New-York tribune., 1919-08-10
ReuoH Reflects
Spirit of Time

from them instead of graciously be-
slowed.
The Actors Equity Association,
which started. with its aims somewhat
timidly defined, six years ago, was at
first body that aimed by conciliatory
and persuasive means to urge on
managers a fair consideration Of the
actors side of the business 1t prob
ably never saw itself taking so deter
minded stand as it has, and its shrink
ing from any actually aggressive policy
is best shown by the fact that it did
not affiliate itself with the American
Federation of Labor until three weeks
ago. 1t hoped to the last to be able to
retain some shreds OF gentility, but in
a world that seems chiefly concerned
with casting its gentility overheard as
fast as possible it has finally found
courage to make a wholehearted break.
When the organization was formed six
years ago it met with the United Man
ayers Protective Association to draw
up the standard contract which en-
bodies its principal demands. The
United Managers Protective Associa-
ton was an organization composed Of
perhaps 1900 men connected with the
business side Of the theatre in every
part of the country These were theatre
managers and owners, booking agents
and producers, and the aim of the or
ganlzation had been originally to pre-
sent united opposition to any legisla-
ton hurtful to the theatre. The Actors
Equity Association dealt with delegates
from this organization and a board,
consisting of one member from each
association and one impartial outsider,
was provided to sit in arbitration of
disputes arising from breaches Of con-
tract, The term for which the stand
ard contract was drawn expired sew
eral weeks ago and when the Actors
Equity Association asked for a renewal
they we're advised that the United
Managers Protective Association was
no longer empowered to deal with the
actors. An organization of the forty
men who produce plays in this country.
the men who do the hiring, had been
formed, and the new contract would
have to be taken up with them. The
conference between that organization
and the Actors Equity Association re-
suited in the disagreement which is tho
basis of the strike. 1t was the appar-
ent hopelessness Of reaching a conclu-
sion that finally forced the A. E. A. to
affiliate itself with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor-a very shrcwd move,
indeed
The spirited quality of the opposi-
ton which actors have put up has sur
prlsed no one more than themselves.
And in the face of the traditional sub
missiveness Of their class it is a cour-
age which deserves very high praise.
This tardy display Of spirit no doubt
owes its inspiration largely to the
strike of English actors which occurred
last winter. In spite of long stand
ing antagonism between them, the re-
spect of American actors for English
actors is very great, and the fact that
English actors cast overheard their in
dlvidual pretensions and quirks of tenn
permanent in the cause Of their
common welfare did much to
hearten American actors to similar
stand. The British demands were far
more sweeping. Among other demands
were included half pay for all rehear-
sails, the afixing of positive date of
production to all contacts and even
pay for time lost because of illness
consideration simply unheard Of in
the theatrical business.
But this robust assertion of +he;r
rights has a greater significance than
the. simple one of attempting a more
equitable arrangement between worker
and employer. 1t has its spiritual sig
nlticance. 1t is a democratic impulse
to which the art of the theatre cannot
1all to be sensitive. The indignity of
depending on any one mans goodness
OF heart for elementary justice has
undoubtedly had its demeaning effect
on the actor and in turn on the whole
work OF the theatre. How could Won
expect virile and noble art to flourish
among people who do not resent such
servility? How could you expect to
draw into the theatre under such con-
dltlons the people Of vigor and mag
lnation who are its life? Whether thew
win or lose, the strike will have served
to take the actor out of the isolation
IN which he has lived so long; It will
have given him sense Of common i'm
pulse with larger and more struggling
world than he has been aware of. And
most valuable OF all, it is ratification
IN art of the spiritual oualitv ~ l.h