The New York herald., 1921-02-03
DRIVE SPECULATOR
OFF N. Y. STREETS
Senate at Albany Passes First
of Two Bills Aimed at
Ticket Vender.
WILL REQUIRE LICENSE
Measure FavOrably Reported
Levies 500: Fine $1,000
for Charge Over soc.

Special Despatch TO THE NEw York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany. Feb. 2.
Theatre ticket spectators are for
bidden the use of public highways in
New York to carry on their trade un-
der terms of the Walton bill, which
was passed to-day by the Senate. The
judiciary Committee of the Senate re-
ported favorably the companion meas
ure offered by Senator Walton requir-
ing the licensing of all persons or
firms engaged in selling tickets. Sen
timent in the Legislature indicates
that both bills will be passed in the
Assembly and the licensing bill also
will pass the Senate.
The speculator ,s described as any
person engaged in selling any ticket
of admission cor other evidence of the
right of entry TO any performance or
exhibition i'll or about the premises OF
any theatre or concert hall. place OF
public amusement, circus or common
show" The term also includes any
firm or persons who "in or from any
store, hallway. booth, yard. garden,
opening. window or corridor or place
of business. by word Of mouth, crying,
calling or shouting" tries to attract
attention to sell q ticket.
The second measure. which was re-
ported to-day by the Senate judiciary
Committee. makes IL misdemeanor TO
sell ticket for more than fifty cents
in advance OF box office price. Such an
offence is punishable by a fine of $1,000
or one year in jail. This measure also
requires every person or firm that de-
sires to engage in ticket selling to obtain
a license for which ne must pay 500.
This applies to the hotel and other large
agencies The license cannot be trans
ferred and the public official issuing the
public interest.
A false statement made in an appica-
tion for license. or the sale OF tickets
without license. is set down as mis-
demeanor punishable by fine OF not
more than $1,000 or imprisonment for
not more than one year. or both.
Similar measures presented by Miss
Margaret Smith are now before the As
sembIy. The Codes Committee to-day
reported the first, or licensing bill. The
sidewalk bill will be up for public hear
ing before the Codes Committee on Feb
ruary s. Enactment. of both measures
is regarded as quite probable.
The bills are aimed to put an end 20
what is known as doorway barking" a
practice which has become common
along Broadway.
The Board OF Aldermen passed reso-
luton ordering the spectators off the
streets with the resul; that scores Of
ticket counters were opened all through
the theatrical district. Instead of fore
ing their tickets into the faces of the the
atre going public. the spectators sought
cover in the little shops all the way
way and adjoining streets all the way
from Forty-second to Fifty-ninth street
and have made themselves public nui-
sances by shouting from doorways ana
Railways. In these retreats the inanipu-
lators have been safe from the police.
The city ordinance making IL unlawful
for the speculator TO charge more than
a fifty cent advance on the box office
price OF a ticket was overruled by Judge
RosalslSy. who held the Aldermen did
not have power 70 impose such re-
striction. The purpose OF the Welton
measures Is TO uphold the Aldermanic
tule through the power OF the State