New-York tribune., 1920-05-31
Lackaye and EnersonDebate
Amid Kisses and Applause
Candidates for President of Equity Association An
swer ''Lie' With "Fish'' in Presenting Claims to
1000 Actors and Actresses in Astor Ballroom

not in human nature that even an hon
est man may be an employer and look
through the spectacles of an employee.
Emerson has admitted that he hasn't
acted in five years and doesn't intend to
again'--
Times up" said Emerson. showing
the face of his watch to Mr.. Wilson to
prove it. Mr.. Wilson verified this with
rap of his gavel and then Mr.. Emer-
son had his inning
Assa.ls Lackayes Record
Now then, what is Mr.. Lackaye's
record? ?" asked Mr.. Emerson after an
introduction in which he defended the
administration of Francis Wilson, re
calling the actors strike Of last year.
The defense was indorsed by the Equity
members W tn cheers and handclaps.
MIR. Lackaye is boasting that he was
one of the founders of the association.
III show YOU what sort Of founder
he was. He was elected member Of
the first council for q two-year term.
Eight months after his election he
showed UP for the first time and he at
tended one other meeting that year
In his second year he attended one
meeting and half of another And,
m nd you, this was not because he was
out Of town or unable TO attend the
meetings. Nothing of the sort He
was IN New York very large part of
this time. Is, then, Mr. Lackaye the
Moses to lead us out of Egypt?'
Mr.. Emerson then charged that in
1918 Mr.. Lackaye, while playing in can
Ideal Husband" agreed to dissect 50
Shubert contract" at an Equity meet
ing and then refused to do so, because,
Mr.. Emerson said, he had discovered
that Lee Shubert was heavily inter
ested III the company with which he
had an engagement.
"What assurance have We" asked
Mr.. Emerson, that if Mr. Lackaye was
president Of the Equity and his posi-
ton as an actor was jeopardized by a
dinpute between Equity and manager,
that Mr. Lackaye would not leave
Equity just as fiat as he left it in
1912"
Replies to Emerson
In rebuttal, Lackaye denied this
charge and then said:
But Emerson says nothing about
stealing away arbitration from the
constitution and putting it in the hands
Of Boothe-Emerson." Then he began to
make other charges.
OH it; object. It's new mate
rial" shouted Emerson.
Mr.. Wilson sustained Mr.. Emerson's
objection
Mr.. Lackaye began anew, returning
to the subject Of utterances by Emer-
SON.
Good heavens" said Emerson. "this
is new material,' and he stood up and
held his hands aloft
sit down, SIR ordered Nh Wilson,
increasing his comedy legs and pound
ing with his gavel.
Resuming, Mr. Lackaye said:
La,
who always produced upon me the im-
preston of fish, has some human
feelings"
Voices in the audience were raised
a that point 10 chide Mr. Lackaye, and
the mildest Of the things they said
were shane" and "rotten."
Interrupted by Groans
During the last forty minutes of de-
bate the speakers were both inter
ruptod frequently by groaning, Kissing
and applauding contests between fac
lions in the audience.
Mr.. Lackaye had the last words He
said:
Mr. Emerson had wrapped Mr.
Boothe, his supporter, in the Ameri-
can flag and without meaning to he has
told you how he went to the other side
wearing spurs to keep his feet on a
desk
This brought the biggest uproar of
the afternoon, and one actress arose
IN her place and cried: "Shame on
you. Somebody stop him. Where was
he i'm the war;"
After that Chairman Wilson declared
the debate at an end and congratulated
every one Tor having kept their humor
ana their dignity and invited them
10 pass out at the rear.