May 1944: the WRA survey and the fight over where Japanese Americans could live

Vol. 18, No. 17, May 20, 1944. 8 pages. View this issue

The War Relocation Authority’s survey of 27,000 cases led this issue: nearly 78 percent of American-born persons of Japanese ancestry had never visited Japan. Around it ran a contest over resettlement. A new coast-wide group sought a legal ban on Japanese Americans returning to the West Coast, women’s clubs and a Los Angeles meeting pressed for exclusion, and Washington State began suits to seize farm land. Churches and Mayor LaGuardia’s critics pushed the other way. Larry Tajiri’s editorials took up the 63 Heart Mountain draft resisters and Martin Dies leaving Congress, and Bill Hosokawa wrote on the war record of Nisei.

Also inside: Tech. Sgt. Ben Kuroki’s visit to Topaz, a Brooklyn hostel for newly arrived resettlers, Miwako Oana on Japanese Americans making homes in New York, and 497 people from Jerome arriving at Tule Lake. Pages 7 and 8 carry letters from servicemen and news from Manzanar, Heart Mountain and Granada.

What’s in this issue

National

• WRA Survey Reveals Most Japanese American Evacuees Have Never Visited Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The War Relocation Authority reported that nearly 78 percent of American-born persons of Japanese ancestry have never visited Japan, based on a study of 27,000 cases. WRA officials stressed that the youths were educated in America under democratic traditions.
• New Coast Group Endorses Legal Ban Against Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A coast-wide organization called the American Federation, formed to sponsor legislation excluding persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast, was disclosed at a Fairfield meeting. Speakers including State Senator Thomas McCormick pledged to advance its cause in the legislature.
• Church Meet Urges Return of Nisei Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congregational churches of southern California and the Southwest passed a resolution supporting restoration of civil rights for loyal Japanese Americans. The church committed to recruiting sponsors for loyal citizens and promoting an interracial goodwill pledge.
• Canadians Will Test Sale of Evacuee Land, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Canadian evacuees have initiated legal action challenging the government’s forced liquidation of their property in British Columbia. The case will be heard by the Exchequer Court of Canada on May 29.
• 39 Evacuee Women Return to West Coast Homes With Permission of Gen. Emmons, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lt. Gen. Delos Emmons disclosed that 39 Japanese American women with their children have been allowed to return to West Coast homes in six months, including wives of non-Japanese and of Japanese American servicemen. He also said a few men, such as federal employees and hospital cases, have been allowed back.
• Exclusion Demand Voiced by Women’s Clubs in California, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles District of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs drafted a resolution demanding exclusion of Japanese Americans and aliens from all coastal areas. The resolution was to be presented at the district convention in Los Angeles.
• Legal Action to Escheat Farm Property Held by Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Washington State’s Attorney General began a statewide program of lawsuits to transfer real estate titles allegedly held by aliens of Japanese ancestry under the anti-alien land law. Suits were filed in several counties with property valued at over $1,000,000 expected to be involved.
• Prosecutor Files Suits Against Two Farm Families, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kitsap County Prosecutor Fred Cohen filed escheatment suits against two families holding 20-acre farms in the Kingston area. He said he would investigate further holdings by persons of Japanese ancestry in the county.
• Japanese American Problem Definitely Related to Those of Other Minority Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A Public Affairs Committee pamphlet by Carey McWilliams found no proven cases of sabotage or espionage by Japanese Americans during the war. McWilliams concluded the loyalty of relocated evacuees had been demonstrated and the issue is linked to other racial minorities.

