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Springfield, TLlinois ras jointly interviered on i Springi2 ’ or conditions remain the same under either union and it made 1i ference to him tho had bargaining rights. He stated he believed Minc A would open when Elshoff signed with UW. He had therefore prepared to join prior to any mectings. He exccuted the following written statcment; *Spring:icld, TLlinois Soptemoer, 14, 1943. vy, aS, make the folloving statement to eee teresa raresecrae I lmow to be Spccial Agents ° (iillin, Fedcral Bureau of Invustigation, U.S. Department of Justice. This statement is being given voluntarily be me and no threats or promises have been made to inducc mc to make this statoacnt. "I residc at ringficid, Dlinois. I ras I aa presently employed at inois as "I first joincd the United Mine Viorkers of amcrica, referzy hereinafter as the U:, about Tilinois, at the I worked in coal mines in tne Springfiold arce Irom to 21932 under the WH., In 1932 y I vent to Minc A. The PHA had the ba goining richts, so I joined thet wmion, I am nor referring to the Pro- gressive Minc Lorkers of Amcriea, referred to hereinafter as the PMA. I worked in Mine A until December, 1941. "Refore poing to vork at Mine 4; I vorked at the Jefferson Mine, Springfield, Tlinois as a member of the Ut. The Jefferson mince closed dovn for finencial reasons, so I went out to Mine 4. I voluntarily joinod the Pi, at Mine A, It did not make any diffcrence to me which union had the bargeining rights. I as on enginecr and tho vorking conditions undor oither union cre the samo. . "J first learned Elshoff had purchased Mine A, through the nows~ papers, I did not telcoric the change as I Was satisfied, and I did not knor how secure my job Yas or That changes ‘ould be made, Tho labor con- ditions under the Pif, and Mr. Ryan, the operator rere good and tho mon Were Tell satisfied as far as I could dutermino, JI Vas not approached by anyone to join the Wr. - 347 - = r