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RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, .=:'m1.
INTERVIEW WITH Spring-
;1G,.L.u, .|,4.J.- I39 u ucu vgunwu av ll&O nusuu u $" -31°Agents Vs cooperative t it 16 goo
bl ness inasmuch an he is a habitual drunken-d by his own admission and had
jg be cvntwtd twice before he Ir as in e. condition to talk to the Agents.
has no known oriminil record. He furnished the followingslgne st cement. Z
" Springfield, I11.
Eieptenber 16, 1943
field io voluntari y give e o owing s emen o Spaniel Agentsof the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Ho threats or
promises of any kind were made to cause me to make this statement-
I was born in111% to America in - I claim
who wasnaturali:.ed at
"I started working in Mine B about. years ago, joining
U.M.W. at that time. I never held an office in any union. I was working
at Mine B when the Union eplit up and Progressives started. I don't know
the cause of the split and didn't have anything to do with starting PIE»
I joined Pm along with ail the other miners. _I don't favor any union-
"I don't know what oaused the Strike at Mine B in 3.937
and can't remember whether I w orkod there the day the strike eturteci or
not.
"I don't recall signing any petitions for either PEA or
-I,
AL i
I don't know how the pioketing started at Mine B and I
only went over there to get something to eat.
"I reooll voting in one NLRB eleotion and remember that
I voted for my sympathy the UWIL.
During the period that Nine B was olosed on strike I
-urns on M-A for 13 months. I got n letter frw 21-. ELSHGFF to ow 92~...e..ek
to work and when I went back I didn't pay dues to either union, but later
I joined Uhiu
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RB: JOHN L. LETI'92IS, ETAL
INTERV 5 "I was never threatened or beat at line B after I went
back to work and I never new or heard of any of the
CCJKT RED men getting beat up., "I have read the above statement consisting of 1% pages
I.1nd'ths Stuns is true and correct.
Agents, F
Springfield, I11.A /8/
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he: JOH L. LEWIS, ETAL.
r'n field Illinoiswas interviewed at his home y pecia gen s and 1
He is a '1atural:'|.zed citizen of the United States and speaks
English well but it is not believed he would make a good witness due to his lack
of knowledge of the occurrences at Kine "B" incident to this case, inasmuch as
he was not present at the mine during the controversial period.
He was cooperative and suhitted the following signed statement:
%mmgmm,nL
September 9, 1943
the following voluntany
who are Special Agents ofstatementpromises have been made tothe Federal
get me to make a statement. _
in I came to U.S.
I became a nature izeo citizen of U. .
"1 began working at 01¢: real-1-.n Mine near Springfield, Ill. in -andjoined U.!J..-J. in - I have never held an office in any union.
- - - -arr oh! 4__:'__. 4__ 4.92_UUU "As far as I know, relations were good at nine '5' prior to
f tion of P Y A. It was m understanding that LEGIS had bargained for a 1OWQ: orma ._.wage scale and the miners voted for an increase and then the ballots were stolen
This caused the men to form a new union celled P.K.A. Mine B was idle at thaT
tine and Kr. ELSHQFF signed an agreement with P=L=A= so he could open the mine.,.L .I had joined P.H.A. because the majority of the men changed over fro U.L.a. to
P.M.A. and I could go back to work.
' "I know of no strikes or closed doors or any attempts by EISHOFF or
the Kine officials to discredit P.M.A. or show any partiality toward U.H.W.
"I thought the officers oi P.K.A. were honest and did a good job.
I had no difficulty while I was a member of P.H.A. while I worked at Mine B.
No one attempted to get me to join u.s;s. at that time and I did not knee oi
any spies at Mine B.
r-
1=.a= _.1on:92: L. LE-.18, ETAL.
' w with
c ontinued!
r B ux e not e
'8' because I never went back for themV
lost all nw tools at line .
:11 Em now -O;-king at Springfield but donot belong: to any union. I have no pre erence or arm union, and if I had
my own free will and choice I would not choose any union.
I have had this 2 page statement read to me by_
and it is true and correct to the best of aw knowledge.
signed! i
Special Agent, F.B.I.
ial Agent, F.B.I."
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Re: JOHK L. LEWIS, ET M-
H92.1T WITH Springfield,
cooperative but th 1. s -..e
of his inability to speak English and s lack of knowledge of pertinent
facts in the Mine B situation. s no criminal record.
He furnished the following signe s a emen -
"Springfield, Ill.
September, 15, 191.3
nu-.11-.4-3r§1Qr -|--sqvrs HP! I! ' Pr f92 f92¢5 pqy-92+_vu¢uuo I4; # ' " Eu uu uyc¬;u¢ nauuvsand he Federal Bureau of Inves!1|-
gs ion. iio three. s or promises of any kind have been made to cause me to
make this statement.
I was born in emigrating to America in- I was naturali working in the mines as
I C R soon as came o merica the UMW.» at that time. I have neverheld an office in any union. I now work at _
"I started at Mine B in -belonging to UM-IA at that time. I
was satisfied with UMWA at that time. In 1932 the miners revolted
against John L. Louis and started the PEA. I joined the P-A and liked
it better than vim, because you couldn't vote under John L. Lewis.
"I dont know what caused the strike at Mine B in 1937. I just
worked and minded my ovm business. I never attended any meetings because
I don't understand English very well.
"I took part in the picketing and sit down strike out at Nine B
and was there off an__ on all the time it was going on.
"I voted in the Ist NE election which the Progressivaswon.
During the time that Kine B was closed down by strike I didn't
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Re: Jam: L. LEWIS, ET AL
Ill-'I'EF! *~-" "" of these men or the ones who beat them up, except
that "Bowling Green" was one of the men who beat up
oontlnued on one FHA mner.
WI I finally joined U1-MA there were only about 10 PM men xenleft at Mine B and I was afraid of getting beat up. I didrt join UIIWA
by choice but because I was scared being an old man.
"I voted in the 2nd NLRB election and again I voted for FHA
again. I wouldn't ever vote for UH-TA. I could have a free and
voluntary choice of unions I would choose Progressives.
d "I have had the above 2 1/L pages oi voluntary stat s ma eby rm read to me, in the presence of my daughter, by_.-_.'gent& The
same is true and correct.
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opens! in 1939 at was a pos o s ieQ n _ .I___-_.L
For this reason it is not believed that he would make a good witness.
denied having any criminal record. Ho furnished the following signed s a ement: but he had a very poor memory and was unable to recall many pertinent iaccu.
Q
Springfield, Ill.
September 10, 1943.
we the. -- . . +' . . . L -. _ _ _, _ __,IIIIII1Ol.lOW1n V -1 ary statement GO DPGCILBJ. AQEIJUE 2:110?
of the Federal Bureau of Investiga on. 0 hrea s or
OmlS8S o any ind have been made to cause me to make this statement.
I was born a I am presently employed
started working in
the mines Joining Unite Line Wbrksrs l
of America at that time. I started working Mine B about continuingmy one membership. Between_and 1932 men and the line B fficials got
along alright.
John L. Lewis was the cause of the split in 1952. He went against
our vote and made us take a reduction in wages. I was a delegate to the
convention at Gillespie in September 1932 when we decided to form the Progres-out at
sive Mine Workers of I never held an f is union until
After
e as orma on o loin? a o y W t a the o er men at Kine B.
At first the PMA got along inc with the Mine B officials, but about a year
before the strike Oscar Faloetti came to no on two separate oeeissiens and
asked me if I didn't think the PEA was slipping. I just walied awy.
