Getting ready for the 1938 JACL national convention in Los Angeles

Vol. 10, No. 22, July 1938. 4 pages. View this issue

Preparations for the fifth biennial JACL national convention in Los Angeles filled this four-page issue, with the gathering one month away. Chapters across the Coast held rallies and drives to build booster delegations, and Los Angeles volunteers canvassed Little Tokyo businesses to raise money for the entertainment program. The agenda covered the endowment fund, constitutional revision, a national headquarters and vocational work. Editorials urged delegates to treat the sessions as real work, and also backed changes to The Pacific Citizen itself, including a move of its offices to California.

Elsewhere, the Nisei Week Festival queen contest grew warmer, California chapters reported their voter registration drives, and Yasutaro Soga wrote from Honolulu about hopes for the second generation. Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Oakland and San Francisco chapters reported on their plans, and a new Japanese Historical Society of America announced a book of pioneer stories.

What’s in this issue

JACL

  • Enthusiasm Rises in JACL Ranks as Convention Nears, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Preparations for the fifth biennial JACL national convention in Los Angeles are advancing, with new events and social programs added. Pre-convention rallies and booster delegations are building excitement across the Southland, Sacramento, and other districts.
  • Session Rally in San Gabriel Vale, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A pre-convention booster rally was scheduled at the El Monte Civic Center to build interest in the national convention. Convention leaders and Southland chapter representatives were expected to attend and explain convention issues.
  • National Session Important Topics to Consider Many, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The convention will address major issues including the endowment fund, the Young Citizens development project, constitutional revision, a national headquarters building, and vocational matters. Committees are studying these questions in advance of the September gathering.
  • Session to Have Important Topics, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The convention will examine the endowment fund, the Second Generation Development Project, and vocational problems, with field trips planned. Committees are reviewing the revised Constitution in advance of the session.

Community

  • Los Angeles Folks Stage Funds Drive Through Lil’ Tokio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles chapter is raising funds for the convention entertainment program through a canvass of Little Tokyo businesses and house-to-house visits. The effort is reported to be meeting with favorable response.
  • Battle for Queen Honors Grows Warmer as 33 Drop Out, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Virginia Zaima leads 24 Southland contestants vying for the Nisei Week Festival queen title at the national convention. Backers are intensifying efforts as the contest nears its August 20 close.
  • Monterey Peninsula Chapter Borne Huge Flag in Fourth Parade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Monterey chapter carried a 40 by 70 foot flag made by young members in the Fourth of July parade, earning wide applause. The chapter is also preparing a Japanese dance number for the Monterey County Fair.
  • Confab Song Sought by Northwest Board, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northwest District Council is sponsoring a contest to select a pep song for its delegation at the Los Angeles convention. A cash award will go to the winning entry, with submissions due August 5.
  • Colorful Japanese Dance Event Shown at San Luis Obispo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. More than 2,000 people attended the annual Japanese dance program at the Buddhist Temple grounds in San Luis Obispo. The event observed the Bon festival, welcoming the spirits of the dead back to their homes.
  • Enthusiasm Rises in League Ranks, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, and Bay Area chapters are actively preparing large booster delegations for the Los Angeles convention. Oakland raised about $200 to help delegates attend.
  • Huge Celebration for Birthday Set by San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco chapter plans an elaborate celebration of the League’s 10th anniversary, possibly including a public outing on Treasure Island. It is also sending a delegation of about 50 to the national convention.
  • Washington Township Has Party for Pioneers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Centerville’s Washington Township held an event honoring the first generation and began gathering local pioneer history. The program was sponsored jointly by the Japanese Association and the Citizens League.
  • San Diego Chooses Best Speakers for Oratorical Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Mukai and Grace Imaizumi won first and second place in the San Diego oratorical contest. Mukai will advance to the district final in Los Angeles.
  • Oakland Launches Campaign to Gain More Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oakland chapter formed three teams to recruit new members and contact delinquent ones. The drive aims to strengthen the chapter enough to send a large booster delegation to the national convention.
  • Sacramento Seeks Large Delegation for Great Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Sacramento chapter agreed to help defray travel costs for booster delegates going to the national convention. Members who wish to take advantage of the offer must notify chapter officials by August 15.
  • El Centro People Ask JACL Charter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. An active group of young people in El Centro organized and elected officers while seeking a JACL charter. The new chapter is part of the League’s southern California expansion.
  • Seattle Promises Many Boosters at National Session, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle chapter expects about 40 delegates to attend the Los Angeles convention and has funds available to assist young boosters. It also discussed membership drives and support for the Japanese Boy Scout drum corps.
  • Japanese Help in Seattle Potlatch, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle’s Japanese community entered a float and princess Lillian Fujihira in the Potlatch of Progress festival. The community hopes to repeat its 1935 first-place float victory.
  • Officers’ Confab at Seattle Makes District Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Northwest District Officers’ Conference in Seattle launched plans for a large convention delegation and reviewed a second generation census. Participants also discussed the constitutional revision, the endowment fund, and changes to The Pacific Citizen.
  • Portland Chapter Plans Outing for Cadets Who Visit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Portland chapter plans an August 7 picnic at Gales Creek Park, with cadets from the Japanese training ship Taisei Maru as special guests. The chapter is also discussing creating a Japanese Cultural Library.
  • Annual Outing Given by Yakima Valley Folk, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Yakima Valley chapter held its annual outing and dance at Eshbach Park. Delegates were chosen for the national convention.
  • Japan Visitors Honored Along the Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Three Japanese American businessmen on the Pacific Coast received distinguished awards from the Japan Industrial Association of Tokyo. The honorees were Henry Okuda, Daiichi Takeoka, and Bungoro Morey.
  • Scout Honor Paid Viscount Mishima, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Viscount Michiharu Mishima, commissioner of the Boy Scouts of Japan, visited Seattle on a goodwill tour. He was welcomed by local Scouts, Consul Sato, and the Japanese community before traveling to Italy for a conference.

National

  • California Drive Sets High Figure for Registration, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters across California conducted an active voter registration campaign for young citizens entitled to vote. Los Angeles County led the effort, with an estimated 1,200 more young voters registered than the previous year.

Commentary

  • A Working Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial urges delegates to treat the Los Angeles convention as a serious working session despite its social events. It highlights vocational concerns, the endowment fund, and the need for a national headquarters.
  • The Pacific Citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial supports a proposed change in the form and policy of The Pacific Citizen, including relocating its offices to California. It argues the paper has been underfunded and must be reorganized to serve the growing League.
  • Registration Drives, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial praises California youth for acting on resolutions to register eligible young voters. It argues that citizens must vote to help make laws and elect public officials.
  • Hopeful View for Second Generation, by Yasutaro Soga, page 2. Honolulu publisher Yasutaro Soga expresses optimism that Nisei will become loyal American citizens. He cites Ichizo Kobayashi’s advice that Hawaii’s Japanese Americans should move from labor into business and invest locally.

In-Depth

  • Society Planning Book of Pioneers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The newly formed Japanese Historical Society of America plans a one-volume work recording stories of pioneers resident in the United States more than 40 years. An editorial staff of Japanese-language newspaper editors is compiling material from across the West.

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