New-York tribune., 1919-08-13
Chorus Forms
Union to Back
Actors Strike
Continued from pnge l

and with extended arms exhorted Tho
girls to keep up their fight.
Il just came to tell you 1 am with
you," she said. "Stick"
Then Miss Barrymore bowed and
the ponies and the show girls and tho
chorus boys with one accord climbed
on their chairs or their neighbors,
laps and cheered and screamed.
Girls with huge hats that hung about
their ears like limp cart wheels
snatched them off to wave at the smil-
ing star. Up at the front of the audi
ttorium in the place normally occupied
by the orchestra, George Rove, in
falm Beach clothes, chorus man
from Little Miss Sim alicity," acted as
cheer leader, using a bamooo cane for
Then from the stage W. I. Rubin, a
lawyer who has organized many unions
OF working girls, from garment makers
TO cigarette factory workers, held I'D
his arms for silence, and Miss Dress
Ter, as the presiding officer, introduced
Sam Bernard, who told them the
drudgery of long weeks of rehearsal
without pay would be a thing of the
past when they got their union.
"A man who can't put on a musical
show in four weeks doesn't know his
business" declared Mr.. bernard, and
the girls cheered him. Mr.. Bernard
tor many years as a musical comedy
star has made up the "haf salaries"
Of his choristers from his own pocket.
Then Frank Gilmore, executive secre-
tary of the Actors Equity Association.
explained the purpose of the strike
called by the parent organization, and
added:
Before we agree to any settlement
with the managers we Will insist that
chorus girls shall rehearse no longer
than four weeks without pay. After
that they must be paid half salary and
the management must pay for all cos
'umes' SHOES and stockings included.
Justice for Chorus Girls
"Our whole movement is for the ben
eft of the profession, and we are par
ticularly interested in seeing that the
chorus people get their just dues"
Then it was Mr.. Gillmorc's turn to
be cheered
Charles G. Shea. international presi-
dent of the stage hands union, told
the chorus people what organization
had accomplished for the mechanics Of
the theatrical business, and as he fin
ished the doors at the back of the hall
opened and some one shouted:
"The lippodrome girls have walked
cut and are coming here"
In moment fifty girls We're march
ing into the hall, two by two, and the
shouts that greeted them We're ike
those given a popular football hero
making touchdown in close game.
The Hippodrome show is scheduled to
open the latter part of this MONTH
The chorus has been rehearsing FIR
many weeks. Other chorus girls have
been pleading with them daily since
the strike was called to Join the walk
out.
Now, we are going to organize" :"
said Mr.. Rubin, when the recruits
were seated. Then he said that it had
call their organization the Chorus
Equity Association of America, and this
name was adopted unanimously after
several not very good suggestions had
been discarded.
All for Marie Dressler
Nominations for president were in
order next and some one shouted:
Miss Marie Dresslcr."
The cry was taken up, but Miss
Dressler shook her fist at them and
said:
Now, wait q minute.
81 would like to see some smarr,
bright, good-looking girl who works
in New York made president"
She walked to the edge Of the stage,
put her hands on the Dressler hips
and leaned over them confdentially.
Now | know something about this
game. A young girl is what YOU want.
Il remember when | was put in the
chorus at $9 a week. After was hired
the manager asked: Say for Say,
listen, whore did you get that face?
Now don't laugh. I'm revealing mucn
OF my life to you right now to I'M
press you with my carnestness. had
no beauty. had a hard time con
vincing the managers l had anything.
want you to win. To do so we must
drop all pettiness. Pick a young girl
now"
Several names were shouted.
Then some man called:
Miss Beatrice Leonard"
A girl nominated Ethel Halor, of
the "Folies."
Then number of chorus girls be-
gan to protest:
"No young girls! No young girls
will do"
"No Young James Wanted
One who seemed to feel bitterly on
the subject of youthful president
walked up to the edge of the stage
and declared to Miss Dressler:
Il won't stand for no chorus girl
debating to me that amt older than
! am"
Now, dearie. let me explain"---
soothed Miss Dressler, while others in
the gathering less patient demanded:
How did she get in? Who is that
dame"
Some one identified her as
medium in the chorus of "Hello,
Alexander" The girl sat down, but
she seemed to have made her point, for
when Miss Dressler's name was placed
in nomination again Attorney Rubin
called for vote. and there was roar
of ayes" and not a solitary may" and
SO the S9-a-week chorus girl of-only
Marie Dressler remembers when-be-
came the president of the first union
of chorus girls in all the world
Delegation Chosen
George J. Sitter, of ooh What a
Girl" was elected secretary and as
sumed his duties on the stage with a
businesslike air that bespoke expert
ence Then elegates-temporary ones,
but walking delegates nevertheless
were elected. They are: "Follies," Ethel
Hallor and Lee Osborne; Hippodrome,
Louise Owen and William Morgan:
'' ''Passiro Show of 1910 ClaIvs 90.