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02/10/1981 (case file 043321) (2)
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02/10/1981 (case file 043321) (2)
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Presidential Briefing Papers
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PARTICIPANTS FOR MEETING WITH
LABOR LEADERS
GUESTS
Frank Fitzsimmons (President of International Brotherhood of
Teamsters)
Lane Kirkland (President of American Federation of Labor)
Doug Fraser (President of United Auto Workers)
Sam Church, Jr. (President of United Mine Workers)
ADMINISTRATION:
Secretary Regan
Secretary Donovan
Elizabeth Dole
Murray Weidenbaum
LABOR LEADERS TALKING POINTS (ON CAMERA)
I'm very pleased you could join me for this first of what
I hope will be a series of meetings together.
With Elizabeth and Ray working together on my behalf, I can
promise you a two-way communications network. We are
interested in your thoughts and want to get the private sector
more deeply involved.
I'd like to put the campaign of yesterday behind us. X
want to work together with you in forging a new period of
prosperity for America.
We are developing a long-term economic package to revitalize
our economy, and I am here to assure you the burden of this
program will not be borne on the backs of the working men and
women of this country.
All of us will have to make sacrifices, but we will be asking
for equitable sacrifices.
Remember, government caused inflation, not the worker.
I've talked enough, and, now, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
LABOR SUPPORTERS TALKING POINTS (OFF CAMERA)
Off the record, I thought you might like to know that
tomorrow DOL is going to withdraw and/or suspend three of its
most controversial "midnight regulations" issued by President
Carter Chemical Labeling, Service Contracts Act and Fair
Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR AND CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS
AFL-CIO Building, 815 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: (202) 637-5000
President: Lane Kirkland
Secretary-treasurer: Thomas R. Donahue
Membership (1978) : 17,024,000
The AFL-CIO came into being on December 5, 1955, when the founding
convention ratified the new constitution carefully worked out by representatives
from the two rival federations. The first president of the merged organization
was George Meany, who held office until his retirement in December 1979.
Biographical Sketch of Joseph Lane Kirkland, President, AFL-CIO
Lane Kirkland, 58, was elected President of the AFL-CIO in November 1979,
succeeding George Meany. Previously, Kirkland served as Secretary-treasurer
of the Federation from 1969 until his succession to the presidency. Earlier
he served as executive assistant to Meany and held several other positions.
Kirkland was born in Camden, South Carolina to a cotton growing family.
During World War II, he sailed the Atlantic with merchant marine convoys, and
is a member of the Masters, Mates and Pilots union. Kirkland studied foreign
affairs at Georgetown University and has an active interest in international
politics, diplomacy, and military and strategic matters. A militant anti-
communist, Kirkland advocates a strong national defense. He and his wife,
Irena, an Israeli citizen, born in Czechoslovakia, live in Washington.
Issues of major concern:
The following discussion concentrates on major economic issues. Not
included are AFL-CIO positions on foreign affairs or politics.
1.
Tax Cuts - President Kirkland has consistently opposed proposed major tax
cuts on the grounds that "
they add to budget and inflationary
pressures and divert resources and attention from programs that can
be specifically and precisely targeted to industries, areas and the
people who are most in need." He also has argued that tax cuts have
been shown to be ineffective in generating jobs and stimulating in-
vestment and productivity.
2.
National Accord - Everett Kassalow, a senior labor specialist on the
staff of the Library of Congress, in reviewing labor in 1980, concluded
that top leaders seem ready to embrace incomes policies and that the
result has been the growing power of the AFL-CIO in helping set wage
policy. But a week earlier (December 8, 1980), Lane Kirkland said
he did not expect the Reagan Administration to enter into an agreement
along the lines of the National Accord between Labor and the Carter
Administration which had reaffirmed the Administration's commitment
to full employment and the goals of the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Em-
ployment and Balanced Growth Act.
3.
Reindustrialization - On January 10, 1981, Kirkland called for a
massive effort to reindustrialize the American economy to stem the
erosion of the Nation's industrial base. This program had first
surfaced at the quarterly AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting in August
1980. Kirkland called for a "targeted program" headed by a tripartite
(labor, business, Government) "National Reindustrialization Board".
He deplored that lack of a coherent national policy, such as exists
in other countries, to reverse the decline in U.S. manufacturing
industries.
4.
