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Re: JOHN L. LEVIS, ET AL INTE: VIED “ITH Mr, JOHN Re KANE, who is tly the States Att JOR. Ee KANE at Harrisburg, Illinois, wae interviewed by Special Agent MMMM: Sopterber 14, 1943 at Harrisburg, Tllinois. Mr. KAYE advised that he became counsel for the Pr ogress ive ! Fine Korkere of America in the latter part of 1937 and continued in that capacity until August, 1941. Hr, KAYE advised that he would need his letters and other records to refresh his recollection of the events enc conversation on certein specific dates. However, he was questioned specificaliy as to whether or not at any time during his negotiations with Elehoff and his counsel the matter of Elehoff's subsidation by the United line Vorkers was ever openly cherged. Jir. EANE stated that he Never openly made thet charge during hie negotiations with them beceuse he wat ettempting to get the contract signed by ELSHOFF with the Frocressive Kine Workers of axnerica and that such a charge would simply argrevete matters. In the early part of the negotiations with ELSHOFF ELSHOFF repeatedly stated thet he could not anter into closed shop contract with the PMA because if he did he would be liable for contempt under the Federal Court order which was issued in 1938. Thie Court order provided that ELSEOFF should reemploy all workers in the mine as of Mey 12, 1938. To have eigned &@ closed contract with the PEA would have necessiteted ELSHOFF also employing the twelve men who hed been excelled from the Frogreesives. ELSHOFF contended that this would be ea discrimination ageinst new men and thet he would have been liable for conterpt as he should have signed e closed shop contract. Ere KANE etated that he and the Attorneys for the American Federation of Labor obteined an advisory opinion from the tetianel Labor Roerd steting that it would not be ea violation of the Court’*s order to sign e closed shop contract under those circumetencese, de stated that ELSHOFF and hie attorney EXSEL dropped any legel pretense for refusing to sign & contract with the Progressives cnd simply refused to do business with them. Mr. KANE cleo wes svecificslly questioned concerning his affidavit of September 13, 1940 at which time he steted thet on November 29 or 30, 1939 he met with CARL ELSHOFF ct the Leland Hotel ot ELSE@ F's ' a+ pan aie —- ine ewe ate nf be nee need anand adh | r equsG ce £ Vl the pu PEO of dissussing a + WL Wh ol wis re wpyvwoeuw at er acy with the Progressives. At thet meeting ELSHOFF steted thet he would not grant the Frogressive orgenization ea check off in dues because he did not like the orgsnizetion end intended to do everything in his power to diseppoint it. ELSHOFF steted on that occasion that he would decl with his employees et tha mine but thet he would not agree to anything thet would be of nid or benefit to the Progressive organization. Ho further stated thet not only did he dislike the Prograssive organiza~ tion but he did not like its officisls or its attorneys. -~ 702 - Sen oe etenatictial