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nanan aiilhinm 2 aetaf midline iieciam tc ieee cate 9 ee RE ES a ETN SAE ER Res JON L. LEWIS, ET aL. INTERVIEW WITH Special agent -: Septender', 1943 bo. GFORTS Fond, intcrviewed }ir. GEORGE REED, Vice President, Peabody C Chicago, Illinois, Coal Comapany, Room 2020, 231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, telephone numer andover 2345, Ur. FEED has some faint recollecticn that on two or three occaSions HaY FOMINISQY mertioned to him that he (EMO TISCIY Ree ee ar. Bs that he (EMSUDSC!) haved to seg ELSrUrF dead with Panther Creek Mines a Progressive Mine Workers of america mine, during the strike period at_ lige "2". Mr. REOD was mehle to recall the exact tame or instances when these remurks were made by EDANDSQ!:. He pointed out that since his company has dealt over a long period of years with the Dnited Line ‘forkers of america, which is now ‘eaded by Bi:7 EMTTe, he seos EDINTSH frequcntly and does considerabl: busivess with him. Concerning the price for which brokerage conl was suld to ULSHOr., REEC stated as follows: He said that ELSHUFF approached him for the purchase of coal from the Peabody Coal Company and tnat since ELSHUFF was a neighboring coal mine operator in the Vicinity of Springfield and since it is the custom of one coal mine to help out ancther during @ strike shutdowm or mine Cisaster, he agreed with BLSdOFF thet he would sell him some coal, How- ever he did not agree to sell him all the coal that ELSHOFF wanted. Mr. REED further stated that since he was doubtful of ELSHOFF's financial status and ability to pay, that he wrote up a letter which was in the nature of an agreement or contract, addressed to ELSHOFF, stating the terms upon which coal would be sold. He could not recall the exact terms of the letter or the prices stated. He said that he did not know what price LLSHOFF had purchased broxcrage coal for from the Panther Creek Mines, He also stated that he was positive that he would not allow ELSHOFE any such exorbitant figure as 50¢ a ton for coal. He said that during ‘part of the time when ELSHOFF was purchasing brokerage coal that his company became very doubtful of DLSHOFF's financial status and ability to pay; that at this timc when orders for coal were received from ELSHOFF, the Poabody Coal Company actually loaded the cars, directed them to the purchaser, collected the purchase price from the purchaser, and then returned to LLSHOFF his commission, Yr. REED further advised that when he first talked with ELSHOFF concerning the purchase of brokerage coal, that he told him that in view of his financial status LLSHUOFF might have to pay cash in advance for any coal purchased from Peabody. Mr. REED also stated that he has often wondered how ELSHOFF was able te pay the royalties due on Hine "B" while it was shut down, but morc astounding than that, he has often wondered how oLSHOFF was able to vntertain as lavishly and in as much extravagance as he did. He said that ELSHOFF never rented a room in a hotel, but always rentcd a suite, ~L63-