The sun., 1919-08-17
STAGE HANDS ON
STRIKE, CLOSING
FOUR THEATRES
Musicians Also Join Sym
pathy Walkout in Sup
port of Actors.
ALL HOUSES MAY CLOSE
Managers Threaten This Step
Monday Night to Antici-
pate Equity Action.
ALL HOUSES MAY CLOsl

The stage hands and musicians
striking actors last night by closing
four New York productions. They say
they can close every theatre and mo-
ton picture house in the country II
they so decide. The blow was Sstruck
in an effort to force the managers to
recognize the Actors Equity Associa-
ton. Recognition Of this body is now
the only thing between the managers
and their artists, but the fight has in
creased in bitterness and In energy.
1t was reported. for the first time
authentically. from quarters close to
the managers last night that the
managers are seriously considering an
ticipating any further action by the
crews and orchestras by closing every
theatre within their control on Mon
day night.
Indicating the depth Of the managers
feeling in the matter. George M. Cohan
declared dramatically to Louis Mann
last night when the latter tried to offer
himself as a mediator that he would
give up his career as both manager and
actor and devote himself for the rest
of his life to the furtherance Of the
interests and the protection OF the rights
OF the actor, but that he would never
have anything to do with the Equity.
Dedicate Life to Aiding Actors.
"rn put 100000 on any table
around which you'll gather a representa-
tive organization of actors" Cohan
vocnerated in his dressing room at the
Cohan & Harris Theatre. ''and I'll give
up the rest of my life to such an or
ganization-but 1t can't be the Actors
Equity"
The four New York productions closed
last night, the hardest blow dealt the
managers since the strike was called,
were 1.-The Royal Vagabond." in which
Mr.. Cohan had assumed a part at the
Cohan & Harris: Listen Lester" at
the Knickerbocker "Chu Chin Chow
at the Century. and the Midnight
Whirl," on the Century Roof.
Action by the stage hands and musi-
clans followed a conference lasting most
OF the day and into the evening among
the largest gathering Of managers that
has yet been mobilized since the strike
began. To them in the Cohan & Harris
building came Mr.. Shay and Mr.. Gam
BILE in the afternoon with the demand
that they meet the Equity.
I'VE asked them nothing more" said
Mr.. Shay afterward. I'VE insisted only
that they discuss their differences with
the body with which we are affiliated,
When the managers started TO talk
about action along the lines Of the Dan
bury hatters case and the attachment
OF actors property they lined labor up
solidly against them. We do not de-
msnd that they grant or even consider
the actors other demands"
This the managers refused to do in q
letter which they handed to Mr..
Shay. The result was the calling out of
the crews and musicians OF the four at
fractions mentioned.
Actors Are Jubilant.
The actors were jubilant at this. They
insist that their night Is already won.
They point to the fact that the managers
have already conceded all of the points
they wanted to arbitrate with relation to
payment for rehearsala. payment for ex-
ira matinees and other financial details
OF the proposed new Equity contract.
They believe that the managers cannot
hold out for the denial of the right OF the
Equity to treat for the actors now that
all other union workers connected with
the theatre have shown their hand.
The call OF only four productions
last night was admittedly a mere show
ing Of strength on the part Of the
unions. They struck at those theatres
about which the Equity storm has ragged
most bitterly. 1t was at the Century
that the Equity failed at It's FIRST efforts
TO call a strike in the "Chu Chin Chow"
cast. "The Royal Vagabond" was ap-
parently on the list because OF the
prominent part which has been assigned
to Mr.. Cohan on the fight and the vigor
with which he has played It. Listen
Lester" has reused the wrath OF the
strikers by going on with a production
in which understudies took the place
Of the Equity principals
The one victory for the day to be
scored In favor OF the managers was
the reopening last night OF East is
West" with Fay BANTER and a new
cast OF non-Equity actors at the Astor
Theatre. Miss Banter was among
those who attended the meeting called
by r. Fl. Sothern on Friday. Those who
appeared with her last night were Irving
Herbert, Edwin Maxwell, Rexford
Lester Lonergan. Richard Cal
vert, Conrad Cantzen. Robert Vaughn.
Arthur Ginson. Albert Wees, Elwood r.