New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-17
ANTI-SCALPING BILL HEARING.
THE MEASURE FAVORED BY THE SENATE
COMMITTEE-THE BROKERS' SIDE
PRESENTED.

Washington. Dec. 16 (SpeciaD.-The Senate Com
mittoe on Interstate Commerce gave a hearing to-
day on one Of the most important measures which
II will be called to deal with at the present ses-
Sion Of Congress-the so-called "AnuTicket- Scalp
ing" bill. ms measure proposes to put a stop to
the sale of railroad tickets through "cut rate and
other associations and agencies and to abolish an
abuse which has led TO many systematic frauds on
railway companies. Under the present latitude al
lowed to "cut-rate' agencies traffic has undoubt-
odly grown up which encourages the fosting on the
public of many lost, stolen outlawed railroad
tickets. and which in almost every instance induces
the violation of the express conditions which
the contracts for transportation are originally
made. The bill now brought forward aims
nne the sale OF railroad tickets properly author
tied agents Of the railroad companies. 1t has been
generally Endorsed by Boards OF Trade throughout
the country and other representative commercial
bodies. and Is strongly favored by all the prom
inont railroads Of the United States
At the hearing before tho committee to-day IT
made evident that the measure has the support Of
a majority OF that body and that its chances OF
being reported after the holiday recess are
highly encouraging. The time this morning was
given the dealers in "cut-rate" tickets. who
reoresented by George NJ Mckenzie. Another hear
Ing will be arranged early in January. at which tho
friends OF the will present their aide OF the
case
Mr. Mckenzie said that IS per OF the bushes,
Of the brokers was done with the railroad com
panes The large traffic associa atoms were so or
ganized that they could boycott the smaller roads
II they did not join with them. He said these as
sociations paid their officials salaries from $1,000 ~
10000
Senator Wolcott asked what that had to do with
the present bill. and expressed the opinion that IT
gratuitous reflection which should not have
been brought into the discussion.
Mr.. Mckenzie having said that many railroads
I a.. Az " haf
railroads were opposed to It.
Mr.. Mckenzie do not want to smharrass the
roads by naming them II dii they w1uld suffer
for IT. know personally that they aEe opposing
,hs Diu. but | cannot name them. am aware
that my statement cannot 20 for anything undar
these circumstances.
scnator ChAndler-Do not those small railroad
lines sell the brokers7
Mr.. McKenEle-Yes
Asked how the ticket brokors made their busi-
ness pay. Mr.. Mckenzie said the pront came In the
way Of q rebate which went to the broker and no,
10 the traveller. Tho principal supporters OF tho
pending bill. Mr.. NJ keuZ.e Sad, were the N6ndor-
bill: hnes tho SoHtncrn Railroad TIC southern Pa
s s'l5I' Topeka ara santa re lie said that tho
Ponnsyl yaniA Company west Of Pittsburg mad sold
developed that these tickets were for udnsporta-
tion over the West Shore line. -
YORK Central. said that line had had no dealings
with tho brokers for the last twenty years.
come a law M. Mckenzie said II would cost the
travelling public. according 10 calculation he had
made, an aVcrag" OF $4,000 a year ms caIcu-
laton WAS made upon the basis that the brokers
se ~ per cent OF tho tickets used. and That they
save their custoIneTs average OF III per cent.
I'VE buy from the railroads. said MI. Mckenzie.
Not 5 per cent OF the tickets purchased were
bought from peop.e who strayed into the ticket
brokers' office ~,
The members expressed great surprise AZ the
statement that the tickets we're generally secured
from the railroads Themselves, but Mr.. Mckenzie
maintained the truth OF the satemont. saying that
4, ,fs.IlV u
associations lie Contended that the ticket broker
age business was the natural result OF the railroad
nools and that II could exist IL there were no
uools Continuing. Mr. Mckenzie raid three OF the
iailrOad lncs 20 St Paul were practically sup
raricd NV The scslpers Two OF them" ne said
twoud not be able to run through trains Without
tho aid of the brokers'.