◆ SpookStack

-a-- Ninety-one of the 362 miners interviewed gave information that could be considered of little walue, being wague and hesitant in their comments, It should be noted that a number of these individcals were un- able to speak, read or write Bnglish and, therefore, possessed little in- formation of value to this investigation. Others indicated a desire to stay out of any controveray. Forty-nine of the 362 xiners interviewed gave no informetion of value. Many of these individuals apparently actually bad no information and others may have been purposely withholding information although they were not openly hostile to the Government's case. Only ten of the 362 miners re 0; hostile and refused to give any information Agate of Uns~ Bureau t rogatory John L. Lewis and the UMW tnion. Twenty-two miners who were employed at Mine B for the first time after the Mine opened on November 6, 1939, ware interviewed but little information of valus was obtained from these individuals; however, it is interesting te note tha as well as a few of the 362 miners wen- bat p mosber of tbe individuals tioned above, stated that they had been counseled not to talk to Federal Agents. In this regard, investigation diaclosed that on September 6, 1943, Charles \Bohamon, President of the UMW Local, Springfield, Tllinois, and one of the fourteen individuals alleged to be a spy for the UMM in 1937, together with an attorney for the UMW Union, spoke at Mine B and advised the miners that they did not have to give statements to Federal Agents. These individuals also advised the miners thet Federal dgents should be referred to the UMW’'s attorney at Springfield, Illinois, for any desired infomatio. ‘he majority of the above mentioned miners had already been interviewed on September 6, 1943, and it does not appear that this activity greatly hampered the investiga- tion of this case, although a few miners undoubtedly withheld information of interest because of this activity on the part of Bohannon and the UM's attorney. Alleged Placement of 14 Spies in the Progressive ra Ming Workers Union by Subject lenis As you were advised at greater length in my sewrandue to you dated September 18, 1943, 1% appears that the investigation has established evidence to prove that a number of individuals were members of the UMW at the sane tine they held membership in the Progresaive Mine Workers Union pricr to May 11, 1937. Investigation bas also show that subject Elshoff refused to fire these indi-~- widuals although be had a closed shop agreemant with the Progressive Mine Workers at the time. & Transaction As you were advised at greater length in my memorandun dated September 18, 1943, in this matter, the UMW Union advanced $60,000 to Elehoff in the fall