The New York herald., 1922-01-12
COHAN TO FIGHT
THE CLOSED SHOP
In Returning to Producing
Field He Yields Nothing to
Equity Principle.
ASKS MANAGERS SUPPORT
Rejoining P. NJ. A. Due to
Fidelity Leagues Initiative;
Goes to Atlantic City.

George M. Cohan will return to the
fold here as producer in the imne-
dlate future. That was the word he left
with his close friends yesterday before
lie left to join his family at Atlantic
City, and 10 escape the general agitation
that attended his reelection Tuesday as
a member CT the Producing Managers
Association.
This decision reverses his announce
nfeut. made several months ago. when
the Actors Equity Association extended
its closed shop principle to include his
attractions, that he would not produce
again here. He stated then that his un-
sltersble opposition to this principle
was putting him out of the managerial
field IN this country and sending him
TO london. But his acceptance OF raem-
hersfip in the Producing Managers As
sociation. he made plain 20 friends be-
fore he left the city. did not mean that
lie would cease to oppose Equity shop.
81 am going to fight the closed shop
harder than ever he said, "and / eX-
pect the other managers to line UP with
MA Mr.. Cohan would be able to carry
on this campaign because he will now
ne protected by the strike agreement In
1919, under which the closed shop could
not be enforced against the p. NJ. A..
until 1924. The p. NJ. A. has gone on
record against the closed shop. and so
has the Actors Fidelity League. OF which
Mr.. Conan remains member.
VIII Resume Activities.
Edward W. Dunn, his personal repre-
sentative. confirmed the news that the
manager would begin his activities here
again. He said:
Mr.. Cohan was to start back for
England next Saturday, but his pas
sage has been Cancelled. 1 cannot say
for him whether he will give up his
plans to produce in London. I don't
know whether he has received any word
on that matter from his London repre-
sentative yet and his decision cannot
ne formed until he hears from the other
side.
''The kernel OF this whole matter"
added Mr.. Dunn. "is that Mr.. Cohan
did not want to so back to the r. NJ. A.
until he could be assured that he could
remain also with the Fidelity, and he
wanted to stay with the Fidelity pri-
:narily to fight the closed shop idea"
Denis It. O'Brien, the managers law
Yer. stated that Mr.. Cohan had not re-
ceived word from London ana was still
abroad.
Equity officials yesterday issued
statement declaring that they were en-
tirely satisfied with this result. They
.aiscd no protest against Mr.. Cohan's
inclusion in the membership of both the
and the actors bodies. Sam
r. Harris, president of the p. NJ. A, ex-
rlained that a resolution had been pre-
Sented at a meeting of that body pro-
libiting member from belonging also
10 an actors association. but this ruling
Lad been waived in the case Of Mr..
Cchan.
started with Fidelity.
The first move for Cohans return to
the theatrical fisld again did not come
from him. Howard Kyle. secretary of
the Fidelity. made It plain yesterday
that 1t was that organization. not
Cohan, that initiated matters.
THE idea," said Mr.. Kyle. Originated
with Henry Miller. presidsnt of the
Fidelity. For about a week we have
been devisng various means to bring
certain elements in the thester tog ether
for the good of all concerned. We
wanted TO effect something constructive.
not for organization purposes. but for
the common good.
Last Sunday we thought of getting a
room in the Hotel Astor and brought
there Owen Davis, president of the
Dramatists Guild: Winthrop Ames Of
the International Theatrical Alliance,
Mr.. Miller. Otis Skinner and myself.
When J met Mr.. Cohan In the hotel he
said: What's the matter with having
them come to my room here?'
II said to him: DO you mind whom
bringT He said: Not at all--brfns
any one So we gathered in his room
md for four hours discussed matters.
clearing UP some things that had been
cbscure. During the conversation Mr.
Miller. who declared that like Mr. Cohan
I've himself would never bulge In his
opposition to the closed shop. told Mr.
'ohan:
I want 10 say that with all my re-
spect for your achievements think you
belong in this country and that YOU
shouldn't go anywhere else
'Mr. Cohan replied:
I'm not particularly fascinated by
the idea myself He added that no had
large interests In this country ana that
he felt he ought to be producing hero.
After Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Ames left Re
said: Well. put myself In your hands.'
Mr.. Miller said he had expected Mr..
Cohan would rise to the occasion.
Howard. Ill go back to the man
gers 70 you people want he said, but
~ never leave Fidelity. rye been a
yes or mo" man all my life. I can't
.tsnd those fellows who are on the fence.
Tho managers can make an exception IN
ny case IL they want 20, but I'll stick 20
Fidelity
Frank Gilmore. secretary OF Equity.
viewed Mr.. Cohan's action as a triumph
FOR that organization and declared his
return to the p. NJ. \. makes the Equity |
shop policy 100 per cent effective In
the United States.