New-York tribune., 1919-08-21
Authors Plan
To End Actors
Strike Fails
Winter Garden Musicians
and Stage Crews Walk Out
When Managers Refuse
Plea to Recognize Equity
E Chicago Houses Closed
Producers Refuse to Discuss
Peace Even When Assured
Open Shop Will Remain

Following the abandonment yester
day by Eugene Walters committee
Of playwrights of efforts to mediate in
the actors strike, union stage hands
and musicians walked out from the
Winter Garden. With the aid of non
union pianist and with chorus girls
shifting scenery, the management pro-
ceeded to stage the combination vaude-
i vllesnd chorus ensembles it has been
presenting since most of the principsls
Of "Monte Cristo. Jr.." struck.
Six theatres in Chicago were closed
yesterday afternoon by walkout of
stage hands and musicians, striking
in sympathy with the actors This was
considered as a positive indication that
the allied unions intend to back UP
the Equity to the limit.
Paul Turner, counsel for the Actors
Equity Association, disclosed last night
that the paywrights had ended their
attempt to bring about peace after the
Equity had agreed in writing not to
demand a closed shop and the mana
gers had refused even to consider ne
gotiating with the strikers on this
basis.
Managers Reject Pledge
Mr.. Turner said a delegation from
the playwrights consisting of Eugene
Walter, Roi Cooper Megrue, Gene
Buck. Owen Davis and Guy Bolton
took pledge to the managers. signed 7
by Frank Gilmore, executive secretary
OF the Equity, stating the association
would not require closed shop during
the time OF any contract entered into
with the managers, and that it would
furnish reasonable bond" to guar
antee fulfillment of the contract.
The playwrights came back later"
said Mr.. Turner, "and told us that to
THEN great surprise the managers
had treated the proposition coldly and
DECLINED to look at the pledge"
When Mr.. Turner's statement was
called to the attention of Arthur Hop
kins' spokesman for the managers.
ne said the Equity's offer to furnish
100000 bond to guarantee good
falth IN contracts affecting a S100,000,-
900 business was not impressive"
We do not want a bond" he added.
We want to deal with an association
of actors that has not demonstrated
IT'S complete disregard for property
and contract rights"
Long Contest Ahead
The announcement that the play
wrlghts had discontinued their efforts
to bring the actors and managers to-
gether was taken along Broadway to
presage the indefinite duration of the
strike. One manager predicted Thanks
giving would not see the end of the
struggle between the Equity and the
managers.
Our informal gathering has ad-
journed sine die" Eugene Walter,
chairman of the playwrights' commit
tee, said after the conferences. 1t was
learned several dramatists will con-
tinue individual efforts to effect a
settlement.
None of the members of the Walter
committee would give their opinion of
the squabble for publication. but sew
eral indicated their sympathy with the
actors by stating the Equity would be
welcome to present any of their plays
not already tied up by the. sole pro-
ayers. Roi Cooper Megrue was one
who made this offer.
The Equity has the use of the Lex
ington Theatre until October 81, and
IS trying to get Daly's Theatre, Carne-
gle Hall and a number of armories in
which TO stage productions.
United States offered Theatres
Comstock & Gest, producing man
ayers, demonstrated their belief that
the strike will be prolonged by yes
terday offering Food Administrator
Williams the use of the Century and
Princess theatres and the Manhattan
Opera House for the distribution of
government foodstuffs.
of an
whether members of the Equity or
not, in Hotel Biltmore this afternoon
was signed by Louis Mann, Fay Balm
ter and Lowell Sherman, none of whom
Us in sympathy with the strike. Equity
ofhcials lost little time in character
izlng the plan as a move by the man
ayers to form a rival organization,
nothing to do with the gathering.
George M. Cohan stated he would at
tend the meeting, if possible, and this
gave rise to the expectation that the
actors who are present will be asked
10 accept Cohan's offer to lead and
a, finance a new organization. This offer,
o3made public some days ago, represent
ed Cohan as willing to put up 100000,
devote all needed time to serving the
organization and resign from the Pro-
ducing Managers Association as
sign of his good faith.
There are now six first class legiti-
mate theatres open in Manhattan and |
eighteen dark.
Samuel Tullman, attorney for the re-
Gently organized union Of motion pict-
ure workers, which includes operators,
managers. ticket takers, ushers and
doormen, contemplates demanding an
increase in wages, shorter hours and
recognition They complain they have 7
had to work TWENTY-FIVE hours a dav in
some instances and that some operators
receive but $14 a week.
Sir Chicago Theatres Close
Whou Stare Cre,ns O.:f