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Cc: O Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL, mroy 7 ein, = Tll., was interviewed at his secs n September 14, 1943 by Special ‘cco and as ©: man understands English fairly well and can express himscst in a iim Me said he has no criminal record. He is willing to testify. said that his first name cause he cannot wri but he always signs as furnished the following signed statement. “pringfield, Ill. September 1/, 1943 ni ive the following veluntary state~ ment to n hor I know te be Special Agents of the Federai Bureau of ¢tnvese ion, of my own free will, with no threats or promises mide to me. "i am living at CED 8)222%:215 Ill., and am working at Panther Creex Mine No. 4. was born in and came to the_Ynited States in Springficld in I joined the U.M.W. in Spring- and was a member of that union until 1932, when the local at kine A, w 4 was working, swung over to P.M.A, I worked at Mine A et when I quit and begar. working at Panther Creek. I was in favor of the switch from U.M.W. to P.MA., because I felt we had better conditions with that wion. I always liked the F,k.4. better than the U.M.W. Was "In September of 1941 I saw a notice in the paper that Elshoff had bought Mine “ from Ryan. I was sore about it because I liked the way Ryan ran 3a mine, and because 4 didn't want to work under a company that had had all the trouble Elshoff had had at Mine B, At a P.M.A, meeting, I heard that Elshoff might operate Mine 4 from Mine B, and figured that this would put me out of a job unless I joined the U.i.W. I also heard in a P,M,A. meeting that Elshoff Wouldn't open up Hine = unless it opened up U.M.W. Ididn't like the idea, but had to do it, because I couldn't get a job anywhere else at that time, "I went to some of the regular P.M.A. meetings, but I don't : remember being at any meeting where a special committee was apointed, - or where such committee made any report. I attended a meeting of — the ?.M.A. one Sunday evening at the “lks Club, I signed up with the U.M.W, at that time. Edmmdson spoke at this meeting and said that when the mine joined the U.M.d., the Mine A would reopen, I don't SO Rag Ea ips - 359 -