Community

• WRA Plans Jobs for Working Army Mothers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The WRA office in Detroit is arranging special employment for working mothers or wives of servicemen, primarily those with one child. Options include domestic work and placement of children in foster day care or nursery school programs.
• Chicago Girl Wins War Bond for Prize Suggestion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cherry Yoshitomi, a Japanese American employee at a Chicago lithographing firm, won the company’s monthly $50 war bond for a production suggestion. She is the first woman at the firm to win the award and expressed hope that more nisei will relocate.
• Evacuee Girl Gets Position in WRA’s Rochester Office, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Miwako Yanamoto, a former Poston resident, was promoted and transferred from the New York WRA office to the new Rochester relocation office as secretary to Relocation Officer Claude Cornwall. She is a graduate of Belmont High School in Los Angeles and has studied legal stenography.
• Chicago Leads in Relocation of Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Chicago Tribune reported that more Japanese American evacuees have relocated to Chicago than to any six states, though a housing shortage limits further arrivals. WRA officials are working with landlords to find apartments for evacuee families.
• Two Nisei Win State Collegiate Oratory Contests, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Haruo Ishimaru of Yankton College and Masaye Nagao of Park College were among sixteen winners from ten midwestern states who competed in the intercollegiate oratorical finals in Chicago. Ishimaru has spoken widely on problems faced by Japanese Americans.
• Los Angeles Group Protests Return of Evacuees to Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Los Angeles mass meeting organized public opposition to the return of evacuees to West Coast homes, with speakers urging a petition to bar persons of Japanese ancestry from owning California property. Speakers included an attorney, a shipbuilding executive, and a former Army officer.
• Iowa Ministers Favor Participation by Evacuee Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Polk County, Iowa ministerial association passed a resolution favoring full participation of Nisei in church activities. The ministers pledged Christlike consideration and affirmed them as brothers in Christ.
• Evacuee Student Stars on Illinois Prep Track Team, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Henry Aihara, a seventeen-year-old Poston resettler, starred in high jump and broad jump events for New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, while working as a houseboy. The Chicago Daily News profiled his athletic achievements and work ethic.
• Citizens’ Committee Organized in New Jersey to Aid Resettlement, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A citizens’ committee launched in Newark to aid resettlement of Japanese Americans in New Jersey, with WRA and War Manpower Commission officials present. A temporary committee was formed under the Rev. John H. Elliot to work on employment and public education.
• Brooklyn Group Approves Nisei Hostel Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Brooklyn hostel for Japanese American evacuees will open despite Mayor LaGuardia’s objections, with approval from the Brooklyn Heights Association. The 14-room house will accommodate about 25 people and is sponsored by church groups.
• Arrival of Satomi Family From Gila River First to Stay at New Evacuee Home, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Satomi family from Gila River became the first guests at the Brooklyn hostel for Japanese American evacuees on May 10. The father, daughter, and son described their impressions of New York after their arrival.
• Orchestra Dedicates Program to Men of Nisei Combat Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ray Kinney and his orchestra dedicated an all-Hawaiian musical program to the 442nd Infantry Combat Team and negotiations are underway for a visit to Camp Shelby. Several of the Hawaiian Hula Maidens were classmates of men in the First Battalion.
• Protests N.Y. Mayor’s Stand, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A New York mass meeting organized by the Minorities Workshop protested Mayor LaGuardia’s objection to Japanese Americans settling in the city. Speakers including Norman Thomas and Roy Wilkins condemned the stance as discriminatory.
• Family Relocation Possibilities Seen in Upper New York Area, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rochester, New York offers strong opportunities for family relocation given its industries and surrounding agricultural area, according to WRA supervisor Harold Fistere. A WRA office opened there in April and about thirty evacuees have already resettled in the area.
• Some Brooklyn Neighbors Welcome Nisei Americans, by Earl Conrad, page 3. PM newspaper interviewed Brooklyn Heights residents who welcomed Japanese American evacuees to their neighborhood despite protests from others. Author Albert Halper and neighbors said they planned to call on the hostel residents.
• Eiichi Kimura Dies in Chicago Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eiichi Kimura, formerly of Rohwer, died in a Chicago hospital on May 14 after suffering pneumonia in March. He never fully recovered from the illness.
• Ogden Nisei Wins Oratorical Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Willie Shimizu won first place in an Ogden High School oratorical contest sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution. His topic was the aims of American foreign policy.
• Nisei Girl Singer Is Soloist in Kansas College Program, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mieko Sugimachi, a soprano daughter of noted singer Mme. Sugimachi, was featured as soloist in a Marymount College Choral Club presentation in Salina, Kansas. She has also performed in radio broadcasts and as a college publicity manager.
• Chiyoko Matsuda Gives Concert at Granada, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nisei singer Chiyoko Matsuda gave a concert before over 900 listeners at Granada High School in Amache, Colorado. It was the first concert of its kind held at the camp.
• New Hostel for Evacuees Will Aid Relocation in Philadelphia, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Philadelphia hostel for newly arrived resettlers opened at 3228 Chestnut Street under sponsorship of local church and civic groups. It charges modest daily rates and is managed with help from Mrs. Saburo Inouye.
• Manzanar Girl Wins Honors in Poetry, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Michiko Mizumoto of Manzanar received honorable mention from the National High School Poetry Association for her poem titled Manzanar. Her work was published in the association’s 1944 annual.
• Heart Mountain Girl Awarded Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Frances Okagaki of Heart Mountain High School won a scholarship to Ripon College in Wisconsin after taking a competitive examination. She was one of eight seniors who sat for the exam.
• Alien Japanese Permitted to Live in Military Area, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rahei Akthoshi, a Japanese alien married to a Caucasian woman, was allowed to return to Seattle after evacuation due to health problems. He has lived in Seattle for 46 years.
• Evacuee Seamen May Be Recruited, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Coast Guard set up procedures for clearing Japanese Americans for maritime service, and merchant marines may be recruited from war relocation centers. More than 200 Japanese Americans already serve on merchant ships.
• Report Evacuees Unaffected by Industrial Cutbacks in Cleveland, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A WRA survey of seven Midwest cities found that industrial cutbacks have had negligible effect on Japanese American workers. Seniority systems and placement in smaller plants have protected most evacuee jobs.
• WAC Recruiting Officer Schedules Topaz Visit, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A WAC recruiting officer will visit the Topaz relocation center to enlist Japanese American women, with thirty-three positions open. The Topaz Times reported the minimum height and weight requirements.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei War Hero Arrives at Topaz Relocation Camp, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tech. Sgt. Ben Kuroki received an enthusiastic reception at Topaz for a five-day visit as guest of the Community Council. He had recently visited the Heart Mountain and Minidoka relocation centers.
• Eight Davis Nisei Leave for Service with Armed Forces, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Davis County JACL congratulated eight men from Davis County, Utah, who recently left for military service. The inductees were named, and an earlier inductee, Yoshiharu Ono, was also noted.
• Japanese American Captain Says Nisei Soldiers Did Their Share in Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Capt. Jack Mizuha, a wounded veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion, described the camaraderie and shared sacrifice of Japanese American soldiers at Cassino in an interview with the Chicago Sun. He said Japanese Americans ask only for a chance to prove their loyalty to America.
• Nisei Doctor Promoted to Captain Rank, by P.C. Staff, page 2. First Lieut. Nakadate of East Chicago was promoted to captain in the medical corps of the 69th Division Field Artillery at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He has been in service since May 1943.
• Methodists Urge Restoration of Full Rights of Nisei Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Delegates to the Methodist Conference in Kansas City unanimously adopted a proposal calling for restoration of full citizenship rights to loyal Japanese Americans. The proposal also endorsed the WRA relocation policy and condemned community intolerance.
• Nisei Combat Unit Enters Baseball Team, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The newly organized First Battalion of the 442nd Infantry’s baseball team at Camp Shelby is reported to be as strong as last season’s championship squad. Its standout player also excelled in the broad jump.
• Nisei Brothers in U.S. Army Visit Milwaukee USO, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Three Yoshino brothers from Alameda, California, serving together in Minnesota, visited the Milwaukee USO. Five of ten Yoshino children are in U.S. service, and their parents are at the Topaz relocation center.
• Letters From Servicemen, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A roundup of letters from nisei soldiers serving in Italy, the Pacific, and stateside posts describes front-line conditions, training, and hospital recovery. Several servicemen express pride in their units and hopes for their families.

