The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-11
BIG DRIVE NEAR
IN ACTORS WAR
Both Sides Pass Sunday Bring
ing Up Requirements and
Counting Casualties.
CHORUS GIRLS TO FRONT
They Will Join Strikers Col
ors To-day-Managers
Claim DesertiOns.
CHORUS GIRLS TO. FRONT

Ar Sam Harris, president of the Pro-
ducing Managers Association. re-
marked last evening with a grin:
They kept all the theatres dark to-
day." There was a week end lull in
the battle Of Broadway while actors
and managers prepared for the COM
ing week, which is generally looked
upon as the decisive period in the
strike. Managers are confident they
will open at least half dozen Of the
ten shows now dark. and the actors
are equally confident they will block
them.
A number of important defections
from the ranks OF union talent devel-
oped yesterday. Those who resigned
from the Actors Equity Association in
disapproval OF the players strike were
Laura Hope Crews. Janet Beecher,
Zelda Sears, Valli Valli, Olive Wynd-
ham, Jeanette Lowrie and Charlotte
Monterey. On the other hand. Equity
announced that they had gained Al
!
nitude, which seemed to them a good
days work, especially as the tide of
1Iew membership was still flowing in.
Frank Gilmore. executive secretary OF
! the Equity, and Grant Stewart, record
| ing secretary, were considerably heart
ened by messages from John Drew and
Raymond Hitchcock that they held them
| selves at the disposal of the executive
| council, which Is the strikers general
staff. The council granted citations to
the following actors for distinguished
services during the strike by granting
them the titles of special deputy" pre-
sumably IN perpetulty: Ed Wynn, Harry
! Fox, Frank Fay and Al Joison.
Many BENEFITS Planned.
The benefit announced yesterday will
be the first OF a series OF monster
testimonials, according to Mr.. Stewart
with which, at dates to be puollshec
later. the actors will furnish themselves
with the slnews OF war. Francis Wilson
president of the Equity. has made nc
reply 10 challenge from William A
Brady to meet him in joint debate or
the stage OF the Metropolitan Opera
House concerning the great labor up
beayal In the artistic world. Mr.. Wilson
had gone TO his home at Lake Mahopa'
early on Saturday night, II was said.
Despite conflicting predictions no &C
ton, II was learned authoritatively yes
terday, has been taken by either thu
unionized musicians or the stage hand'
with reference TO a sympathetic walkout
although palavers have been held on II
&c. c. Shay. president of the Interna
tional Alliance of Stage Employees ant
Motion Picture Machine Operators, hai
been III and until he recovers stag
hands will remain in their present posi-
tons The MUSICAL Mutual Protective
Union is still officially neutral
The Equity expects to further the en-
velopinE movement to-day by organizing
the chorus girls. The ladies of thu
ensemble insist with chorus girl logi'
that they should be known as branch
under the auspices of the Actors Equit,
Association, but not part of 1t" p
]. Shea, who organised the car strike II
Brooklyn, will address the rampant POM
ballet to-day at their meeting.
Centre on winter Garden.
The customary free show took plac
outside strike headquar arters in 15s Wes
Forty-fifth street yesterday. but ther
. was no disorder. AS the Winter Gar
den was the only house open last nigh
tho actors concentrated on picketIng tht
theatre, which led to the arrest. OF Rich
| ard Gordon, an actor living at III
, Lambs Club who was started on his wa,
to the Night Court by Stanley SHARP
house manager. Sharp. who caused
fine OF s25 to be imposed on Anthon
Hughes on Saturday night for disorder
conduct charged Gordon with interfeT
ing with patrons of the Winter Gar
|