The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-24
FROM OTHER PENS
THE END OF sCALPING.


Uncertainty as to the legal aspect of
railroad and steamship ticket scaIping
Is at last removed by a far-reaching
decision of the federal supreme court.
The railroads, for the first time since
the question became vital, have been
armed with the power to kill the whole
scalpdng business. The supreme court
holds that any dealing in nontrans-
ferabie tickets is a wrongful act a
malicious interference with a con-
tract" that nontransfer condition on
a ticket is binding on all who ACQUIRE
1t, and, Furthermore, that the use of
scalper's ticket that was sold at a re-
duced price is violation of the new
railroad rate law, which prohibits all
indirect forms of preference. These
doctrines are evidently of the greatest
Importance theoretically in their bear
ing on the scalping practice. But the
most decisive feature of the decision
is that which authorizes courts of
equity permanently to enjoin any num-
Der of scalpers from dealing in non
transferable tickets issued by a given
line. If 1T were necessary to bring
suits in individual cases after the sale
the campaign against scalping could
hardly hold out promise of much sue
cess But the use of the Injunction to
prevent any and all dealings in these
or those classes of nontransferable
tickets will certainly put the scalpers
out of business. wherever the common
carriers really care to avail themselves
ord-1erald.
LODGE INVITATIONS.
The official organ of one of the
members of its various lodges to en-
ploy more dignity in initiatory cere-
monies and less horse play" Ere
Quently, says the author Of the article,
initiation because of the ludicrous ma
ture of the things that they are re-
Quired to do for the amusement of
the other members. 1t is a fact that
the nituals of secret orders, with their
lofty expressions of brotherhood and
the impressive manner of their recita-
ton, often seem to be somewhat out
of place in connection with the hilari-
Gus tricks that are mingled with the
solemn ceremonies. The members of
the local lodge can generally be de-
pended on to observe discretion in
choosing the goat for each particular
candidate and SO to avoid ruling the
feelings of those who stand on their
dignity more than the average of us.
But it is undoubtedly true that good
many men hesitate to Join fraternal
order just because of their reluctance
to go through with the horse play
that popular belief always attaches to
limitations into secret orders.-Omaha
World-Herald.
NO STOPPAGE.
Trade is not booming as it did before
the panic. This can be seen with half
an eye. 1t would be folly to deny it.
On the other hand, 1T would be quite
as foolish to insist that the setback
has stopped the wheels. There is no
longer a roaring, needless, onward
rush; but there is a steady volume of
wholesale and retail transactions that
will compare favorably with the bust
ness of soberer years when the tide of
prosperity was not in so large part
made up of speculative foam. There
has been a showdown; but no stoppage.
The business of the country is Fighting
itself as fast as could be expected and
facing the new situation with courage
and confidence.-Pftladel Record.