The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-20
THE TROLLEY VS.. STEAM
COMPETITION DOES NOT SERIOUSLY
AFFECT THE LATTER.
Promoters OF the Anti-Scalping Bill
Securing the Indorsement Of
Commercial Bodies.

Time is demonstrating that the compe-
titiou between rural trolley lines and
steam railways Is not cutting into the rev.
enues of the latter as was expected. Pos
sibly the prosperity OF the country has
done something toward producing such re-
suits, IL having stimulated travel The
business OF both trolley lines and railways
In the gas belt region is at present entirely
satisfactory, and the construction of the
trolley line has had the effect OF creating
q great deal OF new business. Reports
from other parts OF the country make 1t
evident that the steam railways are not
suffering on account OF the business done
by trolley lines that run to the same places.
The trolley lines get their patronage large
" from people who travel shorter distances
than are possible by steam railways. and
they do not interfere much with the bust
ness OF the latter. Certainly the introduce
ton OF the trolley line has been of great
service In increasing suburban travel, and
these new roads. like the one opened this
week between Greenwood and Indianapo-
lis. and tho projected line between Green
field and Indianapolis, and Plainfield and
Indianapolis. and Anderson and Indianapo-
lis viii be instrumental In building up new
sections OF the country by which both the
trolley and steam roads will secure more
travel. In the Eastern States, where the
trolley lines paralleling steam roads have
been In operation, for a while. the receipts
or steam railways were reduced, but now
Il Is stated, are again increasing.
The Proposed Anti-ScaIping Law.
Endorsements are now being prepared
coming from the commercial and travelling
bodies. Of the anti-scalping bill introduced
In the House by Representative Sherman
Of New York. and in the Senate by SEN
ator Gear, OF Iowa. AS soon as the indorse-
ments are put In shape and signed they
viii be forwarded to the House and the
Senate In order that the influence of these
commercial bodies shall be In favor OF the
passage OF the bill. Those who are in favor
of the measure say that IL may be a selfish
motive, but that they believe they may
expect more in the way of concessions from
the railroads II the brokers are done away
with. They say. also, that the traffickins
IN tickets Is a little irregular. according
to their way OF thinking. and the railroad:
have a right 10 such protection as a law OF
this sort would afford. The proposed Law
I'm itself does not exclude altogether the
possibilities of tickets being Sold thus al
lowing the railroads TO become mandatory
but IL does say that the tickets shall b,
handled only by authorized parties Thi.
will cut out the brokers. The law specific
ally asserts that should man buy a ticke
and decide not 90 make the trip he has
perfect right TO sell that ticket TO som,
other person at any price he chooses. anC
the second purchaser will have the right I,
use the ticket This clause is not objec
tionabe TO the railroad men. for they sa,
that II the public would only learn a.
much, the railroad is always ready 10 re
deem at it's face value any ticket which
remains unused. They are also willing
N
tickets at their face value. provided III
regular fare for the distance Travelled 4
not in excess OF the whole amount PAL,
for TIE full ticket.