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FEDERAL: BUREAU OF INVEESTIGATION
JOHN L. LEWIS
PART 7 OF 13
FILE NUMBER: 44-845
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927Re: JOHN L. LIIIIS, LT L.
[Fi_iVIEH1'l}{
Continued
"I did not-b/-D
"I have nothing to say against the PHI. or the Ul.
I like to work under the PMA and I am also satisfied
to work under the UIJU.
attend the mg, meeting on May ll, 1937.
1 IcInE3mb¬I", I never signed any petitions either for PM; or H55
Lin" in 1?? .
"I7
did not vote in the first N.L.H.B. election in December 1937.
I never heard that this election was not fair.
W _ Ls aforementioned I can not read ir write. Therefore,
has read this s*;..t:n,e"'.-; to me consisting oi on an
one half page and it is true and czzr-.ct anti the 53.!".l3 information I have
furnished in the pre:=9r1:e= -1; ,
Witnessed;
.
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Special igent F.3.I.
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Special gent , F. B. I. "
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RE: JOHN L. LEJIS, ET AL
IIJTERVE.- 1.'1TE? _' ._ i--fl was interviewed
-A n-cia ngen s - and
" is illiterate and appears o now nothing of II|QIIm||"i|!§iil|l!!ll.l|l'- - -l _ i A -
15; 55;; co*c'ii ng e Surln¬. His memory and English are poor and he
would not nah; a satisfactory Witness.
He furnished the following statement:
qlinoisSop cm -r 3, 1943
L.the fo?lowin$ volnntlry stetenent to
tn? h_ e identified themselves as being
tne '1 of Investinetion. No threats or
promises have been made to m¬*g_ get no to make L stitenent.
'44- 92 .v vn -n _._._ wide wt. Illinois. .1 was borncane 0 ie . . in - I became a citizen
"I St.".I1;.:d mining in an:i joined the United Ihne "orkers at
that tine. I storted workin? at Mine B in 1935 and at that time belonged
tr. Pl -..¢ - I never attended many meetings of any union
"I was working at ine D at the tine of the strike. I remember the
wen wer tulkin§ about wobes and contrncts but I don't know Whit they were
talking about. I don't understand Vern well. I also heard that ndSD]'..C oi the other fellows were working for U.h1.'.'. but I don't kn hing
about this .
"On the day of the strike I was workin;_: in Box Q1515 a digger. I went
down to work that morning and swnoone said load short t I filled n ears
up, I worked all do; long that day and the next day they said, "Mine no
work, strike."
I signed
Phat they were.lot of things at springfield that summer but I don't know
remember when they had a sit down strike at the mine; I
was there two or three days, it make no tired and I go homo.
"I voted for Trogrcssive in the election at the Armory. Nobody ever
threatened me or bothered me. -
n'r ..1;.92_".L Ulllll
beck to work in the sane place as I remomh I had no
back to work, nobody ever threatened no. asked me
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trouble when I went
to join U. . 7. but
I wnn1dn'L join with him. I joined U. M. J. when some other fellows ask
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RE: JOHN L. LEJIS, ET AL ~
"I don't 1-:n.n-.- 1.h?.L mused he strike in 1937. I don't understand
vs-1'3: well.
"..bove read tr by .-L5;-21113 and adn1ttc,d to
as truu to the best of mis mega Q.
"Ii tn; ssed:
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U. S. Dept. of Just;~:~."L? <..,-
IIETER-TIE.' TITI me because I didn't have any trouble when
continued! ' I worked under U. IT. 'L'.'. before and I had
trouble with F.II.A.b TD
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RE: JOH L. LEIIS, ET AL-
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INTERVIEl?ITH¢.. 2 " '_ . __
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English is very s difficult to
of conversetion= He epgeered to he willing to fully answer questions
propoundei to him, and would be a willing witness. He submitted the
following signed statement;at his place of
Illinois, on Se
Springfield
"Springfield, Illinois,
September 8, 1943
"1- nuke the follcwing voltintery state-
ment to T 1 en =2 92 ' whom I know to be S eoielAgents of the Federei LJTSQU 0! !nv6S!1g¢!iOn, U. S. Department of
Justice. _
"I was born entered the United
States at New York ir. -éi. and naturulize s 'S'pringfie1d, Illinois
Bbou.
"The first mine union I joined was the United Mine Workers
of nnerioe which will be hereinafter E referred to us U'M92T¢ I joinedthis union in -at the 'Sa.ngc.mon Mine #2 at Springfield, Illinois-
The first time I started working at Mine B was sboutg
and I continued there until the mine closed in May, 1937. I think
I worked st Mine B in Novemner, 1939 when it re-opened und quit in
the eerly pert of 1940, but I om not positive of this period of
employment-
"fnen I began workinw; ut Mine 3. i.: I was a member of
the UMi- However, I volunturily joined the Prgressive Mine Workers
of A1'!'1¬1"iCL92. hereinufter refer-ed to us P!-in-in l952, I liked the Plh
"oecuuse the leaders were more honest that the UM! lenders.
_ "I never held an office in L mine union. I attended only
11 few Hit meetings, but I uttended more UH-1' meetings us the 1111". fined
the men fifty cents if they did not attend the neetingss
l'I'|-r n - _ ' Muhen I wns employed et Mine B I WL-5 u cool d1g5er-
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RE: JQ}-111 T,_ I.E'.'IS_ FYI AL.
I/7Q.92
bqpiNTERViEJ *-.122: "I do not think EISHOFF liked the am
union before the strike in May 1937 but liked
926O.'L-iuéI I+1.... 711.1"? .-... 1.-.,-. ..|!.-_...-..1 __._.,_ nu-r1 .._: 4_,4__.__ .|._UJIU U1-92'L 1 RD 11'-7 ULLUWUU DLIIHZ umw U.gJ,'CH.'DUI'5 LU
work in the mine when the FHA had a closed
shop oontrsct with Elshoff. I know these UMW agitators by the follow-
ing names; n.92.Y!iiE'|' SCHRELEVIOUS, "1~1'II192IIC PASQU1-J_.E, PETE CARTER, FIUJJK
AUSTIN, 'ILJIiY PLOTCH, COTTON AN-riNIn.S, JOHN SIRTOUT, GEJRGE JAG-1-».'[l.Y,
anon .Jnc,; 1."-Pf, eoruno menu, sun Jinss H:-.LE
Vsbout six months before the strike JnHES HnLE come to me
in the mine and told me that if I wnnted to keep my job I had better
_-._-__ 4_92-.. 7-rr§'_rJoin tne ui-:11.
{I short time after the strike started in May, 1937 JOHN
SIRTOUT and TONY PLOTCH come to my house to get me to join EDI. I
said I would not sign even if, lost my job.
lose my job then.They told me I would
"nlso e. mine: nomad end 0 miner named qlnst name
unknown, came to my houss bnd ee'- me if I signed with WI? would
-.__ .|_92_ TIM 1'get n good rom in the mine to work, und if I did not sign witn mm:
I would not work at ell. This hupnened u short time before the mine
opened in 1939.
"I know nothing about the wage souls controversy.
"I do not remember if I wont to the Pn meeting on Hey
11, 1937 which was the night before the strike at Mine B.
I do not know what huppened ht this meeting.
"I helped picket dine B for ninety two days.
"I wont to the mine when it tried to open in September,
1957, but did not go to work. None of thm I1h>nmn would work bo-
ouuse FnLCETTI told the Pn Pit Committee only UM? men could work.
I hoard about this from the other IEL» miners . The only men who went
to work were L few UMU members which included tho miners whose
H4mC5 are mentioned above in this stbtemcnt us agitators.
- "I knew tho mine tried to open two
1937, but I'did not go out to the mine. I d
knew ubout the mine attempting to re-open.times ufter beptomber,
o not remember how I
Wen the Mine opened in ~?.ez.<=:e<>=o-work. I xmew about this b~wL»s»f@' ;ioumo to my house nnd talked to my wi e es- told her o tel "m¥'i "
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R2. JOHN L. LEVIS, ET AL;57¢»
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INTERVIEW wlxn the mine was going to open. at *"
- 31$HMII-92WsW*mem"4¢-
continued!H
1 left Mine B in the early curt of 1940
because I worked four days cleaning up slete and my boss Q%§Qf§]
would only get me money for two da_s work. I had already signe- up
with UMJ at that time. My friend §i§Q@;' phonetic! told me tht
he vms afraid for, if I did not sign with Uh would be beaten up.
+1»-4n vn'I~r92n
do not understend English well»1! _.I,..-.... ....-.,a,...... I u<:v-:r.-1' U-l1uu1'n 591d
trouble was about, because
"I do not like lls I do not like ll lenders. I would
never work under HI? again. _K
"This stetement consistin_ of three peges and one quurter
hug been reed to me bu iggyg in the presence of Enng-.-l - l _92.».s' -*9 5* ;-- -1'»; " _l",;i -_'- :,..,_i,_;_3- Q ;_"-Ii - " . "i'5H'::":--.".-_..e¢@@§nw+_w§;ji¥§ei:;e@¢*@£f -wM< is statement was care ul ' -- _l,~,-»$_-rm I ~ 1 11 _ _:¢v¢;el";;me Sen nu - el i- 0Xp1hln0d to me= It is the truth
as best I can remember. can not reed English, but I can speak
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RE: JOHN 1.. *-="~'=~» *5? AL
mrsavsv .,-.;1TH Springfield, Illinois,
in erviewe e. ' e prig ie - Field Divi
shy
en B1.l'iCEUB8
would not be considered as a good witness due to ca
very poor memory, poor speech, and a difficulty in understanding questions
propounded to him. He cannot read well, and refused to sign the following
statement prepared for him, because he could not read. He listened, however,
to it intently, and stated that it was ell true and accurate.
' t "5pringfie1d, Ill
September 7, 1943.
"M name is eggtdétky» e _ I make the following statementto ma -- I who hove identified themselves
to me as'opeb1eitgents c£th¬ re6erei nureau of Investigation. No promises,
threats, or consideration of any kind has been made to me to make this state-
ment. I am willing, if necessary, to Eb_to court and repeat any part of
statement.this
"I first started to work at Mine B in - At that ems I was a
member of the United Nine Workers. In 1932 when the ?ogressive Mine Norkers
of America was organized, I had to go into that organization in order to
at Mine B. I did not particularly like to go into the PMW of A. I kept
Dr. '92"92l1P'I92l'F YI'9292I' A192Qc +,-. 4-he TIv.:+c.a M4.-.3 ".|'|T~,-1,-.:..-.- 92-..s........-.. T ~r~..1+ +-1..-,+ T ..-. ..I All-5 IN. 92-l92-IC/D UV 92-141$ "J11-92-IUL-i *' -LIZ 92-'1 ACLU UUUQMDU 4- J.UJ.Lr UJ.lD.92-I i VD-Q G1
ber of that organization all of the thne . I did this even though they
r ¥"92¢~ taking the PM-I dues out of my Pay; continued
- a . ' = H ~work
right
were
to
do do the same, payin_ their dues to imw ~ e - working at mine
igdgfw .??'M%§§§;§%% §iiI1$d'dTY?%Wf¥king t fhe H!?T "' """' -..-. 1:1. .- -
"I used to attend the union meetings occassionely. I was never
an officer in any labor union. I was not particularly disotisfied with the
operation of the Pm while I was e member. I had no objections to it except
that they took a lot of my pay for dues. Other than that I think the PMW
was alright. I belonged to the UMW and thnt was my union. I never talked
about the unions, and did not care much which union was at the mine as long
as they would leave me alone and let me work. I would have been asetisfied
to have continued at Mine B with the unions just as they were. I did not do
any agitating about changing the unions. I do not know if m br"s did an' ' - ' -. -*~ . ' I ' '2"? -, H 1 -F-.?i='~-." ' '1': ' N? --7!,-I-' .1"'~ -I-3 H"-» I ".. .:¥¢-.;- ='.,~1'=-- - - _glttlllg OI .T1Ot a _.j:I'- - ' - f;=c.1,~, -Q".-"'_ = &- .§.. M, ' .;_I>.#=='?'.1.;-'._ ._ I - 4; ., . .e- -4-1.; ,.>.,..~ w . - . 92Ww_.,,,---.- .-. = ., . . 1.»? . --,,,,,,_,_,_;.-.<¢..»-»--» - - _ _~. ';5i_¢-'t: . 1-,. ;;_',-;»:._ .'.-- J _ -1 3, - .,_ _ 7"" -,*._;~;1 :_>__.:-1-I . h _. ._ ,_. _, . . _ __ __ , w;-by _..¢. _,_ Uh . . 1 .,92;;.,,,;5. 1 2'? -' =1;-1-'.-1.1.--v"~-" " -i» .- -' -3? -.I .1. £5 -we ~v:~I_=.-K.-=1-..1.».-=:§*§e¬*.=.¢.. '1 .-_ H ~.-4'-I "I 92. ' -- -..j ' ; "'-.1. - ... Im __ V_ § 1 .3-$-Va _ j-gs... __J it fa $<.»_.......nr. ._.&a..92~*.1_ _ . .. .. ., 1 i 92~ >.. . .. .- . ..m'Qn'En= = vi "*"--Y3.... _ -- ~---------~- w ._.....__... .,.=;W,-,,,,.-......».,,_-..... _...... - re-mi
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RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, El AL é 7 Q
Hm 1-
..__' wi-NJ V - @-- TH -' -
continued
I do not know what caused the strike at Mine B in 1937.
I was not interested in the affairs of the union or the company, and I did not
want to get in any trouble. I do not remember what happened then. I know I
was not at the mine on the day that they started the picket line. I am not
sure. I did not go out to the mine when it was being picketed, or sit on the
picket line. I did not see any of the men who were out there then.
"I voted at the election of the unions held in the Armory in 1937.
That was a fair election. No one told me how to vote, or tried to influence
my vote in any way. I voted exactly as I wanted to. I think every one ele
had e chance to vote as they wanl to also.
"I do not r embe exactly when it was but Mine B was cloed
I went to work at won; nijg
=§%j%%»~" ,
W § ;'; '
WES a mmbéf Of th UM IIEE
because had always been. I was not inter in what went on out there
in orgenizing the unions, and do not know whet happened. I did not see any
fighting, or hear about it.
"I did not know of any organizing that was going on out there at
the mine. I do not know of anything that FnLCETTI or ELSHCFF did to favor
one union over another. I do not know of any violence, or anything wrong
done by either union in the trouble that occurred at mine B.
"The above st=;ter..ent has been reed to me bj.
This statement was on this and two oth r t ewT'tte a 's ver ' = en yp 1 n p ge . yt ing
he has read to me is true and accurate.
" Refused to sign teceuse odnnot read, but declared that it was
ell true.!
?%%$i%§§:@:F:1 5 eoiol Agent FBI
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Re: JOHE L. LEHIS, ET L;
E?Q_-, 1:15
. . I .
By Special Agent - "Q -" and f I Although he ap-
peared ccoperati he tenant, it is. .92 w_ _ i _, 9292 _-f I , _. ve anc urnished tr followmg signed s a .-
not believed that he would make a good witness inasmuch as he has no
riefirite JG1ov92'1¬d,r;e about the trouble at M:Lr1e "B".
"Springfield, Illinois
September 6, 1943
"I! d0 'VU]:_'l.1!1t8.Iily QiV8 th6 fllOWi Si Edstatement to pecia agents and ofthe Federal Bureau of Invesig "a ion. = hreats r - any
kind have been made to cause L. to make this statement.
"I was 'oor:.- :- and came to ,"..I¬:."IiC8.in - I was naf.-1 a;;_1ze "pring ield, Ill. Jan. F Hy pre-sent as-dress is - Springfield, 11 . -"
"I have worked in the mines continuously since Q joining
the United 392i1'.ne horkers of nmerica at that time. I star eo workingat fine B about icontinuing my UIM.-5. membership. Between the
time I started at 11. e B till 1932 the mi;;e officials and the UL-f.»';<.
got along fine. ~"
"The Progressive I';Lne horkers of .:LI.1c'1"iC3. started because the
wage scale ballots were stolen. I had nothing to do nith the for-
mation of the Progressives and never held an office in either union.
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2--92 -r ii. ' 1_?»;= ,-41.
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.Re: JUL-l1'~' L. new-lo, 2-1", _ 92 92-
.
_M- -v- -PP -1-nT.
"I Know that a few UREA men tried to open the mine
TQ one day and all of the PLL; men went down and picketed.
Continued! I don t know who the U1-T.-Zr miners were vjrho tried to open
the mine.
"1 remember voting at the NLRB election which the PILL won by a
great majority. vie didn 't go back to vrork at liine B because Iér.
Elshofi didn 't seem to want to_ _ contract with the Progressives.
.- -1 -_-- I!-92n 92I1-92r92 _-92 _ - _ _1_ - _ _ _ L qr|| . |- | G Imen Line I5 opened in 1.9!? In er an 'open snop agreement I
went back as a "regressive. after a few months I signed up with UMTJ,
The mi:.e was hiring new men, and some of the miners were being beat I
up 8; forced to join UMLI. I joined UE;'..~".. to keep my job and to keep
out of trouble. I didn't Ne... to tag chances._ 'I;"g_e._e men came
to rt: house to get me to join 11.5 _.i
' no ..ncr:»"-: Bchrelevious. I Know that 1;-j_"_ ' o at up
some lg terriblr "
I _TIT 1-J . -F 92u92_-92 .' r ''4 u u I'Q92./.._|. 1|. LO; C , Q On.
"If I could have a free volrntary choice I would choose the
gr-essive Union.
"Ch Dec. 5, 1941 I started working: at I.-tine -:.¢ I was fired at
Zine 3 allegedly for being drunk. FYI. Tlshoff also owmcd Mine A
and I can't understand why I was fired at one and hired at the other.
"I have had the above statement QDIISlSti1'1g of two and three-
o_u:.:r'ters 3/4!__read to mt" by _'_¢;;~nt The same is true and
I do hereby sign my name.
".'.itnessed:
If ' 7§§:nL|amc;'T_f:,;§ n_ v -| f I _ 1-5 _-- -/ ° "*%: .. I M *~$e3_ ~ ' ' i' ,,
Sp6C1=_1_L ..gent , F.B.I.
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Re: JOEHT L. L5-.'.1s, ET ;».L J? <I-/
ewe92-
. . 11'?TF»-IV1E'"'1TH of Illinois,
92 d S t~nb 1 ' 1 ents 5 y,-ggln erviewe on ep e.. er , '- - ec : ..
»"-en: took
shorthand note: of this interview end the note W re enscribe Q" in and
s st:.t-;*-.'_snt d..s:.':n up which was presented to on September 2,
19-.5 5- '. vitich iIi_T:c~ he reed the same, pronounce 1 correc and signed it-, -I _ _ .
It ._-;;s e~;.served th:-.: had e better than average inte e
for 1 i;;c-1' end it is e ieve . he is a reliable individual.
1.=.':.s c,-ntirelv ooonerstive and it is believed he would make E good witness ifcelled. advised that he had no criminal record.
The folloving statement '92'.'e.s executed by
Sept. 1, 1945. '
.__._.._ .. _ _ . ____ .. e
_ c. .0;". Faking t:.is rec = -924 v lune ' .. -' "-' - and
Q _ 2'.-ho are lcrown to re to be Sgecial Age s 'i '- Bureau
5-1* zvss _. ion, II. S. Bep:.rt.uent of Justice. IE0 threats or promises
hive been made me to give this statement.
