◆ SpookStack

06517 RE: JOHN L, LEIS, ET AL bre bo 2D fee WITH HENRY "J did not knos mech about the controversy over the ae wage scale, I went about my work, and was confi- to dent that the F.2.A, officials would take care of the miners, I knew that we were working under a tenporary agreement which “ad been signed by the mine management with the F.N.A, ft was an extension of the old apreenent which the P.M.A. had. I umderstood that the extension was to last until the wage problem was settled "T di: not go to many union meetings, and I don't remember going to the F.M.A. meeting on the nicht before the strike started in 1937. "On the day of the strike I worked part of the day in the mine. | Then the strike was celled, I con't kne. who called the strike. The reason for the strike was thet the r.M.A. men refused to work with the U.N.W, men in the mine. it was satisfactory with me if tre leaders of P.JLA, thought it was necessary to cail a strike, In that part of the mine where I was working, I don't recall that any of the coal cars were being loaded short, I think that the onl; reason for the strike was the presence of the U,M,W, men in IMine B, and I think there was no concern over the wage issue. "] signed the F.tf.a. vetition in May 1937. I don't remember why - the petition was brought around. I also signed a membership card for P.M.A., but no other petitions, I never signed any petitions for U.K.W, "During the summer of 1937 no U.L., man evcr contactcd me about joinin, that union. "In the fall of 1937 I received a notice of the rcovenin., of Mine 5. but I did not go out to liing B because I was workin, at ranther Croek Hine #2. Iwent out to iine B oncc in a while at nicht and did a little picket~ inz. I went out to the picket line becausc I wanted to and not because anybody forced me. I saw only local men in the picket line; no strangers. "I don't know the attitude of the miners about the Federal injunctio. in the fail of 1397. I felt that Elshoff got the injunction to keep the mer. off of his property. "J did not go ont to the mine on any of the attempted reopenings except the one when the wine did open in 1939. \ ®In the election of Decembur 1937 I voted for P.P.A. because I felt that the +.¥.4. had treated me fairly, and I did not want to go back t- U.K,e, I think that most of the Miners in Mine B felt the same way as I dic. "In 1939 I think I received a notice from the mana ement that the mine would reopen, and advising me as to when I should come beck to work. At this time I was stili in the F.MVA. union, ee eee oe me . rape owe tae owe ee