Other Programs to Stimulate the Economy. The AFL-CIO Executive Council
in August 1980 proposed the following actions in its statement on the
economy: expanded public service jobs programs, accelerated public
works reinvestment program, housing programs for low and moderate
income families, job-creating home and building weatherization
programs, aid to states and cities suffering usually high unemployment,
expanded unemployment insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed,
and the establishment of a health care benefit program for the un-
employed.
5. Credit Controls. On December 3, 1980, Kirkland called for the re-
imposition of credit controls because "
the upward ratcheting
of interest rates that is assuming panic proportions must be turned
back
" In his view, higher interest rates will inflate costs
prices and debt burdens.
6.
Teenage Minimum Wage. On November 24, 1980, Kenneth Young, executive
assistant to Kirkland, stated that the AFL-CIO would vigorously oppose
proposals for a lower minimum wage for teenagers.
7. CETA. Young also indicated that the AFL-CIO will have to review its
position on employment and training issues and seemed to indicate
it would husband its energies for issues where it has a reasonable
chance of success. In light of conservative opposition, for example,
toward spending on public service employment and training programs
under CETA, labor will have to decide whether to launch an all-out
fight or to work out a more moderate approach.
8.
Labor Unity. The AFL-CIO invited major independent unions to join
(or rejoin) its ranks. Consequently, reaffiliation discussions have
been started with the Mine Workers, Auto Workers and Teamsters.
UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
WORKERS OF AMERICA; (Ind.)
8000 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, MI 48214
Phone (313) 926-5000
President: Douglas A. Fraser
Secretary-treasurer: Raymond E. Majerns
Membership: 1,544,425; local unions: 1,588
The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of
America (UAW), an independent union, is the second largest union in the United
States. Historically an innovative and socially conscious body, the UAW has
pioneered in many areas of collective bargaining.
Biographical Sketch of Douglas Fraser, President, UAW
Douglas A. Fraser, 63, was elected president of the UAW in 1977, succeeding
Leonard Woodcock. Prior to ascending to the presidency, Fraser, served as
Director of the Union's Chrysler Department, the Skilled Trades Department, and
the Technical Office and Professional Organizing Department. He has also
served as Administrative Assistant to the president of the UAW, International
Executive Board member, and local union officer.
In 1980, as part of the 1979 labor contract settlement, Fraser was elected
to the Board of Directors of the Chrysler Corporation.
Issues of major concern:
1.
Competition with foreign auto producers. UAW concern over imports of
foreign cars has led to action on at least two fronts: advocacy of import
restrictions on such vehicles, and advocacy of expanded trade adjustment
assistance for affected workers. In the former area, UAW's and Ford
Motor Company's petition to the International Trade Commission seeking
import quotas and a tariff increase was rejected in November, 1980 by a
3-2 vote. The union immediately announced its intention to seek relief
from the White House and the Congress. UAW President Fraser has also
endorsed legislation requiring foreign companies to build plants in the
U.S. or to use a percentage of U.S. or Canadian-made parts in their
products sold in America.
For shorter-term relief of the severe unemployment hardships in the
industry, the UAW has sought full funding for Trade Adjustment benefits
for laid-off workers and expansion to related employees (e.g. independent
auto parts suppliers.)
2.
Federal aid to Chrysler Corporation. UAW has granted significant wage
and benefit concessions to Chrysler as required by the Chrysler Loan
Guarantee Board as a condition for Federal assistance to the Company.
In return, the Company has agreed, among other things, to negotiate
a profit-sharing plan.
3.
Runaway plants. UAW has been concerned with the location of new parts
and assembly plants in the South and Southwest, and the auto companies'
opposition to organization of these plants. The union has reached
agreement with GM concerning employer "neutrality" at new plants. U.S.
automakers' flight to low-wage areas outside the U.S. (e.g., the
Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea) has also been a concern.
4.
Energy and environmental issues. Federal fuel emission and economy
standards will continue to necessitate rapid changes in automobile
manufacturing technology and products. As new facilities are build,
manufacturers will try to take full advantage of labor-saving devices,
including robots, in the fact of rising labor costs. Smaller cars will
also necessitate less assembly labor. These factors will affect employ-
ment in the industry.
5.
Aerospace issues. UAW's concerns about foreign competition apply also to
the aerospace industry, where European manufacturers provide competition
for U.S. makers. Airline deregulation and energy price rises and possible
shortages are other factors affecting the financial condition and economic
decisions of airlines and manufacturers, resulting in long-term uncertainty
about employment trends in the industry. On the other hand, the Reagan
Administration's commitment to expand defense spending may brighten
prospects for employment in defense-related industries.
