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a JOEY L, LEWIS, ET AL 74 POR Ii TERVIEN VITH Fe >” '™ wes interviewed by Special Agents and nies related his story in e clear manner anc appeared cooperative. He seers sincere, however, it is noted that in his statement he fails to give a plausible explanation for the miners at Mine A swinging to U.L.7, It is possible that he wage not aware of everything that transpired. He would make a setisfactory witness. His statement is as follows: “Springfield, Iliinois Gepterber 10, 1943. make the folloving voluntary etetement to both of whom have identified themselves to Federal Dureau of Investigation, No threats or promises have been mode to me to induce me to make a stetement. *T wes born : came to tha United States in | Ee become © Use. Se Citizen 1 I started coal = twee Ss ak ari. mining in ap 23° at that time I joined the United Mine l.orkerse In the fall of started vorking et Kine A. From then until was. worked at fine A off end on and from I vorked there stos ur 1: a of 1942. “In the spring of 1941 ‘ine A shut down, a seasonal shut éorn., At thet time I belonged to Progreasive, having joined in 1932. I served on the pit cormittes for U.R.17. in 1941 until I quit and also, in 1936, served on the pit committee for P.M.A. “Sometime in Auguet of 1941 I sew in the paper that Elshoff had bought ivine A from Ryen. Some of my friends and I felt thet sane- thing must be done, that we should see Elshoff about our jobss WERNER (Fhonetic) called a moeting of the entire membership of Progressive. This meeting Wes held at the Progressive Hell. The pit committee refused to meet vith Elshoff so o especial committes wos electace. I was committes. Others vere and one other. I am n hov their nomes ore epellede ‘e were supposed to see Eishoff and i cut if he was going to open the mine and if we would get our jobs Dock. ¥e were to try and arrange an appointne nt with Elshoff but we could not locate him on the phone. Thie same ceed after trying to locate Elehoff, we met Johhny Snyder; .nd some other, all F.eliAe menber When We vere going by these men Snyder seid he wanted to see mee I esked him what he wanted and he curs and pove me a shove. I got out of there but I know: they beat up I don't know why they started the fight except that they didn’t want us to neet fin ad «- 5Ti - CL oo. Sa Tae CS oe RCL Okie Sie hi: Se Ries ele cies i, oe er Od Pe ee mre