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Re; JOEN L. LEWIS, ET al, serum oi interviewed on August 25, 194 pecia.. Azerts Waaames He app..rently ¥ "LAL avorable . presents a zo0d appeararse, is “nielligent and willing to testify. ihe Signec statement furnislted by hm is set forth as follows: Tllinois 25, 1943 make the following voluntary statenent whom I know to be Special Avents of ma tilinois. J was born a inois. I ama citizen of tie United ALES, “T first joined the Un te@ Mine Workers of America, referred to hereinafter as the U. M. W., i. while I was employed at Mine B, Springfielc, Illinois. I yorker’ rnder the U. WM. Ww. at Mine 5. until 1922, at which time IJ was desin we o. changing to the Progressive, Hine Workers of America, referred to hereinafter as P. M. WW. I continued to work wider the PLvu. W. until are (ncluding September 27, 1937. "T left the U. MM. WwW. ir. 1932, because I felt that the majority of tne idners in Mine 3. wanted to join the P. if. W., and because I felt ~ shat I wouid receive no benefit fur workin: under a union which was can- trolled by Jonn L. Levis. "The miners were assested 15 per cent of our salaries the first vear we worked uncer the P. i. Y., and though I felt that this was a large bum of isney to be taken cub of my salary by a union, still I felt that the P, MN. WwW. made such an ¢saessnent to build up their organization. Tris was all right with me. J hald no office either with the U. uM. W, or the P. 7% W. I have not Seen interested in union affairs. After the first year uncer the P, M. W., union d@es were cheaper thereafter than under the U. Me. OW. "Conditions and relations were very good between local 54 of the P. uw. W. and the U. KW. frow September, 1932 to April 1937. "Ly last d.y .t Hine B, was on Se,tenber 27, 1937. I received notice that the mine war going to re-open on September 27, 1937, because I saw a notice to this cffect in the newspapors, and because the whistles at the mine blew. Therefore, I went te the nine on this morning to report to work at saven olclock, oiled my machinery and just bofore eight o'clock on this date I approached the top boss at the mine in charge of all erpicyecs 7