Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-10-03
PLANS LAID TO CURB
TICKET "SCALPERS''
Police And Federal Officials Seek
To Protect Public From High
Prices At Worlds Series

Those Pocomoke base ball fans who
have in mind a visit to Washington
when the world series is pulled off,
will be glad to read the following
clipped from last Saturdays Evening
Star, a Washington Sheet:
Federal and municipal authorities
have laid plans to protect the public
against world series ticket "scalpers, "
some of whom already are said to be
preparing to garner golden harvest
at the expense of fans eager to see
the big contest.
The legal machinery of local and
national governments began to move
simultaneously with the appearance
CT brokers" signs in several parts of
the city announcing that tickets for
the coming series are on sale there.
Prospective customers who inquired
at the improvised offices were inform
ed, however, that the supply of tickets
would not arrive until early next
week and the suggestion was made
that they leave their names and tele-
phone numbers of addresses.
Spectators refused to enlighten the
inquirers as to prices, explaining that
they merely charged "a commission"
over the price they were required to
pay for the tickets. The supply of
tickets, it was added, was purchased
from "the public"
Deputy Collector Of Internal Reeve
nue. Powell announced that his office
will keep constant and close supervis-
ion over each broker to see that the
tax laws of the United States affect
ing the sale of base ball tickets is rig
idly complied with.
inspectors from the Revenue Bureau
will be stationed in each brokerage
office" it was asserted, and every sale
would be watched.
az can do nothing, however, to pre-
vent the sale of world series tickets
at exhorbitant prices" Mr.. Powell de-
clared. "The revenue law does not
60 that far All we can do is to see
that each broker is duly registered
and has a brokers' license, and that
he stamps each ticket sold with his
name and the price for which the
ticket was disposed of. Our duty ends
there. Perhaps the police can take
action to prevent the public from be-
ing mulcted, however"
The police were getting their heads
together over that very problem.
Maj. Edward B. Hesse, the new SUI
pefintendent of police, went into con-
ference with Inspector Charles Evans
and Henry G.. Pratt, and the trio
examined the law and the police regu-
lations with view to ascertaining
the extent of the police authority in
this connection. -
It was found, Major Hesse announc-
ed, that the law prohibits the sale of
base ball tickets on the streets or in
any public place, and he Immediately
issued instructions for strict enforce
ment of this regulation. 49,.
eve intend to make life miserable
for the scalpers," Major Hesse stated.
owe are going to take every step pos
sible to prevent the public Of Wash
ington or visitors from being preyed
upon by scalpers intent on charging
>exorbitant prices for world series
tickets. We will arrest and assist in
the prosecution of every person whom
we fnd selling these tickets in public
places"
There was some doubt in the minds
OF the police officials as to their au-
thority in dealing with scalpers who
establish themselves in impromptu
"offices" off the public thoroughfares.
II was indicated that the phrase pub
lie places" might be interpreted to
embrace certain semi-private places of
assembly, such as, possibly, hotel lob
bies, etc.