The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-05

tested through the picket lines. The Screen Actors Guild, a union of $500 players, including nearly all the high-salaried stars, was con- ferring with producers on demands of its own, however, and was threat ening to call for a strike vote un- less the demands were met. The guild is sympathetic toward the striking federation units and is con- sidering 8 plan to affiliate with them.
 Entry of the C1O into the strike came as discord was spreading among the Il unions that called the strike. They include painters, scenic artists, makeup men, engineers, plumbers, cooks and others. One, the costumers' union, was expelled from the federation for allegedly under taking private negotiations with producers.
 Two other unions were under sus- picion. Pat Casey, labor coordinator for the Motion Picture Producers association, spokesman for the man. agements, said the Moulders and Machinists' unions had asked for conference. If true, the striking unions would be reduced to eight. All Il unions were bound to solid front in peace negotiations under the federation's constitution.
 Brophy's telegram was cheered 1 for five minutes at the strikers mass meeting last night. It read:
 Strike of the studio motion pie ture workers should receive the support of all labor people who are interested in seeing better conditions obtained for the workers. I wish to convey on behalf of the CIO to the strikers our good wishes and hope of success"
 c. H. Jordan, local CIO organi- ger, announced that C1O union workers from the automobile assem- ply plants, steel works and rubber factories of this area would replace "dog-tired" technicianS in the picket lines.
 Meanwhile, the screen actors guild met with producers. Strikers hoped for support from the actors which could paralyze the industry. The actors demand better salaries and working conditions for extras and bit players. Robert Montgom- cry, guild president, and Franchot Tone, signed a statement after last nights meeting announcing that progress was made toward an agreement as to basic principle"
 Kenneth Thompson, guild secre- tary, and Aubrey Blair, junior guild secretary, were at the conference. Producers were represented by Jo- Seph M. Schenck of 20th Century, Fox, E. J. Mannix of Metro Gold wyn-Mayer, Hal Wallis of Warner Brothers and Sam J. BriSkin of RKO.
 Another conference was called for Thursday and the guild executives will report to the annual guild meeting next Sunday night, when it will be decided whether to call for a strike vote.
 Two actors sent messages of en- couragement to the strikers mass meeting and both drew cheers from the men.
 Louise Rainer, Viennese star of 'The Good Earth" who won the award last month. said she would Motion Picture Academy's acting certainly abide by the strike de- cree" if one is called by the guild. Miss Rainer said she "disliked to pass through the picket lines."
 Gale Sondergaard said she dis liked "disregarding the pickets." :" She said she would be governed by the guilds decisions.
 The battle at the alliance head quarters last night occurred while about 100 members were lined up in the hall paying their dues. There were about 60 men in the raiding party. They wore arm bands made from knotted handkerchiefs.
 Some of the raiders carried small hammers and others had impro- vised clubs, including spindles they tore from the stairway railing on their way up to the second floor.