The New York herald., 1922-07-27
Thomas Salary
as Theater Head
May Be $4,000
Tells How New Position Makes
Him a Shock Absorber
Rather Than a Lands.

Nothing fusters Augustus Thomas. not
even being appointed head of the
theatrical business or having TO pro-
nounce the word 'analo., ous.'' when =.
was pointed out that his new position
was similar to that of VIII II. Hays
in the movies or Judge Landis In base
ball. While taking quite seriously hls
new post of executive chairman Of the
Producing Managers Association. 20
which he was chosen on Tuesday, the
playwright was capable Of turning ont
humorous phrases at his home. so East
Fifty-sIxth street. yesterday, concern
ing what he intended 10 do in this
capacity.
He did not appear in the least per-
turbed ut the prospect of having S25.000
annually for three years added TO his
bank account That is the sum which
those on the inside of theatrical circles
say Is tn. amount he will receive, though
neither Mr. Thomas nor any one off,
cially connected with the p. M. A.
would fix the figure. He said ne would
assume office>on August /. Asked about
inaugural exercises, he said he had
not been notified of any fireworks"
He said he will make his headquar-
ters at the offices Of the p. M. A., III
West Forty-fifth street. and would de-
Vote certain part of each day to work.
ing there, besides establishing certain
hour when he would see the press and
speak aloud to the world. While he
st.l expects to do q bit of writing, and
to take weekend trips away, he said
he did not feel 1t would be fair to the
producers If "he went away and re-
manned hidden for a couple of days
Routine Work First.
1t was not apparent just yet. he said.
what would be the first problem he
would have to tackle. but he expected
sit would be small routine matters,
something in the nature of ducks
bite" Managers, he said, were swayed
by various private considerations when
they made agreements, and those con-
siderations might often lead them into
a tansle. The idea Of creating his office.
he figured, was to get disinterested
person, not governed by preposessions.
THE job, as I see 1t, will be more In
the nature of an advisory one" he said.
nething like Z shock absorber. /
don't expect to be quite so autocratic
as Judge Lands. Perhaps 1t is because
am more intelligent. I don't mind
having my name linked with Judge Lam
dis and VIII H. Hays. and they are well
come to all the publicity they can get
out Of it,"
One OF the managers himself ac-
knowledged yesterday that "the ace in
the hole" which brought about the selec-
ton of Mr.. Thomas was the confidence
gu ls~~
ayers, and the likelihood that he would
1924 over the Equity or closed shop
issue. just as he induced the Actors
Equity Association and the p. NJ. A.
to sign the agreement ending the 1919
strike. Concerning the open and closed
shop question in the theater, Mr. Thomas
said that he was~not pledged officially
to either srde.
II have made my personal viewpoint
on that matter clear before>this." he
said, but there is no reason for going
into that now. think that whole mat
ter should die out. 1t will be settled.
but not by stirring up both parties
now"
Opposes Political Censors.
1t became increasingly evident as he
censorship, and that while he did not
consider the voluntary jury system"
of censorship recently adopted by man
ayers, playwrights, actors and reform
societies was ideal. he thought 1t was
q good compromise measure and would
call for his support.
John s. Sumner of the Society for
the SUPPRESSION of Vice. said Mr..
Thomas. has accepted it. and until this
plan fails. do not think he and other
reformers will attempt to bring about
political censorship at Albany. Gov.
Miller. / know. Is opposed to such GEN.
sorship on principle. I heard him state
that at the hearings on the motion
picture censorship bill He only agreed
to that because he felt he was forced
to--because there was no alternative.
IT do not think, however that so far
as the managers are concerned the sys.
tenn Of voluntary censorship will fail
/ think that when any one Of them Is
told he has presented a play that has
something outrageous in 1t he will rem
edy that Immediately. It's the same
principle by which the average drunk
would rather be taken home In taxi
cab than go elsewhere in a black maria.
They've put me in for three years as
sort Of probationary term" he con-
cluded. Whether / get any time Off
for good conduct don't know"
Mr.. Thomas was kept busy yesterday
reading congratulatory messages from
all parts or the country and abroad.
Among them was one from Woodrow
Wilson, saying: II am heartily glad to
learn of the well deserved honor that
has come TO YOU"
VIII II. Hays, who holds similar
position in the moving picture industry,
wired: Have just heard. OF the action
of the Producing Managers Association
and am delighted. I congratulate the
association and \ congratulate you in
this new opportunity for still larger
service and usefulness. Very warmest
personal regards"