Incarceration & Redress

• Wyoming Court Sets Date for Draft Trial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge T. Blake Kennedy agreed to a joint non-jury trial for 63 Heart Mountain evacuees charged with violating the selective service act, set for June 12. Eleven had pleaded innocent earlier and fifty-two more pleaded a week later.
• Three Sisters Plead Innocent in Denver on Treason Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Three Japanese American sisters from Granada relocation center pleaded innocent to treason charges for allegedly aiding the escape of German prisoners of war. Their husband expressed belief they did not understand what they were doing.
• Jerome Segregees Arrive at Tule Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The WRA announced that 497 persons of Japanese descent transferred from the Jerome relocation center arrived at the Tule Lake segregation center on May 12. The arrivals brought the camp population to 17,531.

Commentary

• For World of Hate, Suspicion, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Peggy Hull, a Milwaukee Journal correspondent, reported that American soldiers at a Central Pacific base deplored racial prejudice against Japanese Americans. The soldiers said Japanese Americans should have the same opportunity to demonstrate loyalty as German Americans.
• Mayor LaGuardia Asked to Retract Racist Statement, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Workers Defense League sent a wire asking Mayor LaGuardia to retract his statement opposing relocation of loyal Japanese Americans to New York. The wire said his remarks conflicted with his own views on racial tolerance and with national war aims.
• The Draft Cases, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial argues that the 63 Heart Mountain draft resisters have chosen the wrong issue and are endangering their futures and aiding anti-democratic forces. It urges their families and friends to persuade them to accept induction into the army.
• Exit, Martin Dies, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial examines Martin Dies’s withdrawal from Congress after Dies Committee investigator James Stedman falsely charged that Japanese Americans were funding a campaign against him. It concludes the Dies Committee has shamed Congress and been repudiated by the public.
• Race-Baiting Does Not Pay, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial contends California’s primary results show voters rejected race-baiting, as Rep. John Costello, who led attacks on Japanese Americans, was defeated. It argues other factors such as labor and party politics determined the outcomes.
• Tojo’s Two Faces, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. This Nisei USA column is a commentary on Tojo’s contradictory public image and the wartime treatment of Japanese Americans. The column challenges the premise that Japanese Americans should be judged by Japan’s government.
• Nisei USA, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Nisei USA is a column covering news and notes about Japanese Americans across the country. It reports on sports, awards, and community developments involving nisei.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa argues that the war record of Hawaiian Japanese Americans and mainland nisei will stand them in good stead despite past injustices. He concludes both groups have done their parts and deserve recognition of their loyalty.
• Sergeant Kuroki—American, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This editorial digest quotes the Twin Falls Times-News praising Sgt. Ben Kuroki as a typical Japanese American citizen after his visit to Minidoka. The paper said his enemy kills protect fellow Americans of all backgrounds.

In-Depth

• Japanese American Make New Homes on East Coast, by Miwako Oana, page 5. Roughly seven thousand West Coast evacuees have resettled in New York City since relocation opened in early 1943. The article describes their new jobs, churches, and community life while acknowledging ongoing adjustment challenges.

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