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" ace epee mieten = ee a * Ly RE: JOH L. LEIS, ET AL UN, sersecesens, LnoisS, Was interviewed at his residence on September 5, 1943, b. Special Agents and is native born and speaks very good English. How- ever, he statea tnhat he does not want to testify in court because he does not want to get into trouble. He said that were it not for the war and his feeling that he hav a patriotic duty to work in a mine, he would be living in a home for world War Veterans. Throughout the interview was quite nervous. He said that on severz:1 occasions he has been in jai cause of The following signed stetement was obtained from FY "September 5, 1943 Springfieid, Ill. Ter RVID | ITE make the following voluntary statement to as whom I know to be Special Azents of the aerai Bureau o vestigatiol, of my own free will, with no threats or promises made to ne. prin:field, Ili, "I am presentiy living at and an working at Mine B. I was bor I joined the United Mine Workers in mained a member until 1932, when I joine America, at Nine B, where I had been em>lo,ed since I have never heid an office in any union. In 1332, John L. Lewis agreed to & wage cut for the miners, 10% at first, later 502. The men became dissatisfied, and started the P.l.A. I felt as the rect of the miners did, and joined the F.l.a. voluntarily. From 1932 until 1957, there were no strikes at the rine, no trouble of any kind with the manazeuent, and the men seemed to be satisfied with the way the P.I.A, was being run. I didn't go to wery nan; F.l.A. meetings, but I never heard of any trouble between the officers and members of the union. As far as I know, the men were free to get up at the meetings and speak their mind, and thers were no raiircadiny methods used to try to get the men to do what the officers of P.H.A. wanted then to do. During the period from 1932 until 1937, I don't renenber anything happening Which would show favoritism for U.N.7. on the part of the management. aL Iiiinois, and re- the Proyressive Mine Workers of "TY heard that some men at Mine B were trying to pull P.I.A. men over to U.N. before the strike. None of these uen taiked to me, and I know thaw ¢e2%bsA ¢4 athaus TT hene=d that those worn 29 morn dArntnae thic rm Bey Vat At be UIE Doe 2A Meal bid LOD Wel AF del UVLiS llLoOy DUM of them being an Italian cailed Sammy, a Cotton, Yohannon, Hale, Plotch, Carter, Austin, the Sirtout boy, and one of the Jacaways. I would see them . - 32 + appre