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Re; JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL REINTERVIEW WITH "During that conference various Propositions were ROBERT C, SOLOMON formulated, one of them being that possibly ELSEOFF (continued) could purchase the capital stock of the Panther Creek Mines, Inc., and thus gain control of the corporation. TLSEOFP did not entertain such a proposal as this, inasmuch as the corporate set-up of the Panther Crcek Mines would remain intact, and os such it would still retain its obligations including labor contracts, which at that time and at present are with the Progressive Mine Workers of America, It was then Proposed ‘that ELSHOFF lease the propertios. This was discussed moro = 4t0°7+ ¢457 weasel or less at length, and it Was agread thet the Pr oposition should be drawn up in a letter of some sort. ELSHOFF stated that before etcepting any proposal he would have to consult his peopie in vasvington. Mr, PARBER then kidded ELSEOFF to some extent stating that he probably meant tnait h= sould have to go to sce the man with the ‘big bushy eyecrows!, ELSHOFF did not respond either negatively or affirmatively to this statement of Mr. PARBER's but sort of smiled when it wes passed. ° “Dur ing this interview ULSHOFF made it plain that he wished to gain control of the entire propertics, aad that in the-event he did so he would change the name of the corporation. ~ ‘ "As the result of this confcrence a letter was drawn up which is dated June 11, 1942, addressed to Wr. ELSHOFF and beginning: "1 This is to confirm our discussion this morning, wherein it was indicated that Panther Creek Mines, Ine. is willing to lease te you all of its coal mining properties, with the option to purchase or to renow, +4 th _ all on < following basis.' . "Tl am not advised as to vhether or not definitely FLSFOFF did go to Washington, D. C. to consult with JOHN L. LEWIS. However, I have received information from various sources that trips were made to “lashington possibly with tir, HARRY ALLEN, "On July 6, 1942, ELSHOPF by lettcr answered our proposal of June 11, 1942, stating that the proposition which was outlined is not atisfactory, und ‘we decline to accept it in its form!. ELSHOFF indicatod in kis letter that he desircd to discuss the mattcr further, and to possibly make & counter proposal, Hovcver, instcad of doing this these partios, particularly ALLEN and CARROLL, attomrted to apply pressure in order to force a transfer of the properties through officials of the Marine Bank of Springfield, ALLEN and CARROLL intimated that if the mines were not open, particularly the Auburn, they, moaning the Alton Railroad, would have to cut down on orders, I statod that I was unable to finance on opening of the Auburn Mince, but was willing to sell or lease it at the right terms,