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IRPERVIN WITH Mr, Walter Becker whe hes deen Gativeay ing WALTERS ECKER key ouployes with the Citizens B and 5 dont / __Pooria, Illincig, for mry years wes interviewed by -2 ” Gpeoini cont: Gann 225 and at Foorins Me Deemer :+.'.- operated mine B prior timo thet skon over by Carl Siemett in 1925,. thet timo the mine was rated sy three men, ond by the 4: Dy nene of Bhokley, the second Goor hwamer, present G & Distrist pee ee Court Kerk fer the Southern District of Tilinois, and Blshorfw-< 6: Elshoff bought out the interosts of the other two partners ° tro yea 2 . “ar, Booker appeared ‘to be ‘entirely eisparetiva, ensuor ing * . G11 quostions freely, end furnishing whatever books and Foosrds Sars ¢ desired for inspection quring the course of the interview which tok 7. place on August 27 and 28, 1945. Gpeqial Agent yade an accounting annlysie of the records furnished db or, and be will evubmit the results of hie stu lire Beoker reoalled definitely that 5 m § the tine the Progressives broke away tron the United Mine Ropkerty -- geying that his men refused to work ander the United Mize Horkery,: but that they would work as Progressives, and what should i» ae , ae Booker stated thet he advised Elshoff to work i% with Progressives, “22 bricklayers, or anyone who would be willing to get the coal outs. ‘After that Elehoff reopened the mine with Progreseiyed. During the: '- | period from 2932 to 2987 the mine continued with uninterrupted production op. ' under Progressive | control. ire Becker pould not | reoall any definite oc 7 gtotoments reflecting Eishoff's sttitude tovayd the Pragrsssives duping ~ this period, In general, howover, Mr. Becker stated that Elshoff gawe = | the impression that he had a hard time getting elong with the Progrevstyesy thet he could never win a onee or grievance with them, end Chat be 2 thought that he sould got along ‘better vader ee Tnited Mine Horkarg 7 Pee ir. Becker stated thet ‘ha woe nok | equa’ } with ‘the | of the strike of lay 12, 1957, He and Mr, John ontses, dr. ‘repeated attenpts to determine the cause of tho tfouble and te get .. pe, Eishort to put the mine in Operatictie Bisheff was fesentfh sf an = | Gnquiries, stating that as long as he Lived up to the terms of bea ast, it was pone of the lespar's business. Elahoff paid his winimw: »° we <> * poyalty evory month whioh was $2000. % goutinued to pay this r ner . ,, Mp wntil 1939 gust before the mine phere et which tine he was ‘x