6.
Health insurance. UAW is one of the groups pushing hardest for the
passage of a comprehensive national health insurance program.
Collective bargaining status:
The current contract with Chrysler has been renegotiated twice since the
1979 contract settlement as a condition for the Company receiving Federal
Government loan guarantees. In addition, both Ford and General Motors have
indicated a desire to renegotiate the wage and benefit package along the line
of the Chrysler adjustments.
Contracts with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler expire on September 14,
1982. The UAW agreement with American Motors expires on September 16, 1983.
UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA (Ind.)
900 15th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 638-0530
President: Sam Church, Jr.
Vice President: Wilbert Killion
Secretary=treasurer: Willard Esselstyn
Members: 277,000: Local unions: 860
The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) has one of the richest but most
volatile histories in the American labor movement. From the heady days under
John L. Lewis, through the embarrassments of Tony Boyle and the "run-away"
period of democracy under Arnold Miller, the UMWA led by Sam Church is making
major strides to regain its place in the forefront of the Nation's labor move-
ment.
Since Church assumed the leadership of the UMWA in November 1979, wildcat
strikes, which have greatly plagued the industry, have declined by 85 percent.
The current agreement between the UMWA-BCOA (Bituminous Coal Operators Association)
expires on March 27, 1981. Industry analysts predict that the chances for a
settlement without a serious work stoppage are better now than at any time in
the history of their relationship.
Biographical Sketch of Sam Church, Jr., President, UMWA
Sam Church, Jr., 44, assumed the leadership of the UMWA on November 16, 1979,
following the resignation of Arnold Miller. Church served as International Vice
President from December 1977 to December 1979. Prior to becoming an international
officer, Church served as executive assistant to Miller, as deputy director of
the contract department, international representative, field representative and
as a local mine and safety committeeman, financial secretary, and president.
Son of a disabled coal miner, Church began working in the mines as an
electrician in 1965 for Westmoreland Coal Company in Southwestern Virginia. He
was born in Matewan, West Virginia and attended Appalachia High School in Virginia
and Berea College in Kentucky.
Issues of major concern:
1.
Union is deeply concerned with persistent unemployment (currently about
20,000) and supports Government policies to greatly increase the use of
coal as a means of reducing dependency on OPEC oil.
2.
Union is concerned about the impact on employment resulting from Clean
Air Act and Federal Surface Mining and Reclamation Act regulations.
3.
The Union supports coal gasification and immediate incentives to
encourage conversion to coal in large industrial and utility boilers.
4.
The Union supports initiatives to increase the export of coal by
deepening channels and modernizing port coal storage and handling
facilities.
5.
The Union supports modernization of coal hauling railroads and inland
waterway systems. At the same time, it opposes coal slurry pipelines
and trucking as inadequate and costly alternatives, which are detri-
mental to growth of coal industry.)
6.
Union supports effective mine safety legislation and Government efforts
to encourage development and utilization of new safety equipment.
Collective bargaining status:
UMWA miners (900) employed by Peabody Coal Company are currently striking
the Company's Arizona and Rocky Mountain Divisions. The strike began on
January 15. Real progress in the western negotiations are doubtful pending
the outcome of the major negotiations with the 130 member Bituminous Coal
Operators Association (BCOA), which are underway.
The current UMWA-BCOA National Agreement expires on March 27, 1981.
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFEURS, WAREHOUSEMEN AND
HELPERS OF AMERICA (Ind.)
25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 624-6800
President: Frank F. Fitzsimmons
Secretary-treasurer: Ray Schoessling
Membership: 1,923,986; Local unions: 750
Founded after the AFL began to organize the unskilled team drivers around
1900, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and
Helpers of America (IBT) was originally a loose confederation of locals controlled
by powerful bosses. It has since become the largest and most complex union in- the
United States.
McClellan Committee's revelation of corruption in the IBT in 1957 led
to the conviction of president Dave Beck and the ouster of the union from the
AFL-CIO. James Hoffa was then elected president. Hoffa inaugurated the first
national contract in the trucking industry and helped expand the extensive health
and medical program. Accused of corruption and convicted of jury-tampering in
1963, Hoffa was jailed in 1967 but remained officially president until 1971 when
Frank Fitzsimmons was elected to replace him. In the 1970's the Labor Department
began a massive investigation into misuse of the assets of the Central States
Pension Fund, the Union's largest pension plan. This ongoing investigation has
lead to the ouster of the Fund's previous trustees, litigation to recover
millions of dollars in misspent funds and the turnover of all current invest-
ments to independent asset mangers.