I Wes born '-I and I came to the United Stztes whenI was sb "t years old a l .ve been o citizen of the United Statesfor o-:-er%;;eers. I am presently employed es 3&1 czli-Eéger at Kine B in
Springfie
foruer-13' '¢.
ld, Il1., and I have been there about or I years or so. I. V ma;--' . -..-92.. -_.;-was e. '=lr;i_» and belonged to ethe U S b o w 3!.: ' internatione cérd i"-'1 " "= - and when I czune to . . __ _. -'--- 4" 5-=1 5' ..-J - . .=t-_1=l:'~'--.- - -2. .. ,- - - -ood here too ' " ;;.-.é';-:";"'__;r:=¢s. In - ~1 - ' _ l -
4 o 5 .1e.vo never e - any union oiiioe. .» n I first came to line B they
' - ' l'"-" 1 ""I'th=.-*~tfhsd a U17. cor.-tract and as for es I know L1.. got a ong Llt L e .n:*n'~.Lenen o
line B alright. U1"; vros alright until John Lewis pu1ledo:£i his tricks and
stole di-5 ballots--it was gos sip to me then. '.Then the other rner: loft UITY
end vent over to P11. I also vent over with them and I did not help organize
enythingj then. I felt then that Le:-'is mas not treating the mining men
fairly. Fror: 1952 until the nine closed PI!. got along with the management
at line B to rrzy knowledge. I have always said that I ce.n't see why thecompany wanted e change beck to UTYI. Both contracts Y-ere the sane and I I
don't recvll of any strikes or other troubles there before the nine closed. _
B: tween 1932 and 1937 Carl Elshofi and O_so_o1;_e_lce__iéidlnotsr e.nything_ Ito we about changing back to UT-'. itis . N-pq . . .'¢---*'- i.. *1 -'-""- 92 ' Qquite some way to Springfield, 111., s .- no -no9292. - Q was é,O1!1g
on ell the tines. However, everybody seemed to be well pleased between
1952 and 1967. I neverheord any tclk about Pl}. local being run by crooks no:
did I ever suspect that they did anything wrong as we miners V.'6I'8 satisfied
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92__ . 92.-J
Re: JOHN L. LE1.-15, 1:1" AL é 7L
6 70
with the wav the FHA officials were runnine the local and _ - . . ,1 L:Q handling the money matters. PI.-IA never had any special
assessments except once I recall when they needed some
money to help out other locals who were out or were short of money but that
money went to help those other miners. The miners in local 54 ran that
local thenselves and it was not run for or bysa few and everything was taken
up at meetings and was propertly voted upon or debated on. I
active in the union affairs as it was too far for me to go to
meetin?5 as by the time I got hone and ate it was too late to
I11, and attend a meeting but I t 1 go once in awhile.was not very
attend the
go to Springfield,
"In regards to those PIA men co"1icted in those bombings cases
we miners felt that they got a gotta; de*i, and there was some gossip that
Edmundson and that bunch had this rail"oaded. The gossip then was that
Bdmundson wqg very muok irte ¬3teC in their trials.
"Prior to the time the mine closed down UHW never bothered PMA
men at the mine to my knowledge and there was no strikes or pickets out there
and there was no trouble that I know of. However, before the strike started there
were 2 OT 3 PIA men who were pretty strong for UM? and they were FRANK AUSTIN,
SAY and ANDY Sghrelevious and Jim Hale. They would go around and talk to the
other miners about goinf back to UHW. But they never personally contacted me.
I never heard anything about Elshoff or UMW giving any parties.
"In the spring of 1937 when our contract ran out Etch} us
several times at the mine ttet they had a temporary agreemen . the manage-
ment and that if there was any increase it would be retroactive back to April lst.
Te miners felt that Blshoff would make a contract and that it would be just
as good as any contract that USE could get for us. There were no fights on
pay days and everybody seemed to be satisfied with the agreement and we all
thought we would get a lump sun if the increase went thru} Everyone seemed
to be satisfied with the nay'it was handled. I never say any short or other
strikes then. I heard that around in April, 1937 Pasquale and several others
were playinf around with men in their own nationalities and were trying to
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.'-' 5-_ I <-Re: JOHN L. 1s;n:s, sr at
INTERVIEW WITH been out and something was said about some men being expelled
but not fired. When I came out of the mine I did not know
continue there was a strike and I left my tools in the mine and they
are still there. Ibelieve that the trouble was over those
men and I know it was not over any wage trouble. I also heard something about
cars being loaded short that day but I was not told to load them short and I
did not see any of my cars were all full.
"Several weeks after the mine closed I signed a PEA petition and
I think I signed it at Springfield, Ill. I signed it of my own free well
and no one forced me tc sign and I never heard of any force being used to
sign it. The men were all crowded around and seemed happy to sign it. I
heard the UHW got up a petition too during summer of 1937 but I never
signed it and was not approached by anyone in regard to it.
n. . _§BMEH__z_$. . BA! .. . . - . ."A EQKTC 5 Y1 EVE! SYIOWTI. 1119 an El l'I'lC.iEiV1 T} CB1} 9C1 August
25 at ViI"d . .~._.,. ." .» Ci b 1 Ci I I ' , en, , n_wr we signs y severa_ men an recognize my
sifnaturé on it. This i' in regard to Charles Roth, who is now dead, con-
tacting some of us aboio going to a BMW meeting and the information in that
a affidavit is correct and true and to one forced me at that time to make the
affidavit. If I recall right the l2¢y:r for FHA made it up after we miners
told him what haooened and no one forced us to make it.
"I also heard that during th summer of 1937 the UMW started a'1 Q1 I .r92 - 8- -92 1 1»-anET iOC.i in oprinrlieic, lli., out ¢ never was contacted by anyone and
don't know a thing about it. I also recall hearing something that several
men from Nine B went over to the Jefferson mine and I also heard that Oscar
Falcotti took that mine over and that he was boss there.
"In September, 193? I did not go out to Mine B to work but I
heard they"~ere going back under UTW and I went out and helped them picket
until the lbrshall came out. I went out to see what was going to happen
and did not go out to work under UKN. I recall that the same men I haveu-.1.-. 1 . _nehtioned before Went down into the mine but no ran men wont down. Sam
*e heard the nine was to be reopenedis the right name too for Joe Albznese. WE PEA men did not work because
as UMW. Nobody asked ne either to go
out there. When I did go out I saw Falcetti there too. PEA had a regular
meeting before the picketing started and I understood that it was decided
noon that if UHW went in there that PEA would picket but I did not attend
that meeting but just heard that. I
strike several nights a week but did
local men were just out there and nowould come home from the sit down
stay out five nights a week and PEA
strangers were brot in at all. The
picketing and guarding of the mine was very peaceful and we men were there
to protect our jobs and we did not do anything wrong there and the place -
got cleaner than it ever was before.
trouble. However, I once heard that
in. we men went out to the sit downUH? did not come out andcsuse us any
UMW was going to bring some outsiders
strike of our own free will and no
3l3
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~;~ 11:"Re: JOHN L. trams, ET AL
ITERVIE?' r, 6'
b7£'_> _
force was used and we could go out and leave as we pleased
on inaeo we all l- t and h men did no resentand nothing unusual happened. When the MarshaI|_l_|came out
. * ' e ' - the Marshall as the c f t t
men were getting tired of being there so long. I think
the harshall told
"I hearthe men that nobody else would come out and take over.
d several days later after the Marshall came out that the
nine was going to be reopened but I did not go out. I remember that in Dec.
l@37 the NLRB had their first election for us and I voted for PEA because
they were the best
to vote any specie
to the union hall
l938 I think I rea
not go out there aunion. It wis an honest election and nobody forced me
l way and no strong arm methods were used. we first went
and then ent to the Armory to vote in a group. In Jan.
d in the paper that the mine would be opened but I did
s we were sat. ied that the injunction would keep anyone
from the mine prooerty. I knew Elzhoff had not signed a contract with the
Progressives and a
not deal with the
the nine closed.
work in Nov. of 19
in,I<hntrammw
who told me I woul
inquiries were mad
work Shortly after
me when my place w
docked or threaten
Umrneabm sd
and I had better g
he did not threste
FHA to keep their
was unnecessary.
TEp11CEd the naneg
that U1? got 3 mej
were notlifthey
vorkl_ this signin
the official and e
was going on; Durs I recall it at this time the rumor was that he would
FrcL~ascives because Lewis and UKW was paying his to keep
_ .;; lwed a registered letter telling me to come back to
3C/3' _c: _!.->-.J1j*-*- "-:1-we mg :1 Pr}-Y-+.:Lj_n p11r31Y9201" n-P rinv in T >=1'92r'"'f_'_. , is Lg- _ . U -c.., ...--. o_ _-J- -- -c,--
r how many hit I want back the first day and saw Falscetti,
d have to wait till my place was ready to work in. No
e of me as to whibh union I belonged to. I went back to
the first of the year of 1940, one of my sons telling
as ready for me to go back in. Nobody caused me to be
ed me in any""n§;_ Chas. Qohanon did talk to me at
nfing over to UMHL he said that all the men were joining
ct lined up. Eohlnon was very careful what he said,
n me or say I night lose my job. No force was used by
men in line as the PEA felt their men were loynl and this
I heard at this time that whenever a new man was hired or
ement would only hirelHnwnL I think this is the way
ority at the mine. I heard that if new men coming in
would be signed up with that union before they went to
3 up of new men to UHW went on right in the mine yard where
veryonc could see it, so everybody must have known what
ing this period I was treated about the same as always
and Elshoff and Felscetti made no statements to me indicntinf that they
favored either uni
"I neve
election, when eve01'}.
r signed anythinr for the UH? until after the second NLRB
ry ody hid to sifn up with then if they vnnted to keep
their jobs. I dont remember signing any card for the Profressives either
lrinc the summer of 1940
"I voted at " 2nd NLRB election voting ajain for PMAL I voted
this way because that was the way I felt. Joone forced me to vote for FHA. I
ts
;;;_ Re: JOHN L. LE IS, ET AL
92, hf '
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1:: ;»,v_;IHTERX Q TITH
udcbntinue
until the time
this was FTOUHC5'11!
I went directly to the Armory from my home. As fer as I
know the election was fair and honest. The election was
by secret ballot and was under the supervision of a man
from the Gov't. I paid PEA dues from Jen. of l94O_up
I tent with PMA, I es with the last group to join UMQ_I believe
larch of 1941. I JOIRQG the LUZ because I either had to
do that or goite my job I still like the FHA but I had to have a job to
1.L; G living,
I Went beck in
I used to workL
having been out of work for two and one-half years, "hen
Jan. I 40 the territory I had formerly worked in was ot ope
in Box but when I came back to work I went in BOX I
never hewrd an hing a out there being a big fire at the mine in 19 9. I
heard stout @TQff " Join{~92 me tqlkinj at some meeting but I was
not there and gont Know whet it 1 s all ibsut. I would h»ve preferred to
ut felt I had better join um. I ~._~<;1 heard of
of Sprinrfield hnvinf two of his tires ri ped open and had hear} §"t -
of other sen being beiten.Ste}? with PIJA b
HI h
1943; it is toare 111., read the f~>reg~_oin;i statement on Sept. 2,
the best ul my kn: ledge and belief the truth. I am therefore
volunt?rily signing this three fr-3 1;pewritten sttement and initinling
etch page there
esses:
1$ ¬%""Of 0
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,.,.. . t -
it
Special Art. FBI St. Paul!
=.»J- oecinl ___.:.. ELI 1.--II-_-Lelrteelueammneeammlni * '
Virden, Ill.
Snte. 2, 1943"
- 315 - L
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_ * ~ . ' i _1_.L inois , was interviewed by pecia ents
11 =.§l11Ch 5}
as found to nave'n.'1u:'1-1; zuwuc: ' L..u92.92,1+41-L;'> notes later being transcribeci by Agent 5 and a state-
orswn up, based upon them. on September 2, 1943 .1s statement was
CSL£'.T.»L'.!'3 to him. He reed tile same 81'.-d gronouneed it
1 hi h;P intellect than nest miners. It is_ Illinois on September 1,
-.1» . P.-P Ls-.» -;o+.-,~.-.--: .1.-,. 1-.-P -_.7_,_:._.A-U1. U116 J..luL.lVJ_92-H -J"! AEILIIU
correct and signed
at he is a vex" reliable person and would be a willir1g "itness 1~_v> :1 -- - .- . ..
if celled upon to testify. H5. advised that h; had no criminal record.
Tim. Stil"L92.;!!'!'JI1l'.. ginsr. by is as follows:
t,'!'1'-.1".'rz;.kin this ree -no vo1ur.t_=;r;-' st; one t-;
who are xnowm to me to be SpeciI1l.,
and
uni? " U t d "t t De artment of Justice. _; ;I'Iil uroou of Irzvestigition, ni c .~. :1 es "p
~, foroe or tbreits have been mode me to give this stit;ment=
" was born L'i 3nd came to the United StatesW '"' _ _ ears 13-Yo and -L become u Cl izen thru f:1th~;r,. . -.- ~*. 1; I?-; .4 _ ;. "--.;';_-l,_6= . _.1 Ill. .:|,bLJ..|.t' " cars ago e ame a ~. ts: Ni. -erf U.i in Illimu "java never held any union ofiice and
I pTLS*.I]-tdly an "corkin at Him; :3 in Springfield, Ill., and I started
u onck iround Q§§§§g§t?' when Line 2-was under UHF. U I and
Llshoff Jot along t en as
bi;er as I know of, and the uion appeared to .3
ilriaht for the 1';On, I wanted to turn over to FIE.-. in 1932 and I
went over with toe rest of the men then and I did not help in turning
over from U31 to PEA. ween 1932 ind 1937 Elshoff and PEA stoned to
get
know of tn: r".z1r.a!e".1c:e.t of
to ,
offi
ind
we J
i Cralong alright as
at UL?-' back. I never
cinls, and w- miners
were doing right for
ad over LOO members.
l"iI"fi<.ld I1l., '
- ' -1 :~n I O¬%r.T='» ---'- 41.-9 ."{ _
ere-?
-in; unusual pened that I kno" of. I don't
1-line 3 being cissstisifed 1..-':Lth fl-5.". or :ITlI1t¬.Zd
heart anything bad at all about P15 men or
felt that the Plh officials were all right
the men. P311 11:15 not .1 racket run local and
I would attend meetings only 1:0"-.1 and then
on fir '7 -"" but I would _-jo once in §%%?é¬ is "p 'Q ; _ is V . . _r.H &J,,..
V="-******- .3 vfrile Q I
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Re: J01-N L. LLIIS, sr .1-Lu A
INIZRVIv,....-- _ ,~ ;i..,_ ...,__".' ,
ob
JIT' "I and other miners felt that those PML non who
[i'3§P1~*- mt were convicted in the bombing cases were railroaded.
'onIinue¢
I was satisfied with the PMA officials and think it was a good union
ind I ntver susptctcd anyone of stealing noney from the local.
92 -92 "'~ - 1"Refers the nine closed I never saw Ugh picket Nine _
src any p3yLTE or li:or_:urc from UH". Before the mine close I neverdid I
was approached by anyone to join UM; and I never knew of any U5 spiGS being
in Plh then. Things were running Smooth ano there was no trouble at all.
I never h~ard anything about any parties given by Elshoff or UHC.
1.
"I rccall that 1L-SQT13g f IGB7 wt worked without a contract and
re were told that we would work pendi.g a settlement. The rumor W15 that thepay would be rctroe.cti_v<.. I thin}: thaiétold ushbout this at 1-fine B.
~t o t as goo contract as URI could. In
' 10°" I don't r' I P *h" "en complaining at all on pay days and
1t of the CO;tTHCt and I dont recallI never heard that PIL could no _e
_~w92-|'l nLiJlJ-L .a.7_,/r .1_ .._~._4_ u_ oil, ..
we were just waiting For 1 s;tfL>;-
nf any strikes or trouoles th-n .
officials never said anything to
I did not attend a neetizf
amtl Unkllmmrofthemuiimgu
sure but I heard around the mine of
mix: closed I Went to Work as usual
#123 <u=stion I don't recll h;
-x§c1Iod and id not see or hear
I vorkcd all at day ind when I 1;
the Lext day and I don't remember 2
I vert homo thxt day inc went nick
' _ the trouble. I had even left
en heard that the trouole stirt
f»rt tint after the mime closed I
Till and no one forced me to " iher bcf ore the Lld closed. The nine
about that Wage question that I know of.
or Eh; night before the nine closed
nd thin
that m
and di
wring J
o;:1;;i:11:.o;
ft I th
rqfth ing
to work
tool
signed
t ind Ik it was n bpzciil one but an not
_eti1>;;. on"+.he mmim when the
C not hear anything about the
Lythi.g ioout son; non being
3 about any short cirs. I think
ought I would go back to the mine
about a strike then. I think
the next day and then learned
s thorn the day before. I think J
ed over some men being expelled. A
a PEA petition of my own free
believe Z signed 2 or 3 in all
around that time or so. I siined because I wanted PIA to rrpr¬S¬nt no and
I ncv r hourd of iryone being forced to sign them. I also heard that UM:
had a petition out but I never was approached and I nevtr signed it. I
also sizned another FMJ petition ir fall of l937 end no one forced me to
sign that. I think thit was for Uqshington or Something like that. I al-
uayg was willing to sign for PIP as I wanted PM as my bargaining agent.
"In summ r of 1937 I heero that UH» was forming a new locnl but no
one ked mu to join it. I hoard thcy got about l2 tmbtrs OT 50 3P5 I
1. .._. J_L_'92J- War .,..,_ ,..._;.i.. .-....,.-....A +- .1,-:.-.,~ 4-,. A-1 ' '0' t92_.L.'i uu an ;1;ii.'.Ju Liliib '-'14. w;1.:> E,U_LiiL;. rzruusn. _.s. L,
Filcetti went over to tho Jeffcrson Fine toI DECQ hoard that
.";s'-
492. _921
£$'-ii
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L ,
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wf .""-92
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H ".1 ;IN i'":.:.]I- .JOH! L. LEHIS, ET J Q;
L' is .7 5170
' _. are have SDJTH no an affi- 1 A y-Y I 1| H;-_.11f.1S Q 1 , ~ ._ V _ _ davit dlttd augus 25, 19 a irdoo, 1:11., which re-
vontinuo§T' fcrs to Charles Roth, who now is dead, telling mo
aro ozhtrs to attend a Bib znctilo.
true ant corrcct and I hive rtcogni-
forced
house at
T;C1ll
r92.C.?-.11.
5 or o
lcvious,
iso. and
351.1 L .re toinformation in that affidavit is
my signature on it and no oro
give that affidavit thon and I think it was made in the court
Virdcn, Ill.
"I r-call that in tho fall of 1937 Lino B roopcnsd and I don't
got tho notice out I think sons one photod no and I don't Inn: I
of going to any nzoting whore
I was all ready to go to vork aid on
' men wont don an they W» 1 r
'1
Innoriony Plotch,
y Jacrvo
I think thsv a
J'92._ ._ ..__._ L"~-.Lcr: iron going, to --:
bi UY
I livs
ca:_ b
sct up
onbcfor;
. h c. VIcmd-1
I
ant oowr 3* vorkcd thcro boioro b1
;@t§@fif??- and oid notL A . _ ~ _ 3 d Wjomonic Pasoualthey iccioed to do somothiug about it
that first day I believe that about
ott C.rt-r, Cotton gnanias, Indy Schro-
o, Surrng Frank ustin, John Sirtout,
fathcr and son tho; ore! Charlos Bohannon and Jim
1 had tnoir working clothes on and nobody stoppod_
- - ,1- 7 .. la-|1 f92P '.--z... 4-.~ ..A. _;_ uup I 1./.J.J_J. u_' '392._1_ll:; uuld thnt I Vllld hEnu'C I10
go to wtrk. Ir_nono.r that some of those mcn who
t I novtr hoard they worc SpiCS for UK .
1-cnozr -;v.;r;rthing that wont on then. I
ack homo u J 3y inc in ' 3J or so w;tt back and the pickot lino was
and I stiyoé thtrc about 55 Hays and there was no trouble at all. Th"
+hi s*r1k; P-r from tho 10611 and thor w"ro no outsiders brot it .,_S..92._, vIL§. _ .. ....
and there worc no fights or trouble at all and.wo wcro just ;rotocting our
.: fslt that the EH1» non might comm out if wc loft
that tnty might bring in sofa outsidors and take ovor thojobs.
would
- .1" _L;HPWgW@ ?.=
..
v.tn:r ard Yo"I was thcrs when tho
"urg clgd 35 thoy wintod to q;t homo and I think the Ihrshall said that theyJarshall cams out and aboutand we fclt
mizo.
half tho men
Lot lot anyono slso on tho proporty and everyone loft at onco.