In the Spring of 1937 our contract ran out on March 31, and a
temporary agreement was signed. There was an argument between PEA and Elsheff
as to whether this contract contained a retroactive clause. There were a
nunber of men at Mine B who made an issue out of this, and wanted to form a
new can local. Those men as I can recall were: Joe Albaneso, Andrew
Schrolevious, Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotch,
John Cotton! Ananias, John Sirtout, George e Emory Jaeaeay, Charles Bohannen,
James Hale, and Cudge Baumgarnor. The PEA then held trials for those men
and suspended some an expelled others. There were at least two meetings whore
these men were tried? I attended these meetings and recall that we
suspended the men by a rising vote. I recall that written charges were made
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
?;1; = F F"'- to our Trial Board, who made a recommendation
**Li _ to the local and we voted as stated above. See
§7'f con inue of the organizers refused to come to the meetings ulessthey were suspended or expelled. There was -
a rumor that each one of those organizers got $2,000.00 apiece for they. '
work. The Co. was notified that the suspended men were no longer member
and asked to dismiss the expelled members. This the co. refused to do. '
"The men were dissatisfied because th Co. wouldn't fire the expelled
members, and because of the back pay situation s on the day of the strike
May 12, 1937 lots of the men loaded short cars of coal. I was down in the
mine digging and the first I knew of the strike was when we were called out
on top about 2 p m by the PEA Board Ecmber. No orders were given to load
coal shortL_Ehe men just did that by themselves.
I recall going to the Board Members Office about two weeks after the
strike and signing a slip showing that I wanted I1.as my bargaining agent.
I don't recall when the picketing or set down strike started but
I participated in both for most of the time that_they went on. I was at
the mine when we were put off by the injunction. I didn't like it and
figured that we were whipped then.
"Soon after the set down strike I voted in the NLRB election which
the Progressives won 404-EFT This election was fair and square. I recall
e pamplet being passed out but don't recall what it said or who passed it out.
I have no knowledge of anyone trying to reopen the mine either
before or after the NLRB election.
"During the period we were out on strike I worked on WPA and was
working there when I get a letter to come back to Mine B. The letter gays us
10 days to go back to work or lose our jobs.
When I d Mine B in 1939 I still retained m PMA membership
A the time I was elected
s n ue e ieve a ou were a About August 1940
Charles Behannen came to my homo at an asked me to join_ _
UHTA. hhen I woul t he said that a f if I didn't
he said
that e weu ee scrr . wi e c ren one o ese n g s whn "
my house was bombed. All of this occurred after I was fired in June of 1940 '
for asking "hat do you mean by sitting by that scab son of a . - Q - -I ' - -bitch referring !o an outside check weighman who had been brought in by-UHHA.
"I never witnessed any violence or beatings out at Mine B as most
of it occurred after I was fired.I
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
NTERV Q ' "I remember voting in the second NLRB election but
my vote was contested because I was on ''PA sgeins
eon inued ._ " the 1 in 19s'rn<>eme to I recall t ear yat = Springfield, 111. and began c-0 ten. agalrist PEA-
a regular UHWA organizer and not working at Mine B at the time.
said that UMHA was going to take Mine B over and already had s lot of
men signed up. He premised me the job of check weighmnn if I'd go along
with UMWA. I asked him how he could promise me that when the men have to
vote on it and he said if you don't believe me I*ll take you to o Edmundsonwho will see to it that you get it. Shortly after that I met again on
the street downtown and he asked me if I'd made up my mind yet. old him
no. This was all before the strike in Hay of 1937.
"If I had e free and voluntary choice of unions I would cheese
Progressives.
"I have reed the above statement consisting of five pages. The same
if true and correct and I do hereby Sign my name-
_ g"°
sirned! Special Agent - F.B.I.
signed! Special Agent - F.B.I.
MI
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,<as-. JOHN L. LITIS, er AL
"5? INTEWI3} 151111 Springeld,
I _ Illinois, was _]0ZU'J _ in erviewe a ' sidence on
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:--I- E ember 13, 191.3 by Speclal L".entsand s presently employed at Mine B. B -
r -- s ions sk d e is alert but was ope-a ive an 7'1 ing anew ered all que t e e . H
unable to express himself sell. 5-Is stated he res forced to join the U1!" to .
keep his job. He executed the folloving statement. .
"Springeld, Illinois
September 13, 1943
following volmtary statement to
knm" to be Special Agents
, U.S- Department of Justice.
Ientere the Ihited
Illinois in live__
Springfield, ILL, and I an presen employed
-.;--9 -1- . - _ _-.- .1-_._ _ .2 -n -1 .92 --_-.. an-__! ._ .1-" 1 'me 1lI"SC union 1 ever Joined was tne united Lane torscers or
America Thich rill be referred to hereinafter as the UH - I joined
W5 "1 1"
"1 vrorked at tY'o mines, both at Springfield, Ill., before Istarted Torking in nine B in -as a nember of the UIII."I Vas rn in
as a
"I have never held an office in any union.
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satisfactory before 1932. '
"I joined the Progressive liine Yorkers of America, which ll
be referred to hereinafter as the PYEA, voluntarily in September, 1932_ I
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'- B: JOHN L. LEYIS, EI AL.
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"I know the following men: Andre? Schrelevious, '
Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotch,
John Cotton, John Sir-tout, George Jacairay, FIIIDFY Jieawajf,
James Hale and Bovlinggreen. Prior to My , 1937 I did not
knov 1f the above mentioned men were [Mu organizers at Nine B.IWFEHVIFY " ITH
Continued!
"I returned to 1-tine B on November, 1939 as a E111 member. Sometime
after I had return Y rk Andrew Schrelevious came to ugr house which atthat time Was Springfield, Ill. and asked me to join
Hf. I told him I we no . He said if I did not, I vould lose nor job at
the mine. A reek later, Tony Plotch and John Cotton came to my house on
'--'i'i_-and Fletch said if I use not join the 1,-1; it would be very 1meT' that he meant I -would be beaten up or something like
that -would happen to me if I did not join. That same night Tony Ploteh gave
me a membership card and I signed up vith the U117 because I vas afraid That
might happen to me ii I did not sign up Tfith the UIII. '-
"I did not attend the PI-~IA meeting on Hay ll, 1937, but I knee-'
there es go:i_n_v, to be a meeting from talking with the other miners. I
heard the next day by iord of mouth from the other miners that some miners
included in the list of names set out in this statement were e:-polled
from the PEEA at that meeting.
"The only thing I know about the warge scale trouble in the Spring
of 193'? Pas that shoff did not recognize the retroactive clause in the contract
rhich meant I Tfas supposed to get back pay, dating back to April 1, 1937. I
never got this back pay.
"The day of the strike, in Hey, 1937, 1 Pas diggirlg coal in Box A
the South section of the On this day I loaded ny coal ears short because
the PEA Pit Committee told me to. I understand that trouble had started on
that morning Pith Elshoff because he vould not discharge the miners who had
been thro1"n out of the PL-IA.
"I vent out to the mine to help picket about about three months in
the P411 picket line after the strike started.
ever ranted
L-Q 192'l -1. -1.-uy .r4.uu:u>"I alvays vented to keep on vorking under the PLIA.
to go back again under the £35.. I res for-eed to retum to m-
end John Cotton or lose my job. _
"I do not remember signing am; petitions in the summer of 1937.
"In September, 1937 I 1" ent out to the mine vhm the mine tried
to open. The PLLA leaders told us re would not be able to go dovn into the
mine to York that d.-gr because ve T-ere Progressives and because the Fiine 3
nfp '
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" ~E'1"IFr""F' "92 _
operators roiild not let the "1-;,',|;' '92"orr:. G313 the E".. .~92- - ., _. - . e _.'~_.--.. . :'..._.:.-_..-;-.2 &~...- ......_....a t -
could 1 or-1 I d.1d not go to the rune again untll 1'-
in cl 1939 on mue m e Opene -up ;92.n
' "I voted in the first N.1_,,R.B. election. It was a fair election.
