◆ SpookStack

b. Pe bog CGC O RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL INTERVIEW WITH Mr. ROBERT C. SOLOMON who resides at 810 South Glenwood ROBERT C. SOLOMON Aveme, Springfield, Tllinois, is presently the President a of Panther Creek Cc Coal ¢ _Company which | is located in Spring- field, also, Mr. SOLOMON maintains an office in the Ridgely Building and was interviewed by Special Agent SY © °12* ive * to any ‘approach which was made to him or to officials of hie company by RAY EDMUNDSON in 1957 relative to closing down the Panther_Creek Mines in order that they might be organized by the United Mine Workers of America. He was also interviewed for any de- tails concerning recent attempts by subject CARL H. ELSHOFF to purchase the Panther Creek Mines. Mr. SOLOMON, who was very cooperative, advised that he had heard that his brother, GEORG. SOLON, who is now dead, was approached by RAY JD- _ MUNDSON several years a7c, and at thet tins ECMUNDSON attempted to persuade .. ry _ +t w “ r . : + ‘ him to shut down the fanther Creek Mines L. order that organization of these mines could be undertaken by the United Mine Workers of America. The Panther Creek Mines according to ifr. SULOM@! have been organized by the Progressiys Mine Workers of Amerjz since the inception of this union in 1932, possible purchase of the Panther Creek Mines were made by Mr. HARRY a representative of the Baltimore & Chio Railroad Co. who resides in Tllinois. Mr, ALLEN first approached Mr. SOLOMON regarding this matter in the summer of 1941. According to Mr. SOLOMON, ALLEN WAA _reaponsible for bring- ing ELSHOFF into the picture, ELSHOFF had several telephonic conversations with Mr. SOLOMON during a period of several] months relative to the proposal to purchase the mine. In the initial stages they were particularly interestec in the Auburn Mine which, although shut down, was potentially a very produc- tive mine. & Mr, SOLOLMICN informed that the first negotiations relative to ge icago During these negotiatio - SOLOMON stated that he was repre- sented by two attorneys, Mr. L. EFFERLE and Mr. JOHN Wg BARBER, who have offices in the Reisch Building. « SOLOMON stated that he’ finally insisted that if ELSHOFF were actusliy interested in the purchase of his mines that oa they have a conference. This conference was held on June 11, 1942, in the _—/" offices of the Panther Creek Company at which time Mr. SOLOMON wos present with his two attorneys, and ELSHOFF alone. There they came to a more or less definite agreement as to what the proposition would be and letters were ex- changed regarding the same, the originals of which were obtained from Mr. At that time Mr. SOLOMON stated that he desired to know just what the financial ability of ELSHOFF was to enter into such a contract which would involve at least $400,000.00. Mr. SOLOMON stated that he asked Mr. ELSHOFF where he would obtain the money and ELSHOFF told him, "You ought to mow", Mr. SOLOMON informed that it was common kmowledge around Springfield ao —— - 453 -