Initiatives undertaken by AFL-CIO President Kirkland may lead to the re-
affiliation of the IBT with the AFL-CIO. Both organizations have appointed
internal committees to study possible reaffiliation, and the committees have
met jointly on several occassions. Reportedly the IBT may make a final decision
on the matter at its June 1981 convention.
Biographical Sketch of Frank Edward Fitzsimmons, President, IBT
Mr. Fitzsimmons was elected president in 1971 after serving as general vice
president since 1966. Previously he has served as business agent and vice
president, Local 299, IBT; secretary-treasurer, Michigan Conference of
Teamsters; and vice president of the IBT.
Fitzsimmons has announced that he will seek reelection to another 5-year
term as IBT President in June 1981.
Issues of major concern:
1.
Union "image" in face of charges by DOL, IRS, IBT dissidents, and the
press.
2.
Dissident groups and factions within the union.
3.
Effects of recent legislation to deregulate the trucking industry on
the Union's ability to maintain and increase present wage and job
security levels. It has been estimated that the Union could lose
10 to 15 percent of its trucking industry members due to the
consolidation of present routes, new authorization for predominantly
nonunion sectors of the industry to haul certain types of freight,
and expected organizing difficulties among the smaller carriers who
will emerge under the free entry provisions of the new law.
4.
Availability and price of diesel fuel; fifty-five mile per hour speed
limit. Over-the-road drivers, who are paid on a milage basis and must
adhere to Department of Transportation maximum daily hours of duty
regulations, experience "de facto" wage cuts when they must wait in
long fuel lines or adhere to the Federally imposed speed limit. The
price of fuel effects the earnings of owner-operators, who own their
own trucks and pay for their own fuel.
5.
Inconsistent State and Federal weight and length maximums and
licensing requirements. Heavy trucks must avoid certain states and
take circuitous routes due to maximum weight and length limits.
Complicated and expensive licensing requirements must be satisfied
on a state-by-state basis. These problems especially effect owner-
operators.
Collective bargaining status:
The current National Master Freight Agreement was reached in 1979 following
a short strike. In previous years the NMFA ratification tally has been monitored
and the count certified by the Department of Labor.
The current National Master Freight Agreement expires on April 1, 1982.
ON-CAMERA TALKING POINTS:
MEETING WITH FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD
Tuesday, February 10, 1981
Oval Office
5:00 p.m. (5 minutes)
I.
PURPOSE
To Receive needlepoint
II. TALKING POINTS
It is so nice to have you here today. Your advice in the
campaign was invaluable to me. I want you to know how much I
appreciated it. Your input on appointments since the campaign
has also been of great service.
We share some common goals and ideals about the kind of
society this should be and I want you to know that my dedication
to those goals is as strong today as it was when I declared
my candidacy. The American family is the basic unit for everything
that is good about this country. We will not be doing anything
that threatens this all-important part of America.
I want to thank you for this needle point. These are the
type of skills that are passed from one generation to the next.
The family is, of course, the way these sort of things, along
with our traditions and heritage, get passed along. Well, again,
thank you so much for this and for all you've done.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 9, 1981
MEETING WITH:
David Brinkley
DATE:
February 10, 1981
LOCATION:
Ground Floor West Library
TIME:
5:45 PM
FROM:
Mark Goode
I. PURPOSE
Interview with Mr. Brinkley to be included in "A Day in the
Life of the President"
II. BACKGROUND
NBC will be video taping the President's activities throughout
the day, for a program to be aired on Friday, February 13, 1981.
This interview will be centered around the President's thoughts
on his first three weeks in office.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President and NBC correspondent David Brinkley.
IV. PRESS PLAN
Exclusive television coverage by NBC, No other press permitted.
White House photographer should be present.
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
The President will leave the Oval Office at approximately 5:30 PM,
arriving at the library at approximately 5:45 PM. After approx-
imately 5 minutes of technical checks and informal discussion with
Mr. Brinkley, the interview will begin. A maximum for one half
hour is scheduled.
Talking points to be supplied by speechwriters' office.
