New-York tribune., 1919-08-28

organization of ladies and gentlemen
and behind us all we have the only
thing we need-the truth" said Cohan.
Disputes To Be Arhitrated
Disputes between a manager and
an actor will be arbitrated, the man
ager to select one arbiter and the actor
to select one. If after three days these
do not agree they shall select a third,
who will be some one not in the pro-
fession, and the ruling of the majority
of these three shall be binding on both
parties. Actors and managers will
agree that no suits will be brought
after an award has been made in
writing.
"The Producing Managers Associa-
ton stands back of these and will see
that its members uphold contracts.
1--WE been arguing all week to get
these concessions. The week before
Holy Week and the week before Christ
mas will be booked wherever it is pos
sihle and paid for. Next year they will
be booked and paid for whether played
or not.
II don't want to pin any bouquets
On myself, but don't let anybody tell
you the Actors Equity Association is
responsible for this
1--WE want the theatre 1t belongs to
us and we want it. We want those
who are being misled to be with US.
We must have no weapon over our
heads, l should say; no weapon over
our signatures. We cannot operate the
theatre that way"
Here Cohan stopped impatiently,
and, turning to Louis Mann, who had
been whispering to him hoarsely, said
Il think they know that, Louie
can do this better if you don't prompt
me-"
The "Papers" Produced
Here Mr.. Conan held his arm out
stretched and displayed "the papers,"
I'm res sponsible," he asserted.
Then there was more cheering, and
Mr.. Cohan relnquished the chair to
Louis Mann, who listened to a motion
from Marjorie Wood, who was the
slave girl in "Chu Chin Chow" until
that show was closed by the strike
of stage hands and musicians Miss
Wood wanted Mr.. Cohan thanked for
what che has done for us before he
became our PRESIDENT
Accordingly, some one called for
three cheers for George Cohan, and
when these were given Cohan wrested
the gavel away from Mann and said:
Wen get along better in silence.
get away from this hurrah stuff Let's
work quick. The old pep. Real Ameri-
can bang, bang, bang. bang, bang"
This last, accompanied by business Of
discharging thumb and finger like
pistol.
Collier Misses Reception
Then Willie Collier got the floor and
said
you see how carefully Mr.. Cohan
has fixed it for me not to get a re-
actor. That's all right. | wish | had
TO play with him Mr. Collier was
lingering the big check, but just as ne
was about to announce it Cohan whis-
pered to Mann. Pep, pep. Give EN-
some pep" So Mann invited the
gathering to submit any suggestions
and from the rear OF the room d man
shouted:
Get together with the Equity"
Don't 60 out" shouted Mr.. Mann.
I'm not gong out" responded the
Individual. I'm making a suggestion"
Don't argue. Louie" cautioned Mr.
Wartield, and then Mr.. Mann was
pushed aside and President Cohan said
'We're going to get together with
where we are. This amt any fence
organization, and | took it on myself
this afternoon to tell several man
ayers that no matter whether they
compromised with equity or what thev
dld we actors were going to stick right
where we are.
Contracts To BE Fulfilled
81 have been asked il | have re
signed from the firm of Cohan <
Harris. | have not. l have contracts
to fill extending over a period OF five
years, and | am going TO fulfill my
obligations. AS to the future, ! don't
think I'll produce and | don't think
III act. I've been hurt terribly hurt.
| want to see things right. Then I'll
go and hide in Great Neck, or even
Frovidence."
Here Mr.. Collier produced the $780,
600 check, and after Mr. Mann had
suggested that after it had been photo
graphed by the newspapers it should
be framed and hung in the great club
house The Fidelity League was going
TO build. Cohan Interrupted 70 say
that so long as the organization had
declined it be wanted it sent 10 the
Actors Fund o. America.
III We don't take H." he sad, Tets
give that fund 20 the Actors Fund.
They need il.
And if that ain't enough I've got an
other hundred thousand they or you
can have. And another. And another.
And another'
Limit Fixed at 100000
The official stenographer afterward
calculated these promises at total of
$4,000 and MIR. Cohan said it might
be made half million and still he'd
be willing to produce, and he finished
'Thats the kind of little guy | am
and want you all to be with me-
Then Louis Mann announced that the
Actors Fidelity League was going to
give bigger and Il better beno6t than
the Equity. He said = would be a
"mOnstrous benefit and 70 proc it
ractied OF she names Ot thc member
of the Fidelity League leaders a. tho
stars who would appear.
Supreme Court Justice Hendrick. ii
accordance with his announcement Of
Monday, signed an order yesterday en-.
Joining the Actors Equity Association
from picketing OF attempting to "in
duce, persuade, compel or coerce' per
formers under contract from complying