◆ SpookStack

was a purpose on the part of Lewis and Elshoff to use this technique not only in an individual case but as a general means whereby the Progressive organization in Illinois would be driven to the wall. 2. It becomes probable that we can discover evidence which will establish that Lewis had connived with Elshoff prior to the closing of Mine "B™ on May 12, 1957. Mr. Ryan told Mr. Coleman and Mr. Doyle in oonfidence that sometime prior to the closing of the mine, he believes in February, 1937, Edmundson approached him with the proposition that if he would close down Mine "4", the U.M.W, would subsidize him during the shut-down. Mre Ryan said that he flatly rejected the proposition with the statemnt, "I want to be able to co hame, put my head on a pillow and go to sleep at night". (It was not clear whether he stated this as a matter of conscience or through fear of being dynamited as a result of inter-union warfare.) It is believed “and hoped that Mrs Ryan will release his confidence in this respect and voluntarily make this statement to the grand jury. Mr. Ryan gave Mre Colenan the following lead; The importance of evidence indicating connivance prior to the closing of Mine "B" cannot be overemphasized. From the stand- point of a jury trying this case, the reason for the strike of Mey 12, 1957, will be vital. The defense will insist that the strike was precipitated by a ezroup of radical and oriminal Progressive leaders, who were later convicted for dynamiting in the federal court, and that it was sound wiion policy to extend financial aid to the mine operator to prevent him fram going into bankruptoy, a result which, they would say, would jeopardize the job opportunities of all the miners and would bring disrepute upon unionism generally among the ooal operators and the general public, In this connection, it is noted that all the subjects contend that consideration of the “loans” was not broached until sometime in June, 1937, after the mine was shut down. It is obvious the ground will be cut from under this defense if pursuit of the two leads which Mr. Ryan gives us establishes that the subjects conspired prior to the closing of the mine.