New-York tribune., 1922-12-25
Turns
To Scripture to
Answer Critics
"As Ye Judge, So Shall Ye
BE Judged" Quotes Film
Comedian in a Plea to the
Public for Fair Play
Protests His Innocence
Declares Jury Composed of
Church Members Acquit-
ted Him of Any Crime

LOS ANGELES, Dec. "a Roscoe c.
c'Fatty") Arbuckle. motion picture
actor. to-day quoted the Scriptures
AS ye Judge. 80 shall ye be iudged"-ln
his first official statement on the con-
troversy which followed the Christmas
pardon" granted him by VIII II. Hays,
titular head Of the motion picture In
dustry. A. the same time Joseph VI.
Schenck. producer VINO will re-employ
the comedian, announced he was seek
ing a scenario suitable for Arbuckle
and that work on a picture would be
begun as soon as II was found
Jury Of High Character.
Arbuckle's statement follows;
"All / ask is the rights Of an Ameri-
can citizen American fair play.
Through misfortune and tragic aeei-
dent / was tried on a charge OF which
7 was absolutely innocent A jury
composed Of eight men and four
women, all Of whom we're Of high
character and excellent civic standing,
and an Of whom were members Of
churches Of various faiths, found me
innocent Not only that, but the same
Jury sent a message 20 the American
people IN this language:
'Acquittal is not enough for Roscoe
ArbuckIe. We feel that a great inlus.
tiee has been done him. We also feel
that II was only our plain duty 70 give
him this exoneration under the evi-
dence. for there was not the slightest
proof adduced 10 connect him in any
way with the commission Of crime
unlike the jury, those denouneing
me heard no part OF the evidence and
are without knowledge Of the facts.
"The Scriptures say that as ye Judge
80 shall ye be judged How would my
aecusers like 20 be judged as they are
judging me?
Tho institutions Of my country, the
courts and juries and the law OF the
land. have declared me innocent and
am entitled 10 the benefit and pro-
tsction OF the law. Those who are un-
Justly, untruthfully, malieiously and
venomously attacking me are refusing
70 abide by the established law OF the
land.
81 am not only wholly innocent, but
more than that. There is n higher law
which deals with the spiritual side OF
mankind. and surely this Christmas
time should not be the season when
the verdict Of the Pharisee is heard IN
the land.
Cites Saviour and the Thief
"But even supposing that | had not
been able 10 establish my innocence,
hut that were conscientiously en-
deavoring. through an orderly life, TO
atone for mistakes, would I not be en-
titled 10 an appeal for forgiveness &C.
cording TO the Scriptures, the letter OF
which 80 many IN the pulpit seem 20
observe and the spirit Of which some IN
the pulpit seem 20 ignore
"It is not dificult 10 visualize AZ this
time OF year. which commemorates the
birth OF Christ, what might have hap
ncned N some Of those who heartlessly
denounce me had been present when
tho Saviour forgave the penitent thief
on the cross In words that have in
euonccd the human race more than
anv other words ever uttered. Would
not some OF these persons nave de-
nounced Christ and stoned Him for
what He said ?
ono one ever saw a picture OF mine
that was not clean and wholesome. No
one ever will see such a picture.
claim the right Of work and service.
"The sentiment Of every church on
Christmas Day will be peace on earth
and good will 10 all mankind. What
win he the attitude the day after
Christmas 10 met
"ROSCOE c. ARBUCKLE."