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fu? - 2 3m C Mr. Toleon im JOHN BDGAR HOOVER U! \e Mr. E. A. JFoum_ ’ Mr. Clege_' Pederkl Bureau of Investigatian Mr. eit beeen PWnited States Bepartment of Justice fm: Lad Mashinaton, B. €. Mr. Nis oo Mr. Hosen Mr. Tracy September 8, 1943 , Mr. Acars Mr. Carson Mr. Harbo MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR Mr. Hendon O Mr. Mumford bre. RE: JOHN LO IEWIS, ST AL Mr. Starke CIVIL RICHTS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ¢ Mr. Quinn Tamm_ | . Tele. Room , ° Mr. Nease As you know, investigation is presently being conducted wiss Beshm in accordance with the desires of the Attorney General into Miss Gandy charges that John L. Lewis and certain other officers of the United Mine-Workers of America and Carl H, Elshoff, owner of Mine BCoul”” Company, Springfield, Tliinois, conspired during the years 1937 to 1941 in violation of the Civil Rights Statutes to injure and oppress Elshoff's employees in the free exercise of the rights secured to them by the National Iabor Relations Act. It is alleged that Lewis paid the sum of $225,000 to Elshoff from the years 1937 to 1941 with the intent to induce Elshoff to im- pose unfair labor practices upon his employees, who were at that time members of the rival union, the Progressive Mine Workers of America. INVESTIGATION AND INTERVIEWS WITH MINERS The Springfield Office has now submitted a report in excess of 500 4 this matter, and investi gation is being vigorously pursued in hat the matter may be completed by September 25, 1943, inasmach as the De~ partment has indicated it would like to present this case to a grand-gury 4n the first part of October, 1943. a Te Gee Se _——— — = The report submitted by the Springfield Office indicates that a bee proximately 150 men who were members of the Progressive Mine Forkers of America in 1937 at Mine B, Springfield, Tilinois, have been interviewed, Signed statements have been secured from each individual interviewed. A review of these signed statements indicates that 20 man gave no information f value. In these cases either the individual actually did not know any- thing of value to this case or refused to divulge any information, Forty- nine of the miners interviewed were cooperative with Bureau Agents; however, they gave information of little value, being vague and hesitant in their comments. It should also be noted that a number of these individuals were unable to apeak, read or write English, and therefore possessed little in- formation of value in this investigation. Only two of the individuals inter- viewed were openly hostile and refused to give any information to Agents of r I this Bureau. The remaining 79 men interviewed gave informtion that could be considered very favorable to the Government's case and all might well be considered potential witnesses in this matter. | Z uy ™ : iy y- ffs -4F COPIFS PESTROYED | R ECORDE 22 SEP Zonas _ ee ——=—_ ee ee rene en NE RE EE He Jr pe eA © AL aN I Smeg me ARERR TES i