Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-23
The StOddard Lecture Ticket Sale.
WASHINGTON, DC, January %.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., January 20.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Isn't it just little unfair on the part Of your
correspondent Cello to withhold his identity
while he assails a reputable business house like
John F. Ellis & Co. with an insinuation as to
its integrity?
refer to the article in yesterdays STAR
headed bad Faith" in which Clio" sets forth
that at the sale of Stoddard lecture tickets last
Tuesday morning "for two hours the doors (of
John +. Ellis Co.. were kept closed while an
official OF the Congregational church was in the
store selecting large portion of the best seats
for both courses"
As matter of fact, the Congregational church
official was in the store of Ellis Il Co. on the
morning referred to only twenty minutes by
the clock and when his turn came, for he was
not first In line. did not spend more than ten
minutes In selecting tickets, and when he left
the store there were something over two thous-
and unsold, including both courses.
The Congregational church official referred
to was acting for his son. who had undertaken
to purchase some tickets for other persons. but
being unable to attend to the matter that morn
ing the undersigned attended to it for him. He
did not purchase single ticket for speculation
nor even for his own use, leaving it until the
following day to purchase couple for his
family.
Every ticket secured by him was purchased
upon written order, signed by the persons who
are to use them. 1t was published in a news
paper of the city previous to the SALE in the
form of an '.interyiew" with Mr.. Bayly, man
ager for Ellis & Co.. that such orders would be
duly honored if legitimate and from reputable
parties, an arrangement certainly calculated
to facilitate the great sale and therefore con-
venience the public.
For instance, it is safe to say that it would
take forty persons more than ten times as long
to select hundred tickets as il would one per-
son who had studied the diagram carefully
The statement of another single fact viii con-
vince any fair-minded person of Mr. Bayly's
purpose to avoid the slightest occasion for
complaint. There is abundant evidence that
not single seat was marked off from the dia-
gram when the first detachment OF purchasers
were admitted to the store. l am told, too,
that it can be easily ascertained at the cen
tra office" that Ellis Il Co. s telephone was dis
connected by the latter during the progress of
the sale, and that it is equally true that the
letter carrier was requested, and did detain all
mail matter addressed to Mr.. Bayly or Ellis Il
Co. until the afternoon of that day, thus max
ing 1t impossible to communicate with them to
the disadvantage Of any one in line.
But am taking too much of your valuable
defense of Mr.. Bayly, whose integrity as mana
ger foc Ellis d Co. has been unjustiy and so
publicly called in question. As for himself,
the writer, being on deck as usual in the early
morning, managed to get there all the same
and honorably, too-and therefore has no sour
grapes OF disappointment to digest
Very respectfully,
ELPHoNzo YoUNas, 42s 9th ST.