The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-10
WAR ON THE sCALPERS.
THE. SAVANNAH CONFERENCE A
INIT AGAINST THEM.

Richardson, the Saw
annah Passenger Agents and COM
missioner Purse of the Freight
Rnreau Discuss the Anti-Scalpers'
n,u and VIII Urge Its Passage-NO
Committee 10 he sent to Washing
ton at Present, But Whatever Steps
Are Necessary win BE Taken.
NJ Joseph Richardson, commissioner
IT the southern States Passenger Associ-
otior was in the city yesterday. and
Trss in conference with Capt. d. G. Purse,
commissioner of the Savannah Freight
11,,raau. Mr. H. C. McFadden, assistant
.-.nsraI. passenger agent Of the Plant sys-
1en, and Mr.. A. o. MacDonell, general pas
se,aer agent of the Florida Central and
pepinsular railroad, in reference to the
outi-ncket scalping bill now before the
Senate committee on interstate commerce.
The conference was held at the Office
Of Mr.. MeFadden. The purpose was to
ind out Just how the roads stand on the
subject of ticket brokerage. No definite
action was taken by the conference. 1t
developed that there is a unanimity of
oninion in favor of the suppression of the
SedlUllS DuSl41Goos AAS COAiANA CAlSC Aleiu
moi proceeded far before this fact was dis
covered.
OF course it is the opinion of all passen-
ger men that the ticket brokers should be
abolished The interests of the railroads
point directly toward such a consumma-
ton Of the long battle that has been wag-
ed between them and the scalpers.
They lose the sale of many a ticket by the
operations of the brokers, and it is natu-
rally their wish to see them subjected TO a
legislation that would outlaw their bust
ness.
While the railroads are known to be vio-
IentlN opposed to the scalperS, such is
not so generally believed of Capt. Purse
and the freight bureau. Capt. Purse,
however is unreserved in his declaration
of the belief that the scalping business
is hurtful 10 the public and its CONNER
ciai interests. He believes that the con-
cessions the roads would be enabled to
grant the public. in event of the passing
OF the proposed bill, would far exceed the
gain from the purchase now of cut-rate
tickets.
cant. Purse says that both the inter
state commerce and the Georgia railroads
commits siOn are opposed to the Scalp1ng
traffic and pronounce 1t illegal. lie says
that even if his own convention were not
as strong as they are, while occupying
the position he does he would feel con-
strained 10 favor the Oil on ACCOUNT Vi
the stand those bodies have taken.
Il believe" he said, that with the
abolition of the brokerage, we could get
better rates. If it were not for the scalp
ers the roads would be ready to sell 5000
mile tickets at the cents a mile rate"
A Washington dispatch in the Morning
News yesterday caught the attention of
the gentlemen in conference. The dis
patch stated that the Senate committee
on interstate commerce had agreed at
meeting, held day before yesterday, that
1t would be useless to attempt to do any
thing with the bill at this session of con-
gress.
This news from Washington did not
seem to effect the conference at all, as it
is understood that the members had pri-
yate advices stating that the matter would
be brought up.
The conference was concluded without
any definite action being taken. No one
from Savannah will go to Washington in
the interests of the bill as was first
thought The parties at interest have a
number Of representatives at the capital
and it does not appear that reinforcements
from Savannah will he of much service
Il is probable that, If the necessity or the
chance Of its helping the cause of the bill
presents itself. the conference held here
may have some after effects. Something
"ld lie done, if necessary, to show the
stand OF the freight bureau and the South
ern states Passenger Association on the
question: