The Rhinelander Daily News from Rhinelander, Wisconsin • Page 1

THE WEATHER Generally fair tonight slightly cottier tonight In southwest pcrtion. THE RHINELANDER DAILY NEWS SIX PAGES TODAY full Leased Wife of The Associated Presi TWENTIETH 31 RHINELANDER, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 17, 1937 Nebraska Officers Nab Fleeing Bandits Bank Robbery Suspects of New York City Captured Bloodlcssly. U. S. Agent Is Shot G-Man Wounded Four Times in Postofftce Lobby Gun Battle.

OMAHA, April 17 bank robbery suspects of New York City, who shot their way out of a G-men's trap at Topeka, seriously wounding a federal agent, were spirited away from here early today by federal agents in two cars following their bloodless capture last night by two country officers. The agents were seen traveling dowiv the Iowa side of the Missouri river in the direction of Kansas City. which-gave rse to. a belief they were taking the pair to Topeka. In apprehending them, the officers successfully played a "hunch" the fugitives from the nation's largest city would get lost in the crisscross streets of a small Nebraska town.

H. B. Fletcher, federal agent in charge here, identified the pair as Robert Suhay, 26, and Alfred Powers, 45. They are charged, Fletcher said, with conspiring with Raymond McNeely and others to rob the Katonah, N. bank and with the $18,000 robbery of the bank last March 18th.

Nabbed in New York. McNeely was arrested in New York yesterday by federal agents. Seized without resistance, he was arraigned before a U. S. commissioner and ordered held under $2,000 bond.

Powers and Suhay, for -whom officers staged an intensive search after a furious gun battle yesterday in the lobby the Topeka post- office in which 'Federal Agent Wayne W. Baker, 27, was shot four times and a bystander wounded in the foot, were apprehended' at Plattsmouth, 25 miles south of Omaha, by Sheriff Homer Sylvester and his brother, Cass, a deputy sheriff. The sheriff said the men had about $11,000 in their possession. The Sylvesters said they trailed cv men miles, 'haltea car on the outskirts of Plattsnibuth rfnd called the two to' surrender. The men, the sheriff said, stepped from the car, hands upraised.

Sylvester took from each a loaded .38 caliber pistol. He said both admitted they were the men who escaped from the Topeka trap set by federal agents. They also admitted, he said, having forced Dr. S. M.

Hibbard at Sabetha, late yesterday to dress a gunshot wound in Suhay's left wrist and driving off with the doctor's car. Tangled in Streets. Warned by the federal bureau of investigation office at Omaha to be on the lookout for the pair, the sheriff and his brother drove to a filling station eight miles south of Plattsmouth on Highway 75 early last night and waited there. Shortly after 9 o'clock, the sheriff related, the car bearing the two men passed by. The' Sylvesters, armed with pistols and a rifle, trailed behind hoping the criss-cross streets of Plattsmouth, which has a population of 3,793, might prove a trap.

"We were hoping," said the sheriff, "the men would get tangled up in the side streets and that's what they did do. They weaved around and finally found themselves headed through a railroad underpass. Apparently realizing they were headed into the Missouri river, they stopped. "Then my brother and I jumped out and pointing my rifle at them, 1 hollered, 'come out with your hands They got out with their hands in the air." Dirksen Flays Silk Breeches At Coronation If U. S.

Diplomats Wear Them, 'I Hope the Seams Says He. WASHINGTON, April 17 Rep. Everett M. Dirksen a blunt-spoken son of the middle west, voiced caustic comments today at suggestions that American diplomats don knee breeches at the coronation of King George VI. "If our representatives do wear them," he snorted, "I hope those silk pants split down the seams when they have to genuflect" What prompted Dirksen's blast was the state department's decision that the United States delegation could abide, if the members wished, by the sartorial regulations laid down by the court of St.

James. Why Not Loin Cloth? President Roosevelf's appointees to the coronation are: James W. Gerard, special ambassador; General John J. Pershing, and Admiral Hugh Rodman. "I don't think our diplomats should go native in London," Dirksen expanded.

