New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-16
AMERICAN ACTORS ONLY.
LOCAL MANAGERS AGAINST THE MOVE
MENT.
REASONS GIVEN BY MIR. STANTON, Mr.. FRoH.
MAN AND OTHERS WHY FOREIGN ACTORS

REASONS GIVEN BY MR.. STANTON, Mr.. FRoH.
MAN AND OTHERS WHY FOREIGN ACTORS
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COME HERE.
Tho petition Of the American actor praying for
protection against foreign competition has caused con-
siderable discussion among the leading managers Of
theatres I'm this city, At first they thought Louis
! Aldrich playing of his jokes on the public
but when they read the petition, which presented
! TO Congressman Fords immigration Committee on
Thursday they decided that the subject OF
sufficient dignity and Importance TO merit their i'm
mediate consideration The petition was drawn up
IN behalf Of the Actors Order of Friendship consist
Ing of two lodges-Edwin Forrest Lodge Of NewYork
nd Shakespeare Lodge of Philadelphaand was taken
10 washington by committee composed of Louis
Al trch, Harley Merry and Mr.. Sanger. IL praye for
an amendment Of the Contract Labor law so as 70
prevent the importation Of all foreign professional
actors except stars
"There at present. It says, over three hundred
dramatic companies in this country, employing about
forty five hundred professional actors who with their
dependent families, may be estimated at 10000 per-
sons all looking TO the actor for their support There
are the present time a number Of companies playing
at our leading theatres composed entirely Of aliens
brought by contracts made in Europe. These
keep at least hundred American citizens, profess
sional actors, Of employment Besides, there are
in ton, by accurate estimate, three hundred more
foreigners under private individual contracts made and
signed in foreign countries now appearing upon the
American stag, while the number Of American actors
now out of employment exceeds POO. which means
the deprivation of proper support for 5000 persons
Messrs Ford and Guenther, Of the Immigration
Committee assured the petitioners mat their prayer
should receive prompt attention that It seemed just
and equitable.
is GERMAN OPERA IN pANGERi
Mr. Aldrhh FASTENED homo and called on f. c.
Stanton, manager Of the Metropolitan Opera House,
TO inform him that the proposed amend
ment Of the Contract Labor law was not
to apply to German opera or any other opera. Mr.
stanton disagnoed with Mr. ANrich holding that Ger
man opera was not exempt and yesterday meeting
Of the Opera Hbuse Executive Committee was held 10
devise some pltn OF action whereby the Amendment
might be defeatth.
"Thc effect OF the amsndnsnt" said Mr. Stanton
to . Tribune reporter would DO to shut us up.
Naturally ara opposed to ts and we are going
10 fight It Tho committee has not yet decided
what TO pursue, but IT is likely thar there Will
be concerted action the part Of New York Managers
delegation will probably be sent to Washington TO
present 10 tie Immigration Committee"
PROMINENT MANAGERS AGAINST IT.
Henry E. Abbey and Mr. Lovecraft were in consul
taton with Daniel Frohman in his private Office at
the Lyceun Thoatre yesterday for an hour dis
cussing Han of campaign against
the amendment. All are bitterly opposed TO IFS adop
ton Said Mr.. Fnohman afterward " 1t IS an e1-
tremely unwise step on the part Of the petitioners
The adoption Of such amendment would result 10
great harm 70 the theatrical profession Of this country
1t is mistake TO suppose that In the employment OF
actors managers governed by the question Of price
or salary. That IS secOndary consideration The
first requisite Is ability. want actor 10 play a
certain part look aroYnd until think I've found
the right and try 10 engage him. Then comes |
the question OF salary Speaking Of foreign actors,
do you know that two Of the signers Of this petition
auto lIpfph lie r rYTop
and Harley Merry is an EngKshman. I am strongly |
opposed to the amendment. is unfair 10 the Ameri-
can public n would prevent them from seeing tho |
best foreign actors Irving and Terry could not come
here agan-of course they could themselves. being |
stars but they could not bring their company, and |
what could they do without IT COquelln and Hadng
would be IN the same position. such an amendment
would keep out Bernhard Wilson Barrett. and even
pzid, for they would not como here without their
support. It Is my intention 10 have the Rendas over
tere next season. This amendment would put stop
TO all that The movement is wrong one and can
result in no good. American actors Of ability find
plenty of employment. There IS no discrimination
against them. The English Galey Company now
playing at the Standard Theatre employs more
Americans than Englishnon MIR. Abbey tells
hat his English company costs him more than HIS
American company SO much for cheap foreign
1ctOrsn .
NJ Frohman Will Join the campaign against the
idoption Of the proposed amendment
Dion Bouclc anlt lvors the movement Here Is what
be saws as quoted IN The World" think the move
nent an excellent one, and hope 1t will ~ through
The pushing ~ the mont seats in Ihespan circles OK
English and Other European actors and actresses l.
imply piece OF cadLsm the part OF the American
public The Americas actors and actresses are By faf
he hest IN the WORLD and know that hundreds are
being shut out and kept from making living by for
,gneis II were to organize comp any, ana wanted
: frsiclass | should select Americans all the way
hmugh There are, Of course cevor people on the
,ther side but the style and methods Of thu American
ctnrs are bv far tho TEST. As far as con
,rned / suppose IT would be best 10 let them come
for II they are not permitted to import men own
10 mont and they Will be much better supported,
- hre Won think Nh. Aldrich and his friends arr
nccessfnl IL will greatly benefit the profession"