Fighting Proposition 15 and the fishing ban, October 1946

Vol. 23, No. 13, October 5, 1946. 8 pages. View this issue

Proposition 15 ran through the news of this 8-page issue. Mike Masaoka warned a Venice JACL meeting that the measure could lead to a land evacuation of persons of Japanese ancestry in California, and A. L. Wirin urged voters to reject it as a pure race law. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee reported broad opposition from civic, church and veterans groups. On the front page, the California Supreme Court heard arguments on the wartime law barring Japanese alien fishermen from commercial fishing, and a second case was filed for about 200 Issei fishermen.

Also inside: Nisei radio monitors for the FBIS who listened to Radio Tokyo, Saburo Kido on the Stockton theatre lease ruling, Mine Okubo’s book Citizen 13660, and editorials by Larry Tajiri on minority problems, relief for Japan and the Hawaii sugar strike. Chapter news came from Spokane, Gardena and San Fernando, with sports on page 6.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Nisei in FBIS Became Official Ears of U.S. Government on Japan, page 1. A group of young Japanese Americans working as radio monitors for the FBIS supplied the U.S. government with crucial information on Japan during the war. Their work, described in Common Ground by Stephen Greene, included monitoring Radio Tokyo and translating enemy communiques.
• Washington News-Letter: How Nelson Schlegel Became Involved in Nisei Problems, by John Kitasako, page 3. John Kitasako profiles Rev. Nelson Schlegal, who became active in aiding relocated Nisei in Washington after meeting the Hamasaki family. The Washington Citizens Committee he helped lead secured housing and support for the newcomers.
• Nisei Ex-Stockton Theatre Litigation Defines Commercial Rights of Resident Japanese Nationals, by Saburo Kido, page 4. The appellate court in Palermo v. Stockton Theatres ruled that the abrogation of the U.S.-Japan treaty did not void a lease held by Japanese nationals under the Alien Land Act. Kido explains the reasoning and notes the case may proceed to the California Supreme Court.

JACL

• Masaoka Warns of Second Evacuation Threat in Proposition 15, page 1. At a Venice JACL meeting, national executive secretary Mike Masaoka warned that Proposition 15 could lead to a land evacuation of persons of Japanese ancestry in California. He urged defeat of the measure and outlined the JACL’s work and program, including passage of the Issei naturalization bill.

National

• Fight on Anti-Alien Fishing Ban Carried to High Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the wartime law barring Japanese alien fishermen from commercial fishing. Attorney A. L. Wirin argued the law was racially discriminatory, while the state defended it as a conservation measure.
• Second Case Filed Against Fishing Ban, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorneys A. L. Wirin and John Maeno petitioned Superior Court on behalf of Yoshikazu Tsuchiyama and about 200 other Issei fishermen seeking to resume fishing. The case was pursued to secure their rights pending the California Supreme Court decision in the Takahashi case.
• JACL’s Anti-Discrimination Group Campaigns for Defeat of Alien Land Act Amendment, page 3. The JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee reported broad coalition opposition to Proposition 15, including civic, church, and veterans groups. Masaoka argued the measure would impose stringent restrictions affecting Issei and Nisei families.

Community

• Educational Program Planned by JACL on Proposition 15, page 1. The Northern California JACL District Council planned an intensive educational campaign against Proposition 15 at its San Francisco meeting. Cosma Sakamoto also called for an end to legal persecution of Nisei veterans and their families.
• Justice Department to Seek Law to Permit Disposal of 16 Thousand Items Still in Custody of U.S. Marshals, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Justice Department plans legislation allowing disposal of unclaimed property surrendered by Japanese aliens and Japanese Americans during the war. About 16,000 items, mostly inexpensive household goods, remain in marshals’ custody.
• Mike Masaoka Speaks to San Diego Group, by P.C. Staff, page 5. JACL national secretary Mike Masaoka addressed a mass Nisei-Issei meeting at the San Diego Japanese Congregational church. He was honored at a dinner at the Sun cafe earlier.
• Spokane JACL Officers Installed; Okada Outlines Wartime Role, by P.C. Staff, page 7. National president Hito Okada installed new officers of the Spokane JACL and described the organization’s wartime stance on evacuation and the draft. He said current goals are naturalization reform and evacuation claims indemnification.
• Gardena Nisei Will Activate JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Gardena Valley residents approved reactivating the local JACL chapter at a meeting featuring Mike Masaoka and Eiji Tanabe. Temporary officers were elected and a petition was sent to national headquarters.
• San Fernando JACL Names Sam Muto Temporary Head, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The reactivated San Fernando Valley JACL chose Fred Muto as temporary chairman at its first meeting. National representatives Mike Masaoka, George Inagaki, and Eiji Tanabe outlined the JACL program.

