THE MORNING OREGONIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1923
11,
PORTLAND REJECTS
AHBUGKLE'S PLEAS
Custard Pie Gladiator Meets
Down-Turned Thumbs.
HAYS' ACTION REGRETTED
Return of Slap-Stick Comedian to
Filmland Regarded as Big
Mistake In Judgment.
"With Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
filling: the role of the dying gladiator
and the people of Portland, as rep
resented by a score of representative
citizens, cast as the Roman populace,
it seems to be a case of "thumbs
down" for the obese comedian who
Is now attempting to regain the
right to live in popular favor.
"Fatty" is not wanted as a film
actor, prominent representative cit
izens said yesterday. Even though
the law does not interfere and for
bid the presentation of his produc
tions, the supreme and final judge,
the general public, will deal the
death blow. Fatty is through, not
only in Portland, but throughout he
entire country, was the opinion ex
pressed. According to information current
on film row, Arbuckle pictures pro
duced before the Virginia Rappe
affair and awaiting release at the
time that the fat actor was dragged
off to a San Francisco jail on a
charge of manslaughter, will not be
released until next fall. The pro
ducing company which holds the
prints, plans to exhibit them in all
of the principal cities of the country
simultaneously. Local theater men
are averse to comment on the latest
Arbuckle incident and prefer to
withhold statements until after the
atmosphere clears a bit.
Opposition Is Strong.
But the general public, as repre
sented by the representative citizens
and cltizenesses ministers, heads ot
women's clubs, school officials
have already made up their minds.
In the fashion of the Roman popu
lace, they have turned their thumbs
down to the piteous appeals of the
fat man for a chance to live the
atrically. Some shuddered at the painful
duty and seated that they had no
desire to pass judgment on a man
who has been stamped as regener
ated and reformed by Will Hays,
overlord of fildom. Others were bit
ter in their denunciation of the com
mercial interests which are attempt
ing to foist Fatty back on a long
suffering public a public surfeited
with custard-pie and mortar-trough
histrionics.
"Fatty" will not and cannot live,
was the judgment the public is for
ever through with the central figure
In the nauseating "party" staged in
San Francisco a year ago Labor day.
Clnb Woman Makes Statement.
"I certainly disapprove of Will
Hays 'action In putting Arbuckle
back In the motion-picture world
with a clean bill of health," said Mrs.
Alexander Thompson, president of
the Portland Federation of Women's
clubs and a member of the city
censor board.
"Arbuckle was acquitted, after
three trials on the charge of killing
Virginia Rappe, but he was con
victed in the public mind of the
grossest immorality. As a member
of the city censor board, I will op
pose the showing of any Arbuckle
films in the city on the grounds that
such a showing would be a violation
of those provisions of the ordinance
which forbid the exhibition of any
picture detrimental to public morals.
Of course, I am only one of three of
the board, and even If the whole
board rules against the pictures, the
exhibitors have the right of appeal
to the city council.
"I consider Mr. Hays' action in re
storing Arbuckle to grace in the
film world a direct affront to public
morals and the decency of the Amer
lean people."
. Perhaps it was the Christmas
spirit; perhaps it was the scriptural
Injunction against judgments on
others that prompted Rev. Ward
McHenry, head of the Portland Min
isterial association, to leave the per
sonal Fatty Arbuckle out of the dis
cussion and to consider only the
public phase of the matter.
Hays' Action Regretted,
"I could not sit in judgment on
this man. If he has reformed, I am
glad to hear it," the minister said.
"But I regard Mr. Hays' action as
regrettable a step backward. It
seems to me that in these times, the
motion picture people would take
more pride in themselves and try to
present cleaner characters to the
public. From my conversations with
others, I do not think that the gen
eral public will patronize the films.
They are the final judges, if they
do not care to see this man, his
career will be ended despite all that
other motion picture people may do."