"If they do, then our ambassador to Siberia ought to wear a high hat, spats, a loin cloth and nothing else." Fancy clothes and titles have never meant much to Dirksen. Three years ago he almost missed a White house party because he didn't have a dress suit. Dirksen suggested that should the American emmissaries decide to abide by court orders, they buy the same kind of silk pants that football players use. "From what I hear about some of the dancing partners you get across the water," he said, "they might get a set of baseball shin guards. They'll probably need them." RAIL STRIKE IS POSTPONED BY UNION BOSSES Federal Mediation Board Air Grievances on Tuesday.

Two Unions Differ SAN FRANCISCO, April 17 A federal mediation board, appointed to investigate a Southern Pacific railway labor dispute, found the way to intervention cleared today by last minute union action in postponing a strike of 8,500 employes. Two dissatisfied brotherhoods called off the proposed walkout yesterday less than two hours before it was to become effective on company lines from' Portland, to El Paso, and eastward from here to Ogden, Utah. The emergency mediation board, appointed under the railway labor act, called a meeting Tuesday to hear grievances presented by the brotherhoods of firemen. and trainmen. Postponement of the strike was announced jointly by C.

V. McLaughlin and C. H. Smith, respective vice president of the firemen and trainmen, who mentioned "public interest and advices from Washington as well as the urgent request" of Southern Pacific President A. D.

McDonald. Officials of the brotherhoods of engineers and conductors opposed the strike. The complaining unions charged the carrier failed to comply with previous mediation board awards, had made Secret agreement with the engineers and conductors, and had refused to let officials of the firemen and trainmen represent members in controversies. Japan Aroused At Purse Thief April 17 de'-' radio appear to the conscience of a pickpocket who stole an address book and more than 200 yen ($57.18) from Helen Keller, the blind educator, at Yokohama before she came here Thursday. Miss Keller asked authorities to redouble their efforts to find the book because it contains the names of many American and foreign friends.

The newspaper Asahi, commept- ing on the theft, said: "In Japan we have a phrase, 'chivalrous but the offense against the holy American woman who brought light and hope to the world's millions of deaf, dumb and blind is the crime of an unchival- rous robber, amounting to a national shame. "We suspect the crime was committed by a delinquent boy incapable of distinguishing the miracle woman from dthers." SOVIET IS MUM ON WAR ORDER Refuse Comment on Shipment of Battleship Materials to Russia. PRICE FIVE CENTS GMand Union Confer Today With Hepburn Peace Conference Scheduled This Afternoon in To' ronto Office. OSHAWA, April 17 General Motors of Canada, representatives of the company's 3,700 strikers today accepted Premier Mitchell Hepburn's invitation to a 2 p. m.

peace conference in his Toronto office, Hepburn's invitation followed the United Automobile Workers decision to withdraw from its ing committee Hugh Thompson, De- UAW UNION TO FILE CHARGES AGAINST FORD 'We Will Have Ford on the Run by Martin Declares. Campaign Pushed DETROIT, April 17 drive to unionize employes of the Ford Motor company proceeded today and the United Automobile Workers of America said it would file charges against the independent whom Hepburn producer with the national labor repeatedly called a "foreign agita tor." RA Acquisition Means Payment Of Back taxes Ten Counties to Get $19,024 in Delinquent Tax under Purchase Contract. MILWAUKEE, April 17 I. Nowell, regional director of the federal resettlement administration, said today acquisition of 106,500 acres of privately owned land in Wisconsin by the RA will result in the payment of $19,024 in back tax- c.s to 10 counties. The land will used for two wild life refuges, three national forests and enlargement of Camp McCoy.

Counties which will benefit by the delinquent tax payments to be made as part of the purchase contract are: Bayfield, Sawyer, Florence, Forest, Monroe, Lanjlade, Oconlo, Vilas, Juneau and Wood. CRAZED MAN SHOT CHICAGO, April 17 A police radio squad fought a gun battle in the pitch darkness of a basement flat early today, fatally wounding Henry Merritt, 41, a rooming house proprietor who, the police said, was crazed by liquor. Policeman Thurston Doll, 30, was shot in the mouth. His wound was reported not serious. MOSeow, April.