"L did not know that tho min- atttnptcd to roogon again in Doc.
i ,f1'I£955-
. Lwas tn
novtr itfluon
strong arm no
don't
U ipx: I
stillL b¢Su
1'1u.J ii
aboutx
out.but I r call that L voted it tho first PLR% election which was hold
d, Ill. and it was bu sccrot ballot. I $3 working at
" __.. .~ ,_ 1__J.92_,_ _,,__i. -_-.-., 4..-. 411C. .rc noun uno uvci ou-
union for us an
cod us mcn how t
thoos nor; usud.too aro tags wont hoviv I voted for FE. as I fiiurtd it
d *3 minors were satisfied with it. FHA
o voto and it was an honost tloction and noI was still 1-.u1rkin;' .1 in Jan. 1938 so
mint rooponod 1 sin or not but * did so; some hing in thc
oors thcy had si nod uv for Ufa but + ftlt the injunction was, _
_92.-..'
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as;1-?'?r'~
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is
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*¢TQ
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< "a ..Re: JOHN L. L5.-IS,92
J ' .-'-.5. _._..:'--..'_._. _-';...-..' .-- _..._.|
57¢/_
4-"=74: .
INTLHVIEQ LITH "Hhen the ndne reopened for good in Nov. 1939
some one phoned me and I don't remember getting a letteri!tine!i I and we were given a1 limited time to return. I Y-Ont out
lid an still
too. V0 OLC
ta? going to
res but they
that I would
cortactcd me
no chuck off
pended upon t
majority and
strangers atther
ever
jOi.n
said
lose
at h
then
heir
they
.-11118e. Filcetti
bothered me
over to Ud-
the UH wasdid not say to me as to what union I belonged
there but a couple of guys asked me when I
and I told then I was satisfied the way it
the best uion. They never threatened me
my job and they talked to me at the mine. No one ever
om; and when I returned I paid my dues to BEA as there was
. Plk did not use strong arm methods at all as they de-
mon to stick together buC3USB they knew they had the
did not have to do any dirty work.
B all of whoI saw quite a few
ere UH" men. Zhun I returned nothing
wee said about the wage agreement and I figured there would be a contract
signed later-. 7Sild inytning to me C
management of Vine 3 iqtld notOn -lwiys had a Food room and Llshoff and Fclcetti never
ut wanting UK, buck there. I did hear that the
listen to PEA complaints but would listen
to those from UM}, I was told Dy someone that if I joined UM} then I could
get in free but later on I would have to pig and I told them I would pay
if necessary.
"In the summer of
don't know for sure if I s
inc I think I joined over
before the election was held.
pressure was Erot on me and it
secret ballot. However
they 'ired were UET men
over because I needed al9AO I never signed anything for UH? and
igned anything for PM». everybody was turning over
to Uh after the lust hLR3 election or either just
at that election I voted for PZL and no
was n fair and good election and was by
UK won because whenever o PM; quit the new men
and after the election many quit. I finally turned
job and I on still ther . The mine was in bad shape
vhen it reopened and I think it took a lot of money to fix it up ind I never
heard in hing about a fire thcr, in 1939- I did not attend the meeting
whE¬fn§§e§I J35 kicked out and I have attended only l UPS meeting since
joiriinaf. <1 <1 not have any trouble ».1tn Folcetti at 1:11-.@ B as I kno'.'.*
him well because he used to l1VC around Virden, Ill. '
1:1 have read this ti.-:0 p.-'3._.§c stateznent :11 on 9-2-43
and I have signed it of my oun fro- will because lo is true o the best
of my knowledge.
" itness.W- v-»~92- .-*'.'#2.'-92": aw --~.a¢»¥"¬wnatw.
I, % /be
1 .. __ _.._ ._-_ -
ct
RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. ; _
£9 I CL»
L *4 ? D._, .__.. .
" ' §& INTERVIEH tlwa The fo11owin;qinvesti;ation was conducted by Special D ' Agents an-' at Spl"i1'l.g-
On the afternoon of Seitei er 5, 1945, agents went to the resi-_ _ _ _ _ v-._.. .._..'_.:JE_ _dence of'§f1g§Z;n@; ' if The WW '* - pringfield, Illinois, and no
one respondEE t5 1g¬Et§4knook alth6Egh_5Eth front and rear doors were open,
but the screen doors were closed indicating that some one probably was
sleeping. At the rear door, Agents, while on the porch, noted that on the
kitchen table there was some kind of a note which was placed up against adish and Agents believe that the note said something about phoning?
when he got up, and it was signed "Hem"; also on the note t ereEat
j-,. -.
a.
W
5-..'.' -I
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4;.
as92 >2
asses
sesame'37.-:."'.<f;.;:;'f11:r'~'*".A'-.2-l
- -.5___, ._. ,-,___.._,1,.,¢r'l%."~.."- ="~ ;,- -.2 -.',_ .
'1' .= 3-.»,%appeare to be some Wfilinj which said "L¢ni let this out." It is not surewhether or not the *2.-i. is corzect, but that is what the name
looked like. ' E
On the morning of September 6, 1943, Agents returned to the homeof and ti -- introdu"i'r"r thB1'!15¬lV6S to éhe advised that
he ;la £@£ wan to get nixed up in anything and he di no want to appear
in Court. He volunteered this informition b;fore Agents had a chance to
explain their mission. he also sail that he did not care to answer any
questions and did not
who also was present,
to say anything as it _as long as he had a _-job, was asked whether or not he had been
contacted relative to the investigation and he refused to affirm or deny
that he had been. He further said that if he did give a statement he
wanted a copy of the same and the Bureau's polio_ in this matter was full
explained to him. During this time both §%§5§§§*j§.7 ere told byAgents that he did not have to make any stixgents if he
did not desire to do so and that Agents would like to have him place in
writing just why he did not desire to give a statement, and then they
would immediately leave. At this time he asked his wife for her opinion,
and she told him that it would do no harm to answer the questions. He was
told by Agents that he could answer whatever questions he desired to, or
could refuse to answer any he desired to.- At this time he remarked that he
would answer the questions_ but did not desire to any anything that might
incriminate him.want any trouhle- Agents explained to him and his wife
their mission and he still said that he did not want
did not matter to him what union he belonged to just
' When about half through the interview he again expressed fear to
Agents in the
that he might
the interview
were there to
that he wouldpresence
get "bal
if he so
protect
continueof his wife that he might have to go into Court and
led up", and he was told that Agents would discontinue
desired, and would leave immediately; that Agents
his rights and not to violate them. However, he said
on and when the interview was completed he asked
Agents if he had said anything that would involve him and make it necessary
for him to come into Court. He was told that Agents had nothing to do with
.- ;f/._. _._ . _. ...; _ .
.
as
,
4» _"
'-J., ;L._
"'251*
.-e;_
4": -
r ii"-see
in;
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e 5g ,.
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>I
1.: .". _-_3.i92
__92.5¥ 0 .f<'a*1;=;-I5
.-Qfei l'§"{
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1i continue! i_ , .|.. _ .-w_.-~_-.._-.4 -_ ._'. ,._..--..'-.._.92.-.-5--..-'-I-'-'-.<
C
RE: JOHN L. LEh1S, ET AL.
_L'92 n __ J1;nB.l5 ERG Y» it would be up to the attorneys for
United States Government to decide that matter. as
previously had been told that neither he nor the unionsETC/_
s
were under investigation, but that the investigation
was being conducted to determine if Federal laws had been violated.
gwas then given the statement to read and he gave it to his
wife and asked her to read it to him. After she read the first two pagesshe requested Agemato read the same to which was done.
After the statement was read to hl
uas asked if he desired to sign the
it if he did not care to do so. He
that if it were true he should sign
LY g;he said ' ' !rue and correct and
same or not, and that he need not sign
scoghi the advice of his wife who said
"'_1'._. and therefore did.
, =dv::-1 Agents H never had been arrested in his life and
_- __ __ as well as
1 ' , It " . ' 8 8. ¬-I on WELS 110- .. O3 Jig I118 -t _..h~i
.a 0 was no over y in = ligent and
it is felt that he has conce:Led information from Agents, and that he un-
doubtedly had been CO2I;Gt$Q y 3W$e"ne in regard to this investigation.
ave the following signed statement:
*ss;;sgfi@1¢, 111.
Sept. 5, 1945.
é here-by give the following statement to
& who are known to me to be Spec. Agts. of the
ItB.I. No th;eats or promises have been made me to procure this statement.
"I am em oyed at hine_ B" as agfenr I have been there sinceE. I was born ' 4 irst joined a mine uni on. I h_ _ _ r: :_;:,_;E; ~-_-~_.» ' -' '2 ;»A.¥92_ - '¢,__;_;_.: V - ' I ;s 1'-*~ r M r r_I Ln./11 I an J ua Q . ;.;""-15,21! -+ -.. . 5: '- ' F5 ' K ' "1 -'i**"'éen $Q*j"l_f@3%hmwP? . @$%W . V§aw&m£m.si§§i¢w _f$mQJ.5 , _ V____#~.a;_,_, ._ 7% __ .7 J , . t ..- =.i:¢.~';- - ; @;»-.-»:§?T.i;=;;>..a= -- _ as
,. >2 '__/~'-,'.._'_
;§;i'
.71
..3_,_,,,, _._,,
*~"_g, . _.."-P?"
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13,..-
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. LL
=._ --
»'~_ 1, -,_92_¬ _
'1:_' id,.__, l
Q.u _92|n'
K
._.'
.-.-
' '.."fT
+ -
-' .. 1..
I -' ..' I__-.. '
in. '.-1 'r- _V Q-*1,"
5: .1-; -:3gnhéw.:¢;~_;a;-;*£
vena
K;7 '~,E192: L I-.<"-5. 1;-3!._ J ; 11:
,~;.',"C
RE: some L, isms, ET AL 7 c/
J- I145 .
NTERVIEC WITH make no difference to me which union they had. I don't
know how the money collected by P.M.A. from the miners
was spent, there were lots of rumors but I don't I<I'1CJl92'
what was done with the money.
"I don't know anything about the guilt or innooense of the P.M.A.
men who were sent up for bombings. I
I P.-..._..-. Fl92III' r>'v92wr I? U TFT n-I iusuci nan GAL: u-menu ya. Eu Cr any UIMIYII litergutl-lre
around the Mine B from 1932 to 1957. I never during this period saw anyone
around the mine trying to get the men to swing back to U.M.I. from P.M.A.
"I know nothing aboux any parties being given by Elshoff for
U.M.W. officials or U.M.R. offi; als for Elshoff.
"I dont recall much about the contract running out in the Spring
of 1937. I'd rather not say anything about the wage question at all.
"I was home the night before the mine closed and did not go to
any meeting.
"Hhen I went to work the morning of May 12th, 1937, I really
didn't think there was going to be a strike. That afternoon I heard that
we were to quite work and I Quite and came home. I found out some time
later why the strike was called but would rather not state the reason
given me. On the day the strike started I saw some oars loaded short.
They were I believe loaded short over a dispute over the contract! I don't
know whether the mine closed over the dispute over the wage question or over
the men who were expelled from the union. i
"I recall signing a petition for P.M.A.L I don't remember just
where but I don't think it was signed on mine property. I signed this of
my own free will.
"I did not hear anything about any U.M.T. petition the summer of
1957. I never saw such a petition.
. "I don't remember whether I signed one or two petitions for
P.M.A. Ihatever I signed I did of my own free will.
"I was not approached to join any U.M.E. local the summer of
1937. I did hear that such a local had been formed. _
"I don't recall anything unusual happening during the summer of
1937, _ ..
"1 romamlwr there wa..~ gym e.tt:.=m}_;h to ope}: the mine in Slept. I931.
PA»? '
f, . _ - -.-. .
'myI; I-.-._,.
>1-7-5R. '1~ v
t '
I
¢" -
ail.--<_ ."= r
a>
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We _ . ~_ ,'-*.;-.~¢,.
,.'1,.v_ _ ...~ ..-w._ .1 -,..,,_. , . . 1- 7
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L5 ' M! _--P
--u-""-bi-"..'-,~waex
.»_pi
-¢¬ Q
RE: JOHN L. LLTJIS, ET AL Q"! Q_,/ _
l97gt>
IN.nRV EH MITH I went to the mine that day I believe someone came and
*5$f§%i'» told me they was going to reopen. I did not work that
continue. day and don't know whether anyone worked or not. I was
at the mine about I0 or l2 days during the strike, we
were there to protect the mine and our jobs. I never saw anyone there
but local 54 members. I went out there of my own free will. I was not at
the mine when the Marshall came out.
"I did not go out when they attempted to open the mine in Dec.
l93fL I heard of it but did not go out.
"I voted at the first N.L.R.B. election. I was not forced to
vote and I voted the way I wanU§,. Ihe election was by secret ballot and
as for as I know was honest.
"I don't recall anything about an attempt to open the Mine "B"
in January of 1938.
- "I know that some of the men from Mine "B" were working at the
Jefferson mine in 1938. I don't know who they were though.
"In most of 1958 and 1959 I was on ;P.A. and don't remember any-
thing about what may have happened in regard to the Mine "B" then_I took
no interest.
"Hhcn the Mine "B" opened in 1959 I received a registered letter
telling me to come back. I went out on a Monday and went right to work.
I understood that we were to get Union Wages and I was paid Union wages.
I paid dues to P.M.A. for some time after going back to work. after I
went back to work for a while I Quite paying dues to P.H.A. and made up
r-nr min:-¥ +'.n -in-in IT_U TI- T .I:f'.nY92.r|:>.H !nv'iY1D r'ln>"-..<: 1".n 13.11.15- lm==r.n11§¢=92 I riiri 710+. MJ ..14,4a92_; -... |._,_,.. . .,.....- _. ...-...r£.,_..... r....J _..ID .......-..... -.... L ........ ...92_,-s...-...., ......... ...-.-
1like the way tney were handling death benefits.
"I joined U.M.L. of my own free wil1_nobody forced me in any way.
I think this was after the 2nd N.L.R.B. election.
"I don't recall signing any cards for either U.M.. or P.M.A. the
summer of 1940.
T -rm-92+n.-I in +92-r; 9 ;-I RT T II? D n'I.=1-+4.-.v92 .=,+ +1-us L1-rhr92I'92r T l1I92+!'!AA. UK/'lJL192,¢L ,|_,|,J. 9241L| I-JAIL IIILIJ-IL. 92.r,],92/92492Jj_92!l.J Gn.92.| 92!ll92o fLllll92-IJJVI J- 'uJU
of my own free will the way I wanted to. This election was by secrect
ballot and was entirely honest so far as I know.
"There were some falls and slate in the mine when it re-opened
but they got_ooal out of one section of it in about 3 days. I know nothing
about any fire at Mine "B in 1939. I was not at the meeting at which
- 323 -
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l- . ,<.'--
rRE: JOHN L. LETJIS, ET AL. é 7 Qc
I-ITERVIEI a;11"e as kicked out.f_ 92 t.E continue "I have had Agent Lam!-ead the fO1"¬gOl11g elght
page statement to me and to e best of my knowledge
and belief it is the truth. I am.therefore signing it of my own W111
sie@d=
_ s ecial Agent F.B.I.! Milw.!
§f *_.t,_ , S; ciel Agnnt, F.Bnl., St. Paul, Minn.
Springfield, Ill
Sept. 6, l9&5.
- 524 ~-IL U
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5.-QBF-" -?-J-'1-""<"'; I 92 4 .
--¢=_,-'_ _4
run-._ '
";'92>~+
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"lp'_5§- '.-I._,.4v.92 u_ '_-..,, ._ ___- . .1 _.__
wanes
:g&tkq§
.stta
, I: '5":_/".- <I I r92 _;'1:"rT;Rv1s:.-c "YITII
5»
92
<~*,- _ -A___ ,___ _..._._..-..
ii
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10313
I92.._
I16: Ln
.} '
Q@m%§w ,. hw 7;t~ e»wgme*¢w~~ v"v» . ' ' " 1&1 Agents anc1+. I11in0is. At that time
han notes tr e interview, which were later
drawn from then. This statement was presented to
1943, at which time he pronounced it correct in allIt was observed that had an intellect above that of the average minor.
He appeared to be an ones- and reliable individual, It is believed that he
would make a good and willing witness if called upon to testify. Ho advised
that he has no criminal record.statement
September 2,
and signed it.
The statement given by j%Qf 3@Q@§§?T@u= . " is as follows:
1 ** I t¥
s I
Sept. 1, 1943
"1 give the following Statement ttRand -~ . are known to me to be Special Ages o
F;d¢raI Bureau of Investigation. Eo threats or promises have been made
mo to give this tement and I make it voluntarily, d? my own free will.
"I was born I11. and I an a citisen of the
U. _
wor at Jlne B abou-
U.K.m. Union there. Up to 1932 the hoff got along OK so far
as I know. During this time the union was alright so far as the men were
concerned..ii.t ..+ s
' -- . 01¢.
at that time the had a
92_" !¢"
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92sQ
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iv
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tease
est;
~£er@
.; *1Re: JOHK L. LETIS, tr AL £"7 c,»
bjp
_lHI§3I§ET.El?3n -wg;rse¢;wi. -
92 Con 1111.16"I believe the general fee
at Mine "B" was that the
was sent up for bombings
WES
felt it was a good local, I never suspected any o
wrong with the money of the
Between 1932 and the time of the strike
U.K.'. men picket Mine "E". So far as I know the
sent out any pamphlets to the Progressives either
mans home. Prior to the time of the strike I was
over to the U.Y.W. and know of no spies in the P.
period as'I recall things wont smoth and there wa___'_ " 1'..-knew or hoard anything about any parties being given by nlshoff for U.h.-.
officials or men. -1 ,-srt , 7
1 remember that in Mar. 1ss7the Union
that we worked for awhile without a contract. As
APT 1
us out
get as
contract. I dont remember any[1-1-9», ml _-L --.4-./ ---'L._ -L_1J1-LIEU. J. U111-IL!. .LLr b-,t1'_' YVIIU UUl J
at Fine "B". I knew of no reason to belie
I1;sood a contract as U.T. . and we expected
April and dont recall and work stoppages or other
I didn't go to the meeting the night be
remember it I knew the meeting was to be held. I
meetint and dont recall how I heard of it. On th
strike started I went to work as alwayss I didn'
wages that day but do renember hearing talk of so
expelled from P.H.A. I did not see or hear anyth
of the nine being loaded short. .hen I came up o
went home that night I did not know there was goi
back to the mine to go to Nork the next day and f
it was then I heard that the mine was closed beca
to work with the expelled miners, A short time a
signed a petition for F.M.A. "o one forced me to
I know everyone who signed it did so because they wanted to. I heard that
the U.h;T. got out a petition that summer but no
and I dont know anything aoout the methods used t
remember later on signing another P.M.A. petition, I also signed this one
as the other because I wanted ?.H.A. as my union[_ I heard nothing about
anyone being forced to Sign this petition. *
In the summer of 1957 I heard that U.H.ling among the miners
55 or so miners who
had been framed. I
always satisfied with the P.M.A. officials and
f them of doing anything
local. I think it was a good union.
in 1937 I never saw any
U.M. . did not hand or
at the mine or at the
never approached to swing
M.A. local, during this
s no trouble. I never
q. V--...
contracts ran out and
I understood it they
exoected to make a contract and any nay increase would be retroactive to
L T -LL. ' ...-. -I-1..-Z.-, ¢~_J J.-92_.-.-L 'l__ J-..'92.3Ub UIJLD E-IIIU L-Iliilb 11¢ UDJ.U
ve that P_T.A, couldn't
the P.H.A. would get a
complaints being made over the mens pay in
trouble at this time.
fore the strike but as I
think this was a special
e morning of the day the
t hear any argument over
me men having been
ing of cars coming up and
ut of the mine and
ng to be any strike. I came
ound the mine shut down,
use the P.M.A. men refused
fter the mine closed I
sign this,and as far as
one asked me to sign it
o get men to sign. I also
T; was forming a new
local in Springfield, but no one asked me to join it. I did hear that
-526 -
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' IQ?
