◆ SpookStack

TOG gE re He, — Re: JOHN L. LE.IS, ETAL. The following investigation was conducted by Special Agente an and MBER 2% springfield, Tiinois on september 15, 1943. Springfield, Dlinois, the resi- dence of agents interviewed him and it was noted that he had difficulty in understanding some of tho questions and in answering them. It should bc noted thet he is an alien too, and he advised he never has been ar- rested in his life. It is felt he would make a poor witness unless his testimony is necessary, as he is not very intelligent. INTERVIE. . ITH At He was unable to write his name so marked "ZX" on the statement which he gave agents and that statcment is as follows: Springfield, ese Sept. 15, 1943 oT, GR cive tne following information ‘a sno have identified themselves as being Special Agents of the F.B.I. No Beno or promises have been made me to give this information. I was born ‘: & I came to U.S. when was not €@ citizen a . Ihave been at Mine «a abou years President & '‘ am still there as a digger. In 1932 I wanted to join P.M.A. as it was the best local and all others went over too, I would rather be with P.M.A. now than under U.M.w. I read in papers thet ELSHOFF bot Mine A & that RYAN quit. About a week later I first heard from others rs that we would have to join U.M.w, but et first I didn't pay any attention when ELSHOFF bot Mine A, P.M,A. had no trouble at all with RYAN in old days. After ELSHOFF bot Mine A no one asked me to join up to U.M.i:. I also heard that ELSHOFF said he would take coal out of Mine A thru Mine B unless the men joined U.M.u. I never heard a thing about Mine A to be opened separately if it went U.M.W. I joined U,M.i. as whole local did. I only went to meeting on Sunday at Elks Club and we voted and I did too altho I didn't want to go over to U.M.W, as I was pleased with P.M.Ai. No one told us anything at the meeting except that they wanted to go back to work. I don't think that all wanted to join up to U.k.w. I didn't want to fight anyone so I joined up as we didn't want the same thing to happen at Mine A like it did at Mine B when men got beat up. J signed up a meeting to become U.M.w, RAY EDMUNDSON talked to us about being glad to have us back. Since U,M.W. has been at Mine A things are same now aS under P.u.A. as far as I am concerned, J heve had igent NMI -222 this two (2) page statement to me and it is true and correct to st of my knowledge. LITNESSES : mxe Above is X which was made by SS Specia cnt, £.8.1. St.Paul,Minn. Spec. Agt.F.B.I. (Milw)" - 582 ~ Fan ee te nm rR Tn OT Oe gern ta Me tm te