The Soviet c'ommisariat of defense declined today to comment on the Washington state department announcement that two American firms had asked permission to fill Russian orders for battleship materials. "No information is available," was the curt reply to questions concerning the announcement. (In Washington the state department said representatives of two unidentified firms had been told licenses for export of the battleship parts probably would be issued upon request, (The government objected, however, to a contractual clause specifying that United States navy officials test armor guns before delivery. Officials said specifications for 16-inch guns would need clarifying as to whether they were intended for an expanded soviet' naval program.) In the past the Soviets have been interested primarily in a defense navy to protect a few vulnerable coastal areas. It was pointed out the situation may have been altered by the rapid development of the Soviet merchant marine and by Soviet embarrassment at inability to protect shipping in Spanish waters.

The insurgent sinking of the Soviet steamer Komsomol Dec. 14 in the Mediterranean still rankles in Moscow. IN ONTARIO CABINET STRIKE PURGE AUTO SPILLS; DIES. WAUKESHA, April 17 i Charles Larson, en route to his farm hojne near Mukwonago from Milwaukee, was killed last night when his truck swerved from the road, struck a telephone pole and tree, and then turned over. The mishap occurred on Highway 74 near here.

Because they indicated unwillingness to join the Ontario premier's stern opposition to the strike of General Motors employes at Oshawa, Minister of Labor David A. Croll, right, and Attorney General Arthur W. Roebuck, above, were asked to resign from the Ontario provincial government. Premier Mitchell F. Hepburn requested them to leave so his cabinet would be solidly behind him in his fight "against the forces of John L.

Lewis and communism." The Oshawa strike was sponsored by the U. A. W. affiliated with the Lewis. Committee lor Industrial Organize-j tion.

A similar conference slated tot, last Saturday failed to materialize when Hepburn, outspoken opponent of John L. Lewis' labor movement, refused to let Thompson come into his office. Homer Martin. U. A.

W. A. president, decided, last night to send C. H. Millard, president of the union's Oshawa local, and J.

L. Cohen, the union's Canadian counsel, to the premier's office. Both Millard and Cohen arc Canadians. PERKINS CALLS LABOR PARLEY Will Union, Industrial Chiefs to Discuss Bargaining. WASHINGTON, April 17 Secretary Perkins counted 19 acceptances today from leaders of labor and industry for a conference Tuesday on problems of collective bargaining between employers and workers.

The latest to accept were Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohio; C. M. Chester, chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers, and John L. Lewis, head of the Committee for Industrial'Or- ganization. Still to be heard from was President William Green of the American Federation of Labor.

Office associates said they did not know whether he expected to attend. TKe" meeting is an outgrowth supreme court validation of -the Wagner act, which guarantees to workers the right of collective bargaining. Labor Board Resentful. One official of the national labor relations which administers the act, said the members "felt rather keenly" the fact that Miss Perkins had called such a conference without consulting the board. Labor department officials said the conference was not called with any thought of infringing on the field of the labor board.

Miss Perkins said the conference was called with the view of stabilizing industrial relations under the Wagner act by drawing on the experiences of labor, leaders and industrialists who have handled wage and hour bargaining negotiations. Willard and' Averill Harriman, chairman of Union Pacific, will give the railroads representation at the conference. Walter C. Teagle of Standard Oil; William Bye, general counsel for the Carnegie-Illinois Steel corporation; Charles O'Neill, president of the Central Pennsylvania Coal Producers association, and Clarence Wooley of the American Radiator company, will be present. relations board.

"We will have Henry Ford definitely on the run by Monday," said Homer Martin, U. A. W. A. president, at Oshawa, where he went in connection with the General Motors of Canada, strike.

Start Legal Action? He did not discuss the nature of the proposed charges against the i company, but at Detroit Ed Hall, a union vice-president, said it was likely action would be taken in connccton with the beating of union members employed in the Ford plant at Kansas City this week. The U. A. W. A.

intensified its campaign to enroll Ford workers following the supreme court's upholding of the Wagner national labor relations act, which provides that a labor organization having a majority of the workers shall be the collective bargaining agency. "We have organized several thousand Ford workers already," declared Walter Reuther, president the local union whose area includes the main Ford plant in suburban Dearborn. In an interview following the court decision Ford said his em- ployes were "free to join anything" but repeated his statement that it was "foolish" to join a union and that it would deprive them of their Ford said "international financiers" were promoting unions to stifle industrial competition. Martin, whose U. A.

