The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-06
THE ACTORS UNION.

The actors propose to found a trade
union to better the condition of the actors
calling by combination. The idea is good.
Actors, like other men who earn their
daily bread by their daily toll. should be
able to combine to resist oppression and to
relieve disabled member of the craft. at
present the power of a manager is abso-
lutte. Artists who are dealt with unjustly
have no recourse but to throw up their
engagement, which may be inconven lent
when they have no savings put by. Tn ere
should be some authority which can be
offset against managerial spite or caprice.
In the case of artists who are disabled by
illness union may be very beneficial. OF
all wage-earners theatrical performers have
been the most generous in contributing
their services to the relief of their disabled
brethren, but sporadic benefits cannot ac-
cnmplish as satisfactory work as sys-
tematizsd plan of relief. An actors union,
with benevolent fund such as workers in
all calIings have in Germany. might do
much good and avert much suffering.
But to be a successful undertaking the
proposed union must be careful from the
outset to keep within its proper limits. 1t
must always remember that theatrical
enterprise is conducted at the risk of the
manager, and that as the performers can
not be called upon to bear a share of his
losses they cannot dictate his policy or fix
the salaries which he feels be can afford.
Tine heavy villain may think that he would
play the first walking gentleman much
better than the actor who is cast for that
part; he cannot demand it as right, be-
cause 1t is the privilege of the manager,
whose money is at stake. to decide which
OF his artists is f1ttest to fill each role.
There is hardly a young ingenue on The
stage who does not think that she could
play the leading lady's parts better than
the artistic who is engaged for that bust
ness; but if she induces the union TO
espouse her cause the institution is certain
10 come to grief. Salaries are matter of
bargain and agreement before the season
begins. but conflicts of opinion frequently
arise between artist and manager as to the
construction to be put on contracts. Miss
A. is engaged for leading business. Pres
emily part is given to Miss B., and Miss
A. claims that under the terms of her con-
tract it should nave gone to her. This
controversy which no union can under
L 3
must govern, and Miss A. has no other
recourse but to resign her engagement.
The project rs of the union which was
proposed on Friday IN the AlcaZar build
ing may, perhaps. get useful hint or two
from a study of the laws which govern
the Theatre Francois at Paris. That il
an institution in which the actors and
actresses are soeietaires and have a voice
in the management There Is manager.
who is appointed by the Minister Of the
Interior, and as to most of the details of
the business he exercises the same author
ity as other managers. But new play
which is offered to him must be read to the
assembled socetaires, who take n vote
whether it should or should not be ac-
cepted. 1t would seem that if they are
unanimous, or nearly so. their decision
would override that of the man ager. The
latter has the privilege of casting the
parts, but if a member Of the company
objects to his or her part it may be thrown
up. An injustice practiced by manager
toward a member of the company would
be resented by the whole body of socie-
taires and would probably lead to his re-
moval.
If this San Francisco union is launched
under the right auspices it will be likely to
spread to the East. The time is not far
distant when we shall have regular stock
companies here aud shall not be dependent
on the visits of tinerant troupes. There
could not be better basis to build the
theatrical business Oh than an organiza-
ton which protected the profession against
wrong on the one side or misfortune on
the other.