New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-08-05
The ScalpinQ Business.

There are two sides to the question
at issue between the railroads on the
one hand and those more or less malo-
dorous people known as "scalpers on
the other, and the 'scalpers' side Is
not without merit. where considered as
a purely abstract proposition.
The scalper lays down the dictum
that ticket is the property of the man
who buys it. and that the purchaser.
therefore. has a right to dispose OF 1t
as he sees proper and at any price he
sees fit to accept it, and. going further,
he claims that the purchaser of tick
ct pays for and Is entitled to the trans
portation It provides or its value In
money. and his right to sell it.
As an abstract proposition, the scalp
er has strong position, and makes the
most OF this Qutd pre- quo argument.
but his defense being based on false
premiums. his logic Is wrong and his
conclusions are erroneous.
II the railroads had no rights which
the public should respect. and IL the
contract into which the purchaser en-
ters with the railroad when he pur-
chases a special rate ticket can be vio-
lated regardless Of the ethical ques.
tons involved In every agreement
business or otherwise-then the scalp
ers would be in the right
Unfortunately for the scalper's posi-
ton, the tickets which form the stock
In trade Of his Legitimate business are
sold for the accommodation of large
numbers of people who could not 9th.
erwise avail themselves Of the travel
and traffic which are thus put within
their reach. and for the beneflt Of bust
ness men and other citizens at the
other end. They are sold with speci-
fled limit. for a specified purpose, and
for a specified occasion. They are sold
under a plainly stated understanding
or contract between the railroad and
the purchaser. which is as legally and
morally binding on the one as on the
other, or should be.
Then the scalper, in order to pro-
mote his own nefarious business, %
works against the public interest be-
cause. IL he succeeds, the result will be
the abrogation of all special rate excur-
sions, and CD he works to induce hon
est men to act dishonesty and in vio-
lation Of their contracts.
The scaiper Is unquestionably a men,
ace to the business and moral interests
of his locality; he Is a gambler of the
most detestable and harmful type
Our laws are supposed to be de-
signed for the public good, and they
provide punishment for the crime OF
gambling, the receiving Of stolen goods,
the violation Of contracts, etc. and ii
Is not unreasonable to hope that they
may be able to reach and crush this
species OF disreputable. II not dishonest,
lawbreaker, not In the interest Of the
railroads. but in the interest of de-
cency and honor and good morals,
as well as business integrity and good
government.
With the damage suit industry and
the nefarious scalping crushed. we
may look for a healthier tone In the
Industrial world, and great enter
prises which incidentally promote ev-
cry public interest and build up those
sections in which they lay, thus as
sured OF Justice and fair deal. will
have their sphere Of usefulness en-.
larged and will not be slow to Inn
prove not only the facilities for handl-
ing the public business. but for larger
Investments and new enterprises.
Anything which threatens capital
and enterprise and endangers their
safe investment and proper admins
tration works greater injury to the
public interests than 1t does to the
enterprise against which 1t Is directed
That the public Ii awakening to this
fact Is evidenced by the whitening Of
the damage suit industry and the cru
SADIE against the "scalpers' under an
aroused public sentiment.-Eagle Pass
Guide.