"I wouldn't go to see Fatty Ar
buckle pictures," said Mrs. Ernest
Crosby, president of the Progres
sive Women's league. "His 'refor
mation' would make no difference.
His past life was so revolting and so
disgusting. There are so many
things that we can see that are
clean and entertaining that I see no
reason for resurrecting such a per
son as Arbuckle to amuse us."
D. A, Grout, superintendent of pub
llo schools, thinks that the fat co
median will go down of his own
weight.
"I don't believe that there will be
much to Mr. Arbuckle's rennaisance,
despite Mr. Hays' action," said the
school head. "The majority of the
people will not patronize his films.
Arbuckle's character and the fact
that there Is nothing but horseplay
in his works will soon kill his at
tempt to come back." " '
Mrs. Kelly Charitable.'
Mrs. D. B. Kelly, president of the
Parent-Teacher council of the city,
is another who is inclined to deal
leniently with the personal Ar
buckle, but who does not care to see
his pictures return to the screen.
"I don't care to pass judgment oh
the man," said Mrs. Kelly. "I would
not care to see his pictures myself
and I wouldn't care for any of my
family to see them. But there are
so many things that children should
not see in the theater that I be
lieve that if parents would study up
on the matter of film productions,
that we would soon be getting a
better grade of motion pictures."
"I think we should be charitable
and just in dealing with Arbuckle."
said Mrs. F. O. Northrup, president
of the Portland Women's Research
club, "but I don't think that his
pictures will be patronized by the
public. I don't think thay can last,
the public is against Arbuckle's ap
pearance. Of course, a few will go
to see them, but they will be so few
that their attendance at the theaters
will not pay the costs."
The Portland Women's club has
. already gone on record against the
showing of Arbuckle pictures and
passed a resolution to that effect at
HAROLD LLOYD in "Dr. Jack"
decided to spend Christmas in
Portland at the Majestic the
ater. When he smilingly began his
engagement there four weeks ago
even the most optimistic did not
believe he would ring up the record-breaking
business that he has.
The feature is now in its fifth week.
Lloyd has turned out some rol
licking comedies, but none to com
pare with his present vehicle. There
is snap and action to this feature,
combined with a charming romance.
It will be a mery Christmas week
at the Majestic.
Bine Mouse Theater.
Mary Pickford, in her new pro
duction of "Tess of the Storm Coun
try," is the current attraction at
the Blue Mouse theater. Naturally,
this feature completely outclasses
the previous offering of the same
subject, as Mary Pickford then made
her first serious attempt at the
screen art, and she has steadily de
veloped her talents during the in
tervening years. And also there is
to be taken into consideration the
marvelous improvements technic
ally, photographically and direc-
torially during those years.
This screen event marks a vital
epoch in photoplay history inasmuch
as It is the first instance in which
a great star has resurrected from
the past the picture which won her
a permanent place in the photoplay
hall of fame and produced it for a
second time on an elaborated scale,
taking advantage of all the prog
ress the film-making Industry has
made in the intervening years.
It was just eight years ago that
Miss Pickford portrayed the lovable
character of Tess before the motion
picture camera and this artistic
triumph of hers was eo all-encompassing
there is no way of deter
mining how many millions of peo
ple in all the civilized nations of
the world saw it.
As a matter of fact, this photo
play was exhibited continuously
until every print was worn out and
the negative lost its power to re
produce. During the last two years
Miss Pickford has been the recip
ient of thousands of requests to
once more offer herself in this mas
terly story.
Newspapers end magazines of
many countries have joined ini the
clamor for this new production. As
a concequence, "America's Sweet
heart" has responded by making a
greatly Improved version of the
play. Critics everywhere declare
it to be her most artistic achieve
ment and the concensus of opinion
seems to be that it will live through
posterity as one of the foremost
a meeting held last Friday. But two
dissenting votes were heard when
the matter was put to vote.
Public Deaf to Appeal.