SCHEDULE OF THE PRESIDENT
FOR
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1981
HARLEM DANCE THEATRE
THE PRESIDENT'S Participation
Contact: Stephen M. Studdert
Spectator
202/456-7565
Weather
Mid 30's
Cloudy
Additional Contacts
80% Chance of Precipitation
Lead Advance: Rick Ahearn
Press Advance: Jim Kuhn
Dress
U.S.S.S.: Thomas Wiley
Dark Business Suit
W.H.C.A.: Bobby Baker
Cocktail Dress
STAFF/GUEST/PRESS INSTRUCTIONS
Staff, guests, and press board
motorcade at 7:35 p.m. at the
Diplomatic Entrance.
7:40 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan depart Diplomatic Entrance
via motorcade en route Kennedy Center.
NOTE: See Tab A for motorcade assignments.
7:45 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan arrive John F. Kennedy Center,
B Level, Presidential Entrance.
STAFF/GUEST/PRESS INSTRUCTIONS
Proceed upstairs to Box Tier
Level. Required staff only on
Presidential Elevator. No
staff seats are available for
performance.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan are escorted to the Opera
House Presidential Box.
7:47 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan arrive Box Tier Level.
MET BY: 1) Mrs. Joseph Sisco - Chairman,
Washington Performing Arts Society
2) Roger Stevens - Chairman, John F.
Kennedy Center
3) Patrick Hayes - President, Washington
Performing Arts Society
Effective 2/9/81 at 1:00 p.m.
7:50 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan arrive Opera House
Presidential Box.
7:55 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan are seated in the Presidential
Box.
POOL PHOTO COVERAGE
NOTE: See Tab B for guest list.
8:00 p.m.
Performance commences "The Dance Theatre of Harlem"
CLOSED TO PRESS
8:40 p.m.
Intermission
9:00 p.m.
Program resumes
NOTE: At start of second act, acress Cicely
Tyson will receive an aware on stage.
No participation by THE PRESIDENT.
9:25 p.m.
Intermission
9:45 p.m.
Program resumes
10:15 p.m.
Program concludes
10:15 p.m. THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan proceed directly to motorcade
for boarding at Presidential Entrance.
STAFF/GUEST/PRESS INSTRUCTIONS
Proceed directly to motorcade
for immediate boarding.
10:20 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan board motorcade.
10:25 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan depart en route The White
House.
NOTE: Drive time--5 minutes
NOTE: Motorcade assignments as before.
10:30 p.m.
THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Reagan arrive The White House,
Diplomatic Entrance, and proceed inside Residence.
TAB A
STANDARD MOTORCADE ASSIGNMENTS
Lead
Spare Limo
Medical Officer
Limo
THE PRESIDENT
Mrs. Reagan
Follow-up
Control
J. Canzeri
D. Fischer
Military Aide
Staff Vehicle
Press Official
Official Photographer
Press Van I
Press Van II
TAB B
GUEST LIST
Box 1: THE PRESIDENT
Mrs. Reagan
Congressman Tom Evans
Mrs. Mary Page Evans
Congressman Charles Rangel
Mrs. Alma Rangel
Mrs. Jacklyn Hendrick
Congressman Sonny Montgomery
Box 2: The Vice President
Mrs. Bush
Justice William Clark
Mrs. Joan Clark
Box 3: Mr. Max Friedersdorf
Mrs. Priscilla Friedersdorf
Mr. Verne Orr
Mrs. Joanne Orr
February 10, 1981
Opening Night of the Dance Theatre of Harlem
LOCATION:
Kennedy Center Opera House
TIME:
8:00 pm - 10: 15 pm
PURPOSE:
Evening of enjoyment and recognition of the Dance
Theatre's fine achievements
BACKGROUND:
Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) was started by Arthur
Mitchell, former principal dancer with the New York
City Ballet, as his personal commitment to the
Harlem community following the assassination of
Martin Luther King, Jr. Incorporated in February,
1969, it began in the basement of a Harlem church.
In 1971, a generous donation by Mrs. Bernard F.
Gimbel enabled Dance Theatre to purchase its present
home.
DTH began as a community school and aspiring ballet
company with thirty students and two dancers. It
has grown to become a school of the allied arts and
internationally renowned ballet company with 1500
students. They now have a classical, modern and
ethnic repertoire of over sixty works and are acclaimed
as one of five major ballet companies in the United
States.
Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, DTH co-directors,
have created a ballet company which in eleven short
years has made two command performances before the
Queen Mother of England; has broken attendance and
box office records during three separate performance
series at London's Sadler's Wells Theatre; has become
the first foreign major classical ballet company to
perform in Dublin, Ireland since 1957; has made four
successful tours of Europe; has toured the Caribbean;
made numerous national tours and has had five New York
seasons on Broadway.
