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\ ‘ \ < INTERVIEW WITH ‘ ‘\. \ C Re: JOHN L, LEWIS, ET AL Department, on September cane t> tne Onibtec Statcs In en becane a U. oe Citizen oD ne oe Sprinzficld, Illinois. He speaks and understands English well and would make 2 satisfactory witness for what information he oan furnish. Ho advised he has no criminal record, - Wii gave the following signed statement: Sept. ll, 1943 "I, statericnt to Agents of the Federal Bursau of Investigation, throat, force or promise of any kind. "I was born in and came to the U. S. in f I became a U. S. Citizen in Springficid, Ill., in f te nminity».p sc oo ———E=—_z artcd worki in mines in the J, &. in Til. I was then a membor of the United Mince Vorkers of Amcrica Union. startcd working in the Mine "B" in about In 1932 I joined the Progrcssive Mine horkers of Amcrica Union because I did not like the activi-. ties of John L. Lewis, ospecially whon he refused to abide by the referrendun vote. No one in any way foreec or threatencd me to join PMA. I took no active part in the orzonizing of PMA anc I have never helc on office in any union. of Tll., make tho following voluntary n whom I know to be Special J make it without fear of .. & the timo from 1932 t Ake + May of 1937 I naver noticed any strikes a « Vee ee oO or close downs due to labor trouble at Fine "B". I noticed no sttompts by any company officigls to discredit the PMA or in any way show favor to either Pui or UMN. No effort was made to get mo to join Uli. During this time between 1932 anc May 1937 I thought the Pili was a good and honost union, I thought the PMA officials were honest and I noticed no special assess- monts of an unusuol nature. There were no efforts by PUA to keep the men in line because they 911 soomod satisfied, I romember reading of some bombing cases during this time but I know nothing about them, therefore I cannot say whether or not the trialts wore fair. - 35 -=