The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-04-04
Ticket Scalping.
THE DEMoRALIZING EFFECT ON RAILROAD
EMPLOYEES OF THIS QUESTIONABLE
BCsINEss


The developments in the recent trials
of railway conductors in Philadelphia
and elsewhere for embezzlement bring
to light new feature in the so.cslled
business Of ticket scalping, and explain
very clearly one of the principal reas
ons for the crusade which is being
waged by the railroad companies
against the gentry whose boast it is
that they can discount the standard
rates of the companies. There was for
long time an element of mystery in
this peculiar traffic, which was partially
dispelled when the methods of the seal
pers were ventilated in the courts and
by the clear expositions of railway Of
ficers on the subject
1t is apparent that the scalper de-
rives some of his support from some Of
the various 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, and the longer lines
by reason of their greater length and
time of transit, could not, and very
properly so, hope to obtain any cousid-
cradle proportion of the through traffic
save by the operations of the scalper,
who buys for the intending traveller
who falls into his hands regular tick
ct by one of the longer routes, sells it
to him for dollar or SO less than it
costs, collecting bonus from several
of the short lines composing this route
as leward for diverting the traveller
from more direct lines, and pocketing
a fair profit on the transaction, al
though the passenger may not be 30
fortunate, as the greater length of time
consumed on the trip, aud consequent
increase in cost of meals and sleeping
accommodations, may more than cover
the saving in the cost of the ticket, and
the traveller has no compensation for
his lost time.
But this and other operations which
the scalper is wont to consider as "leg-
itimate," would scarcely explain the
magnitude which his profits must as.
sumo to maintain him in the traffic, and
these late trials furnish the informa-
ton necessary to complete solution
of the mystery. The testimony showed
that the railway employees retained
the tickets collected from passengers
and sold them at nominal rates to the
scalpers, who resold them to travellers
at 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 scalping enterprise. For years
past it has been the aim of railroad
companies so to adjust their rules AMI
regulations as to relieve conductors
from, even the slightest imputation of
dishonesty. Whether this has been
from motives of self-interest or not, is
immaterial to the point at issue. The
result has been apparent in the esprit
du corps and the morale of their en-
ployees. The feeling that, in view Of
the safeguards thrown around them,
they were above suspicion, has wrought
a remarkable change in this class of
employees, and has made the position
of railway conductor highly hon ora-
BILE, as il is responsible and exacting
calling But just as this condition of
things has been so happily consumma-
ted, new element of evil arises, and
it is rot strange that amongst such a
host of employees some should be found
willing to listen to the temptings Of the
scalper, and become eventually his w..l.
ing but guilty tools.
In the cause of morality, and in be-
half of an important and deserving
class of railway employees, we can cor.
daily endorse the efforts of the trans
portation lines to utterly abolish thit
traffic, which has long been a misde,
meanor in this State, and we earnestly
hope that the various States will speed
lily take cognizance of the growing evi
and, by statute similar to our own, pu,
the scalper under the ban of the Law
and compel railroad companies to re
deem for cash, from passengers, theil
unused or partially used tickets. II
the meantime the traveller will do vel
to consider whether he can conscien
tiousl y aid the scalper or incur the risl
of riding on stolen ticket.--Phild
delphia Press.