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RE: JOHN L. LEVIS, ET AL INTERVIEW WITH among coal operators and those interest in coal mining ROBERT C. SOLOMQN that ELSHOFF had obtained money for the Mine “B" and {continued} Mine "A" ventures from the United Minex Workere of Amer ica and JOHN L. LEVIS, In fact, Mine “B® is commonly referred to as JOHN L. LEVIS' mine. However, at this meeting or at no othe time did ELSHOFF indicate that he actually did obtain the money from the United Mine Workers. Mr. SOLOMON had been advised, however, from sources whose re= liability could not be ascertained, that ELSHOFF during the time of these negotiations had gone to Heehington; DsCr—-with Mr, ALLER_to confer with JOHN “L. LEVIS and arrange for financings ———. It was Mr. SOLOMON's belief that his attorney, PEFFERLE, took more than e casual interest in what wes going on with reference to the possible sale of the Panther Creek Mines to SLSHOFF, and possibly acted as a go between. PEFFERLE on one or two occasions said that he was convinced that ELSHOFF could obtain the money and would live up to his contract. Mr. SOLOMON knew that ELSHOFF would have, therefore, financial backing because before entering into any negotiations at 411 with ELSHOFF he had made an appropriate inquiry inte ELSHOFF's financial responsibility, and knew that he personally did not have the money to purchase the Panther Creek Mines. Mr, SOLOMON stated that after ELSHOBF's mine closed in May of 1937 he purchased coal from the Panther Creek Company in order to satisfy his customers. This corel was purchased outright and sold by ELSHOFF. ring the course of these transactions ELSHOFF beceme deeply indebted to the Panther Creek Company, and Mr. SOLOMON advised that eventually he had to settle for $4,000.00 or $5,000.00 less thon the contract price in order to get his money out of ELSHOFF. After that he did not deal any further with ELSHOFF because of his unreliability. It was after this that ELSHOFF began dealing with the Peabody Coal Company, end it wag Mr. -SOLOMOi+s umterstamting that urrangements were made through Mr. GRORGEYREED et Chicago; Fitines s.-—He-understood tit ELSHOFF acted only as 4 broker going out SerTing-the coal, and that all deAlsy. invoices, etc., were mide out by the Peabody Conpeny, giving ELSHOFF only a commission on what he sold. Mr. SOLOMON understood that this was e 16% con- ; mission on all sales; however, he could not be certain, and was of the opinion fat that if an inquiry were direated to Mr. REED he would answer_honestly concerp-" ing these details. Mr. SOLOMON had also heard that during the period in which Mine "B" was shut down JOHN Ls LEVIS became more or less disgusted with BLSHOFF and at one time through Mr, REED attempted to persuade the Peabody Coal Canpany ~ to take the mine off his hands, iiemmnemeacemnminnidien ia ee a Special Agent ho was at the time of this interview in Chicago, Illinois, making inquiry into certain matters pertaining to this case, was telephonically contacted and furnished with pertinent information concern- ing REED and & LEN as obtained from Mr. SOLOMON. GREED concvctea approprinte ee Neen ea mahidmiunadiinns miami. ath men th editienaiion sa dim in. tn: cuenta ail aie hatha denienall