Evening star., 1896-07-29
BOGUS BUTTER MEN
They Are Not So Happy as They
We're Some Days Ago.
NO CHANCE TO COMPROMISE CASES
Interesting Developments Expected
in the Near Future.
VEST NTPG MA q IF &
WEST VIRGIN CASES

The WnOleSale dealers IN OemarSaTlne
WHO are alleged to be responsible for the
widespread imposition so long practiced
upon the public of this city by reason Of
the general selling to butter consumers of
the manufactured imitation Of it under the
representation that it was the real article
are not feeling buoyant and hopeful as
they were two or three weeks ago. 1t will
be remembered that some time since the
trials of the parties who had been indicted
here for violations Of the oleomargarine
laws were discontinued until the October
term Of the court. This action was greeted
with considerable pleasure by the wholesale
dealers who regarded 1t in the nature Of a
respite that might be, by deft manipulation.
extended indefinitely. They were aware
from personal experience that the internal
revenue authorities were not aware to COM
promising cases where the oleomargarine
laws had been violated by the payment OF
certain specified sums into the fraud fund
Of the United States Treasury Department
or the internal revenue branch thereof.
Influences Were Not Potent.
1t was believed by the wholesale dealers
alluded to that the powerful influences at
their disposal would be sufficient to cause
the internal revenue people to procure the
dropping of the prosecution against the
parties indicted in the District and now
awaiting trial. on the plan of compromise
above indicated. The attempt was made
to carry out this idea, but it failed, al
though 1t Is alleged that very large sum
was offered in the shape OF fines for the
purpose. Consequently when October rolls
around the prosecution Of the oleomarga-
rine cases will be continued by District
Attorney Brney with the same vigilance
and energy that characterized his manage
n ent of them in the spring.
The 'Stripping' Process.
1t is probable that other interesting de-
velopments of the manner in which the
illegal sale of imitation butter Is carried
on in this section of the country will be
forthcoming in a short while. 1t Is known
that very little oleomargarine in the orig
inal packages is being shipped into Wash
ington at present, but 1t is believed that
large quantity of it Is disposed of here,
nevertheless, being brought into the city
after having been "stripped'' of all ves-
tiges of its real character, such as the
point removed from the District. 1t is
said that the internal revenue authorities
are in possession of information which will
lead to the apprehension of the parties en-
gagged In this fraud, which Is one of the
worst offenses under the oleomargarine law
and which means penitentiary sentences
for those found guilty of 1t.
Up in West Virginia.
Another case that will probably be pro-
ductive of much interest to some Of the
Washington oleomargarine men is one that
occurred some time ago In Wheeling, w.
Va. A prominent firm Of commission men
there was found by internal revenue agents
to have seventy tubs Of oleomargarine in
it's possession which was not marked in
accordance with law, and which, to all
appearances, contained butter, and which
was offered for sale as butter. When the
members Of the firm were confronted with
this condition Of affairs they declared that
they had bought the article from parties
in Washington, that they had bought it
for butter ard were not aware that it was
anything else until they were arrested. 1t
Is alleged that the Washington parties who
furnished them the stuff prevented the
prosecution of the firm by paying fines to
the internal revenue authorities amounting
to 1880. 1t happened that number of
smaller dealers in Wheeling and other por-
tions of West Virginia were also found to
have unmarked oleomargarine in their pos
session. which they were selling for butter
at butter prices. and which they had pro-
cured for butter either directly or through
the firm above alluded to from the same
Washington parties. They were also con-
fronted with the alternative Of standing a
trial or paying the compromise fines, and
they chose the latter, but, unlike the COM
mission firm mentioned, they were COM
PEELED to pay their own fines themselves,
and consequently they are inclined to make
things interesting for the parties who were
responsible for all their trouble and ex-
pense.
The Treasury Policy Criticised.
The general impression prevails among
the reputable dairymen and butter dealers
throughout the country that the internal
revenue department is entirely too suscep-
tible to the offers Of compromise made by
violators OF the oleomargarine laws to save
themselves from the publicity Of trials and