Re: Jonr L. Lewis, er AL £3,-7 Q
- *9 7.1!
the U.M.W. had men going around trying to sign
?§@se§§Y§f;¢F~ . men up but I dent know anything about the method!
oen lode." ' they used. I once heard that during the strike
Falscetti went over to the Jefferson mine to run
i+3_I don't know enythinguabout Fr. Ilshoff owning any interest in
a recierer For ';I:is mine.or being
"I have been shown by Agents of the F.B.I. an affidavit dated
Aug. 25, 1937 at Virden, Ill. this affadavit refers to Charles Roth,
who is new dead, telling me andsothers to attend a U.H{3. meeting. The
information therein is true and correct and I reaffirm it and my signature.
The statements in it were given freely by me and I was not forced to sign
it or compelled in any way. I believe it was made at the Court House in
Virden, Ill.
"I renenber that mind " was reopened in the fall of 1937, I
knew it was going to onen but dent recall just how I got notice of this.
I believe someone phoned and told mo about it. I have no recollection of
the Eregressives having held any meeting to decide that they verc going
to do. As I remember I want back the first day all ready to go to work
but didn't. I think that only about 5 or 6 men went down in the mine that
day. Those men as I recall were Pete Carter, Cotton Ananias, Andy
Schrelcvious, Tony Fletch, Dominic Pasquale, Sammy, Frank Austen, John
Sirtout, Geo. & Emory Jacaway Father & Son!, Charles Behancn and James
_____d_ toFile. I believe they were all in working clothes and nobody tried
stop them. I dent remember any body saying you had to join U.M..
to go to work{_I*dont remombor_thot these men were supposed to be
spies but do romemfde-r_that they wont to work. I came on back home
and "ent back to the mine the next day to help with the picket
helned with this for about 30 days and then got a ob viot I ' J an
mp: H " -=3; 1+; 4, __ '--':-T"?-.1_¢3. ." ' _ _+"--I'. _-~a$ ee tfdtei. ;: ¢ ere i饢te*~F?¥%eie%e=- 1
_ ___u_t',i. .,; . .. e .- . - .»,.- ,,- :':»' 4, -<!_~--_._-.~_ _ ,in order
U.M.?.
that day
"I voted in the first F.L.R.B. election as I had a right to do
this and intended at the time to so back to work at mine "B". As I
remember this election it was fai: and honest. The balloting was by
secrect ballet and no one tried to influence me to vote one way or the
other. I voted FILA. because I believed in that union and still do.
f @Then the mine opened in Dec. 1939 I went back and worked
then quite. I quite end went to work at the Virden Vine which is a P.M.A.
ine, I am still a P.F.A. member. __
nether job at the Virden Kine and felt I would rather work there.
-52?-one day
I quite the mine "B" because 1 had
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Re: JOI-III L. LEWIS, ET AL
lP'TVIF'-E WITH "I have read the foregoing statement of nine hand
written wages and to the best of my knowledge and7/Q
57.0
belief it is all true. I am therefore signing
this statement of my own free will.
I--itrauuabsi
/s/ ! specs gen , . .1. Decia] Agent F.B.I. 1-filw. M11, Tiinn. E 111. Sept. 2, 1945"
-. 92 -Q.
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3 L,or92 bl °
_at his residence Springfield Illinois on1- ,r_. _ .~ -
I A0
Re: JOE-N L.. LEWIS, er AL. 1975/
WP
interviewed DE TEHVIEF.-I J1 TH
9 g 9
September '7, 191.3. He appeared to be willing to answer questions put to
him, but had no kr.-owledge of pertinent facts. He would not make a good
Witness. He fumished the following signed statement.
"Springfield, Illinois
September 7, 1943
Lw:_ _ i§§f%%§§;, M _ make the following statement to
" _- whom I know to be Special
Agents of tie edera Lureau o nvestigation, U. S. Department
of Justice. X
- ..-.1 - - i . ;--= --_ -_.,.~.. .~ .-- I. - ~- cw.--1 ,1. _- V .. .3; Y Ill. . ' -45"; -- "=2." r-"i. fr i!1,*.-.§?,.-*5. ".':'.§~:.A.'?".;-=.<r" -*-;~ ' - - ' 3 =
.1.. I presen y 1 ¢i:IA_;"_7§f;_j:;. ', ¥ ' Springfield, I . , at
amilammwmqmda ms hm.t
"The first mine union I joined was the United Iiine workers
of Amerca which will be referred to hereinafter as Eth I 'oinedJ
this anion 1 t ie 1 I worked a+ this 1T1J_T16 continuously A 7 LE Iii... -1*. "" . J
frontto I. y J, 1937, the day the nine closed down.
"I never held an office in a mine union. I am not fazniliar
with the circumstances at Liine B in 1932 which brought about the
formation of the Progressive ifine "orkers of America which will
be referred to hereinafter as the PMA.
"I was satisfied with the UM-1' before 1932. I noticed no trouble
between Ijlshofl" and ULIN before 1932.
"as far as I know Elshoff __;ot along alright with the PLEA until
1935 or 1936 when it appeared he began to favor the UM-f. I felt
Elshoff seemed to be very friendly with some of the men who seemed
to be UM; organizers. I consider the following men who were working
at the nine before it closed down were U154 organizers: Joe Albanese, And
nawSch.re1evious, Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotchgolin Sirtout, George Jacaway, Emory Jaoaway, Charles '30h¬~mn0n, and Jamesa e.
"None of these men ever talked to me. I heard they were U14?
organizers from the other miners.
"I was satisfied with the PMA. I would still rather work under
the PM-1 than the Uh?"-I. T-while I worked at Mine B. I was a coal digger.
-329-
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$1
Bi. - .- . all
42. -E:x_"I".¬r-'-92'*- .. --.1 -.,Qmawwg_ in-:"--' .
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Be: JOHN L I.-IAIIS, et al _ 7&1
5'70
INT'E.RVI:.-1 uITH I lcoow rothing of the wage scale controversy._ "f "'1 '1 - _ '
" "1 heard about the I-MA meeting on May ii, 1937.
Some miner told me about it. I was not able to go to that meeting. I heard
the next day some UMI organizers had been thrown out of FHA at this meet-
irg,
"I remember that the coal
old not know why.
"I never tried to
it later tried to reopen
not go back because I wasgo back
or when
too oldcars were shorted on My 12, 1937 but I
to work at Ine B after May 12, 1937 when
it did open in November, 1939. .1 did
and my health would not let me work
anymore.
__ "Inasmuch as my eyes are 1, it good I have ha:
read this statement to me consisting o two pages an
it is rue ano correct.
Jitnessedz
!.-_~ I/b/' _ -5;, -.-392-*,;'i.1-.,_o. - ,g,i.-I"5'I*r e Q1,. =
' Agent, F B.I.
Special agent B.I."
>.. f I '1 * P 2- 92@?%?$¬¥§§3Ql=
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L
RE: JOHN L. LETIS, ET AL.
iRTnRVia. hi was interviewed bv Special agent _ -r * ? - -I V. ._ , . u n VI1; :1. Einsisted that he I ' u"~ no ing concerning ac 1v1 1 s a Mine B. He ex '
presses himself with some difficulty and appears to have a poor memory.
lt is not felt that his faulty memory is the result of any contacts that ;Z/re/a
i
might have been made with him. although his personal appearance is satis¬
factory, it is felt that he
following signed statement:
"9-6-45
li|l||I"I1l.
"I, 5 gain _*~;-.:__n:~. _ -:-,g-'n;<*.___'.. ' .. '-= I ' I-7"""'
V ""'.'_:_"I2'r:.i f'w'>7;"" -' '7 ;..;' V . _:_ . _would make a poor witness; 1% furnished the f
mgke the following voluntary statement to
-oth whom have identified themselves as be-
ini "pesia gen lb e Federal Bureau of Investigation. No threats or
promises have been made to induce me to make any statement.
"'1' _ g:'"": . .___- J. -J.92WB.S otrn 1 I. b_.L[IlL t0 :_ _D ill L e»¢taneaa@wéi11:. '* U- -I have been a U.S. citizetly live at: 1 joined t .9 .m.tt. in about _Wh star ed
sssiing at s %is@r. have never held any office in any union. I never
attended many union meetings and haven't been to any since gas rationing.
"I started to work at Mine B in 1956 and had joined the Progressive
in 1932 when the state went
kins B everything seemed to
4-92'Y¢-nnrr 1"-5+1-92 +-L-vs ~01"; n.-iv-u av-1Rl.l.LL/LIE VIJ. U11 van.» lJLJ.J_92i92.41 D {J-.lJLJ.
company.
"I was working atProgressive. lhen I first started working at
be going alone fine. All the men were getting
trlm xsyao rv£_»§'+1'v1rv o1r92v-92nI 1:11 1--i n-lv-92+ qrr-=+'H Flax;- u I Q E!; U U-LLLE! I-LL!-.1115 Q-Li. I LBLLV ll J, U11. I-IJLLI
Mine B in the spring of 1957 and don't know
anything about any wage dispute or any questions about wages. I never
heard anything about any men working for United, At the time of the strikeI was working in Box.and remember that we all worked as usual until
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when they told us to go home. he didn't
know anything about any strike until after the strike was called.
I remember that a short time after the strike some Progressive
men told me to sign a paper so I signed it. I don't remember any petitions
being sent around to the men; I went out to the mine in the fall when the
men went on the picket line and stayed there off and on until the injunction
was issued in Dec. of 1937. I used to come every once in a while, especially
on Saturday nights to see my wife and clean up. I didn't see any fighting_
and nnhody said I had to stay out to the mine.
"I remember that I voted in the NLRB election in Dee. of 1937;
I remember that we all marched to the Annory in groups of about 15 or 20
-331-
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1,! c/
R:s= JOHN L. LE.'~IS, ET AL. bf? D
IHTERVIEQQQIIE men in a group. After the strike.some men came to my
house and asked me to join United. I told them I didnit
continued want to join until all the rest of the men did. I
remember that Bohannon came to my house sometime in the
fall of 1940 after I started beck to work in Hine B and told me that the
nine wasn't going to operate any more with Progressive men. Two other men
were with Bohannon but I ion't remember their names. They didn't hit me
or threeten me in any way though. As I recall it, I started beck to work
at Mine P shortly after the new year started in 1940.
"I believe I joined the United Nine Iorkers in the winter of
1946. I wanted to keep my job and was afraid of losing my job if I didn't
sign up with United. Nobody ever told me, but we all felt that unless we
joined United we would lose our job. Nobody ever hit me or threatened me
in an attempt to get me to joinxé union. During the time I was at the mine
I never saw anyone hurt. =
"This stat;-merit of 3 pages has been read to me 1
& it is true to the best of my memory. I em still employed ei sine B.
Sig d
hitnessod:
iviggssl Special Agents, FBI, U.S. Dept. of Justice.
I
.l
-332-
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._=$:.;92.,'1-¢l':_,_ '
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7$i¬H: .5 £15,»-r',., .-_ ;m__.,, on»z..s;_;,'_~'.1.~ae,~,,
f"_'r-1-"- 47,1; ;7<{' _. _ . ,,~ . . - 1 K. '-.15 T-I - ,=.=.', _ ._ rP» *_
14
'_'. 92..' a<
Re: JOE1 L. 1;:v.'1s, ET AL ;_,, A _
1;~T.:>
S}_'92+'_=Ci&1 Jig-*1'lC;~.
read nor write nr 1
factory 3i:H¬S?. He'I[ii .' .. " mi -
K H. ..=m . . .I 1;».~=;;~;* , was interviewed at his homo by
P Q s , as a v i ry L 6 " is- ery poor mono ~' wou o not make a sat
failed to remember any details concerning activities
st Zine P and the following statement was s;oured from him:
rent t
to me as 3Q Illinois,Septem er 2, 1945.
make the following signed voluntary state-1ho have identified themselves
' a eu of Invcs*'¢ation. No . c _ sgents in the Fe er l Pure V13
threats or Eromirzs have been ede to mo to got me to make a statement.
1 1~<~e@@ so
L,-and came to the U. 5..in em an .=1m.rican c o1ZIJL'1,~ s or 2 coal mining in about ! and
Markers at that time. I have never held an o ice inwas born
joined ~ United Ni
any union.
"I went to
I was working there
about the strike, I
I don't remember.
"After the
Springfield. 1 wasDO
work at Kine B about 1935, as near as I can recall, and
on the day of the sirike. I don't know anything92 - - 1-a __ _.|_ J..92__ _'.__ _'J.-_ .. 1-..... J.-:_.,.was wori-cing 1n D;=x".1.L une iiimu, lb:-.i u iuug time,
strike I signed a petition at the Union Hell in
at the nines on tho picket line, three, four months.
All the other fellows were thors. I went to show I was a good member of
Progressive, someone told me to go.
" is all I know ahrut the trouble. The above
"itnessed:
3 .. * _ _f_:.,_;' ' irnedx
signal! Agorit nd he e.d~..*1SeHr I " I..'ig "T1t-0, Fug-
"U. S. Dept. of Justice
- . - . ,. ,T .'..?"92f ;<' k _ U _ S i n 5 d o g 3
"Hots: Above road tc=%§
contents were true."
533 -
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2-97,-1%-:.1
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Re: JOHN L. LLHIS, ET AL. _lp'/C/
lo '1 D
1i:rsaviz;..= tire s rin field Illinois -= T7 "' ' - P E IQ was interviewed at his residence on September '7, 1943, by ,
Special agents am: seemed afraidof somethirg durng e in erview, t W en as ed if anyone had told himnot to give information to the F.B.I.,uF5;id that no one had talked
to him. He speaks English with diffic y =.5.'. .- understands it when spoken _
slowly. He claimed to have no criminal record. If necessary, he is willing
to test-1 r 14¢» furnished the following signed statement.
"Springfield, Ill.
September 6, 1943.
"I, ke t-I__ following statement freely andl _ H who havee1me1"T" 1 @~ i
identified themselves to me as Fe ia _¢;eI1 s o e Federal
Bureau of Investigatiorz. No threats or promises have been
made to ne to o.>tai_'i this statement.
"I presently reside at Sprinield Ill. and~ ~- ..I am employed at 1-Line F I was n"=.T._,..,;' ' "
ame to t 1e United States I c" . ' l' . ' in ac. ize
pringfield, Ill.
"I first joined a union, the United Liine workers, in S,>ring-
field, 111., ir. 3 I stayed in this union until 1932 when I
joined the Progressive Zine iiorkers of America. I think it W35
before the election in February 191.1 at Mine B that I rejoined
the U.1,'.'.'a'., but I arr. not sure. I have never been an officer in
any union.
"1 started to work at 1.ii1.e 3 about _;rnen the P.I-LA. union
was organized in 1932, L went along with the majority. From that
time until 1937 everythi..g was smooth at I<..'".e B. I W615 Satifid
with the P.}-LA. union and nitii the leaders of that union, I would
have been satisfied with U.1-.-E..i. also because it mayces no difference
to me to which union I belong. I just want to be with the majority
in a union. "
"Before the strike started in 193'? no one ever said anything to
me about joining the U.L[.';. I don't remember any talk about anyone
trying to force any of the miners to join a union.
"I went to quite a few P.1»f.A.. union meetings, but I don 't re-
member a : .eeti1.g on the night before the strike started. I don 't
-534-
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4=_92*.'-.¢§I*-.
?¬VI§Q
Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. 1,-7 cal
b"1D
_I WITH remember any talk about some men being kicked out
of the P.1-LA. because of their working for U.I.I.W.
on inue
On the day the strike started I went to work in Ine B. I don't
know anv T;&5?h5 for the strike. I think the nLners were called out of
the ms, my the P.If..A. officials, but I dr.-:1 '1 KIIOTI for sure. I don't
know if any of the men were loading their cars with short weights.
"After the strike started, I don't remember signing any petition
for any union .
"I recall that I 1"8C6i1.§f" a rotice from the mire cor:-_,.iany that
Lhne B was going to open in Sept ber 1937. Uhen the mine opened, I re-
call that the P.M.A= had a meeting and voted to picket the mine if the
rinagement tried to send U.M.U. mcn into the mine. The P-H.A. officials
thought the U.K.J. men would try to go into Kine B. I am not certain
vhether the P.K.A. meetilg was before or after the management.tried to open
the mine. I recall that I went out to the picket line which the P.H.A.
started to keep U.H.H. men from going into Mine J. I went out to the
gicket line because I wanted to. No one forced me to go out to the
gicket line. I remember the federal injunction obtained by the mine com-
pany, but I don't know any reasons for it.
in the election at the State Armory in December 1937 I voted
for the P.HLA. because I was a member of that union, and I liked that
ULlOD and wanted it to stay at Mine B.
"Prior to the reopening of the nine in November 1939, no one
said anything to me about joining U.M.~- After I Went back to Work at
Line B éohannon came to my home, and showed me a list of names of men
who he said had joined the U.K.I. He did not threaten me, and did not
tell me that I would lose my job if I did not join the U.EJI. However,
I knew that I would lost my job if U.E.F. got into Fhne_B and I was not
a member of it, so I jO-l-I'lC-Cl up -"-ith U.3-1.1. to save my job. I think this
was before the election in February l94l. ' 92
, "1 recall that had a job as an air-checker, and 1
seem to recall that there was sue a job before the strike started in
l937.
92"Bohannon was the only man who ever talked to me about jnining9292 _
the U.H.W. but he never did threaten me if I did not join the U.H.N. »
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T
Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL.
1NT§VIEw_UITH "In the election in February 1941 I voted for the
U.L£.' i. because i was a member of that union at that time
It did not make any difference to me which union was
in Mine B.
This statement coisisting of this and two other typewritten pages
has been read to me, and I state that it is true to the best of my know-
lcdg¬ and recollection.
"Witnesses:
.»:,..
Special Agents, FBI
Springfield Ill " I -/5-"
.'_-!; . . I
in W.__ __ .-L11 V
v§_
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nn_ 11' #%'ll
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. ;.92-.92_92,
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.'-- 492 13$Q 9292R6! JOEY Ln Ln '7 Q1
lo LD
InTEHVIn '1T ointly
E-P = *-
at his reside
on Septenber 2, l9é5. He appeared willing s put to
him, and Would willingly testify to the facts set forth in his signed
ste.te1"-iereto
The following is the signed statement or
Illinois
September 2, 1945
,_ _ i. , make the following volun':e.ry statement
*:'?¥TQ¥~V I M 5no' E;" _' __s whom I know to be Special Agents
of t - Federal Bureau o a ion, U. 5.Depertnent of Justice.
I v.'e.s born at I moved to
joke, Illinois then I e3?" lieers o 5; ' l ave lve. in the vicinit
oi-ls, . Illinois all my li e. I first joined e mine union in
i Is"- ' llinois. This was local 445 of the United Kine'Workers of- et .,
America, referred to hereinefter es the UHF. Foe onlvéofice I ever heldin en nine urion ua= "13%@***§ %?* ' % J 1§e #t§£Q;fwe?§*7? -fie,=92 ,._, " ,.. .. ,, , I.-'92'I4¢"-lg, '3 " . . - 5* . " .. .1 i "I"-:3. . <- - I=teireilgia ' Pre5° resl 9 °-a»¢0w*@*w~a- i£*¢ee'e2
Apyroxinetely speeiring, I started working at Mine IE i
and continued working there until Key 12, 1957 when the mine shut down-
I never went beck after that date for any reason whatsoever. As I mentioned
above, I joined the U11" in - end remained a member of that union until
Septewbcr, 1932 vhen Tine B vent over to the Progressive Finer Workers of
America, roierred to hereinafter as the PTA. _I felt that-the PKA was n
very good union and believed it had capable leadership. The members of
the union seemed to got along 3l£i§Et'with their union officials. I'm
speaking of the PEA.
I do not know how Elshofi got along with tho UNW prior to
1932 or sis relationship with PIA from 1932 to 1937. During the time I
vorked at Line B, I only at ended one union meeting end that was a PIA
nesting. I did not go to the PTA meeting held on tin night of Key 11,
195?.
