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— aa mmteeinay me ee et tee a i te a «ay . — Re: JOHN L. LOWIS, ET aL. D gi TELV TST ITH Bere i ce Springfield, \ Thlinois, was interviewed at his ptember 2, , —— ; ‘Ny —-1943 by Special agents as: : le ey ET 7 speaks unglish with difficulty, and is able to express himself on ty 4 very Simple words. He stated that he can only write his name, and that he , a very limited reading aoility. .uestions put to him must be short and plain. ie said he is willing to testify in court or the facts as he re- members them. He claims to —— record. The following signed statement was obtained fror. "Springfield, Tl. September 2, 1943. han I make the following statement freely and : ; vhe have identified themselves to me as 5 he Federal Bureau of Investigation, No threazs or promises have been made - to me to obtain this statement. nT presently reside at Springfield, Ill. qa Sta I stayed in this union until I joined the rrogrossive Mine Norkers of america in 1932. I rejoined the U.U.J, in 1940, as I recall. I never was an officer in any union_ "T took no part in the organization of the P.M.A. in 1932, I merely went along with the rest of the men, I wanted to be with the majority. I never have been one of the minority. I went to quite a few P.il.4. meetings, and also some UM. meetings. Both unious treated me O.K. I wanted a job and was willing to be in any wnion that would see to it that I got a job, HI don't remember any P.],4. meeting on the night before the strike started in 1937. I probably did not go to the meeting. I did not know anything at all about the strike until I was called out of the mine. I was told to stay around the mine by the P.lia. orficials. After a time, the sheriff came and then the miners went home. I don't know why the strike was called, = 82 -