New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-16
Theater Unions
F ear Fight as
Managers Meet
See Move to Combat Their
Claims in Gathering OF
$50 Who Control 5000
Houses All Over Country
Compers Plans Address
Producers of All Forms
Of Shows, From Opera to
Burlesque, Are Present

Nearly $50 theatrical managers and
producers controlling about 5000
houses in forty EIGHT states met at the
Hotel Pennsylvania yesterday to form
q rational organization which will
cover every form of stage entertain
ment For the first time in this coun-
try representatives Of every branch of
the business grand opera, vaudeville,
burlesque, motion pictures, and the
three phases of the legitimate stage,
New York, touring, and stock COM
panies- met together. The convention
II expected to last week, with all its
sessions behind closed doors.
Although the purposes of the meet
ing as set forth in the invitations sent
out ten days ago by Alfred L. Aarons
are the elimination OF waste, the pre-
vention Of abuses, and the obtaining of
just and equitable conditions, the con-
vention is regarded by members of tie
Actors Equity Association, the Ameri-
can Federation of Musicians and the
various stage hands unions as q direct
move to oppose their claims.
Their alarm is at least partially
shared by Samuel Gompers, who yes
terday telegraphed Mr.. Aarons that he
WIS
older to address the meeting.
George NJ Cohan was conspicuous
yesterday by his absence. He sent a
message expressing mis- sympathy with
the movement, but many managers were
outspoken as to his lack of interest.
''If he isn't with US enough to be
here, he isn't with us at all" said one.
Lee Shubert. Henry W. Savage, Win
throp Ames, William A. Brady, Adolph
Zukor, A. L. Erlanger, George Broad
hurst, Arthur Hammerstein, Joseph
Klaw, E. F. Albee, head of the Keith
interests; Gus Hill, president of the
Touring Managers Association, and
Nathan Appel, who controls 2,100 one
night stand houses, were present, how
ever, and took part in the discussions.
With them were many leading theatri-
cnl men from other cities.
The convention had expected to fin
ish the organization work yesterday
and devote the rest of the week to the
discussion of practical problems. Each
of the eleven speakers advocated a
different constitution, however, and at
the end of two hours a committee of
nine was appointed to take up the
question. The discussion in the general
session will be resumed at II o'clock
this morning.
The disagreement yesterday IS ur-
derstood to have been as to whether
the new organization should be fed
Grafton Of existing bodies, such as the
Eastern and Western Theater Man
ayers Associations and the Vaudeville
Managers Protective Association, or
should cooperate Independently with
those organizations.
An indication of the progress al
ready made toward harmonizing con-
f1icting interests was given by the fact
that Gus Hill, burlesuue specialist. was
seen walking arm in arm with Win
throp Ames, known as one of the
greatest forces for the Improvement
of the American stage. Lee Shubert
had long conversations with A. l.. Err
LANCER and Z. F. Albee. His recent re-
lations with these two are not thought
to have been marked by cordiality.
George Broadhurst was elected chair
man for yesterdays meeting, with
Nathan Appel secretary. Walker VIM
cent will preside to-day.