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AL Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. ts INTERVIEW WITH On Septe ber 4, 1943 Special Agents be socansr » G L. G. PEFFERLE, Cas: interviewed L. G. Attorney, Reisch Building, Springfield, Illinois, concerning information furnished by ROBERT C. SOLOIAN, recorded in report of reference. Mr. PaYFRELE confirmed that he represented SOLOMON in connection with negotiations between SOLOUN and ELSHOFF. In these negotiations CLAYTON J. DR Har BARBER was also present. ir, PEFFERLE advised that at no time during these negotiations, which concerned the possible purchase of Panther Creek mine properties by ELSHCFF from SOLOMON, did ELSHOFF ever mention where the ‘money for this purchase would come from. If was the opinion of PEFFERLE that ELSHOFF or the Mine "B" Coal Company would not have sufficient funds to enter into any negotiation as large as the one under discussion, SOLOMON and PEFFERLE were discussiug a sum of approximately $900,000, while ELSHOFF was discussing a sum of (approximately £400,000, During tnese discussions at different times ELSHUF? said to PEFFERLE that he weet hace aoanlea VS ENT DP «+ eted + hot Moto neta nna WUULU Lick ye #to s5eé iy people" Parr Anus Statvea timae ne foevog questioned ELSHOFF as to who his people c or financial backers might be. "I more more or less assumed that it would be either District 12, United Mine © Workers or the International United line “iorkers, or JOHN L. LEWIS, but of course my assumption was tased upon common gossip and upon matters incidental to the negotiation." . PEFFERLE said that at no time during the negotiations in con- nection with the Panther Creek properties did RAY ED UNDSGN or JOHN L. TOTO ever annntart him or tn his lnov! anes ang af tho narties involved helt ees Oe we Wairabweow wo oiftity ira Le en ee hd Fa wig Seated Sed Reade PE ke Fo eh "During the negotiations it appeared to me that ELSHOFF would not be able to secure sufficient money to purchase the Panther Creek properties at our figure of about $900,000. Because of this fact and because of the desire on our part to save money in connection with the payment of income tax, not only for ourselves, but also pointing out it vould save mouey in connection with income tax for SLSHOFF, we suggested that a lease arrangement might be worked out. This lease arrangement would provide for a certain yearly payment on the lease over a period of ten years, and if the lessee decided to purchase then the payments of annual lease rent would apply on the principal. I felt that this was a rather attractive offer and since ELSIOSF did not accept the offer and from his general demeanor and attitude at the time, it is my opinion that he really did not want to personally buy the Panther Creek properties at all." ELSHOFF apparently objected to the lease proposition be- cause it might give rise to what ELSHOFF felt was a bad feature, namely that if ELSHOFF secured the property on lease that might leave the Progressive Mine Workers of America some claim to job rights under their existing contracts. The Panther Creek mines were Progressive Mine “iorker mines at the time, ELSHOFF stated that it would have to be an exceptionally clean-cut proprosition, apparently referring to com plete severing of all rights, including ‘those of labor. = 457 «