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7 . RE: JOHN L, LEWIS, 2T AL INTERVIE. WITH JOHN EH. CARROLL, JR. was intervi Bpeciel Agent . JOHN H. CARROLL, JR. ae «= Special Agent (A) n Uhicago, Illinois, on Beptember 14, * . CARROLL is General Freight Agent for + ¢] with Grand entrél Station, Chitegd, Illinois. This interview was conducted in view of the fact that ROBERT C. SOLOMON and L. G. PEFFERLE, owner and attorney respec- tively, for Panther Creek Mines, Bpringfield Illinois, advised in interyiews reported in report of Bpecial Agent Springfield, Illinois, dated September 13, 1948, that CARROLL had been connected with negotiations between ELSHOFF and SOLOMON in the contemplated purchase of Panther Creek properties. Mr, CARROLL advised that at the time of instant matter he was in- terested as a railroad man in securing more commercial coal business for the B & O and Alton Railroads. He stcted thet he entered into the negotiations for the purchnse of that property by CARL H., ELSHOFF purely as a railroad man to see if he could aseist the negotiations in order to get the Panther Creek Mine properties in operation. He was called into the picture by the railroad company because of his atquaintanceship with bank officials in Springfield, Illinois. He et.ted that he met with SOLOMON on one occasion, and that ap- parently from that contact SOLOMON gathered the impression that he, CARROLL, was interested financielly in the transaction. Since this wae entirely er- roneous, CARROLL stated he met with SOLOMON upon a second occasion and dis- claimed any such interest in the transaction, He stated that while he did not have personal knowledge of CARL H. ELSHOFF's financial condition he assumed that ELSHOFF would not be able to finance the purchase of the Panther Creek properties on his own. He atated that he had talked with ELSHOFF briefly on the matter of the purchase, but no discussion was ever had as to whether ELSHOFF would be able to secure the money or where he might secure the money. CARROLL steted that he probably at thet time guessed that ELSHOFF might secure the money from either the United Mine Workers of A4merice or JOHN L. LEVIS, since it had been rumored at that time that the United Mine “orkers had financed ELSHOFF in connection with Mine "BE", However, ELSHOFF or no one elge ever told him where the money for the purchase if made by ELSHOFF might come. He stated that he imows RAY EDNUNDSON and JOHN L. LEWIS, but that neither of these individuale ever mentioned this ~ particuler transaction, He further recalis that he was in the cocktail lounge of the Leland Hotel, probably with SOLOMON and ELSHOFF, and that the conversation had ine cluded matters pertaining to t.@ Panther Creek purohase, He is not syre of all the persons at the table but seems to recall that RAY EDNUNDSON came inte. the cocktsil lounge and sat at the table, but as soon as EDWUNDSON joined the ~ &87 «