◆ SpookStack

RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. bie - 2 1D an INTERVIE) WITH The following investi ation was conducted by Special : Agents a arc MY. + Spring- <i field, Treinois, on 5 epeember 6, 040. ~ At his ngsidence ay Springfield, Illinois, = Acents inuterv a “ : and he advised he had never been arrested x in his life. the questions asked him and his answers ~~ could be understood, However, it appeared that he was not weil versed with ‘ the urion affairs of the period under investigation, but it is felt that he would make a fair witness if his testimony is needed in Court. The following signed statement was received from aaa Springfield, Tll., Sept. 6, 1943. ') Sn : 1, s Be ge lg this free & voluntary statement to ig ag who are Imovm to me to be Special Agents fe) promises have been made me to give this statement. Springfield, Ill. am making "I presently am a coal digger at Panther Creek #5 & have been since year ago last April 16th. I started at Mine B in Springfield, Ill. around 1933 or 1934 & IJ didn't work any after May le, 1937. "T was be and came to the U.S. in Qj« became a citizen ir we a — I first joined the U.M.w. in in Tllinois and r heid any office. P.M.A. was at Mine B when I started & J joined over then. In 1932 I worked in Mine 5 at Peabody & was P.M.A. then so just switched over. Before Mine B closed I believe Elshoff & P.M.A. got along 0.K. Before Mine B closed I never heard Elshoff or Falcetti say anything about F.M.A. officials or men being crooked. I never heard them say they wanted U. Meise back. A Ww on aye "Befere strike P.N.A. men felt Pa leaders were O.K. & i never heard anyone kicking about a thing. P.M.A. local was run by the men and ie gS * ions were settied frem the floor, I didn't go to many meetings ¢ ou Co: an a pardineg the P,M.A. men sent to jail 16 bombings gave up bond for Mae Ltho I never knew him & we felt they were not guilty. P.-K. . officers made reports of money matters to me & I never suspected anything wrong. We had no unusual special assessments except death assessments. Before Mine B closed U.MeW. never picketed the mine nor did I see any literature. Just before Mine B closed _ 2 or 3 men started some trouble & they would argue & Falcetti would not do a thing about it. They would argue about not being with U.M.W. One was = 372 =