Sometimo in the first pert of April, 1937 same Eggitetors
were working in Nine B and trying to get the PF} miners to join the UFW,
fH'1.___. _....1 ._'P'| -1" ---1.-.,._. T |'__.-.-.'- ,-_L J.|.__ __-1...- ,-,.___ T.-... v92'92'L..-92_-.-.-_-- fl._.3.-u-. '!.'!.~------Q...-.1-1_LI1U-$6 F1311, till. UJ. 9292.HUI'l J. L-IlU92> AL. DIIU l'l.LIlU MIG; IJUU .l".}.L!P;1IlUbU, UUUBU Dl»|.I1lE-3111191
John Annnies, James Hole, Tony Fletch, enndrew Schrelovious, John Sirteut,
Frank Austin, Pete Carter, Dominic Pasquale, G-orgc Jcovey, Emory Jhcaway.
end Charles Eohennon.
Q;-,V']
4.-.-3, . i.
£1¢;;1I =Y'{£"" .
iii
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EV l_.N $1.3%_%§%
, ,¢,-
1 qF LnQ
Es- é
e . ':;5* ":1_ 92i~ ' -.1.,;. , ..
tern;
9 Jm l
_wmm.n¬*%f1~w$=;mmun3. - if.-»~'.'*. 2"!
eeeeee
wnuli
.. t,A 4-__|_ _. A: _
C "
Re: J01-Eli L. LE!-I5, ET AL
I boo
I1~TT§1 IF? Ilene of these above mentions-d men talked to me
*ebout joining the lI.~l'i, but I heard that they talked
gcrtipdgd! to other miners on that subject. These UIW organizers
did threaten and beat PEA members to get them to
¢~=1 the Tit} I never overheard these threats or.saw.the fights but I __,.,_.
heard snout than free other miners. I heard also that these UEW_EEggtsto£E
Went to the wash house and out up tho PIA miners clothes so they couI37
not be worn? This happened after the mine re-opened in November, 1959- _
I voluntarily joined the PEA in 1932 when John L. Lewis's officials stole
the ballot boxes. It was my understanding from PIA officials that in 1957,
1-92| _92_.._.h.¢*- _.____ J__ __,__, .__;______;:___ ___..__ ;__92_-. _ 92___1_ 4.- - __:1 '1 92-1"!LltdUlL WEE LU pay TGUFUEUELVE Py outing DHCK ED April, 130!
I 1but he did not
do so. I did not attend the PEA meeting on he; 11, 1937 when some of the
Egéitctors were expelled from PIA for iggitating for UHT, but I heard about
it the next day at the nine-
E: On Fey 12, 1957 the L mhers the PEA Pit Camnittoe told the
men who had b;CD expelled not to go into the mine._ After I had gone into
the nine, e me her of the Pin Pit Committee told me to lead my
as the expelled miners nod been pcritted to enter the mine by
I die not load short, but sene did and the nine was shut downs
loeding was not do to the wigs scale matter. I signed the P13
Thy 26, 1957 to show I was a nether of IE". This was the only
signed. Since I did not attend union meetings, and was not an
the union or hive any dealings with the Operators, I knew veryocrs short
El EihOffo
The short
petition on
petitior I
official of
little about
the Tags scale question, or hive first hand knowledge about the labor
organizing.
I snw the &giit;tors mentioned in this statement, enter Elshoff's-92_--F' .-1 -'_-ru-
ezfioe at the nine e large number of tines in April, l957. I don't know what
they s:id, but it is my belief that the UHT bought Elshoff off to get the
eontrtet and the bargaining rights but I have no way of furnishing evidence
to prove it.
I have carefully read and fully understand the two and one -
hclf pt;es of this statement and it contains the truth to the best of my
cremlodgc. . _
/S/
q;P» wfg%W'@;-@p'- --1
Witnessed:
V1.71 -5| g ,.
.g;f,_§;'_jj>,_.- lé %' i .- V 1* | 7QEOOIQ neon B.I.
J . ~_ A _|J.-J
-538-
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C
~
e Re: JOHN L. LSHIS, ET L.
t; Pt}
~- :9292; 92i J1:Ts.evIs.. "ma- 92
.1?-la-L - -. _.- --41"-ts -
*:§7'i
'5IA
-u
-Fl
.-0
¢-
3% 1-..-1;---< ..1., .g1.n ..
czooerative
of his
I1.peered
because
Hire "3
who is oue o the alleged UHI s
the spies! "werc right in acti
ing signed statement.ofhmeq
. ".,._--.
iii
s
:~r>
.
Si ned sta e
promises of
ment.mykmdhwebe
,_
"I was
stay in I I '
mneL Jmnmpth
my
any
the
uhd
tro
par
theq92
erstand it the Progrcssiv
uble and tho votes being
t in forming this wlion 3
HZ.or the QFQM I join
majority at Mine '5'. So far
along as well with IT. Llsho
the management was partial t_92»-~_
""1.
92
"I thought that the PTO
and favored it up to the timeadvised that he was a good friend ofinc
.1; 3'9v
Springfield, Illinois, was interviewed a .ome
but it is not felt that he would make a*good witness'3
e of What UCCJIT¬d during the trouble at X
NEE QJHER,
pies, and that he thought these men 1
ng as they did". He furnished the follow-l
92
"Springfield, Ill.
: t~ b 6
1-.
n1. do volwitari .iVEi the follw I ;'M ~ - ' 1 ~- s Y¬Y¥¬?¥*?¥%tLr :r ? mi met L special Lghlt Hgtnnld W? J_ _1,_ .
the Federal Bureau of Inves iga ion. lo rests or
en made to cause me to make this state-
fl: ,.. '- " "TL":' _92?.:<-.'~~ - = _ y_..= L.'l92!" .1. +,. {_I'V'92.".92V92';|"92"! +..A : J Ho" uu492._ 92_,-_.|..'_192- UV :.LH:92...l J.92-46L uu jT . . » 4 », 2" = ¢. ati an en. » ~ A l ~~-~ »~ =~ o*u<i1og lr. n 'n " ' ' , pehn ed gin Uorkers of sm@s£Ba'.r1ng1ng-Inte ha ional cars I started at line '3'at ix-stainin m* U1! . éhhérs ip. Betweopiand 1932
. 4 Ig J
IE3" and the Tine '3' of ficials got along as usua s
e Union was formed because of wage
stolen in 1932. I never had any
no have never hold an office in either
ed the Progressives alorg rith the
as I know the Progressives got
ff as the U13; did. I don't think that
owards eithar union. '
/
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gig.f.".-,.¬,§T§ -E? -_ - .<.e* ti ' ~--s'-1*~i§*'~ ' *-' -* "3*"* !i."'?- T1 - __l¢ 1 _ 5 . . . . ,
1 ..Q t4» 2 _
,1 ;-." 1...-rt» ,,., _ ;~ _._ .- '- " I*:_?i':-;_,. - =5"-': ."r.-.* '_ ,,-gr ,1. - ".» ,.=:""=92 =-- ==---t"-ow ~ -A;-,;,'.,s. _.."' -..:, H %_"5_= -
Re: JOIN L. LEWIS, E1 ..L. ' -- - I
n,';_}f-..:_i- M _ we _ F}. .._,,;1»7-tz, _._ 4~ .-kg J. -W .' _r -'_ H? 92"' - _ I :1-'.fi':';';:. 1 3'31-Y -r:'H" -~;.a'24>= o I '-""INTERVL.-Jr r¢IT-I and a few others were saying that they vr.eren't going .
.=== to work for less wages; Ijbhink that these "men wereright. _ Thu5B~ men werePr_ogz-essivés but they said
- __- _ 92 v.., - A - .' .."».
- that they weren t' going to 'Bcab' on the other 1111185- I118 came and said
that they 2-"ere going to_ join UL-'u3".. I never attended any'Eeetings at ihich
any of the above named nen were suspended or expelled. I don't recall
any meeting the night before the strike. g, :1 _ _ . _- .' ' 1
"I didnft know a thing about the strike intil we were called out
the .aiternoon of Hay 12, 1937, because are couldn't-make
an agreement with Fir. Elshofi. ' I didn't load any coal short on the day
of the strike, but understand that some of the miners did load coal short
that day. . _ ,
I recall that about "I including the men named above calledthe Progressives 'scabs' and strike a short time before the big
strike on Hay 12, 1937. 41ft¬.1" these men struck some of them were 61- -
pelled by the Pm. I think that these men went on strike on april 2'7,
1937 after the first pay day where we dict1't get a raise.
"I recall sigrfing one petition for the Progressives before we
"cnt back to work. ' .
"The men mentioned above formed a new U11.-'.-I local and Pete Carter,
who was a good friend oi nine, tried to get me to go -to their meetings.
"During the "% Down Strike' at Mine '3' I spent about a month
picks-ting. Jhile I was there I never saw any attempts to open the mine
by UMWA . _
"after the Goverrunent stopped the picketing I voted at the NLRB
election, which was conducted very fairly. The Progressives won the elec-
tion 404-25. after the election I don't know of any attempts by
men to reopen the mine. '
"When I went back to Mine B a couple of months after it opened '
I was still paying dues to the Progressives. I remained Progressive
for a couple of months bcfvre l switched over to U!-£;_.. I changed over be-
cause.I thought the Progressives were losing and I wanted to protect my
job. No one ever threatcxed or be-it me to get me to join UIEIA. I Went
dovm to :1 Min meeting and sigqed up there. If Ixghgt. Mine B the BL,
told me that they couldn t do anything for mt:
I had to join Unlnlt to keep my job. . ' I ' 't
' - I540 - _
.* 92 I 4. H;
" . v05... |. 15;» . "*1. x --1;. 92 - 91 -. - -- .._ _-r-_:.7.-92~.|_,H:. N .. ,-4 '5'" i - 3' Y1?-T ; §ir3<:"5"*'?"-1 . s'r..,7i?'7'-;"-».'92¥=-7;-J-'3? ='-V" ]'? é;I' 77' 4-. - - " -».~ o o =-:1--tr:-' '1 - . 7" 3* -. ~ _ .-'- -' " . =-Q _ . _ _L,'f_?g _§ ifh .~'¢%:!;_<, - _- -=1, T:-:__-3.-:1-_|,-;?_,-_ A -Q};-,, 1; ¢ - -'1-._ :..-w -, .,;;A§_- _ _ '. ._-_. _'.r-1-, ";"I;;_ _ »-1 _ -ff ., §-- '2 ' I--_ -1.5.1 ~,. --_-x..,,_e; -- - " ~ in-J an 1- ;__92e_~ t. ..~ - . __ -Y- ..v_--",_
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r ., - 1-: .: " . :~ _ " -1,5. -- < ~' -' if V. F»._! '1 ".1 $17!, mi} _ 1. -_-i.~'-n9=..-£§>§_92.~=|f_.1 .5-',-q;,,;.? *Y'| 4|' - 15 . '.- _ _ _.~- 1 -_"'3;{_:.-- ~,;?i§-- I'fq*-fr"
; ~! -_"'-W"-.»-:; -* - ;._" " 31 . 1__. _ r'~l-I -I _ " .A A :'&'L " L_" , _ _ - t ..-92~ Q-",_ - ._ 921,_1f - .;F--~ .» - ..'92
Re: JOPI L. LEWIS, ET 51».
1910
in _"_l;é ' - "I voted UI.§ZA'in the second NLRB election} Ul-F12;
" won this election. _ .
ontinued
"at the present time I prefer ULEI-L._I-1ii.
.;_
hr~.s read the above three and one half %! pages
of S1I,3.u¬1'c!1'1 s o me. The same are true and I do hexjeby Sign my name.
/Sr '
"'Witnessed: 92 to »- gt. $3./S» "I Spe¢:".T'. .-.=§e??'t, 5.21."
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92 1-s "<4: _' _ ' :J.1.s;
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I w " $1? > Q, I
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1 aux:
92 ..'-RSI?'1 : " ~"--- -1 I _ _, ;. _,._ --.-,-?j'._':,¢.4 in:
- .,=1qTa._». .-_'- - 1'":-
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I 1» 1 I
ns= JOHN L. I.ET-IS, er LL 5.-2 C/I, -
92 n
Q. :K §J INTERVIEI WITH~ s B15 ,
.1iie on September 4, 1943 by Special Agents andihlb nan speaks English with considers e icultg an
a limited expression. He can understand only plain and simple questions.
He said he is willing to testify in court, but prefers not to. He claimed
to have no criminal record.
_.1
"Springfield, Ill.
September 4, 1943
' .; . 9._,;%~%§m - make the followin voluntary statement ta
Federa -ureau of nvestig
promises made to me. '--n-w
States in - I was "nan
joined a mine union, some sall local, r"I presently live aMine B. I was bornwhen I £nGwt0 be Special Agents of the
I, of my own free will, with no threats or
-., and am working in
and came to the United
at Srrin*field Ill I
I4 0lvanla in , , Q
I joined the H.M,W, at Springfield, I11. I joined the Progressive Nine
Horkers of America in 1932, when the Lajority of the men at Mine B where I
was working did I didn't take an part in organizing the P.H.n. and wentwith the majority of the
"From 1932 untilT1311.
1937, there was no trouble between the P.M.A. and
the mine management. ine F.N.A. always treated me all right, and I had no
fault to find. The U.M.H. had always treated me all right, too. It made
no difference to me one union or another. I don't remember_any P.M.A. meet-
ing the night before the strike. To the best of m memory, I don't tnink
anyone went into the mine on the day of the strike. I don t remember who it
was that told me to stay cut of the mine that day. I heard that the strike
was called because the Ifine E management said they didnit want the F,IE,A,
' in the mine, that they wanted the U.H.T. E don't remember any more about
it. I don't know if U.HJT. had any organizers or agitators in the
mine before the strike or not.
which
1'l.I'l¬ ,
time,
namesI
I
to join
5-.>"I think I signed a paper for the P.H.A. shortly after the strike,
paper said that there we -e more P.H.A. men that U.I.i. W. in the
that the P..A. didn't want to fight, they just wanted to Work. Some-
think it was that snmmer,_ before the mine opened, two non, whose
dont know, one an Italian and one a Lithuanian, cane and asked me
the U.M.T. I told then I wouldn't sign, and they left. They didn!t
threaten me, but told me that conditions would be better for me if I joined
the U.M.F.
-542-
£ Q "-=.. . > F '.-5 Q-. "9 1 '. . pv.-_'-. 1|. .
1._ _,~ I ¢." 2- h._'/., ,_ -I. 92-_.. ..,-
V 92'.IA. '-". -is_.-.,..
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E5: JOHN L, LEWIS, ET AL | . / F» '7_Q, M
TE "In the 1a1l__ of 1937, I ilent out tnwI H ' picket line at the ne. e were told
' by the P.M.A. that we were picketing
jobs for ourselves, and away from'the U.HJW. All the men on the
picket line were Mine B men. One night a man came to the mine, an told themen to leave. All left quietly. » ' . h INTERVIEH J1
continued!
to keep the
ruabout two weeks after the mine opened in 1939, told
me to come back to work. A short while'aIter I started wor , Ion: 92 _
1 L - "' Pasqua e came to m room, and tried to get we to join the U.L.J. _He told me
I 1,-,0. 1,1,-pt be awe to go;-1, at +119 ea;-.5 if I awn-g_. min the n_uf§; I-In didnlt L 4. 0.14.. . ula lag-5 I ¢. 92.-,--Q. .!92r-an ~14.-I up;-1' 5 ;¢' -_-- -
uthreaten me, and I never was hurt, although I did hear of men getting beat
up in other boxes.
"--.
___l92 "Sonatina later before I oined U.H.Y}, some man, I think it was. _ . -_ -_ _.|.
Sirtout, told me I nou1dnt get my track laid near a well and I wouldn t
get a good room, unless I signed with the U.M.U. I had to lay some of the
track myself. I joined the U.M.*., becatse Sirtout told me I would have
b= . ' '_ . This is the cnlv reason I joined U.M.T. 7éwe*»=? # otter conditions _, .
_ _ i____ _ Q__ i iob anvuhcre else. I liked the P.H.A.. we s -* U Q I " - ' ' ' ' 'I'll s a
fied with it, although, as I said before, all unions arc the sane to me.
In the election of December, 1937, I voted P.M.L. because most.of the men .
seemed to want it. In 1941, I voted for U.E[H.'at the electin, because
I was a memb r at that time, and because I didn t want any more trouble at
the mine.ard wm1"1dn't rat 1
"I have had the for going, consisting of about three pages, read to
me, and I swear it is the truth to the best of my knowledge."
-;-71;-;:_,i .. -- '- ' -' ~ ,- ...M%m¢4$£r;zf~M&M'--/5/ "
"Witnesses: _
bi HlQEE%§E%E!llIIIr " H u ~
==,»=:==;~'.L; *:. . _-gs;-_."._.;;;_';Y Pt -- ,. .£ _ .»~¢. Wt
Special Agents, F.B.I. 92
Springfield, Ill."
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RE: JOHN 1.. Lens, 111" AL
_- -' 9
; INTEH'v'IE1'? mm -. A- ' 1. Springfield, Illinois,I33 111 = 71 l ngn i-. =... B Lt : aI-- . I 51300131Agent %~=1d 1 1 < 1= my
deliberate in his actions speech, but i'»- '- Ian s '- -v can BXPTBII hW-
self so that he can be understood. He understands English, but claims to be
unable to reed very well. He sai he was arrested once by mistake, but it wasnot on a c=r.i_n1in1=1 che.rge.isl!:d he is not afraid to 1.911 the truth as
he knows it.
furnis]:1ed the following signed statement!
Springfield, 111.
ieptanber 8, 1945.
statement freely and volun-
have identified themselves
to me as Investigation. Ho threats
or promises have been made to me to obtain this stetemet. 'terily to
___,__L . .-...;92.».-.- ,~.-;..-- .- -
I Springfield, I11i=wis- I mborn , and came to the United States in?
I acquire. y dftftens 1p wrough my father when he was naturalized, but
don't remember the date. I am presently Working at line B.
nI first joined a union, the United line Workers, in Q in
Springfield, Ill. I stayed in this union until 1932 when I joined e Progres-
sive Mine lorkers of America. is I recall I rejoined the U.M.Y. just before
the election in February 1941. I never have held an office in any union.
I _.
From 1932 until 19:5? while I was Working at Mine B, everything
seemed to be O.K. The P.M.A. union was satisfactory so fer as I was concerned,
but it really made no difference to me which union I ws in because I thought
one union was as good as any other.
recall after the strike started BUHANNON came to my_hcuse and
the U.M.'+1'. I did not say "yes" or "no". I just told him
that I would see about the matter later. BHRELEVIOUS was with BOHANNON; the
younger JACAWAY was also present. No threets were made to me at this time. As I
asked me to join
_ After the mine reopened in 1939 there was a new bunch of men in
the mine. Every few days e new bunch of men would come into the mine. They
did not do any work, but merely walked around the mine and talked to the men.
I think these men were changed freguently so that the men working in the mine .
would not get to know these men. -
"One night after the mine reopened, Mine B I mean, a big man Whcs e
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m~:= JOHN L. Lens, ET AL b7C¢-I ! I D-I ' .-
__ _ ' F '.'l H1@%§iiiiiHil|il
continued,
"I recall that BILL SIRTOTIT was always asking me to join U.H."1'-.'. H6
talked to no rlmost every day. He said that if I did not join U.M;W., I wou1d_
not have any Qob. 1 .name I don't know, came to my house and wanted me to sign.
up with U.MJT. He said that the men would have good work-
ing conditions in line B if they joined U.HJN., but if they
stayed in P.M.A., the conditions would not be good.92
"I finally joined U.M;W. because I thought I had to to keep my job
at Mine B. I had no fault to find with P-M.A., and merely signed up with U.H{W.
to keep my job. On the day I signed tp wits U L.W} some man Whose name I don't
remember talked to me about joining U M.W. iown in the mine. When I came toi
the to; isned me up for Y*-iMJ~Y-
"I heard that some men were beat up at Mine B, but I don't know
their names. - J
"I don't know why the strike started. I don't know if the miners
were loading cars with short Weights on the day the strike started. "I found
out about the strike after I had completed my work on the day the trouble
started. I was told that the men were not working any more. I don't remember
who told me this. u _
"I remember that I signed a petition for P.M.A. shortly after the
strike started. This petition was to show that the P.M.A. had most of the
miners at Mine B in their union, and that they wanted to go back to work. I
don't recall any othe1"petitions.
