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RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL bIcy ban INTERVIEW ‘YITH "Because I worked nights, I never attended any Progressive , couse Union meetings and have no knowledge of the relations be- continue tween the Progressive officials and the PMA membership. Night men were exempt from union meetings. "Never heard or se enything of eny alleged union spies or was approached by anyon> to change my union affiiiations before the etrike. "Ny only knowledge of the wage scale controversy in the Spring of 1937 was whet I saw in the papers. I rever knew of any meeting held on the night of Mey 11, 1937 at which any members were expelled. The first I knew of the strike wis when I reported for work on the afternoon of May 12. "I have no knowledge or memory of ever signing any petition show- ing preference for either the PMA or the UMNA. “During the time the PUA was picketing the mine in 1937 I spent about two weeks out there off and on. After a while I went over to the Pan- ther Creek #2 mine where I worked until Ming B started up again. I retained my PMA membership over at Panther Crsek'#2- securing a transfer. “when I returned to Mine B it was working under en “open shop” agreement. But after working a while I saw that all the men were joining UMMA and I decided that I might as well get on the bandwaggon to save my job. I didn't care which union I worked for_ all I wanted was to work and didn't care who I paid dues to. *, "I heard that the mine was going to reopen in the fall of 1937 — but I was working already at Fanther Creek #2 and didn't bother to go out. "I remember the election held in the fall of 1937 (which the agents tell me was on December 15) I voted in that election and thought that it was conducted fairly and squarely. I remember that the United Miners got only 25 votes end I believe that represented the feeling on unions at the mine at the time. However, I don't think that most of the miners knew what the election was all about, "I also ranember the second National Labor Relations Board elec- tion early in 1941. I also voted in this election and believe thet it was elso conducted on the square. *r don't care who knows how I voted. The firat time I voted for PA and the second time I woted for UMWVA. "I wes never at any time intimidated, threatened or coerced by either union at any time during all these years. - 335 « Tra Nae NN te tN — ety gre magn Ee SEP FO SE a ee re gE I