W. A. is one of the largest unions in John L. Lewis' Committee for Industrial Organization, also said the La Follette civil liberties committee would be asked to investigate Ford's re- lations with his employes. I As part of its program to organ- I ize Ford workers, Reuther said, the union will hold mass meetings "to 'discuss problems and formulate de- WITNESS WAS 'THREATENED? Senate Committee May Take Action; Intimidation Is Charged.

WASHINGTON, April 17 senate civil liberties committee considered today whether to take action against a Harlan county, coal official accused of trying to intimidate one of its witnesses. During the committee's inquiry into anti-union activities in Kentucky's mountainous coal fields, Richard C. Tackett declared Ted Creech of the R. W. Creech Coal company had threatened to have him imprisoned for testimony he had given.

Creech, called to reply to the accusation, said Tackett "told me he got drunk and made a statement to the court here and didn't know what he was talking about." Tackett had testified that t'h chief deputy of the Harlan Coal Operators' association hired him to dynamite" the home of -a union organizer. He told the committee that while he stood outside the hearing room, Creech said to him, "you've fixed the coal operators," and that "he was going to have me back'in Harlan county and have me sent up for; a while." I Robert L. Bonham, U. S. deputy marshal who has custody of Tack- ett because he is under a peace bond at home, testified he overheard the conversation.

Bonham testified he had been with Tackett constantly and had not heard him make a statement to Creech that he had been drunk. Michigan Company to Operate Veneer Plant 60-40 Chance for Peace Is Seen by French Politician Member of Chamber of Deputies Gives Address at Beloit. BELOIT, April 17 Andre Philip of the University of Lyons, France, told 250 delegates to the Midwest Conference of International Relations club last night a "60-to-40" chance for world peace exists today. Philip, a member of the French chamber of deputies, predicted a European economic and disarmament conference by next winter if the present Spanish situation can be relieved in the next three months. Delegates from 38 colleges in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana arc attending the two-day session.

Dr. James Garner, political science head at the University of Illi- nois, said embargoes and restrictions on foreign trade are no insurance against war. He criticised Senator Nye's proposed law ignores moral issues and gress as "based too much on the policy of scuttle and run to the storm cellar. It treats all belligerents, aggressors and their victims alike, and thereby encourages potential aggressors." Professor Garner said the pro- poser law ignores moral issues and contributes nothing to the prevention of war. "It is submitted." he continued, "that a sounder policy would be one which seeks by consultation and co-operation to prevent war from breaking out, instead of one which assumes an attitude of indif- 1 fcrence and goes on the theory that once war has broken out we can by a unilateral policy of isolation keep out if we wish to do so." Reuther flew over the main Ford plant yesterday and through an amplifier appealed to workers as they changed shifts to join union the COMPROMISE IS AGAIN OFFERED Kansas Senator Brings Forth Latest Substitute for Court Plan.

WASHINGTON, April 17 Senator McGill (D-Kans.) offered today a new proposal for a compromise on the Roosevelt court bill just before the senate judiciary committee met to decide whether to close its long hearings. McGill, one of the uncommitted members holding the balance of power on the committee, suggested President Roosevelt be allowed to appoint two new supreme oo justices if those over 75 do not retire. Two of the other non-commital committee Hatch (D-N. and McCarran (D-Nevj offered somewhat similar compromises of the president's proposal to appoint six new members to the court unless justices over 70 withdraw. Opposition senators said submission of these compromise proposals indicated the reluctance of these uncommitted legislators to accept the Roosevelt proposal and their desire to find "a way out" which would be satisfactory to the administration.

A decision by the committee to close its hearings was expected to clear the way for its consideration of the bill in closed sessions. Senator McGill said his proposed amendment to the Roosevelt bill would remove most of the objections which have been raised. His amendment would permit the appointment of additional members of the court whenever it contained justices more than 75 years oid, provided that no administration could select more than two. Hatch's proposal would limit. presidential appointments under the Roosevelt bill to one a year.

McCarran has offered an amendment to provide for an unconditional increase of two justices. BANISH PRINCE: FEAR TROUBLE Rumanian Government Exiles Nicholas; Pro-Nazi Coup Feared. BUCHAREST, Rumania, April 17 Rumanian government, fearing a pro-Nazi coup, was ready for any eventuality today as political repercussions of the banishment of ex-Prince Nicholas created tension throughout the nation. were apprehensive that the banned Rightist "iron angered because its representatives were not consulted before Nicholas was exiled for refusing to renounce his commoner wife, might challenge the government. In session, the cabinet the government, to.

