South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-25
ARBUCKLE QUOTES
BIBLE IN ASKING
FOR SQUARE DEAL
Actor in First Statement Since
Controversy Over Christ
mas Pardon"

Los ANGELES. Calf, Dec. "a
(By A. P.)-ROscoe c. Fatty" Ar
buckle. motion picture actor, today
quoted the Scriptures-'Asy ye judge.
so shall ye be judged, in his first
official statement on the controversy
which followed the Christmas par
don" granted him by VIII II. Hays,
titular head of the motion picture
industry. At the same time Joseph
". Schenck, producer, who win re-
employ the comedian. announced he
was seeking a scenario suitable for
Arbuckle and that work on a pic
was found.
Arbuckle's statement follows:
All I ask is the rights of an Amer
lean citizen-American fair play.
Through misfortune and tragic acci-
dent l was tried on a charge Of
which 1 was absolutely innocent. A
jury composed of eight men and
four women, all of whom were men,
bers of churches of various faiths.
found me innocent. Not only that.
but the same jury sent a message
to the American people in this
language:
'Acquittal is not enough for Ros-
coe ArbuckIe. We feel that a great
injustice has been done him. We
also feel that it was only our plain
duty to give him this exoneration
under the evidence, for there was
not the slightest proof adduced 20
connect him in any way with the
commission Of any crime.
Heard No Evidence.
Unlike the jury, those denounc-
ing me heard no part Of the evidence
and are without knowledge Of the
facts. The Scriptures say that as ye
judge, so shall ye be judged How
would my acCusers like to be judged
as they are judging me?'
"The institutions of my country.
the courts and juries and the law Of
the land, have declared me innocent
and am entitled TO the benefit and
protection of the law. Those who
are unjustIy untruthfully, malici-
ousIy and venomously attacking me
are refusing 10 abide by the estab-
lished law OF the land.
Il am not only innocent but more
than that. There IS d higher law
which deals with the spiritual side
OF mankind and surely this Christ
mas time should not be the season
when the verdict OF the Pharisee Is
heard in the land.
But even supposing I had not
been able 10 establish my innocense
but that were cOnscientiOusIy en-
deavoring through an orderly life 20
atone for mistakes would I not be
entitled TO an appeal for forgiveness
according 20 the Scripture. the letter
OF which so many in the pulpit seem
70 observe and the spirit OF which
some IN the pulpit seem 70 ignore?
Picutres All Clean
ut is not difficult 70 visualize at
this time Of year, which commem-
crates the birth Of Christ what might
have happened IL some Of those who
now heartlessly denounce me had
been present when the Saviour for
gave the peniteut thief on the cross
IN words that have Influenced the
human race more than any other
words uttered. Would not some Of
these persons have denounced Christ
and stoned him for what he said2
"No one ever saw a picture OF
mine that was not clean and whole
some. No one ever VIII see such a
picture. I claim the right OF work
and service
The sentiment OF every church on
Christmas day VIII be peace on
earth and good win 70 all mankind
What Will be the attitude the day
after Christmas 10 me?"
(Signed) Roscoe c. Arbuckle."