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Bos Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL inrerviex wITH QEREBsas interviewed on the morning of ae September 15, 1943, at id vce, by Special Agents inmeibichiiies and le make a good witness. He can express himself well, te ar. intelligence above that of the average miner. There is not much to which he could testify. He gave information set forth in the following statement, which he stated was true but which he declined to sign: "Springfield, N11 September 15, 1943. i was born in I an now smploved a iy name a am an American cite zene t he following statement to and who have identified thams-clvcs to :x to be Synecia edsral Burcau of Investigation. No promiese, threats, or consideration of an kind has been made to m to make this statement. "T have been working at Mins A since I was employed at Mine A in 1941 when Ryan sold his interest in Mins A. Before that time there had been no talk that I heard of about changing unions. The men suancd to be pretty well satisfied with the way the local and the Progressive Mine Workers of Amzrica were being opsratad. I was not interested too much, but I was satisfied, "hen the mine vas sold, the man talked about what they were going to do. Thre was tlk among the mn about changing, because they fult that Elshoff was favorzble to the Uf. I thougtt so myself, because of the things that I hac heard hed happencd at Mins 2, There was talk that the ming would not be onencd as a Progressive Mins, and that Elshoff would take the coal out of Mine «a through Minc B. If ho did that the men would havc to be Wil’. Wo thought that if we could join the UM’ that we could got our jobs back. "I went to only onc me2ting whether this mttcr was being dis- cussed. That was the meetinr at th. tlks Hall. There were some talks. mado that day, but everything socmed to be pretty cut and dried. After 72 voted to po to Ulf Edminson came over and talked. He told us that if we joined the UM? that he thought that we could get the mine open in a little while. Most of the mon wanted to go back to work. I wanted to go back to work, and I did not particularly care which union I belonged to, as long as I could work. That is the reason that I left the PMY and joined the UM’, even though I hid been satisfied with the PLT. I was not interested in unions much and did not go to the union meetings much. : '. 558 - me MN NR A SOMES TT cD DERE CATER OTT ANE