The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-24
MANAGERS REJECT
ACTORS DEMANDS
Players. Are Not Laborers Is
Reply to Closed Shop
Threat.
MANY MAY LOSE JOBS
Standard Contract Adopted
Some Time Ago Must
Stand, Is Decree.

Stand, Is Decree.
Actors are not laborers, so the Pro-
ducing Managers Association ruled yes
terday at a special meeting at the
Hotel Claridse. This attitude lay back
Of the decision unanimously adopted by
fuse the concessions demanded in the
form Of a new standard contract by the
Actors Equity Association, and to take
active measures to fight the threat of
the actors to turn theatres into closed
shops.
No details were made known of the
contemplated course of action by the
managers in case the Actors Equity
Association remains determined to
counter this denial of its demands by
organizing theatres along union lines,
with its inevitable possibilities OF a
strike. But the inference was left open
that the managers would refuse to have
any dealings with members of the as
ISOLATION, which would lead to the drop
ping OF numerous players from current
productions
The decision OF the managers was
embodied at their meeting over which
Sam H. Harris presided. In a letter ad-
dressed by L. Lawrence Weber. secre-
tary Of the Producing Managers Asso-
citation. to Frank Gilmore, secretary
OF the Actors Equity Association. The
letter, which took the form of an ulti-
matum, follows:
referring to the proposed contract
on behalf Of the Actors Equity Associa-
ton, am instructed to say that after
careful consideration, It has been deemed
impossible for the Producing Managers
Association to accept same, involving as
II does many departures from estab-
lished and tested practises of the pro-
fession.
Innovations Are Rejected.
II am instructed to say further that
the prevailing and accepted conditions,
which exist In the present contracts have
proven fair, and in the main, satisfa Glory
In operation. We cannot, nor will we
acQuiesce in any attempt to bring about
unconsidered innovations as the result
Of self-interested agitation, which really
has not in mind, the wellbeing of the
profession, nor the helpful cooperation of
its members
Your declared purpose that upon our
failure to accept the demands OF the
taliate by organizing the acting pro-
fession as closed shop. Is one that we
will not consider
The proposal Is so incongruous with
the nature OF an artistic profession, and
involves such an abandonment of the
actors standing and dignity. ehat we
cannot believe It has received unbiased
consideration from those who affect to
be In favor of such a step.
structed to add. for US to deal with an
organization which SO far departs from
Is original Ideals as to threaten the
profe ssion with what is known as a
closed shop"
Inc actors organization will meet on
Monday at the Hotel Astor to consider
this letter officially. and will then make
up their minds whether war will be de-
ciared on the managers, with all the
usual features of labor struggle.
In view OF the fact that this was one
or the most important meetings ever
held by the producers, every manager OF
consequences in New York was either on
hand personally at the Hotel Ciaridge
yesterday or had close representative.
The following participated: David BE-
lasco. Lee and J. ]. Shubert, A. l.. Err
LANCER, Marc Klaw. Conan & Harris,
Henry Miller. A. H. Woods. +. Ray Com
| stock. William A. Brady. Selwyn & Co.
George Broadhurst Smith & Golden, John
Cort, Henry w. Savage. Charles Froh-
man, Inc, Arthur Hammerstein. Morris
Gest, William Elliott, G. NJ. Anderson
l. Lawrence Weber, Charles Coburn
Oliver Morosco, Winthrop Ames, Arthur
Hopkins. William Harris Jr. Richard
Walton Tully, Adolph Klauber, Harry
Frazee. J. Fred Zimmerman. Jr.
Managers Consider Terms.
For four hours they considered their
answer to the contract proffered on be-
| half of the theatrical profession. This
| new legal instrument stipulated chiefly
for these privileges n uniform week of
eight performances. requiring extra pay
| FOR Sunday shows and holiday matinees,
which at present bring no recompenss to
the performer half pay for rehearsals IL
they last beyond three weeks for a
| legitimate attraction and II they exceed
| four weeks for musical comedy. The
| actors also held out for the employment
by managers OF none but members OF the
| Actors Equity Association.
Besides rejecting these proposals the
managers also retained cambridge Colby
as special counsel. One of their officials
| later gave a hint of their tactics when
| II was pointed out with reference TO the
CLOSED shop idea that the association
had membership of 1000, but It was
estimated that there are at least 10000
players outside this in the country. He
remarked that this certainly looks ia
vorable for US"
"A standard contract was adopted by
i the managers some time ago when pre-
| sented by the actors organization" he
| continued, under which we gave the
| actors more than they'd ever had before
certainly more than they gave us All
! extra matinees were paid for, except
| those on holidays, which were expressly
| exempted in the contract. as were Sun
day performances.
| Yet II has been almost impossible TO
get actors receiving a high salary to go
on the road even when they asked for
| an increase in pay and We were willing
| to meet it. II Sunday performances
have to be paid for It will drive many of
| the small producers in the one night
| stands out OF business. for II is on these
| shows that the small men rely to carry
| them through the week. Otherwise they
wouldn't be able TO pay actors even $40
or $50 a week.
"As for the matter of paying for re-
hearsals, II is impossible TO produce a
| musical comedy In four weeks. A pro-
Queer like David Belasco spends many
| weeks training actors for his produc-
tons Many of them he actually has to
1 oh hnN 10 In