Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-13
ROADS REBUKED.
The Investigation By Cooley and
Morrison at Chicago Shows
Extensive
Violations of the Interstate Commerce
L2w-Cooley Threatens Dire Pen.
aities For Scalping.
The Passenger Agents Hold Meeting and
Take Steps to Remedy the Abuses
Complained Of

CHICAGO Dec 12.-Not since the Inter.
State Commerce law was passed has an
investigation by the Commissioners re-
vealed such an amount of crookedness on
the part Of railroad companies as the one
now being made in this city by Chairman
Cooley and Commissioner Morrison of the
methods pursued by the railroads in trans
acting their passenger traffic. The evil
dence already obtained is sufficient to con-
vict nearly every road centering in this
city Of williul violation OF the law, not
only as regards the long and short haul
clause, but also as to discrimination between
passengers. The charges heretofore made
that nearly all the through passenger traffic
of the roads had been done through scalp
ers for the express purpose Of avoiding
another reduction and to keep up the rates
between local points were fully substan.
tiated. Not one Of the large number OF
railroad officials who were examined were
able to give q plausible reason for selling
to scalpers at a much lower rate than they
sold at their own offices nor tell why they
persisted in paying enormous commissions
for the sale Of tickets to scalpers, hotel
runners, hack drivers and others who
could command any business. Their only
excuse was that they had to do it because
their competitors were doing it.
The Commission has now come to the
conclusion that heroic measures are re-
CURED to bring the railroads to realiza-
ton of the fact that they can no longer
violate the law with impunity. The prac-
tice Of doing their through business through
scalpers. who admitted that their business
was carried on in violation of the law, will
have to be stopped and the method of pay
ing commissions for the sale of tickets
either to scalpers or coupon ticket agents
will also have to come to an end, as it Is
intimated that the Commissioners will
render decision that these practices are
contrary to the letter and spirit of the
law, and whatever rates are made over any
road by scalpers or other parties must be
made at the regular ticket offices Of those
roads and intermediate rates must be made
to correspond with the through rates.
whether by the scalpers or the railroads
themselves. Thus, il q commission is paid
and the commission if used to cut the reg
ular rate BY q scalper OF anybody else the
road will Be guilty of violation OF the
law unless it reduces its regular rates cor
respoudingly. This will surely end the
occupation Of scalpers and others engaged
In the sale Of railroad tickets, as railroads
cou Id not afford under the circumstances
to sell them tickets atreduosd rates or pay
commissions
The large assembly room Of the Central
Traflc Association in the Rookery build
ing was packed with railroad officials at
the hour appointed for the meeting with
Judge Cooley and Colonel Morrison Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission ysster-
day. There were presidents, vice-presi.
dents, managers and general passenger
and freight agents, representing not o1iy
ali the roads entering Chicago. but many
outside lines. The Texas association, in
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