The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-04-02

TICKET SctLPING-THE DENoRALIzING EF-
FEcr on RAILROAD EMPLOYEES OF THIS QuEs-
TIoNABLE BUsISEss.-The developments in
the recent trials of railway conductors in
Philadelphia and elsewhere for embezzle-
ment bring 20 light new feature in the so
called business Of ticket scalping, and ex-
plain very clearly one OF the principal rea-
sons .or the crusade which is being waged
by the railroad companies against the gentry
whose boast it is that they can discount the
standard rates ofthe companies. Their was
for long time an element of mystery ia
this peculiar traffic, which was partially
dispelled when the methods of the sealpers
were ventilated in the courts and by the
clear expositions of railway officers on the
subject
1t is apparent that the scalper derives
some Of his support from some OF the van
Gus links, large and small, of the longer
lines between distant points. As matter
OF course, rates by the various lines between
important centres must be uniform, andStbe
longer lines, by reason oftheir greater length
and time of transit, could not, and very
properly so, hope to abtain any considerable
proportion of the through traffic save by the
operations of the scalper, who buys for the
intending traveller who falls into his hands
a regular ticket by one ofthe longer routes,
sells it TO him for dollar or so less than it
cost, collecting bonus from several of the
short lines composing this route as a reward
for diverting the traveller from more direct
lines, and pocketing a fair profit on the
transaction, although the passenger may
not be so fortunate, as the greater, length Of
time consumed on the trip, and consequent
increase in cost of meals and sleeping accom-
moda,ions, may more than cover the saving
IN the cost of the ticket, and the traveller has
no compensation for his lost time.
Bat this and other operations which the
scalper is wont TO consider as Legitimate,
would scarcely explain the magnitude which
his profits must assume to maintain him in
the traffic, and these later trials furnishing
the information necessary to complete a so
luton Of the mystery. The testimony
showed that the railway employees retained
the tickets collected from passengers and
sold them at nominal rates 20 the scalpers,
who resold them to travellers at u discount
from standard rates, the companies thus
carrying two or more passengers on the same
ticket
These disclosures emphasize with painful
Clearness the moral character of the scalpng
enterprise. For years past it has been the
aim OF railroad companies SO to adjust their
rules and regulations as 10 relieve cenduc-
tors from even the slightest imputation Of
dishonesty. Whether this has been from
motive Of self-interest or not, is immaterial
10 the point at issue. The result has been
apparent in the espri, du COPS and the moToie
of their employees The feeling that, in
view of the safeguards thrown around them,
they were above suspicion, has wrought
remarkable change in this class of en-
pluvees. and has made the position of rail
way conductor a highly honorable, as it Is a
responsible and eXaciing calling. But just
as this condition Of things has been so hap
plly consummated. a new element of evil
arises, and it is not strange that amongst
such a host of employees some should he
found willing to listen to the temptings of
the scalper, and become eventually his will
ling but guilty tool.
in the cause of morality, and in behalf OF
an important and deserving class of rail-
way employees, we can cordially endorse the
efforts of traffic. which has long been a mis-
deneanor in this state. and we earnestly
hope that the various States will speedily
take cognizance of the growing evil and,
by statute similar to our own, put the scalp
er under the ban of tine law and compel
railroad companies to redeem for cash, from
passengers. their unused or partially used
tickets In the meantime the traveller will
10 well to consider whether he can cOnsci-
aid the scalper or incur the risk Of
riding on a stolen ticket PbR1dciDhia Press.