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C Re: JOHN L, LEWIS, &T Aly INTERVIEW wWiTH : Mr. BARBER states that thereafter he received CLAYTON J, BARBER. a signed copy of a letter dated July 6, 1943, ad-~ (Continued) dressed to RUBERT C. SOLGMON, President, Panther creek Mines, Inc., and signed by CARL H. ELSHUFF. This letter, on the letterhead of Mine B Coal Ccmpany, States that the agreement suggested is not Satisfactory. Mr. BsaRZcR calls attention to the editorial we" used in the letter, namely, “We decline to accept it #4, J am still interested, sar Firat we hope in a discussion i" Mr. BaRBOR states that Mr. ELSHOFF at no time ever mentioned who was actually meant by the "we" used in the letter. A copy of this letter is retsined in Mr. BARBOR's files. . _ Mr. BsRBER pointed out that ELSHOFF purchased his home on the corner of Bates and South Grand Avenve in cash; that after he purchased this home he stationed od guard in the alley in rear of his home. Mr. BARBER stated that shortly after the negotiations for Panther Creek Mine fell through an injunction was brought by the Wage and Hour Tivision of the Department of Labor in the Federal District Court at . Springfield, Illinois. Mr. AsRBEK advised that the legal method of bring- i.g this injunction by the swage and our Division was extremely unusual anc he believes is the only type of case of its kind in the country. He pointed out that it was brought by the ‘vage and dour Division without that division talking over the mtter with the company or its attorneys. The company was never able to find out what complainant brought the matter to the attention of the “age and Hour Division and the company had never received any complaints in connection with this Wage and Hour matter from its employees, He felt that this complaint originated with JOHN L. LEvlS or the UMy for the purpose of causing financial embarrassment to Panther Creek Mines, Inc., thus perhaps forcing a sale, knowing that Panther Creek iises at the time was indebted ir. the sum of approximately %400,000. fhe title in Federal District Court in Springfield for this matter was heard under Civil Docket #191, PHILIP B. FLEMING, Administrator of the . “,age and Hour Division, United States Department of Labor. IRVING J, LEVY, «LEX ELSON and HERMAN GRaNT of 222 west Korth Bank Drive, Chicago, Tllinois, represented the Department of Labor. The complaint was filed November 6, 1941 and was dismissed July 1, 1942.