"I received a notice from Mine B in September 193?, as I recall,
that the mine would.reopen. The notice said that the mine would open with
U.M.5- men only. I recall the picket line in the fall of 1937, but I don't
remember how the picket line was decided upon. The purpose of the picket was
to keep U.H{7. men from going into mine B to work because we of the P.N.A.
felt we had the right to protect our jobs. I remeber that the P.M.A. official"
used to pick up the miners and take than out to the mine-to the picket line.
They told me to go out to the picket line, but they did not threaten meror
force me to go. I only saw Mine B men in the picket line.
III D /"" - n the election in eceber 1957 at the 3tate.Anmory I voted or
because I liked that union as well as I liked the U.M.W., and I
- st of e mine s p eferred the P.M.A. union. - l
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92 -- ~ L .,_ _. - _ _ ;. 2
RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, B'l.AL' . /0 7
7 ¢_,4=-21:! .
ENTWW T-E? '*-I-hen E-ILL BIRTOUT talked to me about joining the U.1l.1I.,
I 1-ma:-er that he told me that it would be tw bad for aeQoonglrmeds if I did not join the UJI W-,, I knew that he meant tint I
would get a beating if I did not join the U.l£'=
When the mine attempted to reopen in september 193 7, FALCETTI
told the me: 1-h.§_,t if they did not join UJIIJ-*-"., they would not _go down into
Mine B, and that the company'wes not going to work: Mine B with PJLA. men any»
more. He said that they would hover open Iiine B under a P.H..A. contract any
more, and that the mine would be under U.MJ-". only.
This statement consisting of -:."_;s end two other tvpewritten pages
has been read to me, and I state theft ;." .L:~ ':_'".'e .0 the best of my kzxowledge
and recollection. ,
I ...- '1:. . u-'~.v >v_. - >/E.
Springffeld, I11 ." -
92
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL 57¢,
197;!
TNTE? VIE? '1-TTH
_ and atfurnishe seen s wit e 0 o g ststemen he rend the
t then said that he would not sign it unless he was .L1'1 Court 5511116 OVE:
end was told to sign it and he also !_n8nt_i_0!'1e2i that he would testify to that
in Court if I.-3 were crlled upon. He also advised aoents the infer-'nat10n
t It ' ' was rue. Was noted th:>;t#.s a ratner intelligent individual
and readily understood the ques ions him and it was noted he a
W811 L - M
' OThe following is the statement obiaained from _
_.:¢.1 ==
. _,A:_;_ _
.11, T -2% , i .' -I - 1 -this free and-0 y s a emeiitjtez ' 2. J ;§7$' "' "
who are known to me to be Special Agents of the F dera uresu o vesti-
gqtion, U. S. Department of Justice. 130 throats or pIOIT.lBE.S have been made
me to give this statement.
"I ms born at ~ and presently am
:1 ti1T1b¬:1"1nF1!'1 at Mine B in gpfin ~ C
L _,r-:.:.E§__ >r_. dined some,. 1'2.-I '1' 1...... -92 .-.......1-r '|.~..92-.. ..... ....... ....'|~|in .. .'=.. .-."..t m% lb nua v-'4.J.
I "".-. 92 ----*5>r~-<.>L'=-#35 " WI .. -"' ' I
is-*1: ?1i»"»" I" 1. :.*'l-"= P»-.-7-=-"~vz. 1r1.;.-1151-!-gt-.= -=s.t_|. .. "e
"Prior to 1932 when L1iW was there at I-{ine
same as any other UMW local. Everything was fine
and Carl Elshoff that I know of before 1932. When
trouble around 1932 and they turned over to PMA I
esl never liked to see too ergmizetions for
split Came I went over to PLEA with the others bees
iug perty. did not t::ke_v'an;_s§:tive _}_92ert in oir - i . * '9:/"-;&,~!vZts":7F":T" ** . .,-r, .-e", -.-:.*_ V2 _- 4 H ,_~-- -m..=.;. ~»<' 5* ' 37 $ iw¢ " v Lew 1-;- ~£1e.- ,-'7""'r<§L l I H _:';l =_:;= i *1;-'35?"-'-~Z
1, 1 wee. wit. . ,- _ ; t __ 1 ._-t -_. |_ -;_.
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J 1-1he pe gen 5 s
- I11inos.
_. P"
u ,1
., and ! .!=192-re worked tlare over
B the 10c"=1 was just the
and dandy between U15"
John L Lewis caused the
1 not line the ldea
__ miners. But when the
use the; were the c ~r-oll
_ |/ - . /
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924:42 1Re: JOHN L. IEWIS, ET An
WTERV T
.<;,e1' nr
continued
decided so
1'18 J no
either.
"Between 1932
any trouble or strikes
very fine and nice.
Between 1932' 4.Q Q" I-
cordingJ", " uq,' : ' ' - ~~ 1 > 3- I. -rt! "i'E.i'--- w'--92"*.',§ ' E1. I "Q= 7-=4 ~ ml;-s H.» -' . 41" .. J =.- -= Mr 92 _,, M ,__ __ _ ,._ t _ ..92 ii -, . .. .» -._-;_v; .5}; r 1; 1?}. " .,A_*.', $1.- .<'-=- ie. -1» *
;r,X~"<FLZtfot '
I I
L96
been
"Between 1932 and the time the mine closed I never knew
of any difficulty between Carl Elshoff and PEA. hen' » i s ~<~=re...<. i t at. --.... - »* .1 '-' ,.1-- ' i;-5 _1;-_.- 4 _-;_ _i - .r- ~1~ " or -3 .- _¢ .;, ,, 1,. ., 92 ,__:.-.__ , .. i Y ..-
-1
I first became president Elshoff and I had an understand-
ing that if any cases were up that thev would be
to . . -
t and I never had any trouble with Elshoff as long asbrot _ _
the contract which was then in force and Elshoff said-
_ -nd the cases were disposed of satisfactorily. I believe
5 s of was fair. I never had any'trouble with OSCAR FALCETTI then
_ ,-
end the time the nine closed down there never was-
wr slow-downs tb?Y% at Mine 3 and things went along
and the time the mine closcd I never heard Falcetti
or Elshoff make any"remarks that they liked UM? better or wanted them beck.
Neithr did they do anything to my knowledge of trying to get UHW back at
that time.
I TBC-311 ttinitt-...; and up until the mine
closed that there would be small figlbs and troubles especially around
election tines as the men would h-ve too many drinks_ etc. but it had '
nothing to do with the coal company. There would be men who wanted to see
their friends in as officials end naturally they would get to arguing about
the matters. '
1!I said than and still say now that in any local union there is
too much profiteering in them. In connection ith local 54 tey were no
more rocket ridden than any otggg £l?é15Jw¬L m;:fwhw0u1d seem to be nun_ebut there were a few such as '%§?$?tQ§f§§E1_ggiless; and several
others would tr to force their will on_the o er .emb rs_ o swin some-, -'>,.a- 7¢92r-1» "'- '- '. '.r' '1-"1 '5" J: M "1-3;, -1 - .-'-1 .~==~.9?'~ - -.-.= "'1 Ithing One..1'£;11.9P ?L9_.t1l~%I.- .5 A H.,,_,. '3 ..,+_~'-t ', .;_.'92":!" ¬"@""92; ..j. =3 --. _-if . :1 -' -' '- i I - --- K-q-I-'-' "1-III'II"*_
by ed 'i,; - .ey wou d JUS '* ind talk the men into something one
way or another. I was very active in PEA prior to the time the mine closed
and attended most of their meetings. Some of the miners felt that those PHA
men convicted in the bombing cases had an injustice to them. I never hd
any opinion on the matter but I knew quite a few of them personally,
"Between 1932 and 1937, while I was president, there was passed
a 10% levy on all miners and this was called a strike fund and was to be
used for helping miners in other locals who were not working. l donit
think that all of this money went to the strike fund but went tounrd salaries
and other ex -nses. There was no books thgng-_§ ever"thinq was on a cash 92
. ~WWirT%M" ¢@sem"WmsemwH -Wwsndziweef wsmnrewo»m~baS1s- _
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9292 .
1Be: JOHN L. lsvnis, ET AL A ' -
_ BRV; Q 2| . not even under bond
who took of th
con 1nue- standing epecial as
dues and assessment7QI/ '70 I o
. There were 12 men on this board
is money. There were no other aut-
sessments outside of the regular
s for death etc T knee that dur um 4.;-
ing 1932 and 1937 a lot of the members were able to get gas corpons from
the local if.they had to do something on union business and a lot used to
get such gas.
"The officers and other expense
general fund of local 54. The death fun
know. If there was any crookedness withs and salaries ail came out of the
d was handled O.K. as far as I
the money affairs it could have
happened in the 10% levy but I don't know for sure if anything wrong did go
..... I-..--H l'l'V'l....-. 1.-c.-tn! n-.-l.,-.-.¢~-92|- 1-A--H -'1 CId92"92lJ - F-P -4- 4-In -rt,-.4--? an |'FI-92 92I'lUI} tIlU1Uu 111: J.UUdJ.U4921.§l12}UD UUJU dij. JUQHI U_LJ. l|I uu¬ nu:-::u.|_5::¢ 11$ IBIS
officials however_ did make regular reports to the miners at the meetings
as to what happened to their local fhnds . However, this 10% levy was not
eft his job and moved to Michigan."accounted for as it was a_sqfcial set up. when the Special strike fund was
disccntinued by local 5A§Qg§QG inf " 1
At a special meeting in ar Q - . at 8th & Washi -ton, all butJ - , '--= ..:.' £1 »P?_--.3-v;,¢'-', '15 men voted to remove the assessment. £ I*$gs=~ee§%%¢¢, nd several
Q" -5-" @¥¥' tsQr*e.?'e££*%lwJ-I1.%1 @*"5 °P"s.s:~* *1 ~~ 92 r " "§"i= I - @.~==,~ ';-"- 1' -P;-==.»-- __ _ Q"-I ;_;;1j._Ti;-j=%-;_;jl'_I*.
"While we had our Progressive union at Mine B, there were rumors
arohnd that there were UHW men out trying to get the FHA to go back to the
UM? but none of them ever approached me. During this period there was no
picketing at Mine B by the UMW that I know of, I did see some white papers
scattered along the lane leading up to the mine once but whether this was
UM? literatare or not I could not soy.
spies or organizers being in the PEA loc
"I never heard of anv earti
the UEW men or officials.I knew nothing about any paid UNI
al prior to the strike.
. .. lshoff .'
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL L7 Q, - A '
4:-7 <3 _ i g ' I
TE I - "I did not attend the meting the night before the mine
con inued
short. I
about. I
" said that
I never heclosed out I do recall the contention over the 5
men who were to be expelieei I remember telling some
of the trial board members that the charge that they
had placed against these men was a serious one, a bad thing and would only
cause trouble unless they had good proof of the charges made. I think that
this was a special meeting of the trial board and was handled in the same
way that all such matters were handled. I went to work the morning of the _
day of the strike the men went to work as always. as I remember it the
men worked most of this day; I think that I heard that the men were being
called out about 5 min. before quitting time. I do know that during that
day the men were going around w?ispe.ing one to the other to load the cars -
dont have any idea who started this nor do I know what it was
dont know to this day why the strike started that day, some
it was over pay; gone that it was over loading the cars shortL
1 A ard it said th;t it was over t} m=n who were expelled from the 9 - .
union. I dont remember hearing anything about the management refusing to
fire the men expelled from tho union. 1 have often wondered hy'this strike
was called I believe that if every man had tendedto his own business that
this mine would have never shut down. -
"I believe I signed the PMA petition of May 26, 1937, as I recall
we signed this petition out on the road in front of the mine and those
that didn't pet to sign it there were visited at home and given a chance to
sign it. I signed because I thought as long as we had a PEA union out there
we had a chance of getting a contract_ I felt at this time that in a few
~ = we would have a contract. -
"I did not hear of or sign any petition for the UMW;
"I dont remember signing specific petitions but think I signed
one or two these were all for INA. .
"During the sumer of 1937 I read about the UMW starting a local
in Spring. all I knew was what I read in the paper. I remember that Chas.
Qghanon was president of it.
"I dont recall any unusual activity or events during the sumer
of l93?_ I did hear that some of the mine B men had gone to the_Jefferson
Mine to work_and heard that Falsetti was over there as boss of the mine.
I remember signing the affidavit which has been shown me by agents of the
FBIL this affidavit was made at Virden, I11. Aug. 25th, 1937, and concerned
statements made to myself and other miners about going to UMW meetingsthis statement is true and the signature attachd thereto is my own. tater
on learning of this Mr. Falsetti told Roth that he had no power to make any .
E.' ' . ':., ' ' .-
-»,._ __ -_-_ 92 . ..
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RB: JOHN L. IEJIS, ETAL
I 3=?213g .
I ' if WIT such statement to these men ,, llr. Fslsetti wasjprbtiy sore
about this; I dont remember who else was present at
continued the time Falsetti made this statement.
- "I remember the attempt to reopen the mine in Sept. of 1937 I
believe that I read in the paper that the ;nir.e was to be reopened at that
time. On the morning the mine was reopened the officers from both local
unions were there. Mr. Falsetti stated he wanted 50 men to go to work.
when Progressive men would come up to go d01-.n to work Hr. Falsetti would
shake his head and not let them work; I d_o11_t__ remember anybody going to
work that morning. I do know that the on-rni-_n; -we started picketing no one o
went to work; I remember some of th tee who were there that morning among
them "Sammy", Andy Schr- =reli:1s, Domor ic Pasquale, Cotton Ananias, Charles
Bohanon and James Hale. I w.s at the ziine most of the time during the picket-
ing_,_ I looked after the medical supplies. There was no regular meeting _
held the boys just met and said that ii they oouldnit go down__wasn't
nobodz going down. I Q" liexie that the piclzoting started the same morning
that they tried to open the mine. I never heard of there being any thugs
brought in to help in this p;'.chet:|'_ng__._ some of the fellows had man from the
L
'1other mines come andvisit them___ this was during the day and these men took
no active pert. The men were just there to protect there jobs and were ready
to go to work at any time. I was there when the Piarshall came out to tell
the men to lo-ave the mine. When the Ha:"sha]l ca.-e out t5e union officers
ran like sheep and the comoitteemen algylevitg I called the men together -
and the Eiarshall addressed the men_,_ he read the injunction and pinned
it up. 5% of the men jumped up and said we didnt have to leave I asked
him how long he would give us to leave the mJ1e___ this was about '7 1121*
the ti.-ia_rshz-;I_"i_ said he couldn't say hon long he could give us but that he .
was going to be a very busy man until 12.30 am; I told the men that I
didn't knowvhat they were going to do but I was leavinggfter some discussion
most of the men decided to do the sa..'ne_ some of them said somethin gutbreaking windows and such, but I told them not to do that. Latercame out and he told the men that I had told the-2:: right and that he '3
tell them to stay. I believe the malsholls name was one the -officers said I had no business to tell the men to l%e wasis said I wamt running it and that Hey didnt "
" 5'" know of the LTEL coming out and causing any trouble at all
while we were out there on strike. Everything was cleaned up and gone by .
12:30 am.
- "I heard about the attempt to open the mine of Dec. 13th but we
did not go to the mine.
The first labor election was held by secreot ballot nor one rtried._.__ T .tojforrce me to vote one way or another as I remember now .. voted PLEA -
' .
' -351- ~
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Re: JOHN L. LE-TIS, sr AL
La? D1 ,1 ;¢ V In- :" ; ..l3 e 5i»-9292' *3 _.<- ~ *~;* 3s& Q;-@?"~.4
E.
I -
1'Q2<L- ~
mr principles as I felt it
well to go back to Ulm This was so far asINTERVIEW 1 Q slthough this was against-r ' - 1.. '_;Ia;- ' " WOL1ld b¬
con inu - I know agood honest election in every way. e 1
I dent recall going to the mine when
in Jan. 1938.they attempted to open it
I didnt go near the mine during this time up until the mine
opened; I did not attend any meetings and took no active part in what
was going on at this time. I never heard anything as to why Elshoff would
not sign with PHAL or how he was able to keep the mine closed all this time.
"I got a letter telling me so cane back to work in Nov. 1939,
within a certain number of d:*s I dort remember how man . J , Y I started back
to work about two days after the mine opened_ this was on a Sunday. When
I went back to the min: no body said "nf.hing to me. I had no understand-
ing at all as to woges =hen we went back to wirk, we just figured it would
be the regular union wage scaieq I think that
to the 2nd. NLRB election:I joined the UHF prior _
nobody arproached me to join the UMW. One PEA
man asked HE what I w;s join; to do_ I told him I was going back. I was
discusted because some of the Pha men had been able to get all they wanted
from PEA relief but when I was out of a job nobody seemed to care or want
to do anything for us, they did send word that thele was five bars of soap
but I told them I couldnt eat soap. The EMA man who approached me was thePEA local sect. a fellow by the name of He really came to talk to
me about why I w1sn't paying my dues to Ia; was not threatened and don't
know of anyone who was. I have heard rumors of men being beat up by UMW but
I have my first time to see any of it. I dent
of favortism on the pert of the management for
recall signing any cards for either PEA or UMW
the UQEZ I did nothing to influence anyone to
"I voted at the 2nd. NLRB election_§oknow anything about any acts
either UMW or PEA. I dont
up until the time I rejoined
join the UHW.
f2r_as I know it was an
honest election just as same as the other one was. Nobody said anything
to me either way. The election was by secrect ballot and as I recall the
report was won by UHF.
' "Then I went backfto work in tine "B" it was in very ted shape.
Boxes 2 and 9 have never been reopened. All of the cars and rails in these
sections were lost. I dont know of any fire at mine B while it was closed.I did not hear of nor attend the meeting at whidiwas kicked
out. -
"I have read the foregoing statement of 3 pages and to the best
of my knowledge and recollection it is the truth in its entirety. I am_
therefore_ signing the same of my own free will and initaling each page thereof
' -552-
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1"H-__92
p---'Re: JOHN L. IEWIS, E1 AL 5'! Q, . ___¢§. V.,_,> ' *3
j _
92
l¢>'!D.
I t J. . signed _ ______ _ ¢ _ __ _ _ _
St an _, rmSpecla *gen , .2. .,
.P 1 Li .
D66. Agt. F.B.I. kii1w.!
{_ I11. Sept 2, 1943"
I naread the game and said it was true
continued but'he would not sign it unless he was in
Court and was told to sign it.
' 7 92
l
92
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8 , ,_ " _ - 1, -. - 1 .3 _ .'r.~;_- -_;~_ '";_;_ '_' r -<~ . , 1~':|;92; 1.5.4: .~,..w_. ..--_. .... Y K.-.'.-..' '. -. .. '-'~' ' ' - ' ' ~ ..' ' ' 15-__1;_. -3;-»"" :5 " Mm-2; we-' K- 1. 5: V;-Ywn .5-4%-%=i'T -.--- "v ,~ _, - ,- .. J|_"e . -" -. -_"-J... 'r.__'- -- _. ~__¢:.é ;.~_ _',--- ._'- ' K-.~ . .. =. 43 s__ _ Uwj H5 -; '%§_, __ _ m_»§.__.?m__: V Jgpmzéj ,.-Q. ;_ _ . __ .r #7 . J .. _ .21., U" 4 J, _I_ .1 :¥qEA_92_ N _. .-,-5,, _.:%f_'_$_,_"u. 1 .4-;.- , - .~J _ A-. _.'_ _- ._.,_,; 3 __ .4. _. -. £',.__ .1 f.:_'__f..fl,;*f .-;,,-§,,a_e' :=_~ ¢' - . .- _-. .§,£§il' ;- - ...'_§;~..'<.»-_-" "J - J . ~ :" ' - '» '-. "*!?-.'§.- -.; J . ~ ,1. . ;__. M W. ,,§.0 C " " ' I
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Re: JOHN L. LE-';IS, BT AL 57¢/
49 in .
lemme iI'lE Springfield.IIIIDDILB, WES h 81"V!6W8: 8-! !'¬3!!:B!1OB ~-7 . 1
This "an speaks and understands Englis w --
ery simple questions must be asked of him He said he is
willing to testify in court. Es claimed to have no criminal record. It
is noted that his name, as used by his children in school, is also spelled"11-... . ' ,92 92 r .92 i :.,-Z. . ' .. ,1/.~_. - . _ .Le 9292; -_ . . September B, I943, by Special Agents and
1 cu . ' . - .