And so it goes the public turns
a deaf ear to Arbuckle's pleas for
another chance. Prominent citizens,
representative citizens, plain, ordi
nary citizens show no interest in the
pitiful fat man who wants to come
back. The mails are deluged with
letters from "Vox Populi" and "Pro
Bono Publico" who wish to make
public their indignation at the re
turn to filmland of the notorious Mr.
Arbuckle.
It is an engrossing drama an in
teresting spectacle production in
real life.
In the arena is the dying custard
pie gladiator. He has been sorely
wounded by publicity. Will Hays,
czar of filmdom, is by his side,
pleading for Fatty's chance to live
in screen land.
On the benches is the populace
the representative citizen, the prom
inent citizen, the plain ordinary cit
izen, Vox Populi and Pro Bono Pub
lico. They are unanimous In their
gestures thumbs down for Fatty.
CLUB CEREMONIAL READY
MULTNOMAH TO DEDICATE
TABLET THURSDAY.
Squad of Marines to Assist in
Ceremony in Honor of
World War Dead.
Ceremonies in dedication of a
bronze tablet, a memorial to the
26 members of the Muitnomah club
who lost their lives in the great
war, will be held at the club Thurs
day, December 28, at 8:15 P. M. An
invitation bas been extended to ex
servicemen and the general public
to be present at the affair.
The club will give honor to Its
dead in solemn fashion. A squad of
marines will form as an honor
guard about the 26 young women,
all in white, who are to present a
striking tableau In honor of the
soldier dead. The name of each will
be read and in answer one whlte-
ro-bed figure will rise and snuff the
flame from a candle. Taps will be
blown by a marine bugler while his
comrades stand rigidly at present
arms.
Colonel W. S. Gilbert, chaplain of
the Third Oregon, will deliver the
memorial address. Rev. A. A. Mor-
XMAS DANCE
TONIGHT
Broadway Hall
Fleming 10-Piece Orchestra
fflntp Ctritma
tom '
ARONSON'S
Washington St.
' at Broadway
TODAY'S FILM FEATURES.
Peoples Reginald Denny In
"The Kentucky Derby."
Liberty "Lorna Doone."
Columbia Alice Brady in
"Anna Ascends."
RIvoli Guy Bates Post in
"Omar the Tentmaker." Sec
ond week.
Majestic t Harold Lloyd in
"Dr. Jack." Fifth week.
Blue Mouse Mary Pickford
in "Tess of the Storm .
Country."
Hippodrome Tom Moore In
"Pawned."
Circle "My Wild Irish Rose.'
cinema classics of the first two de
cades of the new art.
Miss Pickford in the role ot Tess
Is said to be truly at her very best
and her performance reveals the
finished touches of artistry which is
so distinctly her own.
Screen Gossip.
It is beginning to look as though
"Fatty" Arbuckle's "come back" is
not going to be such a grand recep
tion as he may have imagined.
Director Allan Dwan and a com
pany of Paramount players ihave
gone to Miami, Fla, to make exte
rior scenes for "The Glimpses of the
Moon," a plcturlzation of Edith
Wharton's novel by E. Lloyd Shel
don. The players who have the prin
cipal roles are Bebe Daniels, Nita
Naldl and David Powell, who are
supported by a strong cast, includ
ing Rubye da Remer, Maurice Cos
tello and Charles Gerrard. All these
will appear in yacht and seashore
scenes, to be made in the south.
Several carloads of equipment and
costumes were shipped ahead of the
players.
Talk about "lese majeste" being
rough to those in high authority.
Here's Bert Lytell, just a mere
buck private in the ranks of Holly
wood post, American Legion. And
here's Walter Long, the high and
mighty commander of Filmland's
coterie of ex-soldlers.
