New-York tribune., 1919-08-02
They Hear Hugh Frayne, OF
A. +. of L., Promise Sup
port of Hodcarriers, if
Needed, at Hotel Astor
Jeer Names of Managers
And Call Those Who Re-
signed From Association
"Yellow'' and ''Traitors''

Nearly 2,UOU men ana women OF the
theatrical profession met in the Hotel
Astor ballroom yesterday. pledged al
isg;ance to the Actors Equity Associa-
t!on in its fight against the producing
managers, clothed their officers with
powcr 70 make agreements with the or
ganized musicians and stage mechanics
Tor concerted action. aad heard Hugh
Frayne. state organizer CT the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. promise them
,ne supporteOf the Federation.
The meeting was under the auspices
Of the -Four AS parent union Of the
Equity, the White Rats and the other
associations OF theatrical nerformers
Nearly all those present. hovever, were
Equity members, actors and actresses
Il the "!eglt.nute' STAGE. 1t was an
nounced that there would be a meeting
OF the Equity within week, when, it
Is believed. the question Of general
walkout Will be discussed.
Enthusiastic and Unanimous
Whatever may be the state of 1nir.d
OF the rest of New York's stage ioik.
there was not shred Of doubt con
rernirc the enthusiastic uaaniinity
with which those who attended yester-
days gathering hail fight to the fin
ish with the managers. Reference by
tie speakers to prominent producers
met with jeers. and the characteriza-
ton Of those who have resigned from
the Equity rather than give up their
contracts is yellow" and 'traitors"
evoked loud and uurestrained approval.
Francis Wilson, president Of both the
"four AS" ana the Equity, was chair
man. The other speakers were James
William Fitz Patrick, Frank Gilmore.
Charles L. Stevenson, Grant Stewart,
Mr.. Frayno and Harry Mountford.
One of the resolutions adopted, after
reciting the Fquity's fruitless efforts
to gain the managers consent to arbi-
trstlon and declaring the managers
aimed 80 disrupt the Equity and thus
withdraw from The actor the right OF
collective bargaining," conferred upon
their councils the right to authorize
the international board OF tho -Four
AS" TO formulate such plans and
make such agreements with other or
ganized labor bodies in the amusement
world as viii lead TO cooperative &C
tior"
Service and Sacrifice
A second resolution pledged "devo-
ton, service and sacrifice to the cause
Of the actor" and guaranteed their
members loyalty TO the american Fed
Grafton of Labor. 1t also gave author
ity to the councils ''to make and en-
force such rules governing the action
o. individual mem heT3 IS viii give 100
per cent force and effect 10 these
pledges.
NJ. Frayne expressed the hope that
an understanding might yet be reached
with the managers, and rendered the
otices Of the A. +. Of l.. to bring about
mediation. He said "a indorsed the
resolutions adopted.
"The American Federation Of Labor"
be went on. "c1tends to you its ful,
sympathy and support. You are fight
ing for en- honest principle, a national
principie-the right OF collective bar
gaining and the 4. T. Of l.. is with
you.
For the purpose Of trying to weaken
your determination, II Will be civen
out that your aihliation with organized
labor Will mean you must associate
with hodcarriers, bricklayers and
plumbers. The fact that so many Of
you are here to-day Is evidence you
have at last come to the realization
that during al the years you have been
~ithoUr organization yoA were unable
n obtain the common recognition that
Il given 10 hodcarriers.
Nay Withdraw Patronage
y ~ ToC be contaminated ny the
hodcaIriers, bricklayers and plumbers,
but soTne day II Il becomes necessary
We don't court this, we don't want to
see but if it becomes necessary to
taI those same hodcarriers brick
layers and plumbers TO withdraw their
Patronage from the theatres wc'l do II.
@As 10 your tcmperamental feelings,
your desire 10 be called artists, labor
has 10 objection to that But even
actor must eat-
THE federation hopes there will be
no necessity for an actors strike. We
an not asking you to strike. II you
strike !. will be when you yourselves
Ey 50. But the wight 10 strike will
never be given up by the American
people
-So ] say 70 the managers the
Amsrica1 Federation Of Labor offers TO
neet with them and the oficerS Of this
association To discuss the questions at
issue ana keep the tneatres open 10
max money fer therr and for you " e
know .Aat IS the only sane and sensible
way u settle questions IN dispute
1ae plan Of arbitration you offer,
through your organization, IS tam.
The arbitration the managers wanf
With the individual actors, IS unfair,
nn-Anarican and unjust"
Mr. Wilson's talk Was an impassloned
appeal TO his hearers TO show their
loyalty 10 the Equity He termed the
managers refusal Of the arbitration
Offer of William, II Taft and Charles