"At the time of; the second II.L.R-B. electlon everyone I talked to
kner the U1! had a majority
man also were fined if they
under the but tho fer-e
T ork and thatls why so marly
"I can speak the English 1@uage and so can my fe, but T8 canand the EM fined us if We did not vote. The PM
did not vote. The men tho still v'a.nted to Fork
famed to join , vane tired of being out of
voted for the Thitod llinc orkers.
not read English, This statement consisting of three and one half pages
3 5 92, 92 res I"_.¬ld to imp b_' i_n the presumce of a.nd it is
true and correct.
"T.it1'lCSSCdg
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of age end is a nature. izo c zen o
heritage. It is not believed he will make
of pertinent details of the facts incident
_hss no known criminal
arrests for drunkenness.
_ .. --.1-..IILLAE signed statement was
Springfield, Ill.
September 9, 1943.Q swan-1.n. is
Iiiinois was imeiewea at nis nose by Swain Ages;
He ears1
s good witness due o s lack
to this case.
record except his admission of
vs-I IIRLI-A
statement to and
of the Fedethe following voluntary
who are Special Ixgents
or promises of any kind
have been made to get me to make a statement and I do so knowing it may be
used in o court of low.
"I was born
became a naturalized cI came to 'U.S. in-and
n-_- -- . --- _ s _ 1 - 4. C AI _iLs__9292__I began working at Mine '5 <1 have WOTKGC1 tnere practically ' " ' 1n?s==
ever since except when the mine was shut own. I joined U.1l.'f§.. when I be-
gan working in liine "B". I know of no difficulty between U.H.TJ. and Mine B'-
officials while I worked there.
"In 1932 P.H.I.. was formed and obtained a contract at Kine B. I
joined P.hZ.A. then because I wanted to work at Hine '5'. I didn't notice
M
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RE: JOHN L. II-FIG. ET AL
INTERVIE-'; WITH after it was settled. I did not picket the mine at
anytime and don't believe in picketing.
con inue
'1 voted in the Government hold election at the Arsenal
around Dec. 1937. P.lI.-ft. won the election by a large majority.
I wont back to work at Mine "B" in Dec. 1942 and worked until
Juno 1943. I joined U.H.?.. when I went back to work. I never saw anyone
got beat up while I worked at Iiino "B". '
"I did odd jobs during the 5 yrs. I was not at Kine "B" and thereason I did not go back until last year inend. I
was undecided what to do. -
'1 think that u.1;.';.. is E better Union thélll P.n.1.. but I would
joinwhichever one was working at the mine.
"I am now working at having started three days ago.
'1 have had this three page statement road to me by
and it is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. -
*5
Tiitnesseds
Special Itgcnt, F.B.-I.
Special Agent, F.E.I. ' '
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Re: JOY! L. LEWIS, ET AL
-_-,~_ 1 _? .- 1 ' * * -- " investi~a -- was conducted by Special .l.gent!
.1.-_1 1 » i SP*e="~=1@~3 inois on ep ember 14, l 4 I5 _3
" At the §pr_inz BEB interviewed-
vho hmSpringfield, Illinois. e a v se he as never een arres e .
intelligent readily understood the questions asked * * " e would . _ . _ __ ,|__ Lil __ _ __-4_ :11:.|.____ _ ..._ .14. - ,_ 1.I'Gp1.l9$ 11'!-D1-G13-T|.i1'J.E C115-"G RB 15 IIDD ll-.92.lDUl'H.bU; 5110- lb -I.
make a fair witness if his testimony were necessary. 1
Agents obtained from -the following signed statement:
- "Springfield,-I11.
Sept. 14, 1943
"1 s31~1n§r1e1di 111. give
the following information to one Who areknown to me to be Special Agents o! !Ee F.B.I. Fe n.ises have
been made mo and I give this information of my own free will,
"1 am new 92;.-onkine as :1 digger at Panther Creek #5 I will havebeen there I worked at liine "B" about 9 years up
to the strike n , r wont beck there after that time. I was bornI came to the U. S. in and became a citizenin .0 or - I first joine a union in this was U.ll.T-J. l have nov¬f been a union officer. ' * " "*
From the time I went to work at Mine B up until 1952 there was
no trouble between Elsheff and the U.H.'.'Y.. union. Tfhen they had the union
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3 F FRVIET WITH minors or through the P.M.A. officers. Ne one was mad;. P over this and we all thought that P.H.A. would got o
- ! continued contract. I did not go to and dent remember any meeting
the night before the mine closed dhwn. I worked the last
av the mine operated and went home that night, the next day I went to go
., work and some of the men met no on the road_anH told mo the mine nae not
gain; to operate. I did not know there had been any trouble until then.
I hoard that the strike was called because someone over in the Mine office
said if we did not go over to U.H,W. the mine was not going to operate. On
the last day the mine worked I hoard something about cars being loaded
short, but nobody said anything to me and I did not load any cars that uny-
I was working in Box. at that time. After the mine closed I helped
picket the min: a couple of days. I signed a petition on the road by the
mine, no one made me sign and it was just to show I was for the P.M.A. I
did £ot'tt;o any other petitions that summer for either U=M;¬, or F=MeAe
I heard the U.H.. had a petition but I dent know anything else about it. I
also heard about the U.E.W. forming a new Ihcal, I heard this from tho men
and also from the papers, No one contacted me to join this union. I know
of no other troubles happening this summer 1937.
"I remember the sit-down strike at Mine "B". I went out to it for
about s weeks and then got sick. 1 was not there tot" first day the strike
started. I wont out because the other men men did no one told me to go.
There was no trouble, we were there to protect edF3ob and gourd the
property. There were so outsiders brought in, just local 54 men. I was not
there when the U. S. Marshall came and chased the men out.
"Liter the sit-down strike I only wont to mine "B" once that was
to got a slip showing my expenses while working there, this was To? incometax purposes. _-_' -
"I voted at the first H.L.H.B. election, I voted the way I wanted
and no one told mo how to veto, I voted P.H.A. -I saw some U.H.T, men there
but they did not bother me or Eivo me anything. I guess they just wont there
to vote. I went direct to the Armory from m heme.
"I dent know why Elshoff would not sign a contract with P.H,A. after
they won the oltction. I hoard something about some mine B men and Falsetti
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RC: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
1*":-*r*~ rm" WITH "1 have ma Agent -and to me this statement,w written on this page and four others £0 far as I cancontinued recall it is all true and correct a is as I hnva told
. it to tho F.B,I. agents. I um signing this of ngr own
will as it is all true. '
"slam - -siaei! ____ ._ _.
"'1-'itna»sscs:
signed! ~
»c1:1 .1gcnt, F.B.I.
Stl signed!
Special Agent P.B.I. Milw.!
Springfield, 111.
Sept. 14, 1945"
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asBaez .10;-m 1,, mus, ET AL ¥ ,- ,
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- wa viewed b Specie gen sand n September 12, . s e noted
' ' n 0 th 1I11'1lS statement he ha e a out e Federal agents making instant
investigation but he said he wanted to tell his story anyway and M
appeaed very cooperative. He really is not illiterate but has difficulty
in understanding and answering some questions. However, it is felt he
would make a fair witness if his testimony is needed.
The following is the unsigned statement obtained from n
Se_ 0 Q
"1 give the following information ta
w o are known to me to be Special Agents o e
. . . ornises or threats have been made me to give this statement.
