The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-21
THE ANVI-SCALPER BILL.


Discussed From tho standpoint Of Conn
msroial Travoior.
10 Tho Inde pendent.
As a travelling salesman. was much in
terssted this morning in listening to tho
argument made by Mr.. Mckenzio before
the house committee on railroads and
transportation. The facts and figures
showing discrimination against Montana IN
freight and passenger traffic, will doubtless
be startling TO some persons. but they are
familiar to me. The round trip rate from
~. Paul to Portland is $50, through Hell
ena. The rate from 81. Paul to Helena -
$40. and from Helona to Portland il $35. 70.
The Same rates prevail returning making
*1bl50 fare for the ordinary passenger.
Tho broker, through his system OF business,
compels the railroad company to carry pas.
senRets to and from Helena on the round
"trip ticket and saves to tho people $71.5O.
a broker In Helena pays me $50 for one
OF these tickets after its use from 1T. Paul
ana thus makes my rate from there 500 in
stead OF $40.
The second class rate from 81. Paul to
Portland is $50 and from Helena the same.
Helena brokers nay about $40 for this
ticket after its uso from st. Paul and thus
makes . rate to the passenger of $15 in
stead OF $25. This, to some extent. sx-
plains Why tho travelling public patronize
the brokers and through them get tho BEN
efit of tho lower rates given to other IooaIi-
tics and mot given to Montana points. Rail-
road companies pay a commission for the
sale of tickets by connecting lines. The
company never gives the benefit OF this to
tho passenger, but the broker does. The
railroad companies hope. through the pas
sage Of this measure. to compel all
persons who buy tickets to pay full
local rates and thus to do in passenger
traffic what they often do in freight; charge
All that the traffic will bear. frequently less
to through than TO an intermediate point
on the same line. 1t will be time enough
to pass this bill when the railroad com-
papiss charge a uniform rate and az that
time ticket brokerage will cease.
Inc redeeminR feature of the bill is GER
tainly peculiar. All mileage, Communication
and excursion tickets are exempt and can
not be redeemed. As they cannot be sold
without penalty of imprisonment they are
rendered worthless In the hands Of the
holder. Another peculiar feature is that
while the bill provides that tho citizen who
may sell his ticket to friend shall 20 to
jail, the railroad agent who refuses to re-
deem the ticket cannot be imprisoned, and
the only penalty il q fine against his COM
reasonably refused" to redeem:
The delicate consideration for the railroad
agont is truly beautiful. Montana rates
are nos made BY Montanx people, but by
trusts having Offices in eastern cities.
Freight rates are made in Chicago and
passenger rates in Kansas City. and yet il
IL even proposed to deprive the people of
tho right to sell their tickets in this state
which were bought in other states at rates
made bv traffic association. which il q
trust and in violation of law.
TO destroy ticket brokerage simply re-
suits In the people paying full local tariff
and deprives them OF the benefit of being
able to travel to intermediate points on
long distances or excursion tickets which
are sold at low competing rates. such leg
islation would result in an increase OF cost
of railroad tickets.
A MERCHANT TRAVELLER.