New-York tribune., 1919-08-17

of California with an LIB. For
a number of years Mrs. Adams
practised law in partnership
with another woman lawyer.
tlons and joined their fortunes with
their less fortunate comrades.
From my own personal expert
ence l can say that I have been
under the management of eight Of
the most prominent New York
managers, and with two exceptions
that of the late Charles Frohman
and Henry B. Harris-the con-
tracts which | received from them
were never worth the paper on
which they were written.
recall particularly an instance
which may serve as an example of
the manner in which the average
theatrical manager regards the ac-
tors contract.
| was engaged to play an import
ant part in play scheduled for an
early fall production, but which
was to be given "spring try-out"
at Atlantic City. I signed a con-
tract with a firm of managers who
have always enjoyed the reputation
among actors of being "the whitest
in the business" The contract
which I signed with them was for
the ensuing season and contained
the two weeks clause. We spent
three weeks in rehearsing, during
which time l was informed that l
was perfectly satisfactory in the
part. l bought my costumes out of
my own pocket. We played week
in Atlantic City, during which time
constant changes were made in the
play, which necessitated a long re-
hearsal every day. My perform
ance received very favorable COM
ments in the local papers and the
management expressed themselves
as very much pleased with it.
The first of September came and
| had received no notice of rehear-
sails and l called up the managers
office. The Office boy answered the
telephone. ooh, The Flowers that
Bloom in the Spring. said he, chat
has been rehearsing for a week.
| hung up the receiver, put on
my bonnet and shawl" and went
over to the Office. I sent in my
card and was told that all the staff
were attending the rehearsal Every
we'll" said l, 81 will wait" At last
the head Of the firm came through
the hall where l sat and I asked
for an explanation.
II thought you understood said
he, "that your contract was only
for the try-out. The author decided
that you were not the type for the
part. You looked too young and
pretty this was a sop to Cerberus]
and he has engaged some one else"
"But he must have known that at
Atlantic City," l said. "Whys did
he let me sit about all summer and
thus lose a whole seasons work."
Search me-" was the careless reply
as he pushed by me and made for
the safety of his private office.
| afterward learned the true
facts in the case. The author had
written that part for we'll known
character actress who refused to
do the four weeks work for the
one weeks salary during the hot
weather, but who had kindly con-
sented to play the part in the fall.
I was therefore engaged to per-
form this drudgery for her and
there had never been the slightest
idea in the minds of the managers
of my playing the part save for
that one try-Out week.
Moreover, the actress who was to
play it spent the week in Atlantic
City and attended the perform
ances and rehearsals sitting in the
darkest corner of the theatre while
did her work!
This IS one of the hundreds and
thousands of instances Of the unfair
dealings of the theatrical managers
which may give you an inkling of
the real issue for which the mem
bers of the Actors Equity Associa-
ton are taking such a radical
stand. They are fighting not for
more pay, but sfor a principle.