The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-18
OPERATORS OF
 MOVIES READY TO JOIN STRIKE
Will "Stick to the End" With Musicians, Actors and Stage Hands, Says
 Leader.

New York, Aug. 1s.---AIotion picture operators, stage hands and theatre musicians throughout the United States, numbering between 3OO,OOO and 4O5 OO0, will stick by the striking ac- tors to the end" Charles C. Shay, president of the International Ali ance of Theatrical Stage Employees, announced last night. Mir. Shays statement followed a conference in which he. Joseph N. Weber, head of the AmerLcan Federation of Musi- clans, and of-cers of the Actors Equity Association took part. Asked whether his assertion might b construed as a declaration of in tention to call out motion picture op- orators here or bring about a walkout of stage hands and musicians in ad- ditional New York theatres tonight, MT. Shay declined to commit himself. T. Francis Wilson, president of the 4 ctors' Equity, addressed a meeting of Typographical Union No. yester- day in Saengeubund Hall, Brooklyn. At the conclusion of his speech the union voted $25O to aid the actors in ! their strike.
 | The curtailed list of local dramatic ! and musical attractions, Frank Gill | more, secretary of the Equity, said,
 
 | last night. More stage hands and | musicians, he predicted, will refuse | to serve at this evenings perform | ance at several theatres now adver- ] Using business as usual unless the 1 Producing Managers Association re- | cOsiderns it's refusal 70 treat with the | actors organization.
 "Our strike is as good as won," he said.
 Members of the International Ali ance of Theatrical Stage Employes met yesterday at their headquarters, | 110 West Fortieth street, to consider l extending their strike to other thea | tres controlled by the Producing | Managers Association. The strike order now affects 16 playhouses Another meeting will be held today | The Union of Chorus Girls and Chorus Men. through it's president Marie Dressler, made known demands to be presented to the Producing | Managers Association.
 ''The chorus people, said Miss Dressler. have joined the actors in | their demand for an eight-porform- | ance week with pro rata payment for all performances in excess of that l number. The minimum salary for eight shows is $3O in New York and 1 S35 on the road"
 The chorus folk agreed to rehearse for four weeks without pay, but de- l mand half pay for the next two l weeks rehearsing and full pay there- l after whether the play has opened or | not.
 Demand Pullman Cars.
 They demand two weeks pay if a play is taken off after four weeks re- hearsals. They are firm also in their | determination to compel the man. agers to provide them with Pullman accommodations while on tour. Not more than one chorus girl or man to a berth is another proviso.
 The Equity announcement that all chorus girls taking part in the ac- tors benefit production at the Lex ington theatre will be paid $20 each for the weeks work and be furnished d with shoes and stockings while work ing. Miss Dressler will be in charge of the chorus.
 | No theatrical manager ever gave the New York theatregoer as much for his money, say the actors, as they . will offer at the Lexington theatre for a week beginning tonight for regular old-time prices,'' which means S2 for the best seats. Silvio Hein will lead the orchestra of striking musicians
 Ethel and Lionel Barrymore, w. c
 Fields, Barney Bernard, Ed Wynn
 Eddie Cantor, Eddie Foy and his ''l1t. r tie Equities,'' Blanche Ring, Doris i Rankin, F1orine Arnold and a dozer
 other notable strikers will appear il
 a variety bill.