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( Hn Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. by hl en A Tiiinois, was interviewed by Special cents He advised tha 5 a: on September 16, 1943. rever been arrested, Jt was noted that (ie is rather an intelligent person and he seemed to have a good knowleage as to what went on in mine mtters, 80 would be a very good witness if his testimony were necessary. He appeared to be cooperative, and furnished the following signed statement. Springfielc, [il Sept. 16, 1943 give the following information to FY o are known to me to be Special Agents of the F.B.1l. Ne threats or promises have been made me to get this information and I give it volumtarily of my own free will. "T am now employed afi: worked at Mine A to July of 1942 as a company Ban. 1 was born in socmcm-wmeed came I came to the U. S, that same year and rough my fathers naturalization. "T & "at the time of the switch to P.W.A, I was in favor over going to ?.M.A. I was always satisfied with the P.M.A. union, while it was there. "T first heard that Elshoff had taken over mine 'A' by reading of it in the ‘Register’. I thought when I read this that I would have to go find another job. This was because 1 knew of the trouble they had had at More 'B!, I was well satisfied with P.M.A. after it came in and up until this time. Some of the boys from Mine 'A' came to see me about coming to a meeting to be held at the Elks, I couldn't go at the time as ws< working at State Fair Grounds, one who came to see me vos the other — Wie had no discussion_ they just asked me to come to the meeting. nT heard rumr oa alt ic Mine 'B', we thought if this happened about half the company men at least would be out of luck, I also heard that Elshoff would only open the mine uncer a U.M.u. contract_ this was brought up at a regular P.M. meeting. if I remember right the majority of the men at this meeting voted to stay P.M.A. whether he opened the mine or not, IJ think this was & regular PMA meeting. I think at this meeting the local selected a committee to see Mr. Lishoff. these men were to talk to Elshoff and we were to come back at a special meeting to get their report. The regular PHA that Elshoff would take the coal out through - 589 «= r