PARTICIPANTS:
See attached sheet
PRESS PLAN:
NBC coverage of "A Day in the Life of the President"
SEQUENCE OF
Opening night is also the twelfth anniversary of the
EVENTS:
Company. The performance begins at 8:00 pm in the
Opera House and will include "Serenade," "Mirage"
and "Scheherazade" (recent New York reviews are
attached).
Cecily Tyson will receive the yearly "Emergence"
award for her interest and contribution to the
Dance Theatre of Harlem.
During intermission, the doors to the two adjoining
boxes will be opened so that the Vice President, his
wife, and your other guests can join you for refresh-
ments.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 1981
Dance: Harlem Troupe in 'Serenade'
When he choreographed "Doina,"
By JACK ANDERSON
student at a strict girls' boarding
Royston Maldoom may have sought to
school with a member of the village
create a mysterious work. Instead, he
gym team. Yet that is surely an idle
OME ballets are works for danc-
created one that is merely odd.
fancy. So, in its way, is "Doina" itself.
ers to grow into. One is George
Yet the cast made the most of its odd-
Balanchine's
"Serenade,"
ities. An ensemble of women per-
A spectacular and dramatic per-
which the Dance Theater of
formed solemn bending rituals and,
formance of the pas de deux from "Le
Harlem presented for the first time this
near the end of the ballet, they rolled
Corsaire" added spice to the program.
season at the City Center
across the stage together. In a peculiar
Mr. Shellman was wild and animalis-
"Serenade" abounds with expressive
duet, Miss Hall clung to Eddie Shell-
tic, turning his character into a high
challenges, and dancers' attempts to
man like a knot on a tree trunk, stiff-
jumping, rough and ready cousin of the
meet them can be signs of their artistic
ened into a plank of wood and leaned
Golden Slave in "Scheherazade."
progress. Yet "Serenade" is so well
from his grasp like a ship's figurehead.
Elena Carter, however, remained
constructed that a less than perfect
calm, cool, collected and Classical. Al-
performance can still be satisfying.
But what was all this oddness about?
ways a princess, she preserved her dig-
Given the duet's acrobacy and the
nity both in her variation and when she
The Harlem staging, led last Thurs-
women's severity, one could fancy that
was raised aloft and tossed exuber-
day by Virginia Johnson, Lorraine
"Doina" depicted the elopement of a
antly into the air by Mr. Shellman.
Graves, Stephanie Baxter, Mel Tomlin-
son and Lowell Smith, paid careful at-
tention to detail. Steps and patterns
were always clear and, significantly,
the friendly audience applauded not
only the brilliant passages, but also
some of the stately architectural
groupings.
Ideally, such care should give the il-
lusion of careless rapture, for "Sere-
nade," though plotless and technically
academic, can suggest fugitive pas-
sions and even heartbreak. These qual-
ities were missing from the Harlem
production, which lacked rhapsodic
sweep. Nevertheless, given its choreo-
graphic merits and the sincerity of the
dancers, "Serenade" remained worth
watching. One could imagine this tal-
ented cast growing into the ballet in
only a few more seasons.
By contrast, there are ballets that a
company eventually grows out of, bal-
lets that may have been striking at first
sight, but which offer little once their
novelty fades. Two such works were of-
fered on Thursday.
Billy Wilson's "Mirage" concerns
one of those parties at which every-
thing goes wrong. Rowdy party-crash-
ers turn up and the invited couples be-
come unhitched and unhinged and
everyone has a fling with everyone else
until they eventually sober up.
But Mr. Wilson never riakes his par-
tygoers interesting people; they re-
main caricatures throughout. Essen-
tially, "Mirage" is an excuse for jazz
cancing, and the Harlem dancers put
on a lively show. Soloists included Ju.
dith Felix and Mr. Smith as the hosts,
Miss Johnson as an elegant guest, Jo-
seph Cipolla as her escort and Yvonne
Hall as a femme fatale. If they never
seemed more than animated cartoons,
that was all the bellet permitted them
to be.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1981
Dance Theater of Harlem
Revives 'Scheherazade'
By ANNA KISSELGOFF
The Program
HE Dance Theater of Harlem
BELE, choreography, Geoffrey Holder: music, Mr.
took a clear risk by staging a
Holder; music arranged by Tania Leon: costume de-
sign, Mr. Holder; costume execution, Zeida Wynn;
revival of Michel Fokine's
lighting, Nicholas Cernovitch.
