The times., 1898-01-17
ACTORS ARE OPPOSED TO IT
Do Not Like the Idea Of Sunday
Plays.
Think They Are Entitled to One
Day OF Rest in
Seven.


Julius Harburger's bill. permitting
termined opposition of the actors and
actresses of New York. They are prac-
,ically uEanimous giinst it.
Ny. Hamburger did not consult the
men and women of the stage about his
proposed measure, and if he had he
would have been told in very emphatic
terms that it was one which would
entail upon them an additional burden,
and was not TO their liking.
The announcement that Mr.. Har-
burger had introduced this measure
was followed by a meeting of the mem
bers of the theatrical profession now
performing at the various places of
amusement in this city, and after a
unanimous expression of disapprovai
of Sunday theatricals, petition was
drawn up and numerousiy signed. The
names to this petition are being added
all the time, and it is now a formidable
document, representing all branches of
the calling. The petition will be for
warded to Gov. Black, and to the SEN
ate and Assembly. 1t reads as follows:
On behalf and 10y authority OF the Actors
Society OF America, in special meeting
a assembled, we beg To enter "A formal pro-
test before the Legislature of the state
oil New YORK, now III session, at 4 lDany,
against bilI presented to that body by
julius HarbufSer. member of the as
seIiuiy, 10 le "a iize Sunday theatrical per-
forna noes in this State.
We wish II une quicocally recorded that
players are opposed to sabbath perform
ances, believing a cay of rest as essential
To their weli-being S TO that OF any other
class of workers.
And we, iurthe rmore must decline to
acquiesce in a proposition lending color
10 the unfounded impression tnat the peo-
amenities OF life and To the moral senti-
ments of Christian people.
The Actors Society OF America, whom
we have the honor To represent numbers
1,052 members, representative of the
dramatic profession.
'signedi JOSEPH wHEELoCK,
ALBERTO. DELTwYN.
Vice President.
p. j. REYNOLDS, Secretary.
we hope" said Vice President Delt-
wyn, of the Actors Society. that the
bill will be opposed in every way possi-
bic and save the actor from the druid
gerry of Sunday performances, which
will only enrich the manager and COM
pei the player to lose the little moral
standing he now enjoys. The voice OF
our calling is raised against the move
QleDl because u lS peItNeu 70 pe a
menace TO health and good morals
Il want You to say for me that
am unaiterably, irrevocably, irretrieva-
bly, and eternalIy opposed to the open
ing of Sunday theaters," said Louis
Mann, as he dashed a few parentheses
on either side of his cheeks at the Ca
sino last night 1T is an internal out
rage. and that is the only word for it,
that they should attempt to impose any
additional burdens on theatrical per-
formers as would result from the open
ing of Sunday theaters. ] am not lazy,
but when il comes TO giving ten per
formances a week, ! am ready to get up
on my high herse and talk from the
shoulder"
Clara Lippman echoed her husbands
views on this subject THE Mann
family is a unit on this issue / can
tell YOU she said laughingly last
night sunday is our only recupera-
tive" she added. and / do not know
what we would possibly do without it
Il am absolutely against the BILL
said Stage Manager Max Freeman. Il
am opposed 10 ii in every respect, and
1 do not think the bill mas any chance
of passing
Il am heartily opposed to the BILL"
said Jerome Sykes The actor In my
opinion is entitled TO at least one day
in the week He needs it TO recuperate.
Five years ago, while ] was with Marie
Tempest in The Fencing Master we
played a iye-weeks' engagement in
Chicago, and we had 10 open Sundays
as well as week days. 1t seemed to me
2 very long time, indeed, to be with
out single day of rest.
Il am opposed 10 the bill" said
Harry Macdonald. 1t ought not To be-
come law. II is unjust to the members
Of the theatrical profession"
1t is a foolish BILL" said Joseph
D 0'Mara. and ought to be defeated"
Il think that Mr.. Harburger's meas |
Ire is perfectly absurd, said Miss Viola |
Allen. 4 am opposed to it on principle |
md on other grounds also
1T is a lot of rot said William |
Taversham. THE actor wants Sunday |
or rest and chance to think
Il am decidedly against it, said Miss |
Nay Robson 1T is not in the interests
# the members of our profession"
1T ought to be defeated" said Miss
da CONQUEST Its a foolish and a
harmful bill. 1t viii be great burden |
lpon actors and actresses We are all |
opposed to it..
Il don't believe that the theatrical (
business would be one bit benefited by
he passage of such law" said Z. Y.
3ackus. stage manager of the Empire
rheater.