AMERICAN OPERA GOERS OUSTED FROM MUNICH THEATER, NOT ENOUGH CASH FOR SURCHARGE
Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) Dateline June 1, 1922. The wife* of Illinois congressman Fred A. Britten**, visiting in Munich with another American woman, were told to leave the Opera they were attending because they didn't have enough "ready cash" to cover the $1000 surcharge for foreigners.
The women purchased their box seat tickets from a hotel clerk for 200 marks each but apparently were not told about the surcharge. The news report in the Evening Star and the Chicago Daily News describes Mrs. Britten as "the latest victim of the 'soak the Americans' spirit prevailing in Munich."
*Mrs. Alma Hand Britten (m. 1907)
**Frederick Albert Britten (1871-1946) was born in Chicago & was educated at Heald's Business College. FAB served in the U.S. House of Representaives (R-Illinois), 1913-1935. Chaired Committee on Naval Affairs.
SOURCE
"Congressman's Wife Ousted From Theater By Munich Extortioner," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 1, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
National Theatre Munich
