The Wichita daily eagle., 1898-01-07
.1O SCALP Or NOT IO
Before the Interstate Com
merce Committee
TESTIMONY Is RECEIVED
Ticket Brokers and Travelling
Men Are Heard.

Washington, Jan. 6.-The interstate
commerce committee today resumed its
hearing on the anti-scalping bill. Mr..
Mckenzie, the president of the Ameri-
can Ticket Brokers association. said he
had received afidavits from number
of ticket brokers confirming his state
ment that the brokers secured 80 per
cent of the tickets sold by them from
the railroad companies. When Senator
Cullom asked for names Mr.. Mckenzie
replied that to answer would be
breach OF confidence. While he consid-
cred the question proper, still he de-
clined to name the companies except un
der a summons. In that case he would
respond, but he did not want to break
faith.
E. ]. Thiele, of the Illinois CONNER
cial Mems Association, opposed the bill
as unjust, claiming that the owner Of
railroad ticket should be allowed to dis
pose of it as he might see fit, as would
the owner of any other commodity.
Senator Wolcott made the point that
mo honest, honorable man would be
caught travelling around on another
mans name on a non-transferable
ticket
Mr. Thiele said he had known of men
whom he believed to be honest doing
that thing. He said that what the trav
cling men wanted was a uniform flat
$40 a thousand mile rate.
2. E. Dow of New York, president of
the Commercial Travellers National
league, also appeared in opposition TO
the bill.
William F. King, president Of the
Merchants association of New York,
spoke for the bill. He was opposed to
discrimination, hence he favored the
pending bill. He characterized as for
gerry the dealing in railroad tickets
which was, he said, opposed TO the con-
stitution of the United States He did
not believe he said. in a course that
would save one dollar at the expense of
the crime of forgery. He said there
were very few firms that would employ
a man as traveller who would deal with
ticket brokers.
A NJ. Compton of Chicago, of the Ma
tional association Of Merchant Travel
ers. urged the passage of the bill. He
had been for years a commercial traV-
eler. and did not accept the doctrine
that the travelling men were, as class
favorable to the system of dealing in
railroad tickets through brokers. MT.
Compton contended that so long as the
right is claimed to control the railroad
by legislation, this matter ought also
70 ha dacida6 the same Way.
The hearing Of the day was closed
with brief but vigorous statement by
Il. Dill of New York, counsel for the
Merchants association of New York,
who declared that of the 11.0o0 firms or
this association in New York, repre-
senting $500 000, 900. there had not been
one vote cast against the proposition to
s,,nport this bill, and of the ZOO firms
outside that city, representing an
other $500. .000, 900. only IS had opposed it.
He said the merchants generally al
lowed their travelling men full rates
and that ticket brokers' offices offer
| to them temptation to go wrong.
n. B. Kelly, commissioner of the
freight transportation department of
the Traders League Of Philadelphia,
fled a statement in support of the bill.
| The committee then adjourned until
| tomorrow.
WESTERN ROADS APPROVE.
Chicago. Jan. 6:-The western roads
ere making a hard fight for the pass
epa of the anti-scalping bill, which is
| expected to come up in congress iwthin
| a short time. Chairman Caldwell or the
Western Passenger association, is now
| in Washington looking after the inter
ests of the roads. and he has the aid OF
chairman Compton Of the executive
committee Of the Merchants and TRAY
elers. of this city.
| The agreement reached by the west
| arm roads 2 few days ago regarding the
running of horneseekers' excursions l.
a hack number already IT mas peen
found that so many Of the roads are
NOT satisfied with the agreement 10 re-
strict the excursions to points on the
missouri river that another meeting
80. b,en called for them. There is little
likelihood that the meeting VIII resuI'
IN the aholishment Of the excursions.
KANSAS PACIFIC SALE
washington. Jan. s.-The attorney
General today sent TO the senate, II
compliance with resolution ol inquiIS
, +uu statement OF transactions IN hls
| oe7ca IN connection with the proceed
,-gs looking 10 the sale Of the kansas
Pacific railroad
/