Commentary

• Mine Okubo’s Personal History: Experiences in Internment Told in Citizen 13660, page 2. This review examines Mine Okubo’s illustrated book Citizen 13660, which records her wartime evacuation and internment through sketches and brief text. The reviewer praises its humor, dignity, and objective portrayal of camp life.
• Discriminatory Laws Imposed on Japanese in South America, by Elmer R. Smith, page 2. Elmer R. Smith reviews a small survey of Japanese migration to Brazil and Peru, noting the shift from acceptance to discrimination. He highlights the restrictive Peruvian nationality laws of 1940 that foreshadowed later treatment of Japanese in Peru.
• From the Frying Pan: Influences Shaping the Nisei Outlook, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the pressure placed on Nisei to pursue nobility of purpose, shaped by Issei teaching and outside influences. He questions whether this ideal has become futile and whether the resulting introversion is good or bad.
• Racism Found Fertile Soil in Nazi Germany: On Proposition 15, by A. L. Wirin, page 4. A. L. Wirin urges California voters to reject Proposition 15, which he argues is a pure race law targeting Japanese residents. He cites the wartime record of Japanese American soldiers and the nation’s U.N. Charter commitments.
• Editorial: On Minority Problems, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial argues that the problems of evacuees are interconnected with those of other minority groups, particularly in housing and employment. It concludes that organizations must work together against restrictive covenants and discrimination broadly.
• Editorial: Death of a Fascist, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial marks the conviction of Alfred Rosenberg, whose Nazi racist ideology called for the displacement of Japanese Americans on the West Coast. It warns that similar fascist race ideas persist in American political life.
• Editorial: Relief for Japan, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial welcomes the first shipment of American relief supplies to Japan organized by the LARA agencies. It argues that food aid can help build a peaceful Japanese nation.
• Behind the Sugar Strike, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. This column examines the ILWU-led sugar strike in Hawaii and its achievement of interracial unity among plantation workers. It traces the history of labor struggles in Hawaii and the immigrant origins of the workforce.
• Letter: On Henry Wallace, by Clara Sturges Johnson, page 4. Clara Sturges Johnson writes in support of Henry Wallace’s policy for lasting peace based on Christ’s teachings. She argues his speech has been misinterpreted by prejudiced people and those with selfish interests.

Military & Veterans

• Pfc. Terry Kato Returns to Honolulu, by John Kitasako, page 3. This Washington News-Letter item notes the return of Pfc. Terry Kato, a 442nd veteran who lost a leg in Italy. It also mentions Nisei government employees and an article crediting Nisei monitors for wartime intelligence.
• AVC Resolution Seeks Return of Stranded Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The American Veterans Committee in Hawaii asked Congress to help return American citizens of Japanese ancestry and relatives of Nisei soldiers stranded in Japan. Speaker Sam Rayburn promised the resolution would be considered.
• Co. F Commander Seeks Addresses of Former Soldiers, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Joseph W. Hill, former commander of Co. F of the 442nd, requested contact information for men who served under him. He lost touch with them after they relocated.
• Terry Shimabukuro Visits Salt Lake Enroute to Capital, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Terry Shimabukuro, former 442nd press relations officer, stopped in Salt Lake City with his bride en route to Washington, D.C. The couple plans to make their home in the capital.

Sports

• All-Nisei Backfield Aids Hawaiian All-Stars Victory Over Portland, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Hawaiian All-Stars, led by an all-Nisei starting backfield including Wally Yonamine, defeated Portland University 54 to 13. Yonamine scored multiple touchdowns in the rout.
• Nomura Stars in First Game for Spartans, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Babe Nomura was advanced to starting halfback for San Jose State after a brilliant performance in the 44 to 6 win over Willamette. He scored a touchdown and threw a 30-yard completion.

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