Evening star., 1898-02-11
ANOTHER $1,000 ADDED
Joseph Wilkins Raises His Compromise Offer
to $4,000.
Desperate Effort to Escape Facing
Prosecution for Fragrant Viola
tions of Oleomargarfne Laws.

Joseph Wilkins of the firm of Wilkins &
Co.. the oleom argarine dealers of this city,
who is under indictment in Philadelphia in
connection with Howard Butler. an en-
ploye of the firm of Wilkins & Co., for
fagraut violations of the oleoma rearine
laws, and who is also jointly indicted with
his brother, Walter P. Wilkins, for similar
alleged offenses in the District of Columbia,
has again attempted to escape prosecution
by Offering to pay hush money to the in
ternal revenue authorities of the United
States. Ever since Wilkins and Butler were
caught in Philadelphia by Special Agents
Bowen aud Van Horn of the internal rev.
enue bureau in the act of stripping tubs
containing oleomargarine of the internal
revenue stamps and other distinguishing
marks reQuiI ed to be placed and kept there
on by the laws of the United States, vigor-
cEs efforts have been made 10 prevent the
case ever coming to trial
The Reasons.
This has been because of a fear of the
parties involved that the f1agrancy of their
offenses would necessitate the imposition Of
terms of imprisonment, well rs fines. If
they were convicted The question of the
payment of money penalty for the illegal
selling of oleomargarin has never bothered
men engaged in the business particle.
because the profits accruing from the sale of
oleomargarine for real butter were so great
that they could easily meet any money de-
mands in the shape of penalties that migh
be made upon them
The mere idea of prison bars, however,
placed new complexion On the condition
of things. and the desperation with which
Joseph Wilkins is endeavorins to escape
trial on the charges preferred by Special
Agents Bowen and Van Horn is generally
| regarded to be inspired by the apprehension
of a probable sentence of imprisonment in
case of their conviction.
| Futile Effort in November.
In November last Joseph wilkins or his
representative offered the internal revenue
authorities $1,000 to withdraw the cases.
That was virtually the meaning of the Of
fer. The internal revenue authorities. 1t
will be remembered, favored the accept
ance of this offer and the Treasury Depart
ment decided to accept it. when the Secre-
tary Of Agriculture, James Wilson, inter-
posed strenuous objection to such pro-
cedure. with the result that Attorney Cen
eral McKenna declined TO consider the
recommendation of the Treasury Depart
inent that the cases be compromised. Now
while Secretary Wilson is absent from
Washington and Immediately upon the in
coming of new Attorney General, wilkins
or his representatives has made another
offer to compromise the cases. this time
the amount proffered being 5000. When
the action taken in November by Attorney
General Mckenna is considered 1t seems
hardly creditable that such offer could
even be entertained but the fact remains
that 1t is being entertained and favorably
by the internal revenue authorities
The attention of Attorney General Griggs
has been called to the facts surrounding the
Wilkins case, and the probabilities are that
ro action will be taken upon it until Sec
retary of Agriculture Wilson returns to
Washington.