Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-09
THE RAILROADS.
Chairman Cooley Ready to Make War
on the Scalpers.
The Dream of a Great Railway Trust Hay Yet
be Reallzed-The Zone system In
EurOpe-Notes.

THE GAZETTE has taken occasion more
than once to refer to the matter of pro-
tectiug the railroads in giving low round
trlp rates, and has shown how much the
loads lose in straight fares by scalpers
getting hold of the return tickets and
selling to people who would pay straight
fares TO the railroad were it not that
these return tickets can be used. Rail-
road men assert that this is one reason
why they hesitate to put on low rate
round trip tickets; and they say that if
the states or cities to which the rates are
asked would give them proper protection
they would not object 10 giving the rates.
That the scalpers do a large business
there is no doubt, and it has grown to
such dimensions of late years that the
attention of the interstate commerce
commissioners has been called to it.
Judge Cooley, ch irmau of the inter-
state commerce commission, has ad-
dressed circular letter to the general
passenger agents of the Western roads,
calling their attention to the large and
prosperous business that Is being done in
the sale of tickets for passenger trans
r0rlRtiou by persons who are not in the
employ Of any railroad company. Mr..
Cooley alludes TO ticket scalpers and asks
for an expression of views US to their
traffic, particularly the effects, causes,
and, if needed possible remedies.
Il may lie that the suggestion made in
TIE GAZETTE yesterday, that railroad
tickets be sold by no one save an author
lied employe OF the road Issuing them,
may be taken up by some authority and
a law 10 that effect eventually passed.
The following is copy OF Chairman
Cooley letter:
DEAR s1R-Nothing is more noticeable to one
who gives even q casual attention TO the railroad
business Of the country than the fact that in all
considerable towns there are persons who ap-
parentlv are doing large as well as prosper
Gus business IN the So lie OF tickets for passenger
transportation, though they seem not TO be in
The Sc vice Of the road. The inference is that
The tickets are either issued under circumstances
which would not bear investigation, or for some
reason alter having been properly purchased
have rot been made use OF by the persons who
bou-li them, or only used for part of the dis
nnes w-.cA the persons purchasing them we're
emitted 90 travel thereon. From the contro-
versles VIII Ch arise when these tickets come to
be used Il would be inferred that they we're
sold sometimes. at least, in disregard of the
e0nlIIHUH under which they were originally
Issued. ANA purchasers are either refused a
passage on them altogether or are subjected to
great ANNOYANCE and Inconvenience before they
are received.
Your attention IS directed to this subject for
tae purpose OF obtaining your views upon the
following questions:
!. Whether The existence of this business is
noi serious public evil.
= Whether the profits Of the business and the
eo5t az .rlHSacting II 10 not necessarily either
come f-gl the revenues of the railroad compa-
mes or tend 10 increase the charges which they
IMPOSE uDnU traffic with a view TO a
suuclen, revenue.
3, What are the chief causes which afford
eeld FOR the business and which are responsible
ior its ext teuue.
1. L, in your opinion, the business should be
o'orEht 70 an end, what remedy OF remedies you
suggest Tor that purpose. A full and free ex-
preston of your views is invited, and you need
ho1 M yourself to the questions above pro-
posed. Very respectfully.
THOMAS NJ. COOLEY, Chairman.
Umee OF Interstate Commerce Commission.