◆ SpookStack

Re: JOHN L. LEXIS, ET AL bo Da b7D INTERVIEW ITH “On September 20, 1937, I again signed a contract with -_ eae ELSEOFF concerning Mine "B". As I recall this contract continue ‘was also signed at UMW Headquarters, TI had no part in the preparation of this contract and I merely signed as a Board Mcmber at EDMUNDSON's instruction. _ with reference to the purpose of Signing this second contract with ELSEOFF, it is my recollection that his failure to become a member of the Illinois Coal Operators Association had something to do with the necessity for signing the second contrect, "I wish to state that prior to the signing of the second contract it became knowm that the Progressives had instituted some sort of proceedings before the National Labor Relatio is Board. I recall that I signed certain documents in connection with this matter which were presented to mo for signature, but I had nothing to d. with preparing these documents and I don't recall the technicalities involved. "At the time the sscond contract was signed nothing in particular was said sbout operating the mine, However, it arpeared to be the general understanding that the purpose in signing the contract was to get a basis for commencing operations. "A few days aftor September 20th, EDIINDSON left town but before he left he informed me it had been docided to attempt to opcrate the mine under the UMy contract on September 27, 1937. He instructed me to take the necessary steps to attempt to place the mine in operation on that date, Inasmuch as it was woll known to both EDITUNDSON and myself that the UMi local at Mine "B" had not over 25 members, I assumed that he intended for me to obtain a sufficient number of UMN members from wherever they might be obtainable in order to put the mine in operation. Accordingly, I made arrangements to have between 75 and 100 min-rs sent to Springfield from the so-called "Midland Track! mines, that is, Peabody Mines Now 7, No, 8 and Wo. 9, which are located in Christian County, Illinois. I Jad these mon report at UMY Headquarters at about 2:00 A, K., September 27th. "Early on the morning of September 27th, ELSHOFF and his Superin- tendent, OSCAR FALCETTI, came to UMW Ecadquarters to make sure that all arrangements were complete before attempting to operate the mine, chen they saw this large group of men around the Headquarters, they seemed surprised and asked what the men were doing there. I told them that UMW had a contract to operete the mine and I had simply brought in enough men to fulfill UMits end of the contract. J also pointed out to him that it wos no !Tea Party’ to open a mine which had been operated by a rival union, ELSHOFF then said he did not want these men to go out to the mine because . there might be trouble. Ee said he simply wanted to start cluaning up the mine with the fow man among his employees who belonged to the UMW with the - hope that after these men went into the mine the others would gradually sign up with UMi in order to be able to go to work. He said he thought ~ 426 = # Peet ALS pe ee at ea Eh A.