Vol. 11, No. 32, May 1939. 4 pages. View this issue
Plans for JACL gatherings filled this four-page issue. The front page reported that the Northern California District convention in San Francisco was set for July 1 to 3, with registrars named and a program outline announced. Northwest chapters in Puyallup Valley and Tacoma were preparing for their district convention over Labor Day, and the Portland chapter had begun work on the 1940 national convention. The by-laws of the JACL Constitution, adopted at the Los Angeles national convention, were printed in full. Editorials took up vocational guidance for young Nisei graduates and the League’s busy year without a national convention.
Elsewhere are chapter news and local honors. Placer County reported 161 new members during the membership drive, and the Santa Barbara chapter was revived under James Ezaki. Page 4 reports on oratorical contests in Seattle and Portland, where Yukio Ozaki and Tom Oye took first place. It also notes Phi Beta Kappa honors at the University of Washington and an appointment for Henry S. Tatsumi.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Meet Plans Given at San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California District JACL convention in San Francisco, scheduled for July 1-3, has completed its plans for three days of business and entertainment. Registrars, the program outline, and the convention committee were announced.
- Northwest Board to Speed Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northwest District Council prepared to meet in Hood River to announce Tacoma convention plans and review fraternal insurance progress. Speakers and a call for united support for the convention were also expected.
- Fifth Member of Idaho Family Attains Top Graduating Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Roy Yamada delivered the valedictory address at his Middleton, Idaho graduation, the fifth Yamada family member to receive top honors since 1932. His family’s academic and extracurricular achievements were also highlighted.
- Pianist Wins Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Grayce Kaneda, a sophomore at the local junior college, was among the soloists at the College of Pacific Conservatory student recital in Stockton. Her performance earned her recognition.
- Joint Hosts Are Making Plans to Entertain N.W. Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Puyallup Valley and Tacoma chapters are co-hosting the fifth biennial Northwest District convention over Labor Day at Tacoma. General committee appointments and subcommittee heads were announced.
- Young in Alameda Slate Dinner for Retiring Teacher, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese community in Alameda planned a testimonial dinner on June 2 honoring retiring Alameda High School principal Dr. George C. Thompson. The event will also serve as a reunion for former students, of whom about 220 Japanese have graduated since 1891.
- Placer County Bids for Honors in Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Placer County JACL chapter reported a 250 percent membership increase during the national drive, adding 161 new members. Chapter members were recognized with national membership pins.
- Placer County 10 Enter Queen Race, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Placer County JACL chapter supported Mary Lou Woods of Auburn as a candidate for queen of the Gold Rush Revival. The chapter also prepared a parade float for the June 3 event.
- Brawley Young Hold Graduating Welcome, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Brawley JACL held a graduation dance at the Del Rio Country Club to honor local high school and junior college graduates. Presidents of the Orange County and San Diego chapters were guests of honor.
- Venice Chapter Has Pleasant Gathering, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Bay District JACL held a general business meeting covering a recent skating party and membership drive. Delegates were also selected for the Southern District Council meeting.
- Local Committee Plans to Receive SF Meet Visitors, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco chapter devoted its efforts to preparing for the July Fourth district convention, arranging entertainment and receptions. A committee was formed with fund-raising and promotion efforts, including auto stickers.
- Tom Oye Leads in Oratory Contest Held at Portland, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tom Oye of Salem won the Portland JACL oratorical contest on Good Citizenship and will represent the chapter at Tacoma. Mary Yokota and Fujie Maehara placed second and third.
- Henry Tatsumi Made Assistant Professor, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Henry S. Tatsumi was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Washington. He began teaching Japanese there as a teaching fellow in 1928.
- Seattle League Head in Memorial Event, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle JACL president Takeo Nogaki spoke for the younger generation at the Memorial Day observance honoring pioneer dead. Graves were tended at Lake View and Queen Anne Hill cemeteries.
- Second Generation Seattle Nurse Wins Honors in Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Masako Takayoshi was promoted to supervisor of operating room nurses at King County Hospital. She is a University of Washington nursing graduate known for her work with the Fuyo Kai Alumnae.
- School Honor Won by Seattle Young, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Three second generation students at the University of Washington earned Phi Beta Kappa honors at convocation. Several others were elected to various academic honoraries.
- Red Cross Honors Given Boy Scouts, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Forty Japanese Boy Scouts in Seattle earned Red Cross first-aid certificates through a course sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Four troops participated in the training and examinations.
- Prominent Fife Lad Made Future Farmer, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fife High School student Kawasaki received the state farmer degree from the Future Farmers of America at the state convention in Pullman. The honor recognized his active participation in the chapter.
- Two Northwest Units Inaugurate Leaders at Fêtes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. New JACL committees in Eatonville and Bainbridge Island were installed with officers and civic leaders in attendance. Speakers included local officials and past national JACL officials.
JACL
- Portland Chapter Starts Plans for National Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Portland JACL chapter began preparing for the 1940 national convention, with a convention date of August 28 to September 2 set. Committee discussions covered outing sites, programs, and hotel arrangements.
- Call on Pin Orders Slated for June 10 by Chairman Hirao, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National pin committee chairman Kay Hirao set a June 10 deadline for chapters to submit orders for the new national JACL pins. He urged prompt action from chapters that have not yet responded.
- Council Meet Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Southern California District Council prepared for its May 28 meeting in Los Angeles to ratify a new constitution and address chapter admissions. The membership census of all chapters was also to be presented.
- Convention Plans for S.F. Fixed by District Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California District Council adopted a revised constitution at its Marysville meeting and finalized plans for the San Francisco convention. Officers were inducted and committees were appointed for resolutions and discrimination research.
- By-Laws for League Come in This Issue of Pacific Citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The by-laws of the JACL Constitution, adopted at the Los Angeles national convention, are published in this issue. They cover budget, traveling expenses, chapter qualifications, dues, and district council boundaries.
- Santa Barbara Again Gets League Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Santa Barbara JACL chapter was revived under new president James Ezaki after several inactive years. Plans include registering second generation members and promoting community spirit.
In-Depth
- The Job’s the Thing!, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This editorial argues that vocational guidance is a central concern for young Nisei graduates seeking employment. The League has made the vocational question a major issue this year with meetings and practical discussions.
Commentary
- League Takes No Vacation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This editorial notes that League activity continues despite the absence of a national convention this year. District conventions and local chapter projects are keeping membership interest high.
- Asking for Co-operation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This editorial appeals to chapter corresponding secretaries to submit timely meeting reports for publication. It notes that many reports arrived too late to be printed because of mailing delays.
- Yukio Ozaki Wins Speaking Contest in Seattle Clash, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Yukio Ozaki took first place in the Seattle JACL oratorical contest on the topic of good citizenship. Toyo Nishimura, Akira Kikuchi, and Shigeo Fujita placed second through fourth, and the chapter also held its first vocational guidance meeting.
Obituaries
- Mrs. Orrin A. Lowell Death Mourned by Placer County JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Members of the Placer County JACL mourned the unexpected death of Mrs. Orrin A. Lowell of Auburn, a longtime supporter of the chapter. Chapter officers and members attended the funeral service.
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