New-York tribune., 1919-09-08
Actors. Aroused
Over Secrecy
OF Settlement
Shouts Of Disapproval
Pervadc Equity Meeting
w hen Leaders Won't
Divnlge Contract Terms
Loud Demands Unheeded
''Victory'' Gathering Turns
Into One of Protest That
Ranks Are Kept in Dark

Cries Of "stcam roller" and loud de-
mands for the terms of the settlement
of their strike disturbed the "Victory
meeting" of the Actors Equity Asso-
citation at the Lexington Theatre
yesterday afternoon. The actors pro-
tested that their officials were
keeping the rank and file in the dark,
while all of the managers knew the de-
tails of the peace agreement.
The theatre was crowded with actors
and actresses who have been on strike
/ for month. Evidently expecting
trouble, officials of the Actors Equity
Assoc alton had issued orders that re-
porters be barred from the meeting,
although they had been welcomed at
all those held during the strike. They
finally were granted admissions
Paul Turner. counsel for the Equity,
began to speak early in the afternoon
Almost Immediately he was inter
rupted by actors with demands that he
read the contract agreement by which
the strike was ended.
Actors Disapprove of Terms
Mr.. Turner quieted them for a few
moments by saying that he did not
have a copy of the agreement, but
would send for one. He explained
some of the clauses from memory dur
ing the wait. Some Of the actors were
outspoken in their disapproval of the
terms of the settlement which Mr..
Turner revealed. but the greatest re-
sentiment seemed to be felt because of
the reluctance of the strike officials to
divulge the exact terms on which peace
was arranged.
Later in the meeting Mr.. Turner was
called on again to read the contract.
and there were a number of express
sIons of disappointment when he de-.
clined, saying:
at would serve no good purpose to
read the entire contract"
The contract that was rejected by
the Equity last Thursday was made
public by the Producing Managers AS
sociation. At that time officials Of
the Equity were loud in their denun.
citation of the managers for what they
termed breach of faith. They said
then that it had been agreed to keep
the document secret 1t was said YES
terday that one of the clauses of the
final agreement was that the Equity
should be allowed to make it public.
Actors Swarm on Stage
Mr Turner told them that the man
ayers had agreed not to show dis
crimination against the Equity actors.
How are you going to prevent 'em ?'
was shouted from all corners of the
| theatre
A group of actors and actresses.
about thirty in number, climbed on the
stage after the meeting had been ad-
journed: One of them, Frank Merlin,
approached Frank Gilmore, executive
secretary of the Actors Equity Asso-
citation.
"What have I gained by this strike 2"
he asked hcatedly. II am in my old
job at my old salary and still under
my old contract All that l have got
ten is the enmity of my manager I'u
never be able to continue with him.
But the Fidoes Zone of the Equity nick
names for the members of the Actors
Fidcdity Leagues) who stayed IN the
cast have been given raises in salary
Mr. Morlin played the part of the ex-
tremc radical in "The Challenge" unit!
that antiBolshevik propaganda play
was closed by q strike.
Gilmore Stormed With Demands
headquarters tomorrow" replied Gill
more. I'VE can't answer all these
questions here"
But that is exactly what we want, "
came from some of the malcontents.
1--WE want to know what is in that con-
tract. This is collective organization
and supposed to be democratic. These
are steam roller tactics"
eyes; why was the resolution intro
duced by me last May kept under cover
and never brought before the associa-
tion % then asked another Of the NAL
contents.
"Plcase, please" said Gilmore "there
are newspaper men here now. Don't air
all these things here. This can't be
smoothed out in q day. Everything
will be taken care Of"
Qucstioners Encircle Officials
The questioners would not be
silcnced and Mr.. fillmore forced his
way out of the circle they had formed
about him. Other members of the ex-
ecutive council who had rallied to his
side were besct by questioncrs, and
the actors and actresses did not leave
until the stage hands, anxious to get
away, had switched off the WIS sew
eral times and the house man >:er had
asked them repeatedly to clear the
| stage.
Members of the Equity said after
ward that the questions fired at Mr..
Gilmore and Mr.. Turner were buzzing
in the heads of the majority Of the
members Of the organization.
Throughout the meeting every men,
tion of the open shop had been greeted
with misses and mention of the Actors
Fidelity League, the organization with
which the managers hope to guarantee
themselves freedom of selection in
casting plays, was the signal for jeers.
Leaders Plead for Calmness
For the most part the meeting was
devoted to an effort by the officials
of the organization to impress on the
rank and file the necessity for mag
nanimity in dealing with the actors
and actresses who refused to strike.
"Conduct yourself SO that no animos-
.ty will be bred" sal Lillian Russeu.
| "Be generous and kind and bring them