New-York tribune., 1919-08-31


talent as performer"
This line Of reasoning leaves Us be-
wildered. for if the theatre depends
not so much on the actors art "a the
managers business acumen what be-
comes Of the argument that it ia be-
meath tha actors dignity to organize.
"hat becomes Of the cry that the
lofty tradition Of the theatre must not
be impaired2
The Fidelity, we understand. 4.
looking for a slogan. We suggest.
"Too Proud to Strike"
Louis Mann was talking to a group
OF non-striking actors about the
theatre. 1.-THE plays the thing" he
exclaimed. "The Jest, Redemption
any Of them, depend not on actors,
but on the play itself"
"What about Friendly Enemies ~
somebody asked.
"oh, that's different" said Mr..
Mann.
"A reader who signs himself Richard
Craig takes US to task for the piece
which We wrote last Sunday. He as
sures US that our facts are wrong.
We must. however, claim the privilege
OF not printing the letter in full, for
Mr.. Craig can hardly have read the
article which he criticises very care
fuiiy, since he makes entirely un-
founded assumptions. Speaking of
the agitation of the Equity with the
American Federation Of Labor he
writes, "This move was one of utter
folly, for 1 am sure you will agreA
with me when / say that there is Z
gap between art and labor that can
never be bridged."
AS a matter Of fact don't agree
with him at all and distinctly stated
last Sunday that regarded the
E9uity's afiliation with the American
Federation of Labor as a wise and
logical move. No more do l agree
that there is a gap between art and
labor that can never be bridged." The
theatre is not worth damn unless it
does bridge this gap. Of all arts the
theatre is the most popular. 1t is the
most democratic Of the arts and it is
falling short of it's true purpose wben-
ever 1t aims only at small section of
the public, whether the public it aims
at is composed of editors of "The New
Republic" or cloak and suit BUYERS.
strike Mr.. Craig says:
"The managers, realizing that they
had to deal with men who were drunk
with power, lacked foresight and did
not have the best interests Of the act
ing profession at heart, told MIR. Fran
els Wilson, Mr.. Gilmore apd the rest
of the council to tell the members Of
the Actors Equity Association that the
managers would not discuss any more
business with the existing council OF
the Equity, and that, if their differ
ences were to be settled amicably, for
them to elect new and more truly
representative council. The manager:
were justified in taking this stand, JUS
as the United States was justified in
refusing to. deal with the German gov
ernment during the recent war"
The managers were justified in this
attitude if they wanted war, but hardly
if they wanted to keep the peace. Nat
urally, the right of collective bargain
ing rests on the privilege of each side
to choose its own representatives. For
the managers to attempt to force new
election upon the Equity was just as
amiable and peaceful an act as it would
have been for the Equity to have said
"You made mistake when you elected
the president of the Producing Man.
ayers Association. We don't think he's
truly representative. Elect somebody
else and We'll come back and talk to
you"