"I was born Q I camein U.S. became a citizen years ago. I first joined U.M.W. ingin Ill. I never have held any union office. I started at lne Bin 936 as digger Q extra driver and I was mem er of P L. A before then.
Till Mine B closedzP.H.A. was good union Q they were same as all others as
they give you nothing Q you have to work for everything. There was no
trouble there before Mine B closed. There were some men there before line B
closed who wanted to form new U.I~.W. local but I kept on working. We were
satisfied before mine closed with P.L1.A. local #51,. I go once in awhile
to meetings as I lived so far from Springfield, Ill. P.}.§.A. charged Just
about ___same dues as other Q U.l£.W. there now charges more. There was
just check-eff Q no special assessments. I was pleased with P.H.A. officials
& I never nosed around much but Committee protected our rights then O.K.
Ekzfore 1/ne B closed U.H.?f. never pickets-d us but there were some men who
favored U.M.T-'. Q I never got any literature from them. I never heard of any
parties given by Elshoff or Falcetti for U.kf.W. Before Mine B closed we
worked without a contract Q Falcetti told us at lline B with the Committee
at the timber pile he told us that we should go to work Q that they would
fix up the contract Q we would get back pay if __ contract was fixed that
way. Some of the men didn't like working without a contract Q it was about
imo contract ran out. About 100 men stayed in washhouse then buthold us to go to work Q ___ next day all went to work again. I
bO.LJ.E:V8d what Falcctti said then to us Q kept on working. Fa lcetti said
that the company would stand good on the contract. After this we all went
to work Q no trouble started over the pay. A few were saying we would not
get a contract but I heard it but didn't believe them as I felt company would
keep their word. I don't remember if P.H.A. had a meeting or not before
I -54-
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F
Re: JOHN L. LE?-"IS, ET AL
WITH Mine B closed. I did not know there was to be a strikeM on ____ day ____ mine closed in ___ spring of 193'? Q
oontinueo I worked till just before quitting time that day. I
- did not load any short cars that day 5 no one said a thing
to mu about it. When I came out on top some men said in ____ wash house ____
mine was on strike §; I wont home. I loaded 5 or 6 cars that day. The
said we would not work till they got an agreement. I did not hear then
about any men getting expelled from P.M.A. For a week or so we picketed
Mine B on Jacksonville Road so no U.}.{.W. men could get it. I never signed
any Petition for P.M.A. or U.M.W. in ____ sunmor of 1937. I heard that a
for Mine B men worked at Jefferson Nine. Ono was Tony, an uncle of Tony
Plotoh. I was at __ sit down strike every day but two days so I stayed
there gé watched that no one would damage the property. No oneforced us to
go but while there the P.I£.A. men told us to stay there but it was all
quiet peaceful. About 10 men were supposed to go to work On ____first
day but I don't know if they want down or not. No outsiders were brot
in, just the local men. We had visitors there too. I was there when ____
In-Zorshall came it he told us to leave it we all went home Q no trouble was
there. He said no one else would come in §; work 3&5 we were all glad to go
home then. I never went back to Mine B until it re-opened for good. I
never heard if they tried to reopen it later or not after ___sit-down strike
g be-fore Mine B re-opened for good I was in a saloon in Auburn, I11. g
Frank Austin §_ Bowling Green cam: to mo Q asked me when I was going to join
up wit? U.!I.W. §=_ they said all were going over to U.M.T.7. Q I told them I
would sign over when the rest did. They did not threaten me at all Q
no one bothered me later on. I voted at N.L.R.B. election in Armory in
Springfield, Ill. Q: I voted P.192.1.A. both times. No one forced me to vote
& it was a secret ballot. It was an honest election. We went to union
'I'5.l.I.A. hall first Q went over to ___ Armory in groups, of 25 or 50 at a
time. I don't know why Elshoff did not sign a contract with P.!I.A. I got
a letter from Elshoff telling me to return to work in _____ fall of 1939
&_ I think I had to go back in 10 days. I went out § returned to work same
day in box. Q it is now shut down. I paid dues to P.I'E.A. myself as
there was no check-off. Some men talked to me at Mine B of going over
to U.1£.W. but I never was threatened or beaten up. I heard some were .
beaten up & threatened. I think I joined -over to U.M.... after ____ second
signed any cards for dint. or P.l=I.A. in ___ summer of 191.0. The other day
at Hine B Tony Plotch Q several Committee men asked a bunch of us who
had been seen by Federal men Q some put up their hands. Some man who I
don't know 1'.-as with then Q: he was fat 51¢ had gray hair Q he said to us
that tho Federal men had no business to talk to us but I still want to talk
to you men as I have nothing to be afraid of. .Second N.L.R.B. election
was just some as before. I think U.L£.'=-T. men tron because they got more men
there. I didn't see new men at Iifine B as I was at first cage g did not see
all _____ men there. There £13 some falls in the mine but it wasn't so bad
when I-line B re-opened. I never heard about a fire at Kine B in 1939. IN.L.R.B. election. They knew I was P.li.A. when Mine B reopened. I never
-65-
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He: JOHN L. mas, ET AL
t d 9 =1;,j_ng when 85 kicked INTERV1 ~*'wH1'l'H did, I think, a en a m cout but I dont recall much about it.
can lnue- "1 have had agent-read this five ! page statement ' - I want»» me ii; it is true £1 correct Q I have glven this infomatlon bccause' " " f - I knaw If I don't have to sign it I won't butQ it 1s true 1.-5 ar as .s true and all correct but I want to tell ___ whole truth.
Witnesses:
ecial Agent, F.B.I., St. Paul, Minn.
cial Agent, FBI !£'i1w.!
194 3"
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e 4;; .
Re: JOE}? L. LEWIS, -ET AL
_ e , I31? V T? '..-'ITH The followine invcstiration was conducted b Special
Springfield, I inois, on Septe er , 3
at his residence, Sprin;fio1d, agentinto:-viewed who advises he never has been arrested. , He is
somewhat il 1 era c u unserstood the questions asked and his answers were
not roadily understandable at tines and it is felt he would make a poor
witness unless his testimony is necessary. Howover,_he was very cooperative
one wished to cooperate in all ways possible.
1 to a:1viseG ".=aould be unab eunderstanci the statement 1 it was rea to m n ng ish...
confirmed this and also statec. that he could not sign his name u
he would be willing; to swear that everything he had told agents was true. _
He furnished. the following unsigned statement:
Spr1n_;!1e1d,_ 11!,
Sept. 11, 1943.
I, , -jive this free 8: voluntary statement to
5: , who are known to mo to be Special
J.5Cr1 s o .e r.B.I . no orce or threats have been used against me to give
this statement. .
"I was born & came toa citizen in 9 At one time I worked at the Uas a digger. irst joined U-!'!.7'.'. in qin I it
union office. I went to work at Iiinc B in pringfield, I11. instill there. Be-tv:een& 1932 U.II.'.'. was alright as far asjoined over to P.3-LA. in 932-because of trou5Io with John Lewis as he stole
the ballots I think.. I helped or;anize over to P.!i'.._A._ then._ Between 1932
& the time Iiine B closed 1=.l.{.ii. never had any trouble with Carl Elsh:-ff
& things wont along fine; '.;c PJLA. miners felt it was a good union & -we were
e.? i th happy to be under them 6: I attended most of their meetings._ Re_,ard ng ose
$31.11. sent to jail for bombings I never that the P.M.A._mon did it 6; others
felt like I did about it. Dues were cheaper under }.M.I».__& once in a while
there were special assessments, just the check-off. U.!_Z.T7._had some men
out at liine B before it closed & who would talk for U.I_£.T_.'._but they neverpicketed the liine B 6; never gave out literature to me ., I don't know oi anyparties Elshoff gave for U..1f..'.. but I Cir. hear something of it onee._ T-fhen
contract ran out in Spring of 193? there was some a3:-eement made aboutgetting back pay but we never got it. '..e that F.I1.Ii. would get e contractS & became
-57..
