The Washington times., 1919-08-29
ACTOR STRIKE not
LIKELY TO SPREAD

tcontlnued from 20 one.l


Equity Association broaden their ef-
forts, or unless the strike spreads to
all actors, washington will be only
affected. IL is predicted, urging the
ViSits here OF show produced by the
Producing Managers Association, or
acted by members OF the Equity ASS
socistion playing in theaters owned
By the Producing Managers Assocfa-
ton.
Manager L. Stoddard Taylor, Of
the Belasco Theater. stated this
morning that he was completely
in the dark about what the actors
intend to do" He stated he had
received no intimation, no proposals
or communications from rhe SacfdEsE
the musicians or the stage hands bet
fore they struck. and that ne has
heard nothing since. The Belasco7
is closed for the week.
At Keith's Theater it was pointed
out that the strike in New York has
dot affected the vaudeville houses
yet, and probably will not show any
effects in Washington. The only
trouble which could occur on the
Keith circuit, IL was pointed out.
might result when a. shurt sketch
produced by a member OF the Produc-
ipg Managers Association, was p1t
on.
The actors in the "sKito might
strike and the musicians and stage
hands refuse to work in sympathy.
The Keith's theaters are not affiliated
with the Producing Managers Asso-
citation in New York. it was stated.
At the Shubert-Garrick Theater, on
F street, IT was stated that both the
and the players were
100 per cent equity" and no trouble
there is expected.
Leased Until October.
Although the theater itself Is
owned by members of the Producing
Managers Association in New York,
the present stock company operating
there has leased the theater until
October 1.
At the Gayety Theater, on Ninth
street, there is no trouble predicted
at present, Il is stated. as neither the
actors nor the ownership of the
theater is connected with the lighting
elements in New York. 1t IS esti-
mated. however. that wholesale
striking among actors later might be
the result, provided the members of
the Actors Equity Association are
successful in their New York de-
mands.
PollS TheateF Is expecting no trou-
BILE, it is stated. The theater is not
connected with the Producing Man
ayers Association in New York at
present. and the booking, formerly
made through the Garrick Agency in
New York, is now done direct with
the players, it was stated.
Silent on Future Plans.
Because the strike here of the mu-
sicians and stage hands at the Belas-
co was ordered direct from New York,
local union officials could say little
about the future plans.
It was predicted on the part Of both
union heads, however, that the strike
Of the musicians and stage hands
would not spread to other theaters in
at present. And any
strike, 1t was stated, would be order
ed from national headquarters of the
organizations in New York and not
from the locals in Washington.
The strike last night which put
the Belasco in darkness, came as a
complete surprise to the audience,
producer, and the management of the |
theater. Manager L. Stoddard Tay- !
lor, a few minHtes before the time for
the curtain toIrise. stepped on the |
stage and notified the audience that |
4 strike had been called and the |
money for tickets would be refunded !
at the box office.