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-i- $ E. Decline of Progressive Mine Workers Union Subsequent November 6, 1939 Aa an3 abo evh.den i ium A ne hue indi cated Gee ieee serena favoritian was exployed in “hiring OE ene in prefer by Oscar Falcetti, Superintendent of the Mine, at the tine it Novesber 6, 199. Also, it was indicated above that Elshoff allowed the (GT Union to orgenize on the Me premises 8 during tha workine bours, but the same privilege was denied the PW Union. Under these edrcumetances the UMW Union constantly gained in membership, and after the middle of 1940, both Elshoff and the UMW Union changed their former attitude and indicated they desired the NLRB to hold another election to determine the bargaining agency for Mine B. The NLRB held an election to determine the bargaining agency on February 21, 1941, with the result that the UMW won the collectiw bargaining rights by a vote of 259 to 108. On March 6, 1941, the NLRB certi- fied the UMW as the bargaining agent at Mine B. On March 14, 1941, just eight days later, Elahoff signed a closed contract with the UMM, having accomplished in eight days with that labor wiion what he had refused to do with the Pj Union, aA ma joriuy of the miners saploys od in Miss 23 con say 22, 1937 , have been interviewed and a substantial majority of those interviewed indicated a present preference far the PMW Union and stated that they voted for the UMW Union at the last NIRB election on February 21, 1941, because they believed, in light of past experience, that in order to be able to work they had to belong to the UMW Union, it deing clear that Elshoff would not sign a contract of any sort with the PNW Union. This would indicate that a great many exployees at Mine B in 1937 were aware that they had suffered a deprivation of their righte, which it will undoubtedly be necessary to show in the trial of this case. F. Mine & Transaction Qn September 2, 1941, subject Elshoft purchased Mine A for $60,000 ot a + eatce shed b he UMW to Elshoff, | Mine A is adja- 3 and waa omed by Willian Hq. Kya as temporarily shut dow et “the tine of the sale, Prior to the opening of Mine A, rumors were prevalent that Fishoff ane the aon a Pun the what Eishoff would never recpen the Mins unless the eaploysss changed from ths PMW Union to the UMW Union. The employees did affiliate with the UMW and Eishoff immediately opened Mine A. A majority of the exployees of Mine A in 1941 have been interviewed in connection with thie investigation, and a substantial majority indicated that they voted to change Union affiliation to the UMW believing that it was the only way to hold their jobs and keep Mine A in operation, in view of the fact that Elehoff had purchased the Mine with UMW money. In this connection it is interesting to note that Willian EH. Ryan a