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BU 44-5 in turn, withdrew their objection to the election which had been requested of the National Labor Relations Soard by the UMW. RYDER stated that this decision on the part of KANE was more impor- tant to him as a dispute, pacifier, inasmuch as the NLEB was, at that time, in a peculiar position. ‘his peculiar position, he advised, had been brought about by the fact that, although on the basis of a past election the NLRB had designated the PYWA as the sole bargaining agent at "B” Mine, recent claims by the UMW had stated that this organization now had » substantial majority of the workers concerned. RYDER stated that he had never seen any documentary evidence of this majority, nor, to his knowledge, had any other official of the NLRB received a list of names for review at this time. RYDER” stated that, nevertheless, the NLRB had been looking for some convenient method to settle the dispute and allow for an election, inasmuch as it seemed obvious that an election was the only method whereby further, state-wide bloodshed might be prevented. RYDER continued by saying thet as a result of the arbitrary plan submitted by KARE, an election was held, inasmuch as the third point in his plan withdrew the PKW objections to this election; and that, as a result of the election, the UMWA were designated as the sole bargaining agent at "B" Mine. At this point, RYDER was pressed es to the reason for KANE'S erbitrary suggestion, inasmuch as KANE could have claimed that a previous NLRS decision had appointed the PMWA as the sole bargainine agent, and also inasmuch as at the time it was obvious to everycne concerned that an election would result in a UMW victory. RYDER stated thet he was unable to explain this decision on the part of KANE, inasmuch as the "3" Mine was per- haps the "key" mine in Illinois. RYDER, however, stated that the workers concerned were tired of the long and bloody dispute; that school children of the different factions were experiencing great difficulties in working to- gether in schools;end that, in ceneral, the trend on the part of the PMW was a desire to go to work peacefully regardless of to whom they owe their allegiance. RYDER explained that KANE was conscious of this spirit on the part of the workers and that he was further conscious of the fact that, while the Propreasive Mine Workers were entering increased financial difficulties, the United Mine Yorkers appeared to be growing financially stronger, and that, as the PMY were unable to pay sick and death benefits, etc., their power in - the state was rapidly vanishing. RYDER stated that he believed KANE had sug- eested his arbitrary plan in an effort to salvage some portion of the prestige of the Phir. During the above interview MEYER S. RYDER indicated a number of fersonal opinions, although it was determined throughout the conversation that these opinions were based upon no definite fects or documents and that their utility in court would be negligible. RYDER advised that, in his opinion, the “B" Mine Company, a8 represented by its owner, CARL H. FLSHOFF, was pro-UMW. he stated that this was a natural tendency on the part of the ~4-