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T" Re: JOHN L. Lens, ET AL
!il Ln. ' '-li"Ll-v--ha -__.._-_ n_JL92 1"92'92 _L_.l'92n _k_! ___ _.._..- __J.:_D:_.1 II9292__ 92l'1~..-_- -A--_A WIFE I.|l51'1'-I11 H-BU WU WBTU ET-1L|J>BJ-.92.92'JUn 111-U J.'....LI.l>92Jl'D SN-7VUl
complained of their wages -- except a few now & then.
o ore Mine B closed down con inuoo I attended a meeting the night b f
-- I & they kicked out Bowling Green and some one else I
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.. _Lvuess. The P.M.A. decided they would not work with some certain men I
believe. I did not know Mine B was going to close down when I did & seme-
one
fire
because of those men who kept on working. Just before quitting time we were
told
me t
viou
& Ge
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& I
others went to
they
not
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Ono morning old man named wos changing shoes in wash roo
oske
llinetold us to load small cars & some one said that management would not
some men. I did not load any short cars then. The Hine B shut down
to shut down & I left m tools there I never got all of them book.
I guess I signed some paper for P.H.A. & no one forced me to sign it & I
signed it at the mine. I also signed another one later on & no one forced
o sign it. I never signed a U.H.T. petition. Tony Fletch; Andy Sehevel-
s; Dominic Pasquale; Peter Carter; Frank Austin; Cotton Ananias; John
1!
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R0: -TOI-TN L, I.'F.'. .'IS, FIT AL
months in 1939 as a P.M.A. but never joined over to I
U.H{I. & nobody ever threatened him or bent bin Hp-
I voted at second N.L.R.B. election & it was just like
the first one & I voted the some nay I felt & no one
forced mo to vote. It was by secret ballot. Mine B had lot of cave-ins
when it reopened & I novsr heard of any fire there in 1939. I did not
attend 0. mcetino whcro Pot kicked out. . '.That I have told 1!INTERVIE7 UTTH
true & correct to tho hos! cl my !!:;1cdge. I can't read English vary well
and cant write so won't sign this but it is all true.
n JLU. __ HLUHUBBOBE
signed! Special Agent, F.B.I., St. Pnul, Binn-
signed! Spoc, Agent F.B.I. Hi1w.!
r - l J 1,p 1n; 1c , _
50ft. 11, 1943"
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JOHIC 1.. LEWIS, El AL
The followin investi ation was conducted by ecial»~=<=1=~=-n=1i=~=Sp:-ingfie , 1110 s on September 9, 1945-
' - at his residence, Sprizgfield,
Illinois, Agents interviewed an e a vised that the day
before yesterday he was going own in o e mine with many other miners
and that some unknown man told all of them that they did not have to
talk to the FBI men if they did not want to. However, he said he was
in the rear and did not hear all what this man said but he advised
Agents he would nevertheless answer the questions asked him.I-92Tl'ER'VIE92'§ ".'ITH
He said he never has been arrested in his life and it was
noted that he is more intelligent than the average miner. He under-
stood the questions and readily answered them. It is felt he would
make a good Witness if his testimony were necessary.
Agents obtained from him the following signed statement;
Springfield, Ill.
Sept. 9, 1943
I, give this free and voluntary statement to
an v.-ho have identified themselves
"e . . . or threats have been as peoia E, of t e . an no force
made me to give this statement. I was told by a man not to talk to
ye men but I emu; knqvr who he was. He told me at liine B day before
yesterday. He just said I don't have to talk but I want to tell you
men the truth.
8?!'!p10}-Ed at I-Zine B as a ooal di er a vs been
there about or more. I was born and I
caste to U.S. became a citizens on years a . I belonged
to mien in brot my card along and i was with U.1*;.W. Before
1932 there was no ale between Elshoff and U.1i.Ti. that I kndl 01'
and things got along ok. I never held a union office. In 1952 I '
went over to P.l-LA. as majority went over and I never helped organise
it» PIIZA. union was about some as the U.H.W- I don't reall of any
trouble between Elshoff and P.i~-La. before Mine B closed and I never
heard of anyone wanting to change back to UJIJY. and no one came to
me about 11;, P,1_{,A. was just an ordinary union like others. I did
not attend many P.1»'£.A. meetings at all and was not very active.
While PJLA. union was there it seemed just like the old U.lE.l"..
There was no difference to me. Regarding the local of the P.li.L.
men for the bombings I don't know how the miners felt about it.
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JOHN L. LBIIS, ET AL
I1*T'Ii'""£J'IE§" I-'I1'H
!cont1nue!|P.1.i.A. raised the dues e little more than before
but I think they used the money for good purposes
and never van suspicious of anyone taking money.
Before liine B closed U.M.W. never pioketed the
mine and I did not see any literature and no one talked to me about
going beck to U.l.l.92=. Before the mine closed I heard there were some
men atliine B who favored 'U.u1.W. but they never spoke to ms. Sane
I recoil were S-o_m'my,' the oomitteemen, and others. I don't kow of any
parties given by Elshofi or U.li.?i. I don't know why we worked after
contract ran out - I can't remember that. There was no trouble at
fine s
get as
at all.because of this contract in 193? and I thot P..i. could
good a contract as U.MJN. could. No one talked to ms of it
Night before liine B closed down I don't know if I went to
s meeting or not. Y-ihen Vine B closed in 1957 that morning there was
toll: on to; about these men who were for U-lJJ¬- but I don't know
any-thing more about it. We were told to load our oars light and I
loaded one good one and some one stole the check on it so I never
got Qaid for it. One man talking to another started this gossip
about the cars. I think I worked till quitting time snd came on top
and don't remember of being told mine was closed. I donit know for
sure if I went to work next day and then cone home or what as I
don't recall just whet took place then. I forget whet the reason
was why Pine B closed. I never signed any petitions for P.IZ.A. or
1'1 I IIU01§" Qin sw.-oer or fall of 195?. I don't heard o thing about U=ii.1.'!=
forming a new local. In sur:m".er of 1957 no one bothered me at all.
I heard that some Iiino B men and Folcetti were at Jefferson Ifine too.
I was at Tine B in fall of 1937 and heard P.H.A. men could not go
back t
home o
at sit
men weo work but I heord that some U-I-1."='¢. men Went down and I went
gain. Sew in the papers it was going to open I think. I was
dO'92='I'l strike for c few days end nights only. Just loocl 54
re there but no outsiders. No one forced me to go out and" I
went out of my or-n free will. All things were nice there and there
WEB 1'10
11.3. 1
heard
of vet
vote f
and no
know.trouble and we were protesting our jobs. I was not there when
orshell came out. In Leo. 1937 I don't kr.o92-: for sure if I
of line B reopening but I did not go out I know. I remember
ing once ct Armory and I think the P.}LA. won that. we went to
tom P.PLA. hall. I voted for P..A. and it was by secret ballot
one forced me to vote and it was e. good election as for cs I
I think I wont out to Tine B. lctor on but did not go to work
and I think I rend of it in the papers. I don't know why Elehoff
voul
letter
sow Fa
went tnot sign c contract with P.}£.A. In fall of 1959 I got o registered
telling mo to go to work in certain time and I went out and
lcetti I think. No one asked no whet union I belonged to. I
o work ct once. I think we got some wages as under old contract
but nothing was said about it to me. Later on I heord men ct liino B
'l',!"'192ri +hn+ 1-h -u' v: ra nirininv 0179! and I worked El! Psliku £01 BGHB __ no . . as n - --_--.5 _.___ -.-VJ . ...- .. ..._D_.___u - . -_ _.___ __ . _ .._ .. _ _
v V q:time before joined U.li.92'.. I paid dues to 1'-".1-LA. ....cms asked me at
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92- i*|ar"*ii~< VIEW" FITH
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JOHE7 L. mus, er AL
riine B to join over and finally I did sign up withi
"" *' =lo*.rhi lie one fez-eed me to join and I geineé KY5 A
as others were going to '6.M.TI. In sunmer of 1940 !CO3!lLU&!!