Ibo following, signed Bttefnent was obtained from
92 X Springfield, I11.
Septembsr B, l9i3 .
"" +1'~ f 11 e stetcme t freel endvoluntarily Lg F" end qgwho have identified
themselves to f' - eia I-_gen J '-» urcau of Investigation.
Fe threats or premises have been made to me to obtain this statement.
"1 em living at 'fiIll., on am
I _V em leyod at Iiino B. -I was or ;_:.j,';;.y .- In came to the United States. an in " n '."
I--Zine Yorkers when I was working in
n . United States I became a member of
country. I had to join again because I did not transfer
my membership. I joined the Progressive Kine Tforkers of America in 1932.
I have novcr been on officer in any union. .joined the United
I came to the
"Sincc_¬ when I started to work at Vino B. I have worked in
several mines around Springfield. '-Chen the P.1T.A. started at Mine B in
1932, I had no part in the formation of that union. I just went along with
the majority of the men. After I932 things went along 0.K. at Mine B,
I was satisfied with the E.If.A., but I think I would have been satisfied
with U.IJ.?E', too. ' ' '
"On the day the strike started, I did not hear about the strike
until I finished my work in the mine. As far as I know, no one in my
parting Ifoaded their cars with short weights that day. I don't remember _
who told me that there tins a strike at the mine.
"After the strike started I don't remember signing; any petition .
for any union. I
I was on the picket line in the fell of 1937. As I recall I rode
out to the picket line with E . I did not get any notice that the m e
-354.. ' .
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92;?_-._fr.",;_1_.~* 1'*1.' 'it . . . - 11 IrRe: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL C!._ .._;-. ;=.._ . _.- __"..'.;_;,..__...92_= .. !-
C,
inrtevlst WITH
that I j*ined the pic
Tine E men in the pic
"In December
told me how to vote,
this union and wanted
"Bill Sirtoux
was ' eopen in the fall of 1957. I recallthe to1d me that the mine was going to
open, an at he went out to work. lhen h affived
there, he told me he learned they were picketing. After
ket line to keep U.M,i_ men out of the mine. I only saw
ket line. '
1957 I voted in tho election at the Stete Armory. N0 one
I voted for P=N,A, in this election because I liked
to keep it at "ine B.
t has tried to get me to join U.M.*. He talked with me,
but did not use any rough tactics. 1 told him that I'd make up my mind '
later on this matter. 1 dont recall exactly when Sirtout talked to me,
but it was after I went back to work in 1959.
"After going buck to vork, Cotton Ananies asked me to join U.M.W-
He did not get rough
Kine B, Tony Plotch L
' with U,H.7. I said t
joinwith me. Some time Aftr I started back to work in
nd Cotton cine to ry house. At that time I signed up
hit if most of the men wanted U.H,;, I was willing to
talked to me in inc B after I started back to work.V d_H t Mme 1- no ge roug , but he told me that if I waited too long before I
joined UMT, I would lose my job, and some one might get hurt. I think he
me&nt that I would get hurt. I heard that some men were beat up, but I never
saw any of this.
" hen the mine reopened in 1939, Oscar Falcetti came to my house
and told me when to c
rcmembar the electionone beck to work. I had been working on W.P.A, I don't
in February 1941.
I joined U.M.J. to keep my job. I wes entirely satisfied with
P.V.A., but it didn't
Wine B.
n_. . . .make much difference to me which union I was in at
"This statement consisting of this and two other handwritten pages
has been reed to me, and I state that it is true to the best of my knowledge
and recollection.
Litness:i-___ii
7 .
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Re: JOPTN T... Lewis, er 1
11 TER"IE WITH I Spmgeld»Illinois, was interviewed at his ome on September '7,
1943 by Special net: _l and. Throughout
the intervie1="::.j__:1;§f appears o e extrem y nerve and afraid to talk.
It is not iiil-_'!»'T1 W;1¬t;lEI" tnis is H15 usual demeanor. he speaxs and understands.1"-glish well. arefused tc sign the statement prepared from the '
i;1t¬I"ViEV.', bar aamitte to both Agents that everything in it is true to
t L. I , 7 _ TV the best of .115 lcowledge. rle said he preferred not to testi ,. F
claimed to have no criminal record. "Jhe sked if anyone had t rea ene
iim if he gave information to FBI A";ents_. aid that no one had
talked to him. Following is the statement which refused to sign,
"Springfield,
Qzav-924'rirg*92'~92r=92I92 '7
|,!§§£./92JCl.l92JCl I ,
"I_. __ make the follvn statement freely and
Vvlwntafily 1=§Ifef?T; air sages; qtahi. who have
' ' ' <= I . as "identified therr.e_e,.ves to me C-~..v pecia agents 0 he Federal
Bureau of Investigation, I-To ttreats or promises have been made to
me to obtain this statement.
~ ""'92»-' ." .;'I- 1 1'31-'1' - -"I presentiyede at, Springfield, I11.T 1.-92ra_5 bgyn 1 =y__»" 4"..;" T camg in Y'.}'1e U55; * " ,3 " -='-F'-.~=I-".-=;.;§==--..- Q5-_'.»='."':'_' ' '* 'I was naturafized in gpringfield, 111., L? Pre-
sen y I am w0Iki1'.g at Panther Creek Ivline 5,-42, an am a member
of the Progressive uiine Jorkers of America union.
"I first joined a union, the United ne uorkers i . _ , U Fin Springfield, Ill. I be'»;a12 to work at Line 3 : 1.: i e
working at lline B in 1932 I joined the Progressive - .-Jorkers
of America. I had no part in the forrretion of this union,
merely joined it when the majority of the men swung from the
U.I.i.',-. to P.L!.A. I have never held an office in any union.
"From 1932 to 1937 I don't recall any trouble at _3ne B, either
between the management and the P.H.A., or between the miners
themselves. I did not attend many union meetings during this time.
I was entirely satisfied with the P.P.A. union, and the officers and
members all treated me O.K- I have found all unions pretty much
alike, and I have no preference one way or the other.
. "N0 one talked to me about joining the U.]-»f.'":-i. before the
strike started in 1-J37. I did not hear of anyone trying to or -
ganize for U.1J.".'. in Mine B prior to 193'?" I d0f1't think that I
went to a meeting of the P,TI.-1. on the Right before the Strike
started in 1937. 01 the day of the strike, I think that I had
-556-
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Re: JOHN L. LZMIS, er at. L, '7 q__.
/-==?.o
finished my work, and when I came to the top I
heard that no work would be done the next day.
I don't know any reasons for the strike.
"In October, 1937, I got a job at Panther Creek Nine #2, and have
been working there ever since.
"1 don't remember signing any petition in 1937. I might have done
so, but I don't remember. After the strike started, no one tried to get
me to join the U.H.h}
I
I
I"I did not know that Lhne B was going to reopen in September 1937.
did not go out to the picket line and no one asked me to go out to it.
knew a lot of men who did go out to the picket linel I
"I voted in the election held at the State Armory in December 1937
don't know how I heard about the election. I was working at Panther
Creek Mine #2 when this election was held. I prefer not to say how I
voted in this election, but I will say that I had nothing against P.M,A.
at the time of this election.
"Since the election of 1937, I have had nothing to do with Mine B
or the unions at that mne.
This state ent consisting of this and one other typewritten page
has been read to me, and I state that it is true to the best of my know-
ledge and recollection.
"Witnesses;
tated that everything contained in the above _
s a emen was true, but he declined to sign it.!
/Q, " .'- *< ., _ . it . .-.13: r-_92_~:,,'.-»' - ,.V §'1El$.ZT1- ;' .':,1 '1' g:.¢." .-';~=.;.,'T'--'§"=.,~'»I'-2 .~.*--,%I:=- -j;,.-»,§g_5=:-_- ."ear492;==¢-1-,-., :';-1;._: lI=!§!m'-=- .-
Special Agen s, I
Springfield, Ill."
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< 0
Re: JOHN L. Lsuls, ET at.
741!
is cooperative it is felt that due to the short
Ptime he worked at Mine B
he does not possess sufficient inlormation to make him a good witness.
He furnished the following signed statement.
"Springfield, Illinois
September 7, l9A3
"I. make the following
of
' emselves as Special agents in the Federal
No threats or promises have been made to me
statement.
"I reside 2 a Iis
"I started Workinv at Zinc 3 in august,started mining
ingd the U.H.Y} I joined
l932 and at that time was vorking at Panther Creek mines.voluntary statement to
whom have identified
Bureau of Investigation.
to induce me to make a
box
l9AO and voted in the
NLRB election in February of l9Ll. I knew Oscar Falcetti and I
went out and asked him for a j~b. He told me if I wanted to work
nights be would put me on. I worked there about a year and one-
half, until APTI1, 1942. then I went to work at Mine B I did not
belong to any un;on. Falcctti didn't say anything to me about
jeiying any union. I used to belong to Progressive and I had tried
to get a job through them, but I couldn't.
for I was a little mad about not getting aI decided to join United,
job under Frogressive.
1hen I started to work I was approached by both P.¥.a. and UM? men
who zanted me to join their unions. No one threatened me and I
o1dn*t see anyone beaten up. After I had been working about a week
I joined United, is I was working nights I
was going on.didnt see much of what
"I was never active in any uion and never attended many meet-
iigs.
"I have read the above statement and declare it to be true and correct
1 " I/5*Ir"-i :--"*'
- -
5peCi&l agents, F.B.I.,
U.5. Dept. of Justice."
I,
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92
Re: JOHN L. LEhIS, ET AL i! Q"I =70
H Earl igvisa 31 TH
' """*ieweu a
Agents
speaks and understands Eng ry we 1.Illinois, was
eeial
remory did not seem to be very good. He claimed to have no criminal record.
lf necessary, he is willing to testify.
The following signed statement was obtained
"Springfield, Ill.
Q + R A #241 . F-'92"92 _!"92Y. QT .--._.r.v92_-s.....¢v¢ w, ..... .-mm
"I 5tff§?Fh' make the folloWn" voluntar" statement to I ... C} 92J-- ..; ,. P-'1'-'i.J.._.,;... . -, ,-;,-e; -, *.."$;;|":¢,
=u'-au o nve 1 my own free will, with no
made to me.
"I live at
I was bani
Mine workers a _ id "
Mine, and we went on strike. IIllinois and
I
s wo
"t work in a minewhom I know cc b" Special kgonts of the Fedora!
threats or promises
am working at Mine B.
I joined the United
rking at the Peabody
until January of 1934,
when I began work at Kine B. I had been a member of FHA for some time
before beginning work at Mine B. I had not paid dues in P.lL:nI-£0,
started to pay dues when I began working there. I had no part in the organ-
izing of P.M.n., and have never held an office in any
From 195-1 until 1957, I don't remember any
between the management and the union. I was satisfiedmine union.
trouble at the mine,
in the P.M.A. during
that period, and heard or saw nothing to make me think the P.M.A. was not
being run fair and square. I didn't hear of any talk on the part of the
management which would shew a preferense for the U.M.W. or against the P.M.A
"I don't remember any P.K.h. meeting on the night before the
strike. I went to the mine on the day of the strike, but didn't go down
into the mine. I think the strike was caused because
between the P.M.b.and Mine B, and I'm not sure. I don
officials ever telling any of the men the reason for tthere was no contract
't remember the union
he strike. I don't
remember, either, getting any explanation from the P.M.A. officials why we
only had an extension agreement.
ll
on the part of some men for the U.M.U., or some union.
about joining the Uihii. at thet ti e P A T b =w +h + T"l V1 1 Dum.»--.1 v1.1-iv, an-AALA. 1. n.:lvI'v v1|.Q.vI remember that, just before the strike, there was some agitation
No one talked to me
!y92Av Q.¢.'hv-Q!'.-s-..--1.- .9. ..-.3IL»-9292-I-J uuauciuvauun c1..l.J'.l
Dominic Pasquale, and some others, were agitating for the U.H.T. On: day _I heard Pasquale and e men namui arguing, and
ment to be over union matters.
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Re: sons 1- IELIS, er LL. 19'! CL,
r
bio
1192*1*ERv1E,:-'4 ':;11"1-I "I rem-;.mber signing a petition, I don't know just when,
asking for a referendum to sec which union had the
"92¢ssc1nssi, majority. This was a P.M.A. petition, and I'm reason-
ably sure I signed one, but I can't be positive of it.
1 do F¬m¬@b5] that no one asked me to join the U.M.D. in 1957.
"I don't remember getting any notice that the mine was going to
open up in the fall of 1957. I picketed the mine at this time, to keep the
U.N.h. men out of the mine. I don't remember how I got notice of the picket
line. It might have been at a P.M.A. meeting, but I'm not sure. I was not
made to go out to the picket line. The P.M.A. men went out to the mine to
work. I don't remember seeing any U.M.H. men trying to go down into the
mine at this time. The injunction was resi to us by a federal man, and was
for the purpose of getting the P.M.A. men away from the mine. hfter the
injunction was read, we all left. we were milling to leave the matter up
to the P.M.A- officials, and were willing to abide by their decisions. The
decisions were ell arrived at after a discossion, and anyone could get up
and speak his mind.
"I remember the election in the winter of 1937, at the arsenal.
I don't remember how I heard about it but think I saw it in the paper. I
went to the election of my own accord, and voted the way I wanted to. I got
no instructions from the P.M.A. officers as to how to vote. I voted for
P.M.A. because I was satisfied with that union, and preferred it to the
U.M.Q.
"I don't remember anyone coming to me while I was out on strike,
either to join the U.K.K} or to keep in the P.M.A. I went to some P.M.A.
meetings, but don't know how many, or what was discussed. In the fall of
1939, I got a letter from the Mine B management saying that the mine was
going to open. They said they would let me know when a place was ready for
me. I don t remember just exactly when I went back to work.
".£.;[ter I went back to work in the mine, asked me%
to join the U.M.L. by signing a referendum petition. I told him I didn't
want to until I saw how the men felt. He then asked me to come to a U.H.W.
meeting to sec how many Mine B men were there. I went and saw about half
the men from Mine B there. Around this time I hoard several men saying
that if the U.h.H. didn't get a contract with Mine B, the mine wouldn't stay
open. _I don't remember any certain man saying this, and don't know if it
was a U.M.h. man or not. I joined U.M.h. at that time, because I thought
that if I didn't join U.M.B., and the U.M.R. didn't get the contract, the
mine wouldn't stay open. No one forced me to join, and I wasn't threatened.
"In February of 1941, st the election I voted for the U.M.h} be- -
cause I figured that under the U.M.Y. the men_wou d be able to keep on
working. After the mine opened up, I saw %§§§Ef§§F¢dE_ alking around the
.
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~.Re:1 .
ct e
7-921-v JOHN L. LMIS, ET AL. 2:? /0..
19 70
HENTERVIEE QITH mine. I thought he a new boss and didn't know what _ - ,___. .11. JO v.5o ;.92oontinue!*.. mentioned anything about the ion.
=-.=1n=_.w¢.1 +¬ 'mmI: has nnvnrLJCUCJ-Z]. L-I-JLl.92_:92J .lL92I l-492J""1
"I alwavs liked the P.M.A. and donit care for John L. Lewis. I'm
satisfied wioh U .Z. now but liked P.M.A. when I was a member of that union,
and wanted to keep that union.
half
,=.;-'-=1-3'.-.
92-J ..ui a-._..... ..~7-:- 1¢¢;j;z;-wteev"I have had the foregoing, consisting of approximately four and one
pages, read to me and state that it is truo to the best of my knowledge.
| E I
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R31 Lg IJLPJVIS, .n.LA A7.0
rosavln-I 1 i Springfield,
6Q I! _ Illinois, was inteviewed at his home on eptember '7,
92 .1943 by Special :£g I" and " ' peaks
srglish with difficulty o expression and can uderts ano it only w en it is
spoken slowly. He claimed to have a poor memory, and denied that anyone
had told him not to give any information to the F.B.I. He did not state
whether he would or would not t&StlfT. claimed to have no criminal
record. He furnished the following signed sta ement.
"Springfield, Ill.
September 7, 1943.
g _ __"l 5, =_,, make the following voluntary statement to
?§§4QgT"§%sl mesa; -,3 I when I krow to be Specia1_igents of
the Feoera Bureau 0 lnves iga ion, of ry own free will, with no
threats or promises node to me.
"I live at ' """*'ie and am Q-1rork=
ing at Eire B. I was born. ;,?§;@f-;};;?f}, eh ,_i, ,_and came go 7
the United States in - I was naturali --I,"-.;; .- I joined the 11.12.-». 1;--2' belonged to that union un 11
1932 when I joined the Progressive line horkers of nmerica. I re-
joined the U.H.H. in the fall of 1939, and am a member of that union
at the present time,
:1Fro.*:;tO 1932, the conditions at the mine were all right,
However, the men didn't seem to be satisfied with the U.M.¥. The U.MJ?i
wasn't looking out for the miners, but was just interested in collect-
ing dues. In 1932, when the P.M.A, was started, I just went along with
the men and didn't take any part in starting the P.M.A. From 1932 to
l937, the conditions at the mine were just about the same. The P.M.A.
union was all right, but it made no difference to me which union was in.
The P.M.n. was a little better just because the dues were less. I
went to union meetings once in a while, but not often.-During that time
I didn't hear of anything said by the mine bosses which would show
that they favored the U.M{eo
"I don't remember going to a P.M.n. meeting the night before
the strike in May of 1937, and I donlt remember ever hearing about the
meeting. On the day of the strike, 1 worked all day. The next day the
mine was closed down. I don*t know the reason for the closing down,
although I think the management was looking for another union. I don't .
remember anything about P.M-A. men being fired, or anything about a wage
dispute, 1 donft remember signing any paper for the P.H.». just after
viiili.4-I _
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i.Re: JOHJ L. LEHIS, ET L...- -_,_ .- . r 92,II ._~. : _ _-_.92..4-. ..
;
127e,
L74!
-
*-Tn ?*iU TH "In the fall of 1937, when they tried to open
the mine, I went out to the picket line. No one
told me to, and I went to protect my tools and pro- onoinued
pe " i_
about tryi
junction W
"In the election at theI].I
'3'C.
Cco-i ._.> J..L.'.J_92..
J,v92J'h"- £:y'v'_"r?f> Hwr tho TT M '|' mom~ L-be. J one L/;,J..J.IvIl |>!92-11.1
get '.H. men into t
to hurt P-M-n- and help
state
P.K.n. because I wanted to vote for t
vote either way, but voted the way I wanted to.
hear any
he mine. he feder
the U.lLTL
arsenal in
hat union.1937, I voted for the
No one forced me to
In the fall of 1939
I got a notice from the company that the mine was going to open up, and
I should report
soon as the min
U.N.U. I heard
to join the U.K.
up. Nobody made no sif= up with U.H.~_ No one had contacted me before
the mine reopened to 3__o the J Q.U,Qin a c
openc
from s
". oreitain time or lose ry job. I wtwt back to work as
do Shortly after the mine noenoc- T ioined the
evcrel men, non
lose my job. I_777 , _ U77 _V YY_v
e OI them I r;member, that I had
saw otkcr men sign, so I Signed
"I don't remember yoting in tie election of February 1941, and
dont remember which way I voted. It doesn't make any difference to me
vhit union his the contract.
"I remember, on the day of the strike, in 1937, that some of the
men were loading short weights in protest igainst the fact that some
U.F. . men were working in the mine in violation of the closed shop
ogretment.
"I have had the foregoing, consisting of about two and a half
P.
,. J.
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as; JOHN L. 1.s.r;1s, ET 1.1.. 1/RD
TP'T'?HTEl ' PH The following investigation wii conducted by SpecialIn semis e-11 hat ° '
field, inois, on ep ember , 1943.
y t his residence, 914 Percy, Springfield, Illinois, Agents intervi".-we: and he advised he had never been arrested in his
life.
It was noted that he had some difficulty in understanding the
questions and when answering the questions his answers were not clearly
understood. It is felt that he will make a very poor witness unless his
testimony is absolutely necessary.
After the statement mentioied Lereinafeor was read to him he was
asked if he cared to sign the some and ne asked ii hr had to. He was told
that he did not need to and he was asked if there was any reason why he
I should not sign it F thereupon signed thp same without saying anything
further.
