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Fe: JOHN L, LE IS. BT Av. INTERVISS: V-ITH as interviered by Special Agents pt tC eC September 13, 1943 at ue eee CO cle, 6 A2linois, Hc iS rather advanced in yoars and is not surc of any of the details surroumding the meeting at the Elks Club, It is bclieved ho vould only make a fair ritness to testify as to the infornation set forth in the folloring signed statement, "Springficld, Tllinois Sceptenber 13, 1943 "| GE :sicin: 3: A p30 tho follor- ing voluntary statcncnt™ Ce atten ern both of Thon I knot to be Special Agon ederal Bureau o catigation, No threats or promises heave been made to ne to induce ne to make a stato- ment, I aa nov a shot firer at Mane a. "IT vrs born in . morking in the mines in Started vorking at Hine i “in Clonged tO Ustisive In 1932 I jouncd P.2*.4. because I always rent vith the majority. tine 4 usuzlly shut dovn every sunnier ond it Yas during the shut dorn, as I recall, that ce joined P.I.A. "I vas rorking at Hine 4A in the spring of 1941 vhen the nine shut domn, “c hed alvays pot along all right | with Ryan, and tho non vere setisfied vith P.JLA. "Sonotine the carly part of September, 1941 I leamed that a necting of P..A. mas to be held, eithcr et the K.C.'s hall or the Elks Club, I think a fellow that .orked at Tiine £ told ne about the mecting. He didn't knov the purpose of the necting. IJ Tent to it and at that tine lenrned that Elshoff had bought line &£. I reneber that and if I recall correctly he said that the meeting Tts de~ elde Thether ve would join U.ite!.. or stay rith P.ju.Aé. I do not roncnber any discussion about this, but a standing vote ras taken and every one voted to join U.J%1.. "hen I first learned that Elshoff had bought the rine I fclt that Te ould have to join U7"... to keep oy job. I knew that Ifinc B ras U... and felt that EXshoff rould not operate itinc A under P.t.4A. I think that nost :icn fclt as I did, that Elshoff vould not open Mine & unless it vas Umted. I never heard anything about operating Mine &£ throuvh Ifine B. "Zftor the nen voted to join U,1.°. sonvone sent after Ednundson and he cane over, bring soc nenbership cards with hin, We vanted to - 259 -