"Scheherazade." It has won
CONCERTO BAROCCO, choreography, George
Balanchine; music. J.S. Bach; costumes, Miss
the gamble.
Wynn: lighting, Mr. Cernovitch.
You will not be shocked by the
SCHEHERAZADE, choreography, Michel Fokine:
music, Rimsky-Korsakov; staged and directed by
slaughter and orgy scenes of this most
Frederic Franklin; decor, Geoffrey Guy, after origi-
famous of Serge Diaghilev's produc-
nal designs by Leon Bakst: lighting, Mr. Cernovitch.
Presented by the Dance Theater of Harlem, at the
tions. Why should you be? Even at the
City Center-55th Street Theater, 131 West 55th
premiere of the original in 1910, the sex
Street.
on stage was too stylized to titillate the
Parisians. To read contemporary
go off to hunt, Zobeide, the harem
French and Russian accounts, one
favorite, and the other wives engage in
would think the scandal of "Schehera-
lovemaking with the slaves released by
zade" lay in Diaghilev's liberties with
the chief eunuch. Zeman, the brother,
Rimsky-Korsakov's music.
thus proves the harem's infidelity. All
Yet this first "Scheherazade" did
are slaughtered except for Zobeide,
have a sensational impact in the gor-
who stabs herself.
geous color of Leon Bakst's décor and
The star performance in an evening
costumes, in the quality of perform-
of fine un-self-conscious performances
ance, in the concept of a story ballet as
came from Virginia Johnson's Zobeide.
a unified dramatic presentation. It was
Every pose she struck conveyed the
the theatrical value of "Scheherazade"
willful arrogance of a favorite who was
that set the Parisians reeling. They
ready to be crossed. Her anger was
knew a good show when they saw it.
vivid as she turned away when the
A good show, and one you should not
Shah insisted on leaving and her death
miss. This is what the Dance Theater of
scene was proud rather than pitiful.
Harlem offered Saturday night in its
Her pas de deux, interpolated by Fo-
own first performance of "Schehera-
kine in 1914, is omitted in this version.
zade," on a program that opened a
In the Nijinsky role of the golden
three-week season at the City Center.
slave, Eddie Shellman had a wonderful
Frederic Franklin has done a mag-
moment when he emerged from his
nificent job as director of this revival,
dark cell, unable to stand the light.
which he remembers through his own
Sensing that he needed more projec-
days as a leading dancer with the Bal-
tion, he came close to overdoing it in his
let Russe de Monte Carlo. It is a pro-
own death scene. The famous head-on-
duction that is totally alive.
the-floor moment was there but Mr.
A big difference, however, is that
Shellman seemed like a man drowning,
rather than reproduce the Bakst COS-
convulsed and gasping for air. Lowell
tumes, the designer Carl Michell has
Smith had the weight of gesture and
created his own for the Oriental poten-
tender glance at the end that made the
tates and the inhabitants of the harem.
Shah human. Mel Tomlinson glowered
The result is Broadway glitz but it is
with a powerful evil as the villainous
good glitz.
brother.
The risk was that "Scheherazade"
Mr. Franklin himself was the old eu-
would look as tame as its successive
nuch in a masterful portrayal - not a
revivals over the decades and as it did
clown but a victim of his own condition.
again here in 1978 with the London Fes-
And what about the ensemble? Fo-
tival Ballet. Worse, that it would look
kine's orgy looks less of a swirl than a
ridiculous. Yet Mr. Franklin has
vortex of clearly organized patterns.
steered clear of old-fashioned memo-
Yet the company softens the formal
drama. His dancers in their synthetic-
edges with its own enthusiasm.
looking fibers are clearly contempo-
The program also included "Con-
rary dancers.
certo Barocco," perhaps the only
With such strongly motivated acting,
Balanchine ballet the company seems
the dancers have the gestural quality
unable to master. The vitality, mys-
that makes style - not steps - so im-
teriously, never runs through the danc-
portant to each Fokine ballet. At the
ers' bodies.
same time, they remain recognizably
The opening ballet, "Belé," was one
themselves. The way to look at this re-
of Geoffrey Holder's best. A la Kather-
vival is not to compare these dancers
ine Dunham, he has used old court
with their predecessors but to realize
dances filtered through a Haitian sensi-
they have given it a contemporary
bility. The steps are pre-classic with
reading without betraying the inten-
many leg beats and the patterns are
tions of Fokine himself.
processionals in the air. Miss Johnson
From the minute the curtain rose on
and Mr. Tomlinson, Lorraine Graves
the harem, things looked right. Even
and Mr. Smith, Karen Brown and Jo-
Geoffrey-Gu replica of the Bakst
seph Wyatt led a vibrant work to a joy-
décor from the Festival Ballet version
ous score arranged by Mr. Holder and
looked better this time around. The plot
Tania Leon. At intermission, Leontyne
line rolled along splendidly.
