New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-04
ANTI-SCALPING BILL LIKELY TO PASS.
FAVORABLE REPORT AUTHORIZED BY THE
SENATE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

FAVORABLE REPORT AUTHORIZED BY THE
SENATE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE.
Washington. Feb. (speciaD.-The Senate Com
mittee on Interstate Commerce. by vote OF Z TO B.
to-day decided repor. favorably what is known
the Anti-Scalpng bill. There have been ex-
haustive hearings before the committee In which
the whole ground thoroughly gone over, tho
representatives Of the scalpers having every oppor
tunity to present their traffic in favorable light
as possible. The weakness OF their arguments IL
reflected in the overwhelming majority by which
the committee decided to-day TO report the bill to
the Senate. That the latter body Will pass the
measure with reasonable promptness is not 10 be
doubted In the last Congress the bill passed the
House without any trouble but it failed in the
Senate not because hostile majority confronted
il in the upper branch OF Congress. but simply
because no time remained in which to take up the
able and convincing arguments Of the friends Of
the hill notably those made by George w. Boyd. OF
of the New-York Central. contributed largely in
securing the favorable action Of the Senate com
Some amendments we're adopted. the most impor-
tant being the following. offered by Senator TIL
man. relating to railroad passes
That giving free transportation to persons or
property except allowed by Section % of the
act ITO regulate commerce" approved February :.
1851 shall be deemed unjust Discrimination under
vided in section 10 Of said act; and in addition 70
the penalties upon individuals provided in Section
such offence shall be punished by fine. in said
That ali free passes issued by or on behalf Of any
railroad corporation subject TO the provisions OF
said shall be signed by some. officer Of the cor
sign the and every such railroad corporation
shall keep record showing the date o. every Tree
pass. the name Of the person TO wnom 1t IS issued
The points between which the passage IS granted
and whether a single trip or time pass. and II
the latter. the time for which II is issued: ana
this record shall at all times be open TO the Inter:
state Commerce Commissioners or to their repre-
sentatives who may be duly authorized In writing
10 examine the same.
The House bill used basis OF proceed
ing. and Section 2 OF that bill was amended 80 as
10 remove all restrictions to the person to whom
a ticket holder may sell his ticket Originally the
person 10 whom the ticket could he sold must be
one "who would in good faith personally use II In
the prosecution of Journey This clause was
eliminated and the provso left TO read fol-
lows:
That the purchaser OF transferable ticket in
good faith for personal use in the prosecution Of
journey snail have the right TO resell the same
Section 3 was also amended so as 10 reduce tho
penalty for the first offence against its provisions
from $1,000 TO 500 10 eliminate all provisions for
IMPRISONMENT and provide penalty Of $500 for
The proceedings Of the committee were of moro
amicable character tnan those Oh any previous
49, he issye OF masses was sreauously pressed
bv Senators Ti.lman and Chandler. Mr.. I1llmdn
sad i'm reply 10 a question from Senator Wolcott
that he thought he would vote for the bli II iais
provision should be Incorporated. Senator Chandler
Is The author OF the amendment. He introduced u
i'm The senate as independent Dill several years
az Senator Timan rsSurrected l. to-day, ana
through the assistance of Senators Chandler emil
Ton and others secured its Incorporation in the hI.
senator Chiffon offered several amendments. which
were voted down. one of these provided for nNing
an arbitrary and uniform rate OF two cents mile
for Dassenger traffic on all the railroads OF the
country and another that railroad tickets should
be- Transferable and negotiable just other prop
erty is There is a quasi understanding that the
bill snail not be considered in The Senate until Sena-
tor Cuom's bin extending the powers OF the In
ters;ate Commerce Commission is reported and on
the calendar. An effort made by Senator Cul-
lom to secure positive instructions 10 this effect.
and while ne failed. he succeeded in securing pas
sive acquiescence In the proposition The Comms-
sion hin will be taken up at the next meeting OF
the committee.