Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-12
ZAP ACTORS CAUSE
STIR OVER UNION ISSUE

Acting Manager Charles Eyton of
the Burbank theater yesterday en-
gagged an entirely new stock company
to appear at that house next week.
The new company, however, VIII not
supplant the old, but will supplement
it. In Julian Johnsons Invasion the
Burbank play for next week, the author
attempts to show what might happen
should an Asiatic army effect land
ing at San Pedro. To get the army,
Manager Eyton inserted an "ad" In
the papers asking for Japanese actors.
Yesterday morning the actors ar
riyed-fifteen men and three women
their leading man bearing documents
to prove that he has played before the
miltado himself. They were accom-
panied by their treasurer and manager,
Ohoye Bayzyaku, who explained that
his company is known as the Naniwa
Kai and that 1t has presented japanese
plays in many cities of the Pacific
coast, including both San Francisco
and Los Angeles. The organization
played 1.-THE Three Brothers" In the
old Elks' hall on Spring street snort
time ago.
II required three hours of Yankee
Japanese dickering and the services or
two interpreters for Mr.. Eyton ana MI
Bayzyaku to settle the details of the
engagenent. BayZyaku explained that
his troupe belonged to some japanese
organization very like union and that
none of the players would work with
Jananese who did not have union
card. Eyton conceded that point and
dismissed two other Japs previously
engaged. Further, BayZyaku said the
women of the company would nave TO
be paid the same as the men, Whether
they worked or not. Eyton demurred,
consented and knocked the uliIerence
off the mems salaries.
After that all was smooth sailing
until Harry Mestayer made his ap-
pearance. Mestayer had put on his
makeuD as Kaneko, leader of the IN
vading forces, and was looking for
photographer when Bandow Hideno-
suki. heavy man of the Naniwa Kai,
esnied him. The Burbank stage was
onlv dimIy lighted and Hidenosuki
mistoolx the Burbank actor for fellow
countryman. He spoke to him, but
Mestayer ignorant that he was being
addressed made no reply.
minute later the Japanese an
nounced that they could play IN no
company of which Mr.. Mestayer was
a member. When news of their mo-
rnantous decision was carried to the
distinguished Ibsenite, Mr. Mestayer
irionically offered to throw up his part
rather than to precipitate a walkout
by brother artists.
inquiry however, led to the discovery
that Hidenosuki mistaking Mestayer
for a non-union Japanese actor, had
tried him with the union pass word,
and, receiving no reply, had been con-
firmed in his error. The mistake was
explained. The Orientals laughed and
returned to work. Sunday afternoon
they will make their first appearance
on the English speaking stage.
The first dress and scenic rehearsals
will begin at the Belasco this morning
for the next weeks production of 1.-THE
Road to Yesterday opening Monday
night. The play not only calls for some
extraordinarily gorgeous costuming but
requires an extremely heavy series of
stage settings, all of which has made it
! necessary for the extra complete dress
and scenic rehearsals This will be the
! first production by the Belasco conlpa-
NY of this fantastic comedy, and the
advance sale of seats shows a keen in