◆ SpookStack

* RE: JOHN L. Lewis, ET dt. INTERVIEW WITH at his residence, Springfield, Illinois, on tember 15, 1943. He appeared alert and willingly answered the quertrens put to xo He furnished the following signed statements “Springfield, Illinois September 15, 1943. "I . make the following voluntary statement to whom I know to be Special * 2 mat Bos * = ss l= mee = === agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "I reside at Springfield, Ili. I am I was born at resently employed at Line As an ————e first mine union [ joined was the Unito Worxers of dvicrica, referred to hereinafter as the UMW, > Tll., at the mea crararsamen errr From QBportil about 1934, DP worked in mines in the state o jinois and started working at Mine & about 1934, I have worked there continuously until the present time. "I joined the rrogressive Mine Workers of 4Smerica, referred to hercinafter as the HiA when I started working at liine A. I1 did this voluntarily, because I left Peabody Mine 759 as they had imparted into that mine too many strenge UMW miners. They weren't very friendly. I did not take part in tho formation of the PuA. It made no difference to me which union I worked under as my work remains the same. I follow the majority in these matters. oe *I first learned Elshoff had purchased Mine 4 from the news- papers. This made no difference to me. I thought I would have my job anyhow. As far as I know, the conditions-at Mine 4 were satisfactory under the PwA. I went to very few union tieetings. No UMW men tried to influence me to join the IMW. Iwas in a fight at Mine A at one timo, but it was a personal matter and had notaing to do with wion matters, "I learned from the mine Supsrintendent, at Mine A, a that Elshoff planned to operate Mine & through Mine B as he could cu the overhead expenses by just operating one tipple. It was my understand- ing that a shot was made to connect the two mines and as a result, an opening was made between the two mines, but the lessor of Mine A objected and would not permit the coal from Mine & to be taken out through Mine B. ammo do mo this in shout September, 1942. This is the firet knowledge of this idea. This made no difference to me as I am the only ~ 496 - ~ ee ~~ —' a Aa igh TR PO eR I eer a ee ee weer ee Tn ee eee oe oe Renan