The Wrangell sentinel., 1922-12-28
EDITORIAL
WILL HAYS A SAD
 DISAPPOINTMENT

A press notice during the past week contained the information that Will Hays, head of the moving pie ture industry, has reinstated Fatty Arbuckle, and that after the first of the year his films will again be shown.
 With this announcement. the de- cent minded public loses all confi- dence in MT. Hays. For if Fatty Arbuckle can "come back" so can any other moral degenerate, who happens to have financial backing that will bring pressure to bear.
 When MT. Hays resigned from the Presidents cabinet last March to be- come the head of the moving picture industry at the princely salary of S150, 0,0000 a year, there was much in the newspapers about the downright bloody cleanup that would follow, with the result that clean wholesome pictures would take the place of eternal triangles'' and manifold ap peals to sex. The public has waited patiently for almost a year for some evidence of Hays promised reform in the moving picture industry, but it has not been forthcoming. He has failed absolutely to put an end to the rotten shows that are represented by such titles as the following:
 Sex Lure"
 For Husbands Only''
 Why Trust Your Husband?" "A Bachelors Children"
 My Unmarried Wife,
 "PIaythings of Passion"
 His Temporary Wife"
 "Lawless Love-"
 "The Woman Of Pleasure"
 His Bridal Night"
 "The Fruits of Desire.'''
 My Husbands Other Wife,
 When Men Desire"
 "Flames of the Flesh.''
 Generally speaking, the proprie- tors of picture shows in small towns are anxious to give their patrons clean pictures, but it.is pretty gen erally understood that in order to bring pictures to a small town, the town must be on circuit and the manager of the small town picture house has practically no voice in the selection of the pictures that are sent him.
 The small towns, therefore, are most keenly disappointed in Will Hays. It is true that Arbuckle was acquitted by a court of law. but in the court of public opinion he has been found to be lewd degenerate. He should never be permitted to make another picture and the films of all pictures that he has made in the past should be permanently scrapped. There was no demand on the part of the public for any thing that would recall the revolting details connected with the death of Virginia Rapp. Therefore, we think it very unlikely that Hays would have undertaken to unload Arbuckle films on the public had 1t not been that certain producing magnates had spent more than half million dol lars in the production of Arbuckle films, and expected to make profit therefrom of more than two million.
 There are many people engaged in the production of moving pictures who represent a high type>of man. hood and womanhood. But since it is the degenerates of the profession who get into the limelight, the pub lie is apt to become inclined to sus- pect the character of any one con nected with the production of nov ing pictures.
 Hays had an opportunity to be, patriot He has failed utterly.
 There is no institution in the country which, under proper admin istration, would be more deserving of support than the movies. Every one admits the great possibilities of the movies, not only for furnishing good wholesome amusement, but for its potential power as an educator.
 There are many good pictures