Title: Scrapbook page of newspaper clippings, c. 1941, (denshopd-p72-00013)
Densho ID: denshopd-p72-00013

The Revoked Licenses of Alien Enemies

There have been scenes at the Portland city hall these last few days that belong to war.

In swift succession the city council directed:

That no license to do any business in Portland be granted to any Japanese national.

That no deposit of money on account of a license application from a Japanese national be received.

That all licenses heretofore granted to Japanese nationals be revoked and that hearings be held on January 29 as to those licenses not surrendered prior to that time.

That no license be granted or any deposit of money accepted from any enemy alien, and that all licenses previously granted to enemy aliens be recalled or revoked.

All of these motions were made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner Cooper and passed unanimously with the additional votes of Mayor Riley and Commissioners Peterson and Clyde.

Immediately thereafter, long queues of people applying for licenses formed in the offices of Chief License Inspector J.S. Hutchinson. Busy attendants had scant time to listen to individual pleading, yet each person had a story, each related a need, all in their appalled sense of devastation of everything usual and orderly bringing the grim fact of total war closer.

The motions that had singled out Japanese nationals had a simple explanation. Germans and Italians have the legal privilege of becoming citizens; Japanese have not.

The city council, therefore, performed a duty under the hard and inexorable fact of war. There is no way to draw a line clearly enough to set saboteurs and fifth columnists on one side and on the other those who unwillingly and involuntarily are grouped among alien enemies. The latter also most remember that the cruel and treacherous acts at Pearl Harbor and Manila especially have placed all Japanese nationals under a shadow. Each who protests loyalty is put to double proof. Any slightest oblique action will make the situation more difficult for all.

With tolerance and understanding, and yet with rigid self-discipline and unyielding spirit, we must fight this war through to a victory so complete that present distressful situations shall no longer be possible.


From Hood River Japanese

To the Editor: Please accept our sincere appreciation for the tolerance shown us during these difficult days with the following resolution drawn by Japanese resident nationals in Hood River county, Oregon.

REV. ISAAC INOUYE

Hood River Japanese Methodist church district superintendent of northwest district.

P.S. I have just learned that two more boys, selectees, are off to be inducted in the United States armed forces. So there are 16 boys in the army.

The Rev. Mr. Inouye's letter was accompanied by the following statement under the title, "Our Pledge":

We, the permanent Japanese resident nationals in this county of Hood River, do express to you and through you to the federal, state and local officials, and to the American people at large, our heartfelt and sincere gratitude for the generous treatment accorded us by our courteous American friends. We are grateful for the many kindnesses and sympathies expressed to us.

Most of the alien Japanese residents are devoted to this great democratic America though we are not eligible for citizenship. We love this country so much that we wish to live here permanently, obeying American laws, policies and administration always and especially during the present situation: and to co-operate wholeheartedly, endeavoring to prove our destinies common with that of the American people.

The local Japanese natives have signed with the local civilian defense committee to volunteer for whatever purposes called upon. Fourteen of our American-born boys of Japanese ancestry have answered the call to duty with the United States army. We hope there will be further opportunities to prove our mettle as good, law-abiding nationals, maintaining the good will of our American neighbors.

May we pledge our loyalty to the Stars and Stripes just as do our children who are patriotic American citizens, with our prayer for a more peaceful kingdom on earth, which is the divine bequest of the American people for future generations.

(This pledge is signed under oath, the violation of which shall result in breach of friendly relations in the community. Signed this 8th day of January, 1942.)

(Signed by all Hood River Japanese.)

Negroes and Freedom

To the Editor: Our nation is at war. Our great president has called for national unity. All of us are called upon to make sacrifices and more sacrifices. There is no group in the nation more willing to do its part than the Negro group. Our loyalty is traditional and well known. No one doubts it. We love our country, and in peace and war we have given our best to it. In every war this nation has fought from the revolution to the present we have been among the first to die. Two Negroes went down with the Reuben James; and one died at Pearl Harbor.

But we are perplexed about some things. As never before the Negro masses are thinking and asking questions. We want to know why, in spite of the desire for national unity, in spite of our traditional loyalty, does our army discriminate against our boys? Why does our navy accept our boys only as mess attendants? Why do many government protected labor unions deny us the right to work, even in defense industries? And, why does the Red Cross, the angel of mercy, refuse to accept Negroes as blood donors? We should like to know, when you speak of fighting to save the democratic way of life, whether that includes us also. When the war is over, shall we continue a slave class? Or will the four freedoms be extended to us also?

REV. J. JAMES CLOW.


