The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-14
ACTORS STRIKE
CLOSES FOLLIES,
ALSO '39 EAST
Lifting of Injunction En-
ables More Stars to Join
the Walkout.
SOTHERN GETS BUSY
Denies He Is Organizing
Union, but Admits Call
ing Meeting.
sOTHERN GETS BUSY
BRADY MAY PLAY A PART
Two RumOrs of Possible Set
tlement Exploded-Chorus
Girls to Act To-day.

Heaviest engagements of any day
since the actors strike began occurred
yesterday on the Broadway front. Last
night the "Follies" closed through the
desertion of seven of the principals,
the chorus remaining loyal to Mr..
Ziegfeld. Yesterday afternoon "3s
East" fell before an Equity assault at
Maxine Elliott's Theatre. In both
cases large audiences had gathered
The closing was announced just at the
hour for the curtain and the audiences
were turned out into the rain.
Two rumors of possible settlement
filtered along the Rialto, but neither Of
them held out much promise. E. H.
Sothern announced at the Biltmore
that he was not organizing q players
association rival to the Actors Equity,
but that he was gathering some
friends distinguished on the stage to
see whether a means of settlement
could not be reached Mr.. Sothern's
efforts were denounced by both sides,
however.
The other rumor told Of the pur-
ported effort OF Paul Turner to open
pourparlers with Morris Gest. 1t later
turned out that Mr.. Turner had merely
stopped to inquire about the health of
Mrs. Gest. though a long dialogue re-
garding the strike ensued.
AS matter of fact neither side
showed any inclination to yield. The
managers renewed their declaration
that they would never resume reia-
ticns with the Actors Equity Associa-
ton, whose strike order, violative Of
contrasts. had deprived it forever of
credence.
Players Standing Firm.
At the Equity headquarters it was as
serted with equal confidence that the
players will never give in until the man
ayers agree to treat with the Equity.
Endless messages over we'll known cleo
trio lit names were made public, assur-
ing the actors that they had right and
Justice and all the other seven virtues on
their side.
Marie Dressler made good her organi-
zation Of the chorus girls. and It was
said they are signing on by the hun
dreds. They TOOK no action last night,
however They are due to meet this
afternoon and decide how hard they will
hit the enemy.
Meanwhile the legal battle ragged
briskly. Justice Lydon was the only
victor because he sat on the bench.
Otherwise II was an even break. The
actors secured the dissolution OF the
temporary Injunction which restrained
Eddie Cantor, Van and Schenck, Johnnie
and Ray Dooley and Eddie Dowling
from striking at the Folites-and they
struck. Then the Shuberts secured
new injunction restraining the Equity
and the members thereof who are in the
cast of Those Who Walk in Darkness"
scheduled to open tonight, from quitting
or inducing to quit.
The actors made good their claim that
East Is West" would not reopen last
night, and the managers put forward
new boast to the efrect that William A.
Bradys "At s:45" will reopen at the
Playhouse tonight with Mr.. Brady HIM
self in the cast.
Mr.. Brady incidentally announced that
he had not resigned from the Lambs
Club, because he had never been a mem
ber but said that he was still a member
of the Friars, ana unable to predict the
future length OF his membership.
George Cohan persisted in his resigna-
ton from the Friars, despite the denial
of the report that he had received a
telegram from an actor insulting to
the memory OF his father.
Among those who spoke at the Equity
meeting yesterday afternoon were Max
Levine of the BARRIERS union and Joseph
Cannon, not Of Congress nor yet OF the
Anti-Saloon League. but Of the Hod
Carriers.
The BARRIERS held a special meeting of
their own yesterday and announced that
they would fine any barber IS II he went
TO a non-unton show. Barber shops In
the Rialto were asking for Equity cards
from all dramatic looking persons who
presented themselves for shave. So
far as could be learned no manager
risked his neck under such circum-
stances
sothern Calls q Meeting.
Z. H. Sothern denied yesterday that
he Is organizing a new actors union of
any sort. He also vigorously reiterated
the denial that he Is acting ss the ''tool
OF the managers" which assertion. how
ever, the striking actors continue to
make.
, 'T have invited fifty men and women
distinguished on the stage to meet with
me on Friday" Mr.. Sothern said at the
Biltmore yesterday. 'It is in no sense
a new organization. Il Is simply an ef-
fort on my part 10 get together those of
the profession who believe with me that
something ought TO be done about the
present deplorable situation. We will
consult together. and II my friends de-
eide there is anything we can do we will
do IT,"
Mr.. Sothern refused to give out the
names OF the persons he has invited to
attend the conference. He said he ex-
pected at least half OF those invited will