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C Ne RE: JOHN L, LEAS, ET LL INTERVI£« VITH owin: tnvestivation owin: a was ¢: tet by Special field, Tilinsis on September ° Springfield, Illinois, avents interviewed wWno Toons there, and he advised he never has been arrested It was noted that he was very cvoperative but he appears to be rather il_iterate and it is felt he would make a poor witness unless his testinony were necessary. ~ w_ents obtuined from hin the followin: siyned statenents: — = = Sept. 17, 1943 feet give the following information HOw cane who have identified themselves to me as Special Agents o he & t threats or promises have been made me to give this information, & I an “giving it of my own free will. I am still at Mine * b a as a dipger & I eon there about years. I was born $$$ go & I became a izen at Springficid poe REET P.M.A, but I don't remember why or how I felt then. I heard that “lshoff bot Minc A in 1941 at a P.M.A. mecting an- nobody liked it as we all thot There would be some trouble. I also heard that if the men signed over to U.Li.W. Mine “ would be re-opened & otherwise it would close & I also heard that Edmundson said that Mine % would take coal out from Mine A thru Mine B, I was satisfied with P.ii.A. at Mince A &-it was a pretty good local, & I didn't want to change back. When I heard of above J did not feel so good as I was over 60 & jobs were hard to get. I also heard if wo signed up we would not have to pay $10.00 then. J joined the U.M.W. as I needed a job& I felt if I wasn't with U,M.W. I would not get a job as I am too old. I don't know if I went to any meeting at Redman! s Hall or at Elks Club but I do recall of eting af ¢he tf Woo loesnl on the 7th floor of the UM tel =} Wd, Mi, Ue de if BS Ee RR # ottht dhe ee a ewe Ot ae PE going to 4 mé Bldg. I heard it said in paper if we wanted to go back to work we would have to go to this meeting. At this U.M.W. mezting Edmundson said if we joined up Mince & would reopen & in a few days it did reopen & he said something about taking coal out thru Mine B. I signed up with U.M., as if I did not I could not go to work. I never was at Edmundsons or Elshoff's office & I needed e job. Since U.K.W. has been at Mine 4 things are same as they were under P.M.a. & there is no trouble. I like P.N.a. best as there is too much hum buy in UUW, T have had Agen (read this (2) two page statement to me re