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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL INTERVIEW WITH veontinucd) os A ifter proke in the Pest-Dispatch, EDMJFDSON was quoted in a later article as stating the matter had the epproval of the District 12 membership. JAMES was quoted as admitting the payments to ELSEOFF were in the form of a loan. his Story ELSHOFF was quoted as admitting it was a loan receipt the monev but _as denying that "Thereafter, RAY EDMUNDSOY and VALTER J, JANES charged me with violation of Esetion 3, Article 21 of the International Constitution. "On the night of Movember 19, 1942, I attended a meeting of UMW Locsl 906 which covers the mombershin at Foabody Mine #59. This meeting was held on the 7th floor of UMT Headquarters, EDMUMDSON and JAMES were present. A large delegation from ine "B" was present at this mecting. EDNUNDSOW took the floor and condemned the Internal Revenue service for starting an investigation of the mattcr and he even stated he was going to start a law suit against the Government. He also stated he was going to demand & congressionsi investigation of the affair. JAMES took the floor and said the purpose of the payments was to put line "BY in operation under the banner of UMW, He said it had been a zood investment. He pointed out that as 2 result of the payments, UM had sequircd in the neighborhood of 500 new members and he said that already the dues and asscssmcnts from these new members amounted to a sizedble figure. I belicve he said that over 80,000.00 had been reccived from thes« new members, Weither he nor EDMUNDSON said anything to indicate they wore looking to ELSHOFF for payment and neither of them made any comment whatever conecrning ELSHOFF's ability to repay. Howevcr, they did rofir to these payments os 4 loan, "On the following day, Yovember 20, 1942, I was suspended from UMn for six months and barred from holding office for two ycars, "IT wish to udd that in the carly Pall of 1932 I was present in a room in the Leland Fotel in Springficld where ELSNOFF and JOHN L, LEVIS were also present. At this time ELSHOFF personally assured LEWIS that he vould = 430 ~