◆ SpookStack

Co Springfield, Tllinois on Sep ember hy 343 by Special agents — ie He did not appear to be willing to 7 answer the questions pu vim, and would not willingly testify on behalf of the Government, beinz hesitant because of his present employment. He furnished the following signed statement: "Svringfield, Tilinois September 4, 1943 moko the following voluntary statcment to whom I know to be Special jiscnts of the ion, U. &. Depertiacnt of Justice. if a was born in az: carne to the United Stetes in gi ized 2t Sprineficid, 1. in , and »>rescntly live at “S : Springficid, Tllinois. "The first mine union I joined was the United Mine vorkers of Amric: tyet wild be referrod to nercinafter as the UM’. I joined this union at Springfield, Tilinois and I stzirted working in the ine under the UMT, This mine wes in North Sprinsficid, but is not opercting at this time. I worked a four other nines under the Un.. oefore I started working ai Mine B as © coal digger in ot Lr. "The only u Tilinois offices I ever held was on the Pit Comittee at . ow aco. This was with the UM. "T am presently emplovcd at inc Bas a coal disgcr "T took no active part in forming the Prozressive Line «workers of americe which Will be referred to hereineftcr 2s FPM.. I knew nothing abwut th: eircumstances under which Pif, was formed, I liked the Pay, leaders and I think the othcr miners felt the same way. _ tT attended most of the Fit, and UMN mectings whiie IJ workcd under thes: unions. "T liked the Pils betisr than the UNIT bectiusu the Pi. would not per- mit aman to hold office more than tivo consecutive years. In the Wit! an officer enn hold office for years. "Beforc the strike startcd at itine B in 1937 I never recalled a UMT picket line at that Mine. J saw no UM? literatur: during this period. -133- wos a ee ee ne em EUR SE ce men re eng mae er ti oe