"repress with the s'lt'ongesY measures" any political disturbances fostered by the "iron guard." Tension in the capital was partially relieved by the release of Prof. Alexander Gerota, who publicly opposed the government's action stripping Nicholas of his royal rank. Gerota was released from jail pending trial. Involve King Carol. (In Belgrade, Yugoslavia, dispatches from Rumania declared a wave of protest against King Carol's association with Magda Lupescu had swept the nation after Nicholas was read out of the royal family.

Authoritative Belgrade reports said Prof. Gerota was arrested because he asserted. in his magazine "My Creed" that Nicholas' marriage to a commoner was a minor matter compared with the king's long association with Mme. Lupescu.) The only outward indication of government precautions was strict police control of political meetings. After the government ban, guard- ists formed a new party, "all for the with General Zizi Con- tacuzino as president, and this group, they contend, was entitled to representation at the crown council meeting that decreed Nicholas' ouster.

Rumanian law provides that all recognized political parties shall have a voice in the council. PROSECUTOR IN OUSTER NAMED Bar Association Chief to Institute Proceedings against Sheriff. Gladstone Firm Leases Rhinelander Factory, with Option to Buy. Will Hire 150 Men Plant Being Reconditioned; Will Reopen in Three or Four Weeks. AUTO-TRAIN CRASH.

BURLINGTON, April 17 Weinborn, a farmer living at Bohner's Lake, was reported in a serious condition today as the result of an automobile-train crash at a Soo Line crossing here last night. Police said Joe Kelnhofer, a passenger in the car, was not injured seriously. MADISON, April 17 Gerald Hayes, president of the Milwaukee Bar association, was ap- pointed by Governor La Follette to- day to institute removal proceedings against Sheriff Edward J. Mitten, of Milwaukee county. Carl R.

Hampel, who was defeated by Mitten at the last election, charged the sheriff made false state- ments against him during the cam- paign in violation of the corrupt' practices act. The governor iss.ued a formal executive order 1 "filing of a removal action in which Hampel will be the plaintiff and Hayes will represent the state. The executive appointed Hayes on recommendation of Attorney General O. S. Loomis, who said in a report that Hampel has a probable cause of action against the sheriff.

Cooks, Waiters Continue Strike MILWAUKEE, April 17 trons of 17 Torres and New York coffee pot restaurants satisfied their appetites elsewhere today as a sit- down strike of cooks and waiters gripped the establishments for the second day. Striking workers spent the night on stools and counters while details of two or three policemen at each cafe stood on guard to prevent disturbances. John M. Alexander, president of the United Catering Workers of America, Local 324, a Committee for Industrial Organization affiliate, said the strike' was called in demand for recognition of the C. I.

O. group as the sole bargaining agent and a 25 per cent wage increase. Alexander said 85 per cent of the 100 workers are members of the C. I. O.

group. In two of the restaurants, he said, the crew was divided between American Federation of Labor members and the C. I. O. men walked out in these establishments, he said, and began picketing.

In the other 15 places he claimed a sitdown. Seven Torres cafes and 10 New York coffee pot restaurants are affected. Harley Forbes, receiver for the Wisconsin Veneer company and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce industrial committee, announced today that a lease on the veneer company property here, with option to purchase, has be'en negotiated with the Northwestern Veneer and Plywood corporation, of Gladstone, Mich. S. R.

Venne, president and general manager of the Gladstone firm, said today that his organization planned to operate the local plant as soon as necessary repairs are completed. He estimated that reconditioning of the plant would require three to four weeks. Will Employ 150. The leasing company expects to employ approximately 150 men. It will manufacture plywood shipping containers and commercial veeners from woodsrun hardwood logs of all species, for which they are now in the market and in position to take immediate delivery truck or rail.

The Gladstone firm took over the plant here yesterday and is now engaged in preparing it for operation. The veneer plant has been largely idle for more than three years, the only operations since early 1934 consisting of panel work of an inventory-liquidating character. The plant was rebuilt in 1928 and 1929 after a fire which destroyed the main structure. After operating for comparatively short periods annually after the reconstruction, the plant was closed down in March. 1934.

