◆ SpookStack

Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. INTERVIEW «ITH Agents an on September 16, 1943. ae: that he did net hav ai re- cord, He was mable to 2k or understand English very well and would not make a good witness. refused to Sign a statement as to the information furnished by him because he could not read the statement. MR Springfield, was interviewed at his home by Special illinois SE fc cished information as set out in the following statement: "Springfield, Ill, September 16, 1943. m1, ingfield, I make the following voluntary © nt t and rrsaad whom I know to be Special Agents of the #ederal Bureau 0 Vv estigation, no force, threats or promises have been mace in obtaining this statement and I knuw that what I may say may be used in a court of law, “I was born (as emmierated to the U. S. in mm: 1 became izen of the U.S, in | | in Springfield, fll. Nl was employed at Mine 'A' in about FAS J am at the pre- sent time employed at wire ‘Ag as a digger. "J joined UM. in pt Springfield, 411., an membe> of UMe until 1932. I cafged from UM; to PRA in 1932 because my local Ud, union changed. I do not know why my local UM: union changed. remained a and I 3 "I read in the newspaper in about Sept.1941 that Flshoff bought wine 'A', At the time 1 read this I thought Elshoff would force Mine ‘A' to become an Ui: mine as he operated Mine 'B' as an UMW mine, "The employees at Mine 'A' were satisfied with PMA prior to the time Elshoff bought the mine. I thought PMA was a good union being operated for its members, but it mide no difference to me whether I was a member of PMA or Univ, ‘Tl heard a rumor from an unknown source that Mine ‘A’ could be operated through Mine 'B’, I thought at this time that if the employees cf Hine 'A' did not join UMi, wine ‘A' would be closed and operated , through wine 'B', J also heard from an unknown source that Elshoff would not open Mine 'At unless the employees joined Ul», ihen I heard this 1 decided to join UMi so that I could work at the mine, ae : ; “A few days after Elshoff bought Mine 'A' someone told me that _ PMA was to have a meeting at PMA hall, I attended this meeting, but I do = 645 = | a