I don't recall of signing any cards for P-11-A.
or U.ZI.T¬'. There were a lot of new men at Mine B but there was talk
some Y1 e from outside and I don't know if they were UJLW. or not.I sea.-':*get beat up in the coal mine and heard of others toand I don no.-1 why-got beet up. I can't remember if I voted
second time at Iurmory or not and I just can recall that one.In fall of 1959 Line had scme falls but Boxrwes in pretty good
I leaded eoel the first e-»' beak. A never heard of e. " s'n£;-pe nnc _,
at fine B while it was closed. I at-.tend_ _:__ome":neetings_~oI U.H.W.i ..
not but I vvne not there vman Glance got kicked out.
"'I have had Agentqreod this six! 6 page statement
to "*2 and it is true and oorree o the best of nw knowlerige and I
have silgned it of xrq; own free will-
Kitnesses: Signed; _
lit ~==e~=-ocia1 .1-.51. FBI l'ilw.!, Special Agents, F.B.I. ?t.Po.ul!
Springfield, Ill
Sept. 9, 1945'
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Re: Jom L. LE-J15, E1 AL.
~ re W epeie-L new-S In
to .'92 J -at his residence Springfield, Illinois,X on September 8 1943. speaks broken English and it is "92 Ik difficult to follow his conversation. He appears to definite in' = nts and would make a willing witness. He retains facial marks of the beating e _
ceive a . e . e furnished the following signed statement.
-.4 - ._ _ T In '92 92 -I9292_¢___-l_
opringzielu, lilinuia
September 8,_l943
mak the following voluntary#whom I know to
Bureau o Investigation, U.S. ~
the Uited
was
the pre-
Illinois
Lne, Springfield
Uorkers of America."~A}
statement to
be Special
Department of Justice.
States at
natur
sent time I live
and I am employed
Illinois as a member of the
that will be referred to hereinafter as PEA.
"The first mine union I joined was the United Mine Workers
of America that will be referred to hereii as the UMW. I joinedthis union about=t a small mine nearqhlllinois. Iworked at four other mines before I started wor at Mine Bin
I voluntaril oined PIA in 1930 or 1931 I volun- . yj . . _ ltarily joine! PM in September, 1932.
"I never held a union office at any time.
"Before September, l932 Carl Elshof 1 got along alright with
miners .
"Tl'hen the PIA first organized in Mine B. Carl Elshoff
seemed to get along with the miners, but later he seemed to favor
the ULM. ' '
"My job in Mine B was a coal digger.
"The PLEA leaders were good. All of the miners liked to ork
under the PHA-
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an
I do not know anything about the PEA
_ __ takin assessments out of m we es when it was ______ E Y 8
Continued! first organized, and I was always satisfied
working under the PHA.
' "I knew the following men were UM-I agitators and organizers
at Hlné B before the strike in 1937: Joe albanese, Andrew Schrelevious,
Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotch, John Ananias,
John Sirtout, George Jacaway, Emory Jacaway, Bowlinggreen, and James
Hale.
"on two days after working hours between 1932 and April,
193'? I savr Carl Elshoff and Oscar Falcetti go into a saloon with
four or five of these above mentioned men. I remember that 3owling
green and deckelbeck were in this group. This saloon is located on
the East side oi Sixth Street, between Jefferson and Iashington
streets in Springfield, Ill. I think it was called Logans Bar.
I remember 5¬'¬1_;1g some of these U1.'i-- agitators whose names
I l'F!£I'iI,l-..92I'.Ed, in E.lshofi"s office. They seemed to be friendly with
Elshoff.
' "I know nothing about the wage scale troubles between
Elshoff and the P15». I was satisfied with xny wages and I never talked
to anyone about getting more money. '
"I went to some of the UIJ. meeting_ before 1932 and some of
the Plik meetings later. I took no interest in the union business,
either U111 or PLEA-
"I did not know about the miners who were thrown out of
the Pm, at the PEA meetixg on the night of Hay ll, 1937. I did not
know that some miners were thrown out of the union at this meeting. '
"I did not load any coal cars short at anytime. I saw some
cars loaded short on Hay 1.2, 1937, but I did not know whe they were
loaded short. I figured tho miners did not have time to Ioad full cars.
"I found out about the strike the next day which was Hay 13,
1937 when I was told by the men I road to work with that there was a
strike at Mine B. '
"I helped picket at Hiue B for about three months after
the strike started.
"I never signed my petitions in 193?.
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Re: Jon: L. LE-I15, EI AL. r
T gr! WITH
¥C0ntinued!".Ihen the operator tried to open the mine in
September, 1937 I Went out to the mine but the FHA
miners would not work because the £115.. miners, about.
twenty five in all, "went down in the mine to work.
I 1'C11-CW the mine was going to try to open that day from the notice in the
newsneners- I I '
When the mine did open in,_November,' 1939 I went backto
work at Mine B. A week or two after 1- started workincame to my room in the mine where I was digging coal. !e as!e! mel if
I wanted to join the I said no. I was working on the open shop
basis and I did not have to pay dues and I did not want to pay dues
to any union. said I had to pay dues to one of the unions.
He said that when there was a vote I had better sign for UL! and not the
P22. wcause the L?-{=4 has e let of mney.
"A day or two later, Big George, whose name I do not know,
Came to my room in the mine and asked me ii I wanted to join UIW. I
said no. Big George said I'd better join UIIJ or some day I would get
something good.'
"On Ja:-.ua.ry 16, 1941, Big George came to me and asked me
again if I wanted to join UL!--. I said no. He said, *suit yourself,
-,-__ _.r 1.....- ..:...- ...-... ' 'Z.>0Iuc U1. taco: un-y5 Juu. W111 g%"t. lt-3
"The next morning I went to the mine wash house to put on
my work clothes. and Bowlinggreen were hiding in a.hallway in connection 92n.!n t|!1e wash house and when I went into this
hallwzi was on one side and Bowlin reen was on the othesmall
gg I.Khen I wen! in !e!ween them they both hit me with their fist: I think
they had brass knuckles on their hands as it felt like that, but
T did not see the brass knuckles. I started yelling and a deputy
_ A ,-- - .. . 92 .1 __ 1| _L92 _- .l_92_ ___... ..92_.a._4-Pl -Shoriff who was the steperotner 01 the man wno was sneriii at
time stopped these men and I believe he put them in jail under
"Fhlcetti told me to go to the company doctor whose
was Deal and the company would pay the bill. After three days
tor told me the company would not pay the bill so I did not go
The doctor sent me three bills.1- Lai-UIIJU
a bond.
name
the doc-
again .
and Bowlinggreen had cut my lip, and had kicked
me. The doctof put i?>'1n' stitches in my lip.
"About a mon h after I was beaten I went back to the, mine
to get my tools. told me I could not go down into
mitifi 11711355 ,L o15"I1f:u I't'1uu uu¬ L'Lt=5o I ."E-Of. I FEB
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Re: Joan 1.. tens, er AL. '
IR W "' I going down in the mdne just to get my tools.
