The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-28
'WHY IS HAYS?"
 ASKS CLERGYMAN
Says Arbuckle Will Not Come Back in Movies and Hays Is on Way.
Special to The Times


 Los Angeles. Dec. 2S.-Fatty Ar buckle is not coming back in the movies and Will H. Hays, as czar of the industry, is just about on his way These are the two best bets which Holllywood insiders began to pass out out today with ChriStmas be 0ehtha tha dope-and in the past they have been yiz~t-ds s+ it-both wagers look like a cdncn.
 The Rev. pr. Gustav BriegIeb. pas sor of the WestIake Presbyterian church Of Los Angeles who has stud --s the industry inside and out dur ing his long stay here, declared, on quired a ear, that: Will Hays has sold his Presbyterian birthright for to clergymen but to laymen, the be- lief is growing that MT. Hays has spilled the pottage:
 Putting side the fact that Los An Geles, motion picture capital of the world, with a jealous and materlaI interest at stake, has been stirred as never before through the action of Hays in restoring ArbuckIe to good standing; that the pulpits of the city on the day of good will to men" thundered against this clemency; that the mayor, the council and scores of welfare clubs have voiced vigorous protests, there are separate. hard boiled facts that alone will set tie, and settle for good, whether Ar
 
 motion pictures are to continue to indulge in the pretty fiction of . car and that car Is to be MT. Hays.
 Hays at $15O,OOO Year
 Hays was accepted as a diversion even at $150,000 a year. Being pop ular as a politician, and standing well with the administration, it felt he would be useful if the Sherman antitrust law, or something equally serious. should pop up to hamper the game But from the day of his ap int I1f e-%o h. been defined. Now his reinstatemeA of Arbuckle seems to have hit the industry it's hardest blow with the result that the most earnest workers in the movie game are quietly com bining behind closed doors to insist on a showdown on this problem
 In statement made from the pull pit of the Westlake Presbyterian church here a trtfie over a week ago, Hays said: 'I have full authority and will have no alibis to offer
 This was fine for the congregation which swallowed it whole.
 Joseph M. Schenck is producer of motion pictures and manager and financial packer of ArbucKle. Fatty Schenck more or less money used in his defense of the murder charge. Schenck openly has boasted that he had great influence in landing Hays in the job of censor and has consist ently insisted Fatty would be allowed to come back. this, too, at a time
 
 the czar never would even listen to any such proposal
 Public Opinion Against ArbuclSIe
 Almost at the very moment of his departure for the East MT. Hays an- nounced that Arbuckle was to have his chance. Schenck had proven more influential than those who felt such action would deal a terrible blow to the industry just at time when it was staggering under fire. Nobody planes Arbuckle for wanting to come back. even though the stuff is largely punk and bunk. But the weight of public opinion, if it is against him, will fall equally on his sponsor and Schenck is also the hus- band, manager and producer for Norma Talmadge. also manager and producer for Constance Talmhdge and Buster Keaton.
 When it comes to a situation where Schenck faces a fight against public opinion that may affect him person ally, with the possibility of boy colt extending to other productions it is conside cred certain here Arubckle will have to find another producer The so-called Christmas statement issued over Arbuckle's signature is the first break.
 Just to make it harder if Schenck and Arbuckle should produce pic lures 1t is claimed none of the larger of the distributors will handle them In the meantime 1t has been allowed to become known here that the Mo. tion Picture Directors Associa ton, the most powerful organization with, in the industry. after a meeting marked by bitter debate. has sent { telegram to Hays which. in effect tion:S
 Why is Hays?"