Price received the company's "Emer-
When Chah Charyar and his brother
gence Award."
Mrs. Rangel
The President
Mrs. Reagan
Congressman
Rangel
Congressman
Mrs. Evans
Congressman
Mrs. Hendrick
Montgomery
Evans
PRESIDENT'S BOX
OPERA HOUSE
February 10, 1981
Participants
Seated in the President's Box are:
The President and Mrs. Reagan
*Congressman and Mrs. Thomas Evans, Jr. (R-Del) - "Tom and Mary Page"
Congressman and Mrs. Charles Rangel (D-Harlem, also serves on
Ways & Means) - "Charlie and Alma"
*Mrs. Jacklyn Hendrick - "Jackie"
Congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery (D-Miss.)
Seated in Box 2:
Vice President and Mrs. George Bush - "George and Barbara"
Justice and Mrs. William Clark - "Bill and Joan"
Seated in Box 3:
Mr. and Mrs. Max Friedersdorf - "Max and Priscilla"
Mr. and Mrs. Verne Orr - "Verne and Joanne"
*
Mary Page Evans and Jackie Hendricks are very active in the
performing arts and avid supporters and friends of Arthur Mitchell
and his group. Miss Hendricks serves on his Advisory Board. Their
enthusiasm convinced everyone that the Dance Theatre of Harlem is a
"must see."
Mr.
Mrs. Orr
The Vice
Mrs. Bush
Friedersdorf
President
Mr. Orr
Mrs. shiney
Justice
Mrs. Clark
Friedersdorf
Clark
clies drolm
BOX 3
BOX 2
OPERA HOUSE
February 10, 1981
BACKGROUND
Congressman Tom Evans and wife, Mary Page
Tom Evans, Republican Member of Congress from Delaware, is one
of the President's biggest, and earliest supporters. Tom has
been made a part of the Republican Leadership in the House of
Representatives, having been elected Vice Chairman of the
Congressional Campaign Committee. His wife, Mary Page, is a
businesswoman in her own right.
Congressman Charles Rangel, and wife, Alma
Charlie Rangel, a member of the Black Caucus in the House of
Representatives, represents Harlem. Charlie endorsed Carter
during the campaign, but was visible at pro-Reagan/Bush
political gatherings. He is the fourth ranking Democrat on
the House Ways & Means Committee and will be important to
the President as we try to get the economy back to normal.
Congressman G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery
Sonny Montgomery is a conservative Southern Democrat from
Mississippi. He is Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee, and is also a member of the Armed Services Committee.
Sonny is a bachelor, and much sought after in Washington social
circles.
Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm, a member of the Black Caucus in the House,
is a very vocal and strong supporter of the President. She is
considered a maverick and is frequently isolated by other
Caucus members. She serves on the all important House Rules
Committee and is Secretary of the Democratic Caucus. She
represents part of Brooklyn. She is married to Mr. Arthur
Hardwick, but will be attending the theatre without him.
(Only one ticket was available, and the invitation was only
extended to her.)
TALKING POINTS
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS FOR EVENING AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
WITH CONGRESSMEN RANGEL, EVANS AND MONTGOMERY
-- Tell Congressman Rangel how much you enjoyed meeting last
week with the Congressional Black Caucus, and also express
your warm thanks for his support last week for the Debt
Limit increase. (He voted aye in Committee, but was out
of town during Floor consideration.)
-- Solicit Congressman Rangel's support (an influential
member of House Ways and Means Committee) for your economic
tax package.
-- Indicate your interest to Congressman Montgomery to work
closely with the Conservative Democratic Forum in the House.
(Montgomery is one of three vice-chairmen of the Forum; you
met recently with the Chairman, Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-Tex.) .)
-- Express your warm thanks to Congressman Montgomery for his
vote on the Debt Limit last week. (This is the first time
that Rep. Montgomery ever voted for a Debt Limit increase;
he is a very conservative southern Democrat and called
Max Friedersdorf before the vote to pledge his support.)
-- Thank Congressman Evans for his continued support and
friendship. (He also voted with the President on the
Debt Limit increase.)