◆ SpookStack

Re: JOWN L. LEWIS, ET AL. ITERVIEW WITH Springii elas hore by Special Agents and ae: cooperative but it is not believed that he would make a good witness because he didn't attend any of the meetings at the time the —_— ee affiliations from PMA to UMA after the sale of Mine A. has no known criminal record. He furnished the following sign®d statement, "Springfield, Ill. September 17, 1943 "I, _ Springfield, 411, do voluntarily make ollowine statement tc Special Agents CRUD =: GNU: £ > e222 Buresn of investigation. o threats or promses been msde to cause me to make this statement and I know that these facts can be presented in court. "I was born merece ree rnccrrred emigrating ‘.: imerica in P| I became an American citizen in Springfield, Ill ir I began working in mines in ining UMvA at that tis:. 1 have never held any offices in any on. am presently employed at Mine A as a digger. "I joined “rogressives in 1932 and still favor PMA because they have better working conditions even today. "I learned of the sale of Mine A through the newspaper. I also got a letter telling me of the sale and advising me to join UMid to keep my job. I heard talk to the effect that Mr, Elshoff was going to ¢crive an entry and hoist coal from kine A through Mine B, Also talk to the effect that Hine A would open only if the men joined UMWA. "I never attended any meetings at PuA Hall where we discussed this matter. Neither did I go to Redmins Yall or the Elks Club when the miners met or. this situation, because I was afraid of trouble. "I went back to Kine A after it opened and had to sign UMA be- fore I went down into the mine. At present there are to_ many docks and you can't say anything against the wnion. I would rather work under PMA as they have better labor conditions, and some sayso at the meetings, been "I have/read the above voluntary statement made by me consisting ™ s/ mal _. - = a es Ol 15 pages, +4ne Bam 15 true & COIrcuL. ia ar ‘ pecial Agents, F.B,I. Springfield, I12."