Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-14
Five Principals in "Ziegfeld's
Follies" Production at New
Amsterdam Walk Out Wher
Injunction Is Revoked
NEW INJUNCTION ISSUED
Lee Shubcrt Charges That Actors
Equity Association Has Created "A
"Reign of Terror, Among Actors ir
New York City

New York, Aug. 13.-Striking actors
tonight closed their 18th theatre in this
city.
The New Amsterdam, at which "Zeg-
fields Folles" was billed. was filled this
evening when announcement was made
that five principals Eddie Cantor, John
Dooley, Gus Van, Joseph Schenck and
Phil Dwyer, all members Of the Actors
Equity association, had walked out"
Their action followed revocation to-day
by Supreme Court Justice Lyon of an in
junction obtained by Florenz Ziegfeld
restraining "unionists" from 'interfering
with his production by stepping from
the cast
In the Hiegfeld case Justice Lyon hello
that no actor could be legally restrained
from breaking his contract.
At the same time he issued another in
1unction-this time in the case of the
4Sth Street restraining" officers
of the Actors Equity association and
the cast of the play "They Who Walk in
Darkness" from participating in any way
in alleged combination and alleged con-
spracy" to close the play at its premiere
tomorrow night.
SHUBERT ASSAILS EQUITY
The creation of reign of terror
among actors and actresses in this
city is charged by Lee Shubert of the
Shubert Theatrical company in an affi-
davit accompanying the complaint and
application for an injun ction. Mr.. Shu-
bert asserted threats Of social and pro-
fessional "ostracism' coupled with in
timidation of bodily harm are being
used by the strikers as weapons against
loyal performers. The results, accord
ing to Mr.. Shubert. are crippling the
casts ana compelling players who refuse
to break their contracts to work under
mental conditions which prevent the
proper exercise of their talents
The new organization sponsored by
+. r. Sothern is fast gaining recruits. ac-
cording to reports received tonight by
the Managers associSion. Numerous
designations from various parts of the
country are being received by the Equity
according to the producers In one in
stance an entire cast walked out from
an Atlantic City play house, and imme-
diately applied for admission to Mr.
Sothern's ranks, after wiring their
resignation to the Equity association.
Reports received tonight from Chicago
indicate that eight entire companies have
asked for afiiiaton with Mr.. Sothern's or
ganization. at the same tine wiring resig-
nations to the Equity.
With a claim of POO additions TO their
ranks since yesterday, striking actor.
celebrated to-day fresh triumph when
the l1th playhouse was compelled to close
te doors through the walking out of the
company. The Maxine Elliott theatre ia
the latest to he affected and the strike
occurred just before the matinee perform
ance was scheduled to begin and after
most of the audience had been seated.
This victory came on .he heels of the
announcement by the management OF
the Astor theatre that the promise of
resumpt on of the performances of East
Is West tonight would have to be
withdrawn.
Overtures for conference between the
striking actors and the Producing Man
ayers Protective association have been
received BY the attorney for the man
ayers from the attorney for the actors
according 70 an announcement made here
tonight by Will Paige, of the Managers
association.
The Actors Equity association an
nounced tonight that at 4 meeting this
afternoon delegates from the Milkmen's
Union, BARRIERS Union and United Mine
Workers pledged their support to the
actors The BARRIERS Union, said the au-
nouncement. had notified members thai
any of them who attended performance
in a theatre whore he actors We're on
strike would be njir,l g. The BARRIERS dele
gate told the meeting that union BARRIERS
alonE Broadway were refusing to shave
actors wto could not produce a union
card.