The New York herald., 1921-08-07
MUSICIANS WALK OUT
AS WAGE CUT BEGINS
observation-disclosures
0rchestras of Five of Big
gest Motion Picture Thea
tres Go on Strike.
MORE FOLLOW MONDAY
Men in 100 Vaudeville
Places Will Begin the
Week in Idleness.
1000 MORE AFFECTED
Managers Say That Plenty Are
Available at Salaries 20 P. C.
Below Present Scale.
1000 MORE AFFECTED

Mutual Protective Union in resisting
the proposed 90 per cent. cut in wages
went into effect last night at the end
of the performances in the five biggest
motion picture theatres on Broadway.
Orchestras in more than one hundred
vaudeville houses probably will play
to-day. as the vaudeville week ends on
Sunday. but they will not appear for
rehearsals tomorrow morning.
Rehearsals at the Rialto. Rivoli.
Strand, Criterion and Capitol theatres
were hampered yesterday morning be-
cause most Of the musicians failed to
appear. The effects of the strike on
the motion picture houses, however,
will not be known until this afternoon.
Hugo Resenfeld. manager of the
Rialto, Rivoli and Criterion theatres.
will make no attempt to combat the
strike to-day. but will use reproducing
pianos. He said he had wanted to
make the experiment for long time
opportunity.
The Keith, Loew, Proctor, Moss and
Fox enterprises in this city also are af-
fected by the strike. Managers of tn.
vaudeville interests declared that they
would have little difficulty in filling the
places OF the men who strike.
Plenty to FIJI Their Places.
The manager of one OF the largest
vaudeville houses In the city. who re-
quested that his name not be used, said ::
II have here on my desk the names
Of nearly $50 competent musicians. most
of them union men, who are ready to
step in at moments notice and take
the places OF the mcii who so out. r
the members OF the Musical Mutual Pro-
tective Union want to be led out by
their radical leaders the effect on US
will be barely perceptible. We will go
as usual"
Many animated groups of musicians
gathered back stage at nearly every
theatre yesterday and argued the ad-
visibility of taking the cut In wages.
There has been u three cornered fight
on among the musicians themselves.
First. there was the conflict between the
local union and the American Fedora
ton OF Musicians, which resulted a
short time ago In the expulsion OF the
local union. Efforts of the union to get
back in the federation have been unsuc-
cessful. Then there also has been the
conflict between the radical and CEN
servative elements of the Musical
Mutual Protective Union itself. Angelo
Matero, head of the union. is termed n
radical by the managers.
Between 1,500 and 1000 musicians be-
long to the local union. Managers of
the motion picture and vaudeville houses
pointed out last night that they were
able to bring union musicians from other
cities because the Musical Mutual Pro-
tective Union. since its expulsion. has
no official standing. Heads of the vari-
Gus enterprises are unanimous in de-
claring that the almost unprecedented
depression in business has made the
wage cut absolutely necessary.
Asserts Union Is United.
Henry v. Donnelly. secretary Of the
Musicians Mutual Protective Union,
gave out a statement last night charg-
ing the employers with breaking the
agreement governing working conditions
and wages.
"The lockout order OF the managers"
ne said, "hnds the union united as never
before and determined TO fight until the
managers give UP their unreasonable
and impossible demands
Musicians In 1914 were paid $40 a
week, while orchestra leaders were paid
from $40 to $50 week. BY 1920 the
wages had increased to from $40 to $50
for the musicians and $50 and $40 for
the leaders. Last year wages in the
motion picture houses were Increased
to from $50 TO $40 a week for the
musicians, while leaders got from SEQ
to $3.50. Musicians In the vaudeville
houses get from $40 TO sbe a week.
The situation will come up for dis
cussion this week at the meeting OF the
Theatrical Managers Association. Nearly
1000 managers of theatres all over the
country will attend. Some OF the rnu-
sicians said yesterday that they felt
confident general settlement would be
reached at this meeting