Same, Back at Japan

PORTLAND, Jan. 7. -- To the Editor of The Journal -- The United States has always been too soft with its aliens, who have had the same freedom that any American has had; in many cases, more freedom than our own citizens would care to take. They have even been protected by our police while taking those liberties. What has all this grandiose treatment of aliens got Uncle Sam? I think the answer has been delivered at Pearl Harbor, and at Manila after it was declared an open city, and is still being delivered all over the Philippines.

If any man, or group of men, show themselves barbarians they should be treated like barbarians. If the American people don't give the Japs the same treatment the Japs would give them, then they deserve any barbarism the Japs feel inclined to hand them.

Vaughn Harris.


'Bomber' Takes Army Physical

Heavyweight Champion Becomes Member Of Uncle Sam's Fighting Forces

NEW YORK, Jan. 12. (U.P.) -- Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis passed his physical examination at Fort Jay, Governor's Island, today and will become a private at Camp Upton, on Long island, Wednesday.

"Louis passed his mental and physical tests okay," Major Joseph Quittner, publicly director at Fort Jay announced. "He is free to do as he pleases until next Wednesday when he will be inducted into the army at Camp Upton."

Accompanied by Co-manager Julian Black, Promoter Mike Jacobs and nearly 50 reporters, photographers and newsreel men, Louis rode the 8:50 a.m. ferry to Fort Jay, Governor's island, directly across from the Statue of Liberty. The champion wore a tan plaid suit and a brown overcoat.

Toughest Job Will Be Getting Up in Morning

The photographers tried to get Joe to smile but he couldn't make it.

"Gee, this seems like the middle of the night," the champion said.

Black laughed and said that when Louis was dressing he had said: "Julian, this getting up so early is going to be the toughest thing about fighting this war."

At Governor's island, Louis was met by Colonel H. Clay Supplee and Major Joseph Quittner who escorted him to the registration office.

Captain Joseph Lamanna registered Louis and placed a red identification tag, No. 374, around his neck.

Next, Louis was taken to the administration building where he was interviewed on his personal record by Private Abe Taubman. He gave Joe Louis Barrow as his name. When asked his occupation, he replied:

"Fighting -- let's get at those Japs."

Then came Louis' physical examination by Chief Medical Officer Manual Scham.

Louis, wearing trousers, shorts, shoes and sox, weighed 220 pounds. His height was 74 inches, his waist 33 1/2 inches and his chest 43 before expansion and 49 after expansion.

No announcement was made about whether Louis passed the physical examination and Major Quittner said none would be forthcoming until later in the day.


The clerk who examined Louis was more nervous than the champion, who appeared to take the proceedings with his usual unruffled calm, almost bordering on boredom. The medical examination was repeated five times for the cameramen.

It took Louis an hour and 55 minutes to go through the entire routine. The normal time is about 12 minutes.

James J. Braddock, former champion and the man from whom Luis won his title, showed up to wish Joe Luck.

Louis returned to New York with his entourage. He is free to do as he pleases until 9 a.m. Wednesday when he'll report to Camp Upton, L.I., to sworn into the ranks.

Navy Relief Gets $89,092

NEW YORK, Jan. 12. -- (U.P.) -- Promoter Mike Jacobs announced today he had turned over a check for $89,092.01 to the United States Naval Relief society as its share of the Joe Louis-Buddy Baer heavyweight title bout in Madison Square Garden last Friday night.

Jacobs donated all his profits, Louis his entire purse and Baer two and one half per cent of his purse.

The sum is one of the largest ever given to charity from a sports event.


Aliens Must Give Up City Licenses

Eighty-nine enemy aliens held city licenses before the city ordered that no more licenses be granted be revoked, according to a count by Joseph S. Hutchinson, chief of the city license bureau. If any of those counted as enemy aliens can prove citizenship they will be granted licenses.

Of the 89 there are 54 Japanese with 23 of them in the hotel business and 13 in groceries and meats. There are 15 Germans with six in the lunch and confectionery business, and 20 Italians with 11 dealers of food.


Fortifies Mr. Clow's Plea

PORTLAND, Jan. 9.-- To the Editor of The Journal -- The plea of the Rev. J. James Clow in The Journal's "Letters" column on January 6, for freedom and equality on behalf of the Negro race, should find a hearty response from everyone who has any pride or interest in a democratic way of life. If the American people are going to assume leadership in the making of a new and better world, they must be prepared to eliminate such maladjustments as color, class or creed discriminations. We must recognize that every human being has value as a person, irrespective of nationality, and should be accorded certain basic liberties, freedoms and legal equalities. We can not afford to prate and dilate on the brotherhood of man unless we are prepared to put it into action in our daily living. The other day a Gipsy parents walked out of one of our school buildings saying to the principal, "God bless you." So, one may find appreciation in even those whom we are prone to "pass by on the other side."

John G. Kilpack.