Evening journal., 1922-12-18
HAYS AGAINST
FILM D0PESTERS
Would Cooperate With Au-
thorities in Stamping
Out Drug
COKE" PASSED
IN SUGAR BOWL

] LOS ANGELES, Dec. IS OWN II
Hays today declared he will coop
crate with State and Federal author
tiles to stamp out the narcotic evi
in Hollywood, IL he IS called upoi
to do so.
However, he Will not assume CON
troll of the dope" investigation
there he made clear.
IT am not the arbiter OF Holly
woods morals" Hays again empha-
sized. MY mission is not to mete
out punishment or to act in a judicial
capacity, but to work constructively
to remodel the motion picture indus
try until it Is sound to the core and
is serving the public to the utmost
Of its artistic and educational ca
pacity."
"As for Wallace Reid. my sympa-
thies and those of all good people
are with him"
Held is recovering at Holly
wood sanitorium from a physical
breakdown, according to Dorothy
Davenport Reid, his Aim star wife
and her mother. They declared they
blame "wallys fair weather. friends, f."
who made his home a "'roadhouse"
and the heavy work he was forced
to undergo for his plight.
Hays assertion that he will not act
as supreme censor OF morals of movie
stars was in answer TO whether he
would start active investigation OF
IN, l.,
colony.
II cannot act as a policeman any
more than the head OF any other
large corporation in case of this
kind. but must leave It to the legally
constituted authorities" he said.
Il will, however, cooperate with
the authorities in every way in case
they call on me but It would be pre-
sumptuous for me to assume coatrol
OF an investigation which is their
business"
The pictures being produced have
improved already" the movie CO.
head continued. "and will improve
more. have faith that the recent
unfortunate AFFAIR is OF type now
OF the past"
Hays statement Is taken here to in
dicate clearly for the first time and
despite his spectacular barring OF
Fatty Arbuckle, that he is not to De
regarded as Judge Lands OF the
movies" with rigid powers over con-
duct and behavior OF stars, hut is
more to be regarded as a combina-
tion efficiency expert and large scale
welfare worker.
ATLANTIC CITY. N. J.. Dec. Is
Omitted Press)-How cocaine was
served in sugar bowls at Wild parties
OF movie actors was described today
by Evelyn Nesbit, former member
OF the Hollyood film colony.
Il was a dope once but I fought
my way back and cured myself" de-
clared Miss Nesbit, sending a word
OF hope to Wallace Reid, celebrated
screen star who according 20 his
wife, IS fighting a desperate battle
against the drug habit.
Miss Nesbit, a year ago haggard
and worn with her struggle to break |
the grip OF narcotics on her system.
has greatly improved in spirit and
appearance since she won her fight |
Only few months ago she attempt |
ed suicide by taking an ovsrd ose of |
drugs when her tea room in New !
York failed. Today. brisk and alert |
she is manager of zone Of the most |
prosperous cabarets OF Atlantic
City's famous boardwalk.
"Oh, but It was a long mean fight |
against the happy stuff' as they |
called IT," said Miss Nesblt.
Il began taking the stuff at HoI-
lywood. There were dope agents at
every party there waitiro N take
orders.
AT one party the cocaine was
passed in a sugar bowl. Every few
somebody would say pass
the sugar 1t was big Joke.
AT that time I wasn't taking It,
but sometime later a Follies' girl
gave men some for toothache and
then the habit grew. and got a grip.
Every cent had went for dope. 1
put myself under a doctors care to
break away. He cut down doses
every day. 1t was a heartbreaking
light. The pains were terrible. Then
one day the doctor told me 1t was all