◆ SpookStack

GC Q LY Res JOHN L. LSVIS, ET AL INTERVIEW WITH On September 16, 1943, Special Agents and th patervioned who was entirely cooperative at the time of this interview, He seem to have a very good understanding of the situation at Mine A duri ijod in question. He appeared to be en honest and rcliable person. advised that he has no criminal record, It is felt that he would be a willing but poor witness should his testimony be necessary. es ...: the following signed statement: pringfield, Ili, Sept. 16, 1943 my ive the following information tc A & who arc known to me to be Spec. Agents of the ole No threats or promises have been made me to get me to give this information, yrs. and am still there as I came to the U. S. when I éitizen for about "I heve been working at Mine A for a digger was born in was about "I joined the P.M.A. in 1932 I was glad to do this and was always pleased with the Progressives. JI heard from the other miners in 1941 that Elshoff had bought the Mine “A™ and that if we wanted to go back to work we would have to go back to U.M.W. When we heard that Elshoff hed bought Hine "A" everyone was worried, when we had Bill Ryan it was nice working there. No one came to my home to see me about going back to U.M.W, I heard thet Flshoff might close Hine “A™ and take coal out through Mine "B" the men were all talking about this. I didn't think this would be done “TI thought it was to expensive. I heard that if we all went back as U.M,.‘. Elshoff would open Mine "A" otherwise he would not open it, I felt bad about this because 1 had worked There a long time and jobs were scarce, I felt I either had to go back to U.M.W. or be out of a job. I guess everybody felt like that. "I only went to ono meeting around this time that was at Elks, I heard about some others but I didn't go. I heard from the other men that the meeting was to be held at the Elks. I think Edmundson was brought over moe to the meeting after we took the vote. All I heard was that if we went back . U.M.W, the mine would open otherwise it wouldntt. I just veted along : with the rest of them to go back to U.M.W. because otherwise we would be out of work, we had already been off about 6 months. I kmow Edmundson gave & talk and afterwards we may have signed cards I am not sure about this. ~ 345 - eee a a