New-York tribune., 1922-12-23
Leader Declares Letters
and Telegrams Indicate
People Will Vote Down
the Comedians Return
LOO Churches Join
Fight on Pictures
Federation Protests Rein
statement Of ScreenStar;
Y. NJ. C. A. Wires Hays

Leadins New York motion picture
exhibitors we're c'ubtful yesterday II
Fatty" Arbuekle films will be shown
hero or elsewhere, despite bis rein
statement 20 screen rspeetAbility.
Their doubts arose from the en-
phatic nature Of the protests which
have come from ell quarters as a re-
suit OF viii II. Hays's announcement
as Hollywood that the official ban
placed on Arbuekle's films at the time
Of Virginia Rappe's death had been
lifted.
Although Hugo Riesenfeld, director
Of the Rivoli and Rialto theatres. and
others said they thought his pictures
should be shown 10 test public opin-
on, Charles l. O'Reilly. president Of
the New York State Motion Picture
Theatre Owners Association, spoke
for larger group when he said ne
thought it likely the public would
turn thumbs down OH the comedian In
advance Of showing Of bis pictures
and that exhibitors would not dare
present them.
Loew Reserves Decision
Marcus Loew, owner Of score Of
New York thentNrs and many through
out the country and president OF the
Metro Producing Corporation, repre-
sented another group in declining 10
express an opinion on tho propricty OF
displayinr Arbuckle films.
Il have only just returned from the
Coast" Mr.. Loew said, "and | heard
nothing OF Mr.. Hays's projected action
there. II was a surprise 20 me when
the papers carried the news. Knowing
HAYS as | do, however, am certain he
must have had some good ground for
his action. He is very honorable
and conscientious man, and | do not
believe he would do a wrong to the
public"
Meanwhile the tide, Of public oppo-
elton 10 Arbuekle's return 20 the
screen was mounting, and the hrst
formal protests 10 be issued here on
behalf OF organizations came out They
were from The Young Mems Christian
Association OF North America and the
New York Federation OF Churches. rep
resenling 1000 Protestant eongrega-
tions In the greater city.
o.. Deplores Lifting Ban
The Y. NJ. c. A. protest was tele-
graphed to Mr.. Hays By Dr.. John X.
Mott. general secretary Of the Inter
national Committee. His telegram read !:
"As a member Of the Committee OF
Twenty and representing as ! do the
Young Mems Christian Associations Of
North America, having In their mem.
berships hundreds of thousands Of
growing boys (not 10 mention hundreds
OF thousands OF young mon), | deplore
the recent action reinstating Roscoe
Arbuckle. He should be encouraged In
every way possible % return 20 a use
ful life, but not by path Of motion pic
lures, 10 be viewed by the youth OF
the land. 10 whom the sight would re-
call memories Of widely reported orgies
OF less than two years ago"
The church federation protest was
made by the federation's motion pic
ture committee, which adopted the fol-
lowing resolution yesterday;
Whereas, In our judgment Mr.. VIII
Hays's decision 20 give RoEcoe (Fatty)
Arbuckle another chance In motion pie
lures will bring down on his shoulders
the wrath Of the mothers and fathers
Of the country, and,
Whereas, the capitalization Of crime
for financial gain Is fundamentally
wrong and not consistent with good
government, and,
Whereas, Mr.. viii Hays is on record
as having repeatedly made the state
ment that his relation 10 the motion
picture industry was 20 elevate the
moral and artistic standards Of the
screen that the pardoning Of Roscoe
(Fatty) Arbuekle completely reverses
his stand with reference 70 instructive
pictures, and,
Canon Chase a signer
Whereas, this decision OF Mr.. Will
HAYS constitutes another serious in
Jury 10 those In the motion picture
Industry who are trying to satisfy the
publie's needs and wants, now be II
therefore
Resolved that the motion picture
committee Of the New York Federation
OF Churches does hereby 90 on record
ns protesting against the reported de-
cision Of Mr.. vii HAYS and his en-.
ploycrs relative 70 the exhibition OF
Roscoe ("Fatty') Arbucklc pictures
The resolution was signed BY l. koy
Curtiss, chairman; Canon William
tcoatlnus1 % pass sls)