The reopening of the plant is being welcomed because of the increased employment opportunities made possible and because of the stimulation of local business which' it is felt will follow. Relief Next Major Problem Facing Budget Is Passed RECEIVE BACK PAY. WAUKESHA, April 17 Waukesha policemen and firemen received $17,105 in back pay last night, ending a four-year controversy. Thirty-three of the city fi're and policemen filed suit in March, 1936. The dispute began in 1933.

NO SHOOTING HEBE MADISON, April 17 This is a story about a robbery in which there were plenty of guns, but no shooting. An armed man walked into William Nicoles' shoot- ing gallery and robbed him of $32, Nicoles made no attempt to use any of his equipment. MADISON, April 17 With the labor bill enacted and the flexible budget bill on its way to passage, the legislature soon will tackle its third major problem relief. Governor Philip La Follette, back from a conference in Washington with President Roosevelt and executives of other states, began work this week on a special message dealing with the relief question, probably to be submitted to the lawmakers within a few days. Battle Lines Drawn.

While the president was ordering a general reduction in federal spending, battle lines were drawn in the state capitol on the administration's Wisconsin development authority plan after the governor's political opponents called it "another works bill." They recalled the protracted fight at the last session over the La Follette proposal to carry out a public works program through a state corporation. The administration attempt to rush action on the WDA bill, setting up a similar corporation to effectuate a comprehensive state power program, struck a snag in the dominantly Progressive assembly, which ordered' additional hearings on the measure. Assembly and senate committee will hear further argument next week on this proposition, which drew charges that WDA was so organized it could go into almost any kind of business. Speed Up Wheels. On other matters the lawmakers showed an inclination to speed up legislative wheels.

The assembly did a little tinkering with the $65,000,000 budget bill and then shot it over to the senate, where it was calendared for reception of amendments next Wednesday. Senate Progressives considered their forces sufficient to insure passage of the plan without substantial change. For the first time since the session began, both houses yesterday escaped the burden of new bills. The revision committees brought in the last stacks of legislation dumped in their hands a week ago at the deadline for introduction except by unanimous consent or by the joint finance committee. The total of bills now is near 1,300.

The senate finally caught up with its calendar by rushing through minor bills. SMASHfflREAr: TO 'LIFE LINE' Government Forces Seek to Drive Franco's Troops into Retreat. MADRID, April 17 infantry, artillery, tanks and planes were hurled today against the Teruel salient with which Gen. Francisco Franco had hoped to sever the "life line" between Valencia and the government ally, Catalonia. In a surprise maneuver, the Marid-Valencia forces were reported to have made a long advance intended to encircle Teruel, about 150 miles east of here, and force Franco's warriors to retreat back into the Aragon provinces.

At Huesca, the northeasternmost Aragon provincial capital, on the other flank of Franco's far-flung army, Catalan troops pressed attempts to ring the city. Massed squadrons of government planes attacked on the Teruel front. Many objectives were bombed and machine-gunned three or fqur times. Planes Drop Bombs. An air ministry communique said the airmen blasted at insurgent positions at Mount Santa Barbara, Gordo Hill and Celedas, all near Teruel.

The aerial onslaught also extended to the nearby town of Monreal Del Campo which was bombed seven times. Railway stations at Luco de Vilcoa and Calatayud were still other completed objectives. The gunners of Gen. Jose Miaja, the government commander on the Madrid-Central front, maintained a heavy shell fire on insurgent positions on Garabitas and Aguila hills in the Casa, de Campo sector, adjoining University City where 3,000 insurgents are trapped on the capital's western fringe. Devastating fire turned back all attempts to get food and ammunition into the beleaguered University City garrison.

Observers had expressed belief that an insurgent drive to the east coast, north of Valencia, would prove fatal to the government cause. Such a fear spurred the government troops as they shoved forward today toward Geladas, 10 miles northwest of Teruel, in the encircling movement to render Teruel untenable. ENDS 82ND YEAR OF WORK FOR RAILROAD MILWAUKEE. April 17 M. (Soda Ash) Horan, boiler washing inspector for the Milwaukee Road, celebrated today his 82nd year of continuous service with the railroad.

Horan, 99, went to work for the road in 1855. loading woc4 onto the wood-burning locomotives then in use. Road officials gave luncheon in bis honor today presented him with a gold buttun..