiser Chamber of Commerce on problems facing returned soldiers and relocated evacuees. He also stated the JACL opposes the establishment of Little Tokyos.
• Resettlers Urged to Take Part in Civic, Labor Activity, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Michael Mann of the Chicago Industrial Union Council urged Japanese Americans to take greater part in civic groups and the labor movement. He cited language barriers and past persecution by organized labor as obstacles.
• Sacramento Plans Holiday Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento’s Nisei will celebrate Independence Day with a dance at the Young Buddhists’ hall. Toko Fujii of the YBA is among those organizing the event.
• Nisei War Veterans Honored at Dinner by Monterey JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Monterey Peninsula JACL chapter held a banquet honoring Nisei ex-GIs and installed its new officers. Col. Allen Griffin and Col. Thorpe of the Military Intelligence Language School spoke.
• Saburo Kido Slated on Race Institute in Tennessee, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Former JACL national president Saburo Kido will speak at the Fisk University Institute of Race Relations in Nashville in July. He will sit on panels addressing minorities other than Negroes and management and labor issues.
• Eiji Tanabe Gives Talks in Chicago Area, by P.C. Staff, page 5. JACL national representative Eiji Tanabe is scheduled for speaking engagements at Chicago-area Buddhist churches in late June. The Chicago JACL supporters group is sponsoring the events.
• Will Participate in Flag Centennial, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Monterey Peninsula JACL chapter will take part in the U.S. Flag Centennial celebration in Monterey July 4-7. Plans include a parade float with a large flag and a pre-Centennial dance.
• Fellowship Group Fetes Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Fellowship committee of the Columbus JACL hosted a gathering for evacuees in the Columbus area at Camp Wildwood on May 30. Committee members handled invitations, transportation, entertainment, and refreshments.
• Four Candidates Named in Bussei Queen Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Four candidates were named for Miss Bussei of Central California in a contest to be crowned at the OCYBA carnival on August 10. The contestants were from Fresno, Reedley, Del Rey, and Fresno.
• Portland JACL Chapter Reactivation Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Portland JACL chapter, formerly one of the most active, is moving toward reactivation with a temporary cabinet elected in June. A constitution was tentatively adopted on June 21 with a final vote planned in two months.
• July Fourth Carnival Expected to Draw Large Attendance, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago Buddhist church’s second annual Fourth of July carnival is expected to draw large crowds. A dance will follow the day-long celebration at Shotwell Hall.
• Japanese American Reenters Political Contest in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Juichi Doi, former supervisor on the Island of Hawaii, is campaigning for a board of supervisors seat, the first Japanese American to announce a political candidacy in Hawaii since 1942. Several others are expected to resume political activity this year.
• San Francisco JACL Office Moves to Uptown Location, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Northern California regional JACL office is returning to its pre-evacuation location at the former Kinmon school building, now the Booker T. Washington Community Center. The move takes effect this week.
• International Institute Seeks Interpreters, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The San Francisco International Institute asked for volunteer translators to help Issei who cannot adequately speak English at clinics and welfare agencies. Interested volunteers should contact Mrs. Dorothy Harth.
• Canadian Legion Favors Deportation of Japanese Group, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Delegates to the Canadian Legion convention in Quebec passed a resolution calling for deportation of all persons of Japanese ancestry in Canada, including Canadian-born citizens. A British Columbia delegate introduced the measure.

Commentary

• Sociologist Says Coast Evacuation Criminal, Stupid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Daniel Bell of the University of Chicago told a Portland audience that the removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast had no legal or moral basis. He called the army’s treatment of Japanese Americans one of the most shameful acts of the war.
• Farewell to the WRA, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The War Relocation Authority closes its books this week after successfully carrying out its challenging wartime relocation mission. The editorial credits WRA leaders for resisting racist pressures and calls the program’s success a tribute to democratic integrity.
• The Organized Veterans, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri praises the American Veterans Committee for its progressive stance on racial discrimination at its national convention. He notes the AVC refused to segregate members by race and contrasts this with the practices of the Legion and VFW.
• News-Letter: Dillon Myer Looks Back on Four Years of the WRA, by John Kitasako, page 5. WRA Director Dillon Myer recounts the turbulent December 1942 period and his role in pushing for the activation of the 442nd. He credits the Nisei war record as the most effective weapon against home front prejudice.
• From the Frying Pan: Goodbye Des Moines, Hello Denver, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on leaving Des Moines after two and a half years, describing the community’s friendliness toward evacuees. He announces the family will move to Denver to work on the Denver Post.

Military & Veterans

• Welcome Home Fete Set for 442nd Combat Team, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New York harbor craft are expected to greet the returning 442nd Regimental Combat Team upon arrival of the Wilson Victory on July 3 or 4. Port authorities have arranged a reception program including bands, fireboats, and military escorts.
• Nisei Veteran Establishes Title to Farm Land, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takumi Sunada, an honorably discharged war veteran, secured title to his 40-acre Fresno vineyard after the State of California filed a disclaimer to escheat action. The filing was signed by Attorney General Robert W. Kenny and approved by State Controller Thomas H. Kuchel.
• 34 Nisei Veterans of 522nd Artillery Land in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thirty-four men who served with the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion in France and Germany arrived in New York from Europe on June 25. Among them were Toku Narita of Kent, Washington, and Hisashi Higashi of Denver.
• Men of Nisei Unit Expected to Arrive in New York July 3 Aboard Wilson Victory, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team is scheduled to arrive in New York aboard the Wilson Victory with a reception program including ship salutes, bands, and speeches. The inactivation ceremony at Camp Kilmer will follow the next day.
• Stress Ceremonies Will Honor All Men Who Fought in Italy, France, Germany With 442nd, by John Kitasako, page 1. The War Department is planning a reception to honor the colors of the 442nd and the 100th Battalion, as well as all who fought with Japanese American units in Italy, France, and Germany. Because the returning group is small, no parade is planned.
• Ex-Sgt. Ben Kuroki Will Be Honored by Pageant Magazine, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Pageant Magazine will award its Citizen of Good Will honor to Ben Kuroki, an Air Forces veteran, for his work fighting discrimination against minority groups. The presentation is expected in early July.
• Two 442nd Veterans Help Hawaii Team Set New Swim Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii’s 400-yard freestyle relay team set a territorial record at Duke Kahanamoku’s invitational swim meet. Two 442nd veterans, Charlie Oda and Johnny Tsukano, were on the team.
• Nisei GI Winner of DSC Sought for Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Portland JACL chapter is seeking a Nisei Distinguished Service Cross recipient to attend the Military Order of the Purple Heart convention as its guest. Funds are being raised to cover his expenses.
• Return of the 442nd, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial notes that 500 members of the 442nd aboard the Wilson Victory are eligible for discharge while 1,500 others remain in Italy. It stresses that the welcome honors are intended for all who served in the 442nd and the original 100th Battalion.
• Blue Discharges, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Several hundred Nisei soldiers were discharged in 1942 under a policy that resulted in many receiving unjust blue discharges. The editorial urges use of the new Discharge Review Board to correct these injustices.
• Review of Blue Discharge Available to Nisei Veterans, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Japanese American veterans who received blue discharges may appeal under new Selective Service regulations before Discharge Review Boards in Washington and St. Louis. Appellants may appear personally or be represented by counsel.

Arts & Entertainment

• Ruby Yoshino Gives Recital in Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Nisei soprano Ruby Yoshino of New York City performed in a benefit recital at Phipps Auditorium in Denver. Pianist Masa Kitagawa and violinist Helen Nakamura also performed.

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