And just look at 'em! About all
Bert does is mess up Walter and
Walter draws his pay check every
week for allowing Bert to sock him
on the chin and way places. It's
got to be kind of a habit lately,
Long taking a Lytellian licking in
"To Have and to Hold," and now
again in "Kick In," the new George
Fitzmaurice Paramount picture fea
turing Betty Compson, Bert Lytell
and May McAvoy.
rlson will speak in dedication of the
tablet. Dr. Stuart McGuire and Jane
Bums Albert will sing. H. A. Sar
gent, president of the club, will
preside.
GROWERS GET BIG PLANT
Umpqua Broccoli Exchange Will
Have New Loading Station.
ROSEBTJRG. Or Dec. 24. (Spe
cial.) A receiving and loading sta
tion has been procured by the TJmp-
qua Broccoli exchange, which 'has
leased the south half of the build
ing occupied by the Roseburg Ice
company. The new quarters will
greatly facilitate the loading and
icing of cars and will make a de
cided reduction in operating costs '
The broccoli crop will come on
early this year, probably during the
early part of February. There are
between 400 and 500 acres of broc
coli in the county, and it is expected
that 150 or 200 carloads will be
shipped out.
Camp and Mills Open.
CENTRALIA, Wash., Dec. 24.-
(Special.) The Winlock Construc
tion company's camp and the O. K.
mill at Winlock have resumed oper
ations following shutdowns caused
by the snow. The Western camp and
Menefee mill will not run again un
til after the holidays.
Read The Oregonlan classified ad.
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$1.00
COAL
COUPON
Rock Springs Nut Coal $14.00
the Ton, or present this cou
pon and pay $13.00 the Ton.
(If ordered before Jan. 13. '23)
Rock Springs Lump Coal $16
the Ton. or present this cou
pon and pay S15 tMs Ton.
(If ordered before Jan. 13, '23)
-Ton R. S. tint Coal. . .7.50
3a-Ton R. S. Limp Coal.8.50
A 50c credit will be allowed
for this coupon on all Half
Ton orders received before
January 13, 1923.
All prices Include delivery in
your bin In Piedmont and
Peninsula Districts
Small extra cartage charge In
- other district
s DENNIS MERCANTILE CO,
1 E. LOMBARD STREET
WALMT 7421
FEED, COAL AND BUILDING
MATERIALS
Note Clip thia Coupon and
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accepted for each order.
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COMMUNITY HOUSE
GOINI LAID
Impressive Ceremony Marks
Occasion in Sunnyside.
BUILDING WORK RUSHED
New $35,000 Structure Begun in
September Is ExpecWd to Bo
Completed by March 1.
Children and adults alike of the
Simnyslde community will share in
the gift of the splendid new commu
nity house, which became an offi
cial reality when the impressive
ceremony of laying the cornerstone
for the new edifice was held yes
terday morning. Indicative of the
spirit of holiday giving and Christ
mas good will, is the motive which
has inspired the building of a struc
ture, which in the future will pro
vide recreational facilities and
housing for the social activities of
the community which has heretofore
enjoyed nothing of a similar nature.
Donors of sums of money to the
new project .may well indeed feel
the joy of their giving, for a .true
appreciation of the new community
gathering place was evinced by the
several hundred people who ,stood
bareheaded throughout the cere
mony and joined their voices in
unison in the song of thanksgiving
and the Lord's prayer at the conclu
sion of the exercises. Officials of
the Methodist Episcopal church of
the district presided, members of
the church, the Sunday school and
the various young people's leagues
were the audience.
Rev. W. W. Youngson, district
superintendent of the church, di
rected the simple formal ceremony
shortly before church convened in
the morning. Bishop W. O. Shepard
spoke briefly and was followed in
turn by Rev. T. H. Gallagher, pas
tor of the Sunnyside Methodist
church, who read the scripture les
son. F. M. Phelps, superintendent
of the Sunday school, then de
scribed the contents of the little
steel box which was to be sealed
within ths stone. Contained in this
box is the complete list of the
church membership, Sunday school
membership, official board building
committee, financing committee,
and the various leagues of young
people. Closing benediction was
pronounced by Rev. L. C. Poor, as
sociate pastor of the church, and
Professor A. Ten Haaf led in the
singing.
