The New York herald., 1922-01-11
GEO. COHAN BACK AS
PRODUCING MANAGER
Association Reflects Him and
He Will Continue 'ClOsed
shop Fight.
FREE TO PRESENT PLAYS
Fidelity Makes Possible the
Returned Producer Retain
ing His Membership.
FREE TO PRESENT PLAYS

George NJ Cohan was unanimously
reelected to membership IN the Produc-
ing Manager Association yesterday and
is row free TO produce again without
CLOSED shop" interference which so
hampered his activities that he re-
Gently announced his withdrawal from
the theatrical field here and turned his
attention toward London.
The announcement was made last
night by his former partner. Sam Fl.
Harris, president OF the P. NJ A.
This announcement is of UNUSUAL in
terest." ran the official statement. be
cause II means that MIR. Cohan Is once
more in position to produce in the
American theater without being forced
to operate under the CLOSED shop rule
imposed by the Actors Equity Associa-
tion on pr ,ducers not members Of the
Producing Managers Association"
During the actors strike ADDED
member Of the r. NJ. A., 'tne Actors
Fidelity League was forneI This or
ganiZation also was formed The or
ganization Of players announced itself
as being unalterably opposed to drastic
measures in settling. disputes between
player and producer. This was con-
strued by both sides in the strike as
an unqualified refusal to countenance
the CLOSED shop" in the theater. AS It
came about, Mr.. Conan was elected first
vice-president of the Fidelity League"
The FidcIity's Letter.
Early yesterday morning there was
delivered TO Mr. Cohan the following
letter from the FideKty:
DEAR Mr.. CONAN:
I'VE. the board OF directors OF the
Actors Fidelity League. have decided
to approach YOU on the subject that
lies nearest the hearts of our oreaniza-
ton, namely. what is best for the Amer
lean stage. In this period OF general
depression we believe that your prac-
ucal retirement from producing activi-
ties has been an especially severe loss
to our stage. and we keenly realize that
as result OF your whole hearted gem
erosity in responding to our call for
your leadership in i919---which In your
judgment necessitated your Withdraw wal
from membership in the Producing
Managers Association-w have placed
YOU in a position Of some embarrass-
ment owing mainly to the ma snitude
OF your operations.
I'm serving what you consider 10 be
the best interests of your fellow actors
you have been steadfast In your ad-
~
to apprise you of our conviction that
the common cause of the American stage
can best be served by your return as a
manager to membership in the ProGuc-
ing Managers Association. We realize
ali too well that such a step on your
part might necessitate your withdrawal
from membership in our organization.
but we pray that no fear Of any possible
petty misconstruction of your motives or
of ours will Influence your determine
tion in this matter.
In view OF all the circumstances, it
is no, improbable that the Producing
Managers Association will make you an
exception to any rule they may nave
which would run counter to your MEM
bership in the Fidelity as an actor.
I'VE shall always remember with love
and gratitude the many great sacrifices
you have made In the fight for prin-
ciple. and we are confident the future
will prove that these sacrifices were not
made in vain,
Mr.. Cohan Replies.
This communication was immedists,v
answered by Mr.. Cohan, who addressed
Mr.. Kyle as secretary as follows:
I'm answer to the letter sent to me
by the Fidelity League I can only say
tnat am most anxious 10 serve you IN
any way that might prove best for the
common cause, but will not give up my
membership in Fidelity under any condi-
tions. II the Producing Managers AS
sociation can see their way clear to al
low me to remain a member of Fidelity
and still elect me to membership in Their
organization / shall be glad to line UP
with them and fight closed shop TO the
very end But ] will have to know i'm
medIately on account of my plans. which
will be kicked from under me. so to
speak. Always yours.
GEORGE NJ. CoHAN
The Fidelity forwarded its letter
and Mr. Cohan-s answer TO the p. NJ.
A. ut the regular weekly meeting. and
Mr.. Conan. whose name was presented
BY Arthur Hopkins. was elected. At
the same time Mr.. Harris stated that
the organization was. Ia now and will
shop In tbs theater.
At the Liberty Theater last night Mr.
Cohan received congratulations of
friends and fellow managers. He saii
he had not made up his mind what he
would do first. lie said he has sew
eral plays ''iu his trunk He was
momentarily expecting n cable from
England which might take him there
first He said he was pleased TO be in
the y. NJ. a.. but wished Il made plain
that ne remains member OF the
Fidelity and will continue to fight the
"clossd shop"