I signed a UM» card and went into the mine,
but could not find my tools. .I then went to
see Falcetti about going back to work and he
told the boss to show me where I would work and I was taken to a room
where there was about a hundred cars of slate due to a cave in. I do
not know the name of the boss. Someone else was working in my old room.vontinued
The company men had to clean out the slate and I would have
to wait until the slate was cleaned out.
"Falcetti said the company would call me when the slate
was cleaned out so I could go back to work, but I never got the call and
I know they did not want me to work there anymore.
"I voted in both N.L.R.B. elections though at the time of
the second H.L.R.B. election I was not working at the mine. No one
tried to get me to vote one way or the other at either election.
"I am able to s oak En lish but I can not read Englishwell so I have had rco.d thisstatement to us whic consis s 0 c n one qua er pages and
it is true and correct.
/S/L
"Hitnessed:
Q
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1.rRe: JOHN L. LEZTIS
we-~m Q SP"i @°1°'lllhois, was jointly interviewed at 115 1'65!-<ie"°° ° _ t ib r 11 r cial Agents d
s little
e oln in order to retain hi! job attk tter under inquiry. H J -ti: §.ne. He was hesitant to talk to Agents as he stated he had been ad-
vised it was necessary for ohm to have a comsel before talking to govern-
ment investigators. He executed the following statement.
"Springfield, Illinois
September ll, 1943
ollo-wring voluntary statement to
whom I know to be Special Agents
,-U. 5- Department of Justice.
States in and was na ur 1g 1 d, Illinois in
"The first mine union I joined was the Uiited nine Workers of
Y--=rea hereinafter referred to as the b'H'n. I join this union aboutat the Peabody Itine 546 near Springfield, Ill. I worked at six
mnes before 1932 when I started working at mine B under the Progressive
Mine ~-orkers of America which will be referred to hereinafter as the PLEA.
I joined the P11A.in 1933, voluntarily. I liked the Hm and the PI-IA leaders
The miners felt they were being treated fairly by the PHI.»-..l
"I have worked at Line B as a dig-jer continuously from 1933 until
the present time except during the strike period from 1937 to 1939.
"I have never held a union office. I only attended a few U115
and Pill} meetings. I do not attend many U15? meetings now.
"Elshoff got along wellwith the PTI-3 as far as I know to 1937.
"I know the following miners; Joe Albanese, !.nd.re1'-Y Schrelevious,
Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank hustin, Tony Fletch, John Gotten!
Lnanias, Charles Bohannon and James Hale,
"1 was satisfied with the Pm. dues and assessments and I never
complained because of dues taken from aw wages by the R33,
"L1 3@"@¥b3I': l939; aft-er the strike, I sent back to work at
Mine B, and two or three months later Joe Llbanose of the I111?! Pit C0rjmj_'l',tg3
cane up to me and asked no to join the {M7, I refused, but the next day
I talked to other miners and observed that most of them had Joined and I
lfrlevinl would have to join or get out of the mine. It was mgr idea that if
i Q15 11°?» .'§°i-1'1the UL? T would not be able to work there,
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Q1 Re: JOHN L. EEWIS, ET £L-
W w____ 11 did notattend the PL7_I.I1e0ting of L-ray 11,]iZg7and I gqww nothing about any miners who were expo
92 é on mue from the FLU
I helped picket nine T3 for about thirty days.
-- i "I believe I
at rertxember exactly what it rras meant for.
--7.- '
- t nhelative to the mine trying to re -_-cpen; I remmbel B05-1'18 t° nine B
ocassion when only a handful of mm Trent dmm into the mine. I diii
' not go to work, I was a FIJI. member. The men that I named in this statement
were included in the few men that did go to work on this ocassion. There
'..'C.1'c not enough men to work the mine at this time. I believe {Fit I615 in_ on one
'-tie?" Qeptember , 1937.
_ "I returned to work in 1939 at Mine B as a nembr of P2511. I
.-r.-- eeived a registered letter from Elshofi giving me ten days to report
work.
_ "I voted in the I-J.L.R.I3. election in December, 1937. As far
know": 1 a £_'air election. It presented a true picture of how thev.
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interview: because I want
Qf rrrv ntrn ~F1--an 1-r-i'11I Qnv ..,.-.. ... -..92. Hi, .,
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_,. »~ "witnessed: .
_'.~I' _~
ii »; peel 3 01 nI¢
. . gen J.cBo In "
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- _ _._ _._ _. as--4. _-~..»--5 -r ' {P-' .-P_"" .' ;'"' '.- _ _ --1-~ .. -... 1 r . -_ _. _glgngé @1115 P8'lZitiO!1 Of 26; I do not
- "I do not remember the nine trying; to open on am; other occassion.
re-
for
38 I
miner
"I voted in the IJ.L.R.B. election in February, 1941. It was also
fair.
V "Lt Fine B. during th-'1 past week I have been approached by some
. miners who told me that I would have to have a counsel present b _1fQIQ I
or Government Investigators, I am permitting this
1'0 5Pe~'l1< my I-Kind and this statement has been given ]
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I"'TI¬Z'VIE" ~' ITI-I The following investigation was conducted by Special
ants and ate n inSpring;1ie1d, I inois on Septe er 9, 194 e
eer has beenAt the res
field, Illinois, agents interviewed nan and ne se
arrested in his life; He also advised that he had not been told by
anyone not to talk to agents of the FBI and he said he was willing to
answer en"; questions asked him.
It was noted that ie rather illiterate and he said
he could not reed the English enguege. He could understand questions
alright and answered them in good English. However, it is felt he
would rake e poor witness unless his testimony is absolutely necessary.
Agents obtained from him n statement and it was reed over to
hie and he said it was true and correct as he had given it to agents
but that he would not sign it as he could not sign his name anyway-
This unsigned statement is as follows;
Springfield, I11
got. 9' 1943
tstement to n1 ive the following s Q-ind peCe Agts. of the F.s.1. no three. s
or promises have been me o me at any time to procure this statement
end I give it of nnr own free will-
"I started at Line B in the Sunmer of 1936 and I em st I
theree I nos born I come to U-S- in' b me s oitzen in 195! I first joined a mine union mg
1'0C!-I10 eo.._. .in Sfringe, I11. this was U.M.§-"e I he neve been a union 0I joined the Progressives in 1952 eh
. .
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JOEIE L. we're, so AL
I1 I"E.'RV IE-'1' WITH distribute literature there or atteinpt to organize
at the mine bfore the strike. I know nothing about
con inns aw parties given by Elshoff or U.E.W. -
I knew the contract ran out in the spring of 1937 but I did
not knew: about any agreement that had been made regarding it. I
satisfied whether we have P.l£.A. or U.l4.lT. so long as I work. I
dont know how the men felt about working without a contract I _q_a;n_t_
read peoples minds. Even though they had no contract they kept on
workimr. I did not attend or know anything about a meeting the night
beforevthe mine closed.
I iisnt to work the day of the strike and knew nothing about
any strike. When I came out at quitting time I heard there was a
strike. I later heard that they oalled a strike because they had no
contract. I never loaded any oars short when I went home I saw some
on the parting that were loaded short I dont know why the" were loadedthis way. About two weeks after mine B closed I went to
nth. I ' d a etitions or and worked for a couple of mo =. never signs ny p
U.Ei.':.'. or P.IZ.A.. I dent know anything about an attem t to form aU.ll.f?. local in Spring., Ill. I was still a hen the sit
down strike started. I went out to the sit down started I had
to to eat. I was there over a month. I went on my own free will.
