◆ SpookStack

RE: JOHN L. LEIS, ET AL 4 INTERVIE. aIT: a oh ad at at wine 3 since le “O00 make a feir witness, heving good command of tht Bnslish lanmazge, a fair abilit; to ex ress himself, a fair appear- ance and an intelligence above average of miners. He zave information set forth the followin; simed statenent: "Springficld, Il2. Au cust 31, 1545. IT make the follovine statement » Who have identificd them- 2 deral Bureau of Investigation. No promises, tur. ats, or consideration of any kind has been made to me to make this statement. I am willin:, if necessary, to go to court and repeat any part of this statement. "I started workin; at Fine 8 in ee when the local went over to the rrogressive Mine workers of America from the United Mine Wo-kers. At that time I was not particularly anxious to join the Pf’ of & but I was work- ins at the mine and the Pi, of h had the contr..ct, so I had to stay in the FI'y in order to cee» my job. In 1937 when the strike was called, however, Twas satisfied with the Frozressive Mine -iorkers of America, and local #54. If I had a chanee to have changed unions at the time of the strike, I would not hav changed unions, SIs not particularly interest.d in the unions affairs. I was nev.r an officer of the local. I did not attund nectinys regularly. When the strike was cellod in way 1937, I was down below working on recovering some track. I had not heat that there was poins to bo a strike. There had not bei any discussion about wages or a disacmeenent, and so I was complatel; surprised then I was called ont, When I -ot out of the mine I asked a little aoout it, and unt home. I do not recall what they told me that the strikc was cailed for. I vas satisfied with the way thins were going at that tine. I went on home, and I do not think that I+ nt out to tue rine again after that. I was not interested in the quarrels out there, and did not ant to go on a picket line. In the fall of 1937 when they ate tenpted to open the minc, I vas out in the country and did not hear about it until a few days later. I did not go out and sit on the o’cket line or stay on th: compeny -ro,erty. IT hesrd about the fogmation of a U7 local, but no one asked me to join it, and I did not take mich interest in it.