Evening star., 1897-04-12

at from 20 to IS cents a pound show con-
clusively that the immense profits realized
by dishonest dealers in the stuff make the
payment of money to secure immunity from
prosecution for their offenses of no material
consequence to them. The confidence they
have IN their ability to settle cases out Of
court by quietly turning over a sum OF
money to the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue makes them bolder in their VIOLA
tions of the laws and the policy of COM
promise is thus made a premium upon
fragrant disregard of the statutes of the
United States. The Treasury Department
is now considering an offer made in behalf
of Joseph Wilkins and Howard Butler of
this city who are under indictment in
Philadelphia on charges of having fragrant
~ violated the oleomargarine laws on Sun
day. December %. 1885, The special agents
of the Internal Revenue bureau have no
doubt of their ability to secure a conviction
-of the parties: the law abiding people of the
whole country demand that the men shall be
arraigned, and made to abide the results of
a trial; the reputable business interests that
are being steadily injured by the continued
permission given oleomargarine dealers to
violate the laws are unit in the same be-
half and Joseph Wilkins and his brother
are under indictment here on three separate
charges of selling oleomargarine for genu-
inc butter, yet the fact remains that the
treasury officials wiz interfere with the
course of justice and allow wilkins and
Butler 10 go free ii they pay over a sum of
money large enough to meet the require
ments of the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue and the Secretary Of the Treasury.
1t is disgraceful condition of affairs. No
other description Is adequate under the con-
ditfonS. II Is prostitution of the discre-
tionary power vested in the treasury Off
cfals because that power was never in
tended to be used as permit for violators
of the laws of the United States to continue
breaking them. The power was only given
the officials to be exercised in cases where
offensas are committed through ignorance
or where palliating circumstances were
found to exist In the cases of the oleo-
margarine dealers who violate the law no
such reasons are present. There is another
point to be taken into account in connection
with the question at issue, considered local
ly. The regulations governing the sale Of
oleomargarine laws in the national capital
are f1agrantly ignored day in and day out
The District is perfect paradise for the
dishonest dealers in the stuff 1t is made
the central point of distribution for the
Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and
Pennsylvania The tubs and packages ctn-
tanning 1t are boldly stripped of all distin-
gushing marks and their contents sold as
butter at butter prices to thousands Of
purchasers who believe they are buying
genuine butter every day. The local inter-
nal revenue officials are fully aware of this
fact but apparently make no attempt TO do
their duty and enforce the laws. There
must be very decided change in the policy
OF the treasury officials or public indigna-
tion will compass some means to bring
about reform. The Internal Revenue bu-
reau could easily make it impossible to
prevent the sale of single pound of oleo-
margarine for other than oleoma rgarine
If the present regulations are not sufficient
for the purpose. which they are, If properly
enforced, the Secretary of the Treasury can
remedy their defects because the Supreme
Court of the United States has on repeated
occasions affirmed the validity of regula-
tions made by that officer and he can make
the m as broad and effectual as the condi-
tionS demand