The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-08-05
Eight Hundred
viii Lose Jobs
With FTP
Hits Reliefees
On Rolls For The
Past Is Months

Official announcement that the
Federal Theatre will be discontin-
ued and all affairs liQuidated,
rings down the final curtain on
eight hundred Negro actors. direc-
tors. research workers. playwrights.
technlcians and other professional.
unskilled and semi-skilled work.
ers who found employment on the
rolls OF the Work Projects Admin
istration.
Colonel F. C. Harrington. COM
missioner OF Work Projects, An
nounced. last week. that employ
ees of-the Federal Theatre Project,
which was discontinued by the re-
Gently enacted Emergency Relief
Appropriation Act. will be carried
on the rolls for the full periods
authorized by the Act.
Must End ON August 81
These are one month for super
visory and administrative employ
ees and three months for certified
project workers. However, the en-
ployment OF large proportion OF
the latter class must be terminated
on August 81. due 10 another pro-
vision OF the Act which requires
the dismissal by that date OF all re-
lief workers. excepting veterans,
who have had continuous employ
ment for more than IS months.
A large number OF the employ
ees on the theatre project fall in
this category.
This action was taken after Col
onel Harrington had been assured
by Representative Woodruff, the
author OF the provision that was
finally adopted. that although the
language OF the Act permitted dis
erection. II was the intent OF the
conferees that the workers should
be carried for the full period that
was permitted by the law.
During July the activities OF as
many as possible OF the workers
on the Federal Theatre project
will be devoted 10 the liquidation
OF the project and the care and
preservation OF the materials and
supplies which had been purchased
for II.
No Activities for 2 Months
For the two months beginning
August l. during which relief en-
ployees will be borne on the rolls,
no activities will be carried on.
This Is for the reason. Colonel
Harrington explained. that 1t. is
not possible TO operate any OF the
activities OF the project without
administrative and supervisory
personnel.
Every attempt will be made TO
transfer certified employees OF the
Federal Theatre project TO other
projects Of the WPA. However.
II is estimated that an average OF
approximately $500 certified en-
ployees will be carried on the the
atre project for the rest OF July
and during August and September
at cost OF approximately $780,
600.
The extra cost OF carrying ad-
ministrative and supervisory en-
ployees throughout the month OF
July Is estimated at an additional
$4,000.
Federal Theatre units which
successfully employed Negro work
ers including actors, carpenters.
electricians. property men, scenic
and costume designers. were To-
Gated in Hartford. Conn. Boston,
New York, Newark, Philadelphia,
Seattle. Los Angeles and San Fran
cisco.
In Raleigh. Negroes were engag-
ed In directing community activi-
ties in the theatre. A community
membership OF about fifty colored
citizens was built up and plays
were presented regularly.
Outstanding productions by all
Negro or mixed units OF the Fed
eral Theatre included Macbeth"
Run Lii Chillun." "Androcles and
the Lion" "Bassa Moona," IAN
evening with Dunbar" Hiatt
and Swing Mikado." Several OF
these plays enjoyed a run OF three
hundred performances. Upward OF
one million people are estimated 10
have witnessed the productions OF
Negro units OF the TederaI Theatre