The new structure which is being
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11 : TifNSPIRED by the warmest spirit of
5 appreciation for the splendid patron-
3 H - age of Butter-Nut bread and our other
: i , products by the people of Portland and
surrounding territory, the United States
Bakery extends its heartiest wishes for a 5
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1 11 Merry Christmas.- I
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erected east of and adjoining the
church will cost approximately.
$35,000 and will be of similar con
struction and design to that of the
church building proper. Facilities
will be provided for a swimming
pool, gymnasium, social club rooms,
Sunday school rooms and an audi
torium where motion pictures will
be shown.
Completion of the new structure
is expected to be accomplished
about March 1, and dedication serv
ices are being planned for the
early part Qf that month. Construc
tion work was started about Sep
tember 1, the basement has already
been completed and the superstruc
ture is now being erected.
Members of the building commit
tee through whose efforts the new
edifice has been made possible con
sist of Dr. W. H. Ewin, P. J. Brix,
F. M. Phelps, O. B. Harriman, Her
bert Gordon aod J. A. Harrison.
GIRL, HIT BY MO, DIES
TOT, CRUSHED, IS LEFT ON
CURBING BY MOTORIST.
Police Determined to Find Heed
less; Family of Victim Is
Grief-Stricken.
Nine-year-old Sarah Goodwin
Rockwood' died early yesterday
morning from a. fractured skull.
And as her life slipped out grief
clamped down- on the hearts of her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Rock
wood, 715 Twenty-fifth street North,
her eleven-year-old brother John,
and her twin eister Adelaide, and
more, a fearful load was dropped
on the conscience of the heedless
and cowardly autolst who struck
her at East Twenty-sixtln street
North and Fremont street at 7
o'clock Saturday night and then left
her to lie crushed against the curb
ing. Police were set yesterday to bring
more than an aching conscience to
the driver but indications were that
he would never be apprehended.
John could not describe the car
which came up behind him and his
sister so stealthily as they walked
along the street that night. He re
members only that 'h .did his level
best to drag her from its path.
He said yesterday that because the
sidewalk was muddy he and Sarah
chose the street to walk in but kept
very near the curb. He knew that
a machine was approaching behind
him. he declared, but he did not
realize'until too late that its driver,
heedless of what his excellent lights
must have revealed, was likewise
keeping to the curbing. .
Then Sarah was hit. She was
taken home and died five hours
later. Marks on her coat indicated
that wheel of the machine had
passed over her.
Rockwood is a valuation engineer
for the P. R., Ij. & P. company. The
child was enrolled with her .brother
i
Olds, Wbrtman & Kins'
RELIABLE MERCHANDISE--" REUABLEMETHODS. CJ3L"
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0
SEE TOMORROW'S NEWSPAPERS
Containing Big Double -Page Advertisement of
Our Annual Clearance Sale
and her twin sister at the Alameda
school.
G. A. K. Post Elects.
HOOD RIVER, Or., Dec. 24. (Spe
cial.) Officers of Hanby post.
UR Yuletide thoughts go out to the residents of
us you have brought good cheer, and it is our sincere wish that tnis
Christmas will be your happiest. OLDS, WORTMAN & KING.
Important Notice
Grand Army of the Republic, were
elected yesterday as follows: Jona
than Johnson, commander; H. B.
Leonard, senior vice-president;
James R. Cash, junior vice-president;
Sanford Smith, chaplain; S. F.
Blvthe, adjutant; R. F. Frasier.
1
i
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this community. To
quartermaster; G. R. Castner, of
ficer of the day, and Thomas Goss,
officer of the guard. James Jarrett
and N. W. Hardman were elected
delegates to the annual encampment
of the Oregon department to be held
at Grants Pass next summer.