◆ SpookStack

bo) ee bp ees interviewed at his residence in Illinois on September 5, 1943 by Specia ent and ON became a Uso« Citizen in He is presen NN ce TES SED RECS Tiiinoi: > i = speak 4 ann unaerstand English fairly well, but during *he pertinent period s i took little interest in activities at Mine "B* and did not return to work there after the strike in 1937. He would be of little value as a sac aa _ as — a + + witness. He advised he had no criminal resord. The following signed statement was obtained from F "Springfield? Tllinol Sept. 5, 1943, the following voluntar} statenert whom I know to be Special Agents of the Federal suraau of Investigation I make it without fear of threat, Yorce or promise of any kind. and came to the U.S. tl first started working in coal mines in b gre van Wig as in WRRM I joined the United Mine Workers of America.Umion while mining in I remained with UN? until 1932. I started working in Line pringfield, Il1., in about "The 1932 I joined the Progressive Mine Workers of America on Union in Springfield, because I did not like the national and state = leaders of Uji because I did not think they were treating us honestly. In 1932 they stole a hallot box in an election in Springfield, and this is one example of their dishonesty. I took no active part in the organization of the Pia local in Springfield, Ill., in 1932, and I have never held an office in any urion. "During the time from 1932 when PMA was organized until the strike in Hav of 1937, I never noticed any attempts by any company men or officials to favor either UM or PMA and no one ever tried to discredit the PLA that I can remember. Wo atieupts were made to get us to join tyr. During this time I never noticed any attempt of the UM’ to organize at Line "B" and I did not see any picketing by Ul. -260- —