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bra Birector =Z2- JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL entered into a vigorous organisation campaign, in which subjects ELSHOFF and FALCETTI allegedly assisted by favoring the UMW. wenbers, and hindering the P.M.A4. employees in every way. In February, 1941 following some violence an N.L.R.B. election was « held and the U.M.W. was selected as bargaining Agent. Mine A adjoins Mine B and is connected unjerground h Mine B in several places. In the summer of 1941, WILLIAK RYAN sold his interest in Mine A to subject ELSHOFT for the sum of 000 which was furnished by the U.M.W. at LERWIS' direction. At thet time, Mine A was closed by seasonal closure. When the mine closed at the end of the former contract period, Mine A had been operated on a closed shop contract with the P.M.A. About 10 days following the announcement of the purchase of Mine A by ELSHOFF, the miners at Mine A joined the United Mine Workers, and Mine A was reopened. This occurred in the first two weeks of September, 1941. The circunstances involved in the miners at Mine A changing unions at this time are not fully known, and involve one of the circumstances in this case possibly indicating a conspiracy among subjects to violate the civil rights of the miners. After the announcement of subject ELSHOFF's operation of Mine A was made, rumors spread quickly that Mine A was to be closed, and that the coal was to be taken from Mine A through Mine B, a condition which was known to be possible by the miners in Mine A. This was spread by impression among the P.UM.A. miners that ELSHOFF favored the U.M.¥. and would not operate with P.M.A. men. A rumor started that Mine 4 could be reopened if it would be operated by U.M.W. personnel. Two meetings were held of the P.M.A. local at the P.M.A. hall. At the first meeting a committee was appointed to contact ELSHOFF, which was unable to reach him. At the second meeting, the members all seened to feel that they must change in order to worke A new committee was appointed which evidently reported to EDMUNDSON and arranged for a meeting held at Redman‘s Hall, occasionally used by the U.M.W. EDMUNDSON reportedly spoke to the local at that meeting. Another meeting was held at the Elk's Club soon thereafter when the men voted to ¢ also addressed that meeting. at both of these meetings, and may also have ed to EDMUNDSON with committee. Following the last meeting ETRUNDSON called ELSHOFF and negotiations were made that night for signing of a contract for Mine A - CO i Se ne pee pee neg me A Paap mer eae nee em eo