The 1939 JACL membership drive and plans for the Portland convention

Vol. 11, No. 30, March 1939. 4 pages. View this issue

The National JACL membership drive was the main news of this four-page issue. Chapters were counting their gains and getting ready to report to National Chairman William Ishida, and many second generation members had joined. President Walter Tsukamoto laid out his administration’s plan to focus on a few well-considered objectives, and the paper reported on district conventions and on Portland’s preparations to host the 1940 convention, with William Ito as general chairman.

Chapter news fills much of the rest: a joint installation of six Northern California chapters in Sacramento, a zadankai planned by the San Jose chapter, and spring calendars from Seattle, Brawley and Puyallup Valley. On page 2, Bill Hosokawa described life in Singapore and Hongkong, and the editorials looked at welcoming new members and balancing social and material work in the League.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Membership Drive of National JACL Was Huge Success, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL membership drive concluded with many second generation joining, and chapters are counting gains and planning welcome gatherings for new members. Although the 20 percent goal’s outcome was uncertain, the drive was hailed as a moral victory showing the League’s united effort.
• Tsukamoto Sounds Call for Advance, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Walter Tsukamoto laid out his administration’s policy of concentrating on a few well-considered objectives and urged chapters to align their constitutions with the national document. He also announced new national committee appointments and sought a new director for Second Generation Development and Welfare.
• Portland Session to Complete Work Launched in 1938, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Portland chapter, as host for the 1940 national convention over Labor Day, named William Ito as general chairman and appointed his aides. The convention is expected to focus on consolidating the program laid down at Los Angeles, with more time for social enjoyment.
• District Leaders Making Plans for Area Conventions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. District leaders in Northern California, Southern California, and the Northwest are directing their efforts toward successful district conventions and support for Portland in 1940. Northern California’s convention will be held in San Francisco July 1-3 with the theme of community problems.

Community

• Women’s Auxiliary Has Fete for Wife of Consul General, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco chapter’s Women’s Auxiliary hosted a tea at the Hotel Mark Hopkins honoring Madame Toshitow Satow, wife of the consul general. Entertainment included violin, ballet, and sword dance performances.
• White River Chapter of League Will Sponsor Boy Scout Troop, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The White River chapter in Auburn, Washington, undertook sponsorship of Thomas Troop No. 453 of the Boy Scouts of America to build goodwill and show civic duties. Committeemen were chosen while awaiting confirmation from Seattle headquarters.
• Los Angeles Youths Assist Conservation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese community in Los Angeles held a Conservation Week program with a poster contest and social event at Union Church. Willie Sumida won the grand prize, and Dr. M. Horii urged greater participation in future years.
• Marysville to Be Host for Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Yuba-Sutter-Butte-Colusa chapter in Marysville will host the Northern California District Council on May 7, the last session before the July district convention in San Francisco. Frank Nakamura was named general chairman and committees were formed.
• San Jose Chapter Launches 1939 Program; Zadankai Set for April, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose chapter outlined its year-long program, beginning with a zadankai on April 14. The schedule covers topics from constitutional study to etiquette, with the membership drive extended two weeks.
• Loyalty League of Fresno Aiding Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Fresno American Loyalty League arranged membership drive teams for nearby towns and voted a donation to the Fresno Buddhist Temple. The League also planned a census of Japanese families and approved an invitation to local legislators.
• El Monte Swings In on Membership Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The El Monte JACL cabinet named district membership chairmen and pledged $10 toward delegate expenses for the Southern California convention at Brawley. The cabinet also discussed forming a women’s auxiliary and holding a social rally.
• Plans Being Drawn for Birthday Fete by Sonoma County, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Sebastopol JACL chapter planned a fifth anniversary dinner at Petaluma for March 30 and reported on the membership drive in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. Talent for the event was arranged and civic leaders were invited.
• Brawley Chapter Has Spring Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Brawley JACL outlined its spring calendar, including a March outing, an April visit from El Centro, and a May dance. Committees discussed a possible talent revue and constitutional amendments.
• Shironaka Selected Delta Chapter Head, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Walnut Grove Delta chapter elected Harry Shironaka as president along with other officers and delegates. President Shironaka also encouraged attendance at a talk by Tamotsu Murayama.
• Masao Satow Takes Over New Position as YMCA Secretary, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Masao Satow, a longtime JACL member and former assistant national executive secretary, was elected president of the Boys’ Work Secretaries of the Pacific Southwest area. Due to his new duties he will decline a League position offered by President Tsukamoto.
• Joint Inaugural at Sacramento by Chapters Success, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Six Northern California JACL chapters held a joint installation in Sacramento attended by about 300 people, with President Tsukamoto installing officers. Assemblyman Chester Gannon praised the second generation at the banquet.
• Centerville Sets Affair for Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Washington Township JACL held an open house to introduce new members and boost the membership drive, with a census showing a goal of 100 members. The chapter also planned an oratorical contest and a trophy memorializing Marie Sandholdt.
• Seattle JACL Has Three Big Events for Spring, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle chapter planned a mothers’ meeting that launched a women’s club, a Community Night on April 21, and an oratorical contest on May 26. A successful bazaar and dance also raised funds for the chapter’s welfare program.
• Puyallup Valley Planning Session, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Puyallup Valley chapter, a joint host of the Labor Day district convention in Tacoma, held a planning meeting and named committees. The chapter also won the membership contest with 110 new members.
• Eatonville Branch for Eatonville Folks Will Join Tacoma, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An Eatonville committee of the Tacoma JACL chapter was organized with members of older generations included as honorary members. Organizers hope the committee will foster community spirit among second generation residents.

Commentary

• Let’s Realize on Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial argues that the membership drive’s success lies in the united effort it demonstrated and that new members must now be welcomed and instructed in League principles. It stresses that the League offers a common platform for all second generation Americans.
• All Eyes on Portland, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial examines preparations for the 1940 Portland convention, urging chapters to align their constitutions with the national document. It also backs President Tsukamoto’s focused approach to program development.
• Means to an End, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial addresses criticism that chapter meetings emphasize either social activities or material affairs too much. It argues these should be balanced, since material betterment provides the means for a fuller spiritual and social life.
• Two Orient Ports, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes life in Singapore, including its cosmopolitan population, British administration, tropical climate, and pests. He then contrasts it with Hongkong, noting the stark gap between wealthy mansions and the poverty of the city’s working families.

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