He :.lso was -:_~;:r as to ".'i*...- or not . *
he said that he had not been, but Lao. heard some . other miners at
Iijine B tall: about the matter; that they did not seem to understand what it
was all at-cut. He was asked by Agents as to "Jhether or not he did not
Ufld-i'ISt¬:.I1d "why the in92"es*ig£Ci-on was being made, and he said that Agents
had so told him about it.
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ss= JOH L. Ls IS, ET AL
ITHbi
£3/92___ .
-92
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knew anything about the money matters of the Union.
l don't know whether the P.M.A. men sent to jail for
honking were guilty or not, I never saw U.M.§. picket
or distribute literature at Mine B. I never saw any
B at that time. {.H.L. crgenizers at Mine
I know nothing about any parties given by blshoff for U.M.U.
I knev: the contknow *.:het_ did about
thing we wen on strike.
been made and WoTC sstisfi
"I don't rerenbc
and don't think I went. I
fellow oeme to me anf .~ld
next day and stood rim, d.
dont remember anything ob
N I _ -I don t romemoe
for either ?.h.h. or U.E.Tr-1: n1" Y1 1- _.. PAY l-"92i1'_ 1.4.4-.1 us bu».-.-_ ~14. -.s...--
root ran out in the Spring of 1957, but I don't
it, one time we were going to work and the next
The men wide "rfocd a temoerery acreement had L ..;
ed with th;"Kay the officials were handling it.
r any P-M w. mrstfsg tn- night before the strike
was home the
me thii Line
I ffm E -116
OUT. C D.I'L- L¥".'E_2I"ii" the strike started and some
b mes
J why tne mine was shut down. I
being loaded short.on strike we went over the
r signing any petitions during the summer of 195
"I don't remember the U.E.. fO?ning s local in Springfield in
the surrzner of 1957.
"I wont to the mine in Sept. 1957 on about the 2nd or 3rd day
of the strike. I went of my own free will and we were just there to pro»
tect our jobs.
"I was at the mine most of the time thn strike was on. No one
cwss there but the local P.h.h. men, ¢veryth_ng was peaceful and quiet. I
was there the Mrirshall Caune nothing hap-boned except. we went heme.
"I heard that they tried to reopen the mine in Doc. 1937, some-
one told me of this but I did not go out.
"1 voted in the first N.L.R.B. election at the Armory. he went
there in groups from the Union Hall, I voted P.M.A. as I belonged to that
union. I voted of my own free will & the way I wanted. 1 think this was
e good election.
I don't recall anything about any attempt to open the mine in7
Px .
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_ 5'? c_.RE: JOHN L. LE..IS, nT AL. 6 _ .
/A3
INTERVIEJ1.ITH "I don't remember anything about an men or Hr. Falsetti
going to work at the Jefferson Mine, while Mine E was
con 1nue- shut down.
"I got e. letter from the Co. when the mine opened. I wont out
and saw Falsetti who said I would have to wait awhile because of falls in
the mine. A fellow came and told me to come back in a few days. I usedto work in boxgend went back to box.as I could not got into Boxg
Nothing was sal about unions or wages at this time, I just went to rk
because that was my job.
"Nobody ever talked to me at the mine or at home about joining
the U.1.I.'.'.. Ono time I went to e U.E'-i.'§. meeting and 5d.'92V' a lot of the old
P.I~'I.A. over there so I signed up. I-h'.n I first returned to Mine B I paid
dues to P.I-1.11. I do not recall signing any cards for U.M.Ta'. or P.l.£.A. in
the summer of 1940.
"I hoard talk of some men getting beat up but I never did see any
Of
"I don't know for sure whether I voted at a 192I.L.R.B. election in
Feb, 19-Q1, if I did I dcn't remember it now.
"when we first went to work the mine was in bed shape, but they
fixed it up.
"I know nothing about any meeting whereas kickedout I
"I have had '1-end to me this 6 page statement as I
have trouble reading. " e es ri my knowledge it is all true and
correct. I am therefore signing it of my own free will.
. . Signed! *ociel Agent, FBI r.n1w§.'i I l
Special Aent, FBI St. Paul, Minn-!
Springfield, I11.
Sept. 8, 1945»
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JOH1-I L. LE. .IS, st at
at his home b Soecial n
He was born
Btates in It is n _
as he has difficulty speaking English. He has no known criminal record.70 bio
rino 1e v H inois was in er ew=-.~C.nt5 A "- n
and became afa ur ized citizen o the ni ed
:t believed he would make a good witness inasmuch
He supplied the following signed statement:
"Springfield, Ill.
September 3, 1943
"I, Srrin :'-eI=.<1 Illinois do
_ voluntaril »ivc the following sipnai stttonent t: §5;*"Y and-.1110 Eiamx made tn='-.".is?;*:' s kne1'n JO - -clal Agents
of the Federal -ureau of Investigation. No threats or promises of any
kind were made to cetwe me to make this s&utZ . enent
j',r_jI-fE.;.- _ .l-'f7':~-_"' _,_ -. :__ _ .! . _ ."I was burl. ;}_..92- ____% ameiea 1: a| 92 .* ,,__. 3s 1%I was naturalized at pring ield, Illinois 3f F ?l%@$P.= 4;:
"I have been znployod in Coal mines
1OlDg no itl the United nine er.ers of never I cane to America
LTlC& 't @§ QQ' ' - - ,_ 1" W " :.- -. ' - ' -+ '- 7'-3-i
started '.';or?:in; at Iiine Q in -continuinj mj membership ._., U ll '..' ...
I never held any officts in any union.
formed by
stolen in"Between and
"I had nothing tol932 the U H'7 n and the Mine B Officials gotalong alright. goiuar as I know the Proéressivc Mine orkers Union was
some of the miners who got mad when the wage scale hallots were
1932.
do with the formation of the new union but
switched ov-r when nw'local joined the irodrcssives. U
U Y
men"There were no strikes or close downs b.tween 1932 and 1937 and
Mr; Elshoff seemed to trust the irogressives as well as he had treated
the U EYf.=. I thOU5ht thei the new union was fine and that the leaders
were good. The dues and assessments were about the same.
"Shortl; before t
T A. A few of these
that I remember were
vious, Dominic Pasquale,
Sirtout, George Jaeaway,
tried to reopen the minehe strike in hay 1!}? about l3 men went back to
men vere suspznded just before the strike. The
Frank hustin, Charles bohannon, Andre- Schrele
Pete Carter, Tony Plotch, John Anani3$,John
and James Hale. These same men are the ones who
U I T A while we were on strike in 1937.
92
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RE: JOHI! L. LLTJI5, 21" $1.1» E 7 Q
-6"! D
- 92
Iqoovlgl *3;- "Tho strike i 193? startedbecause the 1lL| I1
Continued! temporary wage agreement JaS no good and
the U H W A men mentioned above
started going around stirring up the men. Before the strike we were told
to load eoel short in the cars. I never -*ded any cars short but Went
home insteud on the morning of the strike.
"I never attended any meeting the night before the strix; nor any
meeting where the U I I 5 men were susponded.' '
"The first I knew about the strike was when I got to the mine in
the morning and heard the men er ueing about the Co. allowing the sus-
pended men go down in the nine. Kc ~ere then told to load coal short until
the manaQement fired the men who had been suspended. I was home when the
actual strike nos called about 2 p n on Hey 12, l9;7, and didn't find
out about it until the miners came home.
"I remember sibnin: L petition shortly after the strike shoeing
that I favored the fro5ressiv_s. This was a free and voluntary signing.
"I was e m;mb r of tn; Sat down strikers for almost of two months.
Te never had any trouble durin this time. Uhilo we were there 13 men
includin; the ones I hgvu numcd above tried to reopen the mine under a
U FIE n Contract and tried to get the *ro;rcssives to join up. The second
day they were afraid to come back.
"Ihen the Court said we had to quit staying at tho nine all of the
i"I"O LTJ SSIVOS -7¬'I'.lT.- nome 1
"5 couple of nooks later the U L 3 B held an election which was
fair and square. I voted at that election and the Progressives won
404 to 25,
"The U H T U attempted to rooocn_the mine in early January of 1938
but they were not successful.
!i_ 11 ___ _92_ __ _ _ _ u_.i,___ l92-_,-_,»- I Went beck to Kine 5 l novomoe. 01 "opcn shop"
aéroement. I was still paying dues to the P L n. omainod with the
PTO3T¢SSiVUS until I bison to see the miners beaten up by the U N T A
men and I joined U M I A to keep from ;etting boat up. Andrew Sehrelevious
and e man c1".]1r,~,; Lo:-.me to my house and asked mo to join U I? T. J. and
I did to keep nQ*' ?3B-End to keep from getting beat up. I would rsther _
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RE: JOHT1 L. L12 :Is, ET AL A -7 C
1;.]"j§3vI5_' 3-1111 "I joined the u M 1." before the second. . . 1 . continued! clectlon. I voted 1n thls cIcct1on which
the U M T I won by quite a majority. I
votc-:1 II 31 "I 1. in the second election to keep my job, but if I could have
had a fr-cc choice and kept mg, job E I would have voted Prcgressive.
"I have had the ahovc statements road to me by Spccial I-L_:n't;Dé Tho same ar: truo and I do h8IL,b3r sibn my na.me.n
/s/ I
Soccial g nt -
Dpecial A;-;en
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RE: JOHN L. LI IS, ET AL
1Ir*1"'s:RvI":_J._nT...?
-92 a'__
{w J 1 1
92 5a oo witness due . D J
he admits having been arrested for being drunk on two different occasions
JJ>'2c/
b'!.D
, III1no1s, j
home by Special Agents
It is not believed he would make
speak En list or remember clearly.92
He supplied the followiqd signed statement:
.L 3 _.__ '. _'.:_"5:-Q, """ 1:-.:1'>"§",'..
following volun'ary s atement_' "Springfield, 111.
September 3, 1943
.- -' I w _V _ _
are Special Agents of the Federa -ureau 0 'nves iga ion. No eats or
qronises of any kind have been made to get me to make a statement.
~~ ' H e rated to U s. in"I was Lori V..Q]f%§'Q? 7-"3 ._.. I ml ' _ .-. " ..*? "- ' . . " ' , ' " v;='=- ,aanri oecane a l92iFilI»'LlI'El_LlZBd itizen of U. " .in '
"I jDi.92Ed U. T, in about;-?h_=_1;_ en-n working; at "SangamonU-Zine 42. I be en wor1~:in;; in Ifine "3" 11. I have never been - 17 ___
an officer in any union.
"I do nat know of any
trouhle of any kind
"I joined r A. in
me I had to join P. I. A. to
"I knor of no trouole
in l§;7. I was working as a
I did not see any one trving
to U H I at that
P. K. A committee
for U. F. U. and
short the dag of the strike.
* "Sometime in the summer
PASQUALE came to de at my house
"I remember p;cketingdifficult? or of U. H. U. being in any
at Nine B before F. 3. A. was formed.
1932 because the leaders of my union told
work.
between Elshoff and E. N. A. before the strike
digger at Mine B when the strike occurred.
to organize or change the miners from P. I. A.
tine.vI remember the nine closed down in 1937 and the
told me that it was because tnelve men had been working
that we would strike. I do not recall loading any cars
of 1937 ANDRE. bCERLLLVIOUS and DONINIC
to get no to join U. H. N. but I said no.
at Mine "B" for 56 days and nights, then
the U. S. Marshal served an injunction on us.
"I voted in the N. L.
as I could see it was a fairR. B. election held in the Arsenal. As far
election. I know P H A non the e]e:tion.
- 370 -
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gun: JQIIEJ I. TITTTCL QT.
34 YD: E ~ INTERVIEI.-' '-TITIFI "Shortly thereafter I hears} the mine was going to
re * ~ . '92 . -open and I worked O13ddj'W1th Joe nlb&D¬58,
Ioontinueai - Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, John
Cotton, John Sirtout, George Jacaway. Emory Jacaway,Charles Boh;mnon, James Iialenstood on the road and Watched us
go to work. The next day 1 was 0 nor had come from w&Shi$an, n_ c_
Lhai Oll P I A Could WOPR at Tine "R" so I didn't got Lo work anymore.
I wade $7.10 that day.
"Sometime later I joined U. H. U. and went to work at Jefcerson Kine
in au,ust 1938. I worked there 5 months and each pay I had to give
Brc erton $10 or $20 a month. He keot this amount out each pay because
he said his expenses were too high to pay the full amount of our pay so in
order to keep the mine open I Ead to give them $10 each pay. The last two
pays I did not receive any pa; checks at all and the nine closed down.
These last two pays amounted to $117.15.
"I went to work on' . F. A. until Kine "B" o ened in 1939- I
went to work then as U. H. J. and an still working in Fine "B" as U M T.
I voted U. ". Y. in the second U L I B election in 1941.
I I had this 3 .+..w.@nt
read to -"jiQ@§§*_* enu it 15 true and correct to the bzst of my
knowledge."
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&H&EHE@IEHU_I-Q - . - M - n, ,..,="~4;g%,£;;Qg%%§Jf$¢; peelal age? p y, 1,, opringlielo,
§¬¥.%§£*E - pe al n=¢nt, F. 5Drin field, Ill." p.,WM.w.. _ . -
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92 1,C 0
RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL. éD,7 c;/
; as to
5 INTERVIEK KITH The fol owin investi ation was conducted by Special an Agents 5 amass Surina--%,ggi *"field, I inois, on yep ember 6, - .
A1 his r-sidence 77.1 £-"-' g Springfield, Illinois,
i Aaents interv'eweé I I595 and he advised he ad never been arrested
in his 11f@_ un.erstoo- the questions asked him and his answers
could be understood. However, it appeared that he was not well versed with
the union affairs of the period under investigation, but it is felt that
he would make a fair witness if his testimony is needed in Court.
The following signed statement was received from
Springfield, Ill.,
Sept. 6, 1943.
"1, if" IQ R I Fjs<-3 ;?q. 1' S rin_field Ill. am making
this free 6c voluntary statement to '- and
who are known to me to be Special Agents o l e F.'.I. lo area s or
promises have been made me to give this statement.
"I presently am a coal digger at Panther Creek #5 & have been
since year ago last A ril 16th. I started at Mine B in S rin field, I11. P P E
around 1933 or 1934 & I didn't work any after May 12, 1937.
and came to the U.S. in -e
I first joined the U.M.W. in
P.M.A. was at Mine B when"I was E
became a citizen in
in Illinois and never any o
I*started & I joined over then. In 1932 I worked in Mine 5 at Peabody k
was P.M.A. then so just switched over. Before Mine B closed I believe
Elshoff & P.M.A. got along O.K. Before Mine B closed I never heard Elshoff
or Falcetti say anything about P.M.A. officials or men being crooked. I
never heard them say they wanted U.M.. back.
"Befcre strike P.h.A. men felt FHA leaders were O.K. & I never
heard anyone kicking about a thing. P.M.A. local was run by the men anduestio s we e settled from the floor I didnt go to many meetingsagmpmY MEHnQéminnn-nwmmnmnnmnun--_ I ._ .. _ _ . . $53?
".1 g - ardin the P.M.A. men sent to ail 1» - » -1" 92 .. , ,1 '3 v I Re J.:: " .1, »r._="--~.=-"*r~. ".»7,.1;- .~ »>_--;.~.j;;_=4,;i-,__,";_ .in 'e ombings gave up on'd for -'-as ltho I never lcnew him A;
we felt they were not guilty. P.M.'. officers made reports of money matters
to me & I never suspected anything wrong. We had no unusual special
assessments except death assessments. Before Mine B closed U.M.W. never
pioketed the mine nor did I see any literature. Just before Mine B c1oBed_
2 or 3 men started some trouble & they would argue & Falcetti would not do
a thing about it. They would argue about not being with U.M.W. One was
' - 372 -
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e
m:= JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL Q/IQ,
was
inianniwnLT H Qgminic Pasquale I recall k he was for U.M.W. Otherswersqéz he has several names; Andy Schrelevious,
and Tony otch, was active later on. These men would
argue a lot amohgst_themse1ves before the strike. I
never heard of any parties for Elshoff or U.M.W. I recall when contractran out in Spring oi 19.E'?, to1d us at the Mine B that he had an
extension of the old contract at it was retro-active, but I later heard
on that the company denied it.
"We Phi miners felt our PEA officers would get us as good a
contract as U.M.H; could get. On pay days no one seemed to be sore as we
felt we would get back pay when contract was signed. The men I mentioned
above were active just before Mine B closed. Hine B never said a thing
about the wage agreement that I know of. Just before Mine closed I did
not attend a meeting & don't recall of hearing about it.
On Hay 12, 1957 I did not know of a strike till I came up on
top that afternoon & that morning I never heard a thing about it. I didn't
hear a thing tknf day about a pay increase & I don't recall of any members
being expelled. I did not 10; s;_ ;-rs short but I saw some half loaded
m no one told me to load any short. I came up on regular quitting timebut I did not get notice ahead of time of strike and I was in Box then
& came up & I first heard that a strike was on from the other miners. I
don't recall what was said as to why there was a strike. I went home and
a few days later I helped picket Mine B for a short time and while out at
the Mine B on picket I signed a P.M.A. petition and no on:.forced me to sign
it and it was to show what side we belonged to. If I recall we signed 5
different sheets as company got one and P.l-.!.A.v. kept one, I heard r_1_bQ'g_'l_I ._E_92_
U.M.W. petition I never was contacted in regard to it. I most likely
signed another FHA petition that fall in 1937 & I believe I signed it at
the meeting and no one forced me to Sign it. I heard about U.M.T. forming
a new local but no one contacted me but I heard of men going around in
reference to it. In summer of 1937 I don't recall of anything else
happening. I also hoard that some Mine B men & Falcetti were at the
Jefferson Mine & that Falcetti was a boss there, and I believe I also heard
something about Elshoff being connected with it. In fall of 195? I heard thru
other P.U.A. men that the mine was going to reopen & that I should be out at
the mine and I went to the Mine ut did not go down. Falcetti came downby the shaft and told a bunch o§%that if we wanted to go to work we would
have to sign up with U.E.L. as he said the Company had a contract with
U;M.W. None, but 8 or 10 men went down & they were of that old group who
were against P.M.A. I didn't go to any meeting later that day. The same
morning we started to picket & were there about 7 or 8 weeks. I was out
there almost all of the time & no one forced me to go out & I went of my
own free will and no outsiders were there and it was a quiet & peaceful
strike & no U.N.H. men came out later on, When the Marshall nmn nn T
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"'-137* Y,-$1.95,..,_J_'_.. .;_;.~,-, --_- .:,._.M.;_H - . . it' 49; 5:
I.RE: JOHN L. LEUI
IFTERVIEI KITH
!con!1nue! I~
wanted and it was
over in grouos to
on wey to hrmory.
should vote. '
"I did
Jan. 1939, 2nd of
3 months. In 193 I 0
BTQ 6'20
was home that night. I heard several days later that they
had tried to reopen the mine but I did not go out as I
wouldn't join the U.M.. I voted in lst N.L.R.B. election
& it was by secret ballot and I voted for the side I
an honest election. No one forced me to vote. We went
the Armory. I did not see any men giving out literature
he were not told at meeting of P.M.A. as to how we
not go out to Kine B when they re-opened it again. In
month, I got a job at Barr Mine & worked there 5 yrs. &
8 and 1959 I don't recall of anything unusual happening.
I don't know why Elshoff would not sign a contract with P.M.A. In fall of
1959 I got a regi stered letter from Kine B é I went back to see how I stood
& Faloetti said when my turn came he would send me a letter & in a month
or so I got a letter to come out but I never went out as I felt I didn't
want to work under U.h.U. & I still am a Pro ressive. I never have beenbook to Mine B since. I have had zlgenf-read this 6 page statement
to me and it is true and correct to the est of my recollection & I have
signed it of my own free will.
Springfield, Ill.
I<5!
Titnessed:
§1;eeY<* 'j Spec. Agt. FBI, uilw!
*§§§§§§1;@-;§ Spec. Agt. FBI St. Poul, Minn.!
Sept. 6, 1943. "
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