New-York tribune., 1918-06-09
Postcards That Cost $40

Unlike New York and other large
American cities, there is no centralized
theatre district in any of the South
American towns. In Buenos Ayres the
best theatres are spread about all over
the city. and the stranger who has been
living in and near the business section
will be surprised to find that some
fashionable theatre is located miles
from the Colon or Coliseo. 1t is
claimed that having no centralized
district for amusements is one of the
discouragements of ticket speculation
But spectators in the Argentine have
found little profit in the game. The
government does not hesitate to get
after all such brokers, and any one
caught selling theatre tickets at an ad-
vanced price is fined or Jailed.
Again, the public has impressed on
government officials that the opera and
drama are not things for brokers, mid
dlemen and thugs to control. Any
public officer who favors such knows
that he stands little chance for re-
election.
1t is a pleasure to go to a gala per-
formance at any Buenos Ayres theatre.
If the house has been sold out one can
depend absolutely upon it. There are
no chances for purchasing tickets at
some hotel or side door shop at three
times the original price. There arc
many games of chance to be played in
all Latin-American countries, but the
atre tickets are the property of the
public. A few years ago certain
American came to Buenos Ayres and
went into the novelty business. He
opened a unique little store on Gale
Florida, and in short time attracted
considerable trade. Not finding busi-
ness as profitable as he would like it.
the brilliant thought came to him that
few opera tickets sold at advanced
prices might boost his bankroll One
morning there appeared in his show
window a basket of picture postcards.
The cards were marked SO apiece.
Such price for a postcard naturally
attracted the attention Of the curious.
One man, wanting to "get wise" to the
newcomers scheme, entered the shop
and offered to purchase a card.
The salesman stated that there was
prize with each purchase, and when
the sale was completed pair of opera
tickets was handed him. This was i'm
mediately reported, the proprietor of
the shop arrested and heavily fined.
When asked why he had taken such
chance he stated that he was of the
impression that merchant had right
to sell his merchandise at any price
he pleased, and if he wanted to give
his purchasers a couple Of theatre
tickets as a little present. 1t was no
business of the law whatever. But the
Argentine courts could not see this
mans side of the case, and the fine i'm
posed was sufficient to convince him
that ticket speculation under any guise
was not business that would yield
profit.
But 1t is to the newspapers and their
music critics that the theatregoing
public Of Buenos Ayres owes it's pro-
lection from ticket sharks. "La Prensa,"
the most powerful of all South Ameri-
can papers (and one of the most power
full in the world), started a crusade
against ticket speculation years ago.
No matter how small a man may be in
buSinesS lust so aoor aa he attoror+.
to make money out of theatre tickets
"La Prensa" will come down upon him
so hard and create such public
opinion that it Is best for that person
to pull up stakes and move to some
other city.
Some Of the theatres charge very