Evening star., 1898-06-18
OLEOMARGARlNE DUPES
An Old Adage Exemph6ed in the Kollook
Case.
Tender Confederation Received by
ternal Revenue Aathoritfes..

The case Of Israel Kollock, who was sent
to Jail Wednesday in default Of the pay
nent Of a fine Of $3.50 imposed upon him
for violating the oleomargarine laws, Illus
trates in a striking degree the well-known
fact that it is the dupes who suffer instead
of the arch conspirators in the widespread
Illegal traffic in oleomargarine. Kollock
was one of a number Of small dealers in
groceries. produce and similar goods who
were led into selling oleomargarine for
butter by the representations of the agents
of the wholesale oleomargarine men that
they would be protected from punishment II
caught. and at the same time assured that
they would not be caught. Owing largely.
however. to the persistent demand of The
Star that the oleomargarine imposition on
the public should be stopped the dealers
suspected of violating the laws and treas
ury regulations were made the object of at
tention by local detectives and special
agents of the internal revenue bureau and
many indictments found against them. Kol-
lock was one Of the parties indicted. and
upon trial he was convicted and sentenced
to pay the fine mentioned above. wilkins
& Co., the firm composed of Joseph Will
kins and Walter p. wilkins, engaged
Messfs. Jeremiah Wilson and Henry z.
Davis to defend all the parties indicted, as
well as themselves. and in the case of Kol-
lock and several others Joseph wilkins be-
conclusivefy the relations as principals and
subordinates of the parties to one another
in respect to the offenses against the oleo-
margarine laws.
Frequent comment has been mada con
cernfng the tender consideration shown TO
wilkins & Co. under the policy of the in
ternai revenue authorities in constantly
accepting large sums of money from them
IN compromise instead of prosecuting them
Tor confessed violations OF the oIeomarga-
rine laws and regulations.
One Purchase.
Moreover. in working I'D the cases
against the oleo men the special agents of
the internal revenue bureau instead of be-
ing allowed to secure cumulative evidence
were instructed to content themselves with
occurring single sample of what was being
sold for butter by the suspected dealers
ana where such sample was found to pe
oleomargarfne to make out cases on the
single transaction. Thus the indicted par
ties were permitted when placed on trial to
set up the plea that the single sale of oleo-
margarine for butter was a mistake of
either themselves or their clerks, whoever
made the sale in question
The disinclination on the mart Of tho dis
tr1ct attorneys office to put the cases on
trial where the indictment is based on such
evidence can be understood but some of
the cases awaiting trial have, IT is believed.
much more evidence of a convincing so,t
and 1t Is regarded as desirable in the pub
lie interest that these cases should be
brought to trial and the weak ones nolle
pressed The evidence which is available
In the case against Joseph and Walter
Wilkins now under indictment is believed
10 be very strong, and now that Lusby,
koifock and the few other dupes of the
wholesale oleomargarine men who were
convicted have suffered, it is believed by a
large portion of the general public which
mas been victimized that the principal Of
judge and jury.