◆ SpookStack

Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL Springfield, ember 7, 2HTERVIEW WITH Iliinois, was ‘intervi Ween?“ DY Special Agents speaks and understands English -very well and when he remembers facts can express himself intelligently. He said he has OR sin:200 that he no serious objections to testifying if necessary. has, been arrested for drunkenness, but clained to hav@é no other criminal reo d.. furnished the following signed statement: "Springfield, Ill. September 7, 1943. oe eke to make the following voluntary statement whom I know to be Special Agents I joined the United Mine Workers of that union until 1932, when he Progressive Mine “orkers of America. I started work at Mine B about and joined the P.M.A. when all the other men at Mine B did. I no part in the organization of the P.M.A., which was organized because the men were not satisfied in the way Lewis was handling their interests. Lewis had something to do with the disappearance of ballots of an election held by the men. I was never an officer in any union, " i tT joine "From 1932 until 1937 things went along smocthly at the mine. I don't remember any strikes or shut downs at the mine, and was satisfied with the way the P.M.™. was being run. The PMLA. officers alvays gave the men a square deal as far as I know. The men always seemed to be completely satisfied in the way the P.M.W. was being run. Before the strike in 1937, I don't remember of hearing of any trouble between the P.M.A. and the mine management. The tenbers seemed to feel that P.M.A. could do as much for the men as the U.E.i°. could, as far as wages and conditions were concerned. "IT don't remember any instances of picketing by U.M.W. men, or any literature put out by the U.N... before the strike in 1937. No one ever asked me to join the U.M.W., before the strike, although I heard that Austin, Albanese, Hale, Behannon, Plotch, Carter, Ananias and Jacaways, were trying to get men to join the U.M.Y. . a : _ ang téok:écal from Albanese's room, and I heard that he was agitatins for U.M.W., although he ncver said anything to me. Bohannon was also 4 mule driver at this time, but never said anything about U.N... to me before the strike. we me mm OT mrt rr tm con Snes omgaermare ree gers me ne tes