The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-02-08
Members of the Order of White
Rats of America Try Conclu-
siOns With the Managers.
EFFORTS TO ADJUST TROUBLES.
Conference Will Be Held To-
Day, at Which the Differ
ences May BE
Settled.
REPCBLC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York, Feb THE first battle be-
tween the White Rats of America and the
Vaudeville Managers Association was
fought to-day In the Keith Circuit of the
aters. When truce WAS declared last
night. the Rats jubilantiy announced that
the victory was with them. while the man.
ayers declined to make any statement. ex-
cept that a conference between the man-
ayers and the Rats would be held to-mor-
row. at which all differences would be dis
cussed. and. If possible adjusted.
No White Rats appeared this evening at
the Union Square Theater here and the
members of the order on the bills of the
Boston and Providence houses were all in
readiness 10 withdraw at word from the
Executive Committee. Lydia Yeamans IL
tus, Grapewin and Chance, Williams and
Tucker. the Juggling Johnsons. Davis and
McAuley. and the kelceys were those who
walked OUT at the Union Square.
There was no trouble at the matinee at
the Philadelphia Theater. but about 6
O'Clock the management began receiving
letters from tbe different teams declaring
that the writers Were i'll and would be un-
able to appear at the evening performance.
These letters came from Mcintyre and
Heath. Matthews and Harris. kolb and
Din. Techow. Smith and Campbell and
other stars.
With the prospect of but three acts for
the evening performance-"TheG Girl With
the Auburn Hair" the stereopticon and the
biograph-the manager skirmshed around
and found some local talent which took the
places of the absent actors from to s
O'Clock. A few minutes before s o'clock.
however. the actors who had two hours be-
lore reported themselves as i'll began
rivfng at the theater and resumed their
places on the stage. From that hour the
same performance was given as had been
week.
As soon as the first signs of the strike
were given a meeting of the members of
the Managers Association I'm the city was
hastily called and a delegation from the
White Rats, who were in session at the
Gramercy Lyceum, was received. The Rats
declared declared their grieyance boldly and de,
the managers discussed the situation and
word was sent TO the Rats that il their
members were ordered back for the even
Ing performance a general meeting Of the
managers would be held tomorrow, at
which the grievances of the performers
would be thoroughly considered and proper
and proper action taken to adjust all ex-
listing differences.
Feeling that this was sufficient evidence
the success of their rirst show of force. the
Rats accepted the proposition and the per-
formance at the Union Square was given to-
night without omissions.
Mr.. F. F. Albee, Mr.. B. F. Keith's gener-
al manager. had declared openly that he
would not submit to the dictation of tie
performers. The Rats thereupon deter
mined to try conclusion at once, and to-
days strike" was the result.
Mr.. Albee this evening declined to DISCUSS
the situation at all. and other managers
were equally reticent.
The White Rats were jubilant. and tele-
grams were sent to members all over the
country this evening announcing the re-
suit Of the strike"