I dont know why they were there. Everything was quiet and peaceful,
as_1"E§x7 as I know all the men 92-ere looal 54 men. I was there when the
l_a1-shall came and told us to leave, nothing was said, we just left,
you cant talk back to the U. S. lhrsball when he's got the warrant.
I didnt hear anything about the attempts to open the mine in
Dec. 1937 or T-an. 1938.
I voted at the first 1T.L.I:.B. election. I went right from
my home to the Armory and voted the way I wanted. As far as I know
it was a honest election, it was held by secret ballot. I was not
forced to vote.
I dent know why Elshofi would not sign with P.]'..!.. after they
won the election, I dent know how he was able to afford to keep the
nine closed so long either. .
_ I never heard any-thing about Fnlsetti or arr; men fa-an Mine B.
working at Jefferson lline. After the Harshal_l_ made us leave Kine B
I got a job on W.P.A. and took no interest in the mine.
"When the mine opened in 1939 I got a letter telling me to
come back to work. I went out and saw Falsetti, who put my name on .
the list, I was last on the list. -I_.'_ a ample of months they sent me
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'_TM 92 ' no one h=ad told him at Mine B not to talk to Federal agents a
'_ was glad to cooperate in any way. He understood questions readily and answered
than in understandable language and it is felt that he would make a fair witness
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Re: JOHN L. LET-'15, ET AL
92 we ' ' " g 3111 ' y peo a en_ '2 """'_' " on September 12, 194 stated that
mr. he
if his testimony were necessary. He advised he has no criminal record.
ex-scuted the following signed statemnt:
Sept. 12, 1§z.3
7 _____"i_ give the following statement to _
'* ' '* e ometobeScis1A are 1-morrn t pe gents o
.0 . eats or promises have been made me to procure this statement.
"I stirted at liine B in r of 1935 as a dizger and I am
..-.-. ..stiii there. I was born
and became in citizen in
'.=r*s U.L1.'..'. I have never
at Mine B fefore 1937 I w-s a Pr-o_,r..ssive I _. e-n on
there. During this tine everything ~.-no all right between Elshoff and P=!f=A.
I never heard anything said by either F::ls-2-tti or Elshoff to indicate they
favored UH; or PM». Before the mine closed dorm there were a few men at
Mine "B" tryint to swing the men at Mine "B" back to the U.!92E.TF. All they
did was talk_ saying they didn't think P.2.{.A. ms a good union. - I remember
Pnsquele, and Bowling Green as being two of these. During this time the min-
and Mine "B" got along all right. I couldn't say anything against it. It
was the miner's union §_= they ran it. I did not attend many meetings because
lived so f<r from Springfield, went about once every six months. The dues
were not too high because before we split from the Uh? he peid then more than
we did the Progressives.
"I read in the paper about the men who were sent to the jail for
b:>nbing_ I couldnt judge whether they were guilty or not.
"Before the strike I never saw any U.H..1'. men come to Mine B to
picket or distribute literature. I never heard nothing about any parties
given by Elshoff or the U.M.v-'. - '
"Eben the union contract ran out in 1937, we keeg on working at
Mine B I don't know whether they had any temporary agreement or not.
There 1v7s some talk about the Inge question at this timo__ some wanted to
work and some didnlt w=nt to work. There E no_stri.<es or trouble, just
sone talking.
I - 82 -
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union office. During the 2 years w e
~ = hid b o e before I came
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ANcontinued!Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
INTERVIET ':'='I'IH ,-
"I don't remember anything about a meeting the night before the
mine Qmt down. When I went to work on Hay 12, 1937 I did
not know there was to be any strike. I did not know anything
about it until they called us out just before quitting time.
I can't say what the strike was for. I did not load any cars short but I
did not load any that way and no one told no to_ load any short. I don't
remember whether P.H.A. picketed the mineat this time or not. I recall sign-
ing e petition for P.M.A'. night after the mine closed. No one forced me
to sign__ I did it oi my ovrfree will because I was for the Progressives. I
did not sign any petition for U.M.W. and I don't remember any P..A. petition
in the fall of 1937. .
"During the summer of 193'? I read in the paper that U.li.|'.. was
forming a local in Springfield, no one contacted me to join;
"I dont recall anything else
§_= Fell of 1937. Yhen they reopened the
go out the first day I think I went the
there part oi the time. I was there of
to go. The strike was peaceful and the
where there to protect our jobs and the
mine the night the Marshall came over and ordered us off.unusual happening during the summer
mine in the fall of 1937, I did not
2nd day. During the sit-down I was
my own free will no one forced me
men there were all local men. We
property. I don't think I was at th~
After this I never
went back to Mine B until it opened for good. I did not go there in Dec.
193'? or Jan. 1938.
"I voted at the first N.L.I-LB. election I voted the may I wanted,
no one forcedme tovote. I voted for the Progressives because I was with the:
It looked to me like it was a straight election. The P.L-La. won this electic.
I don't know why Elshoff would not make a contract with us. I don't know '
where Elshoff got the money to keep the mine closed. I never heard a thing
about Elshoff owning or anyone from Nine B going to work at the Jefferson
Hine .
"When the lline opened in the fall of 1939 I got a letter telling
me to come back towork. I went there the next day and they put my
name on the list as my section was not ready. In a few days they called
me back. I understood at the time the miners were to get the regular Progress V
ive wage scale. When we went back to the mine towork it was in bad ahape_
lots of cave ins. I had not heard of any fire there while it was closed.
When I went back I paid dues to P.li.A. From the time I went to work until I
joined the IJ.1I.?1'. some fellow asked me that I thought about 2 unions at the
mine I told him I did not think it was right, it shouldbe one way or the
othe¥. He did not ask me to join U.1.;.W. No one ever came to my home or
bothered me to join U.I~T.~*:'. When I saw most of the men were joining the U.ll.l-1'.
I joined lg. I think I Joined before the 2nd Ii.L.R.B. election. I joined
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RE: J91"!? I.-= 1.-_FrI:l5, ET AL
INTERVIEW WITH of my own free will because I saw all the rest join. I_ figured I might just as well go back too. They hired
continued! quite a few new men when the mine opened_I don't know whether
they were P.£.A. or U.H.W. I never signed any cards tor
U.!*.ff. or P.M.A. so far as I remember in summer ___ 1940.
I voted at the 2nd N.L.P..B. election at the Armory. This election
was just like the other one we voted by secret ballot so far as I know it was
was a good honest election. No force was used to get me to vote. I do not
know anything about the meeting at which Jack Glascow was kicked out.
"I have had Agent qread this statement to :16 as I just read e
little English. To the best 0 my knowledge and belief it is all the truth
and just as I have told it to the Agents. The statement is vritten on this
and four other pages. I am signing this statement of my own free will
as it is all true.
Signed _
ial Agent F.B.I. Uilw.! '
5;, Paul, Minn.
qw-Sept. , 1943"
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P . I o P ! l vex"'--'.|'. m ._ 92 -1-.__. '1'
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m. JOHN L. Lens, ET AL
IEJTERVIE-'1' 1-'r1'r1=1 On 5
@~=*d
me
of
srw ISPSSGSQGHW1 0. »_r
mittod freely that he does not core
board member for this district. It is45 Special
was that
is n very
ould be noted that
the sun who succeeded him as
be noted that he claims to
have no personal knowledge whatever oi any violence at Mine B after that nine
w:.s opened although he was working; at the mine at that time and has a very good
knowledge of most things pertaining to the union. It is believed that if yelled
es e witness he will make e. very gaod impression. He expressed his willingness
to cooperate with the Government in every way. