◆ SpookStack

a em er a a re ce ti, a preshieatir i emeon — = “« —. a nn a le A : 4 a i Re: JOEN L. LEWIS, ET AL IVTERVIE. WITH Special Agents at his residence, Springfield, Illinois, on September 18, 1943. He appeared reluctant to answer any gucstions, advising that he had no information. However, he agreed to furnish « statcment which is set forth below. "Springfield, Illinois September 18, 1943 “ei make the following voluntary statement to ar ‘hom I know to be Special Agents of the Federal Burcau of Investigation, U. 5. Department of Justice. "I was born in entered the United Stetes in anc obtained my citizenship through my father J who was naturalized in the State of Pennsylvania, City and date not known. "I am presently employed at Mine A. I started working in this mim about three or four months before Elshoff bought it in 1941 and have worked there since that time, ‘hen I startcd working there I was a member of the Progressive Mine workers of America which will be referred to as the UMN. I joined with the majority. "{ did not notice any change in working conditions under Elshoff, I did not care vhich union I joined, Both were the same to me. Mr. Ryan sent me a lettcr and said the mine had been sold to Elshoff. I would just as soon work under Elshoff os Ryan. "I attended none of the mectings during the period the PMA members vere trying to decide whether to stay in tho union or join the UMW, "I am ec digger at Mine a now, IJ know nothing about the union troubles at the minc during tho timo of the chenge of opcrators and change of unions. "I rceall nov that I wont to the mecting of the PUA at the Elks Club in Septembcor, 1941, Ray [dmonson of the UMA said that if we wanted to join the UL, the mino would open soon, but if we did not, maybe the mine would not open. So we 211 joined tha UI’, I think I saw Edmonson at the mecting from the tim it started. I novcr saw Edmonson beforo that time and I do not know if I would recognize him now if IT saw him. I was not on any comnittec, I nevcr heard Llsheff would try to operate Mine A through mine B, but I did hear minors say Elehoff would not open the minc unless the men joined the UM, : (signed) atl : ; (signed), Special Agent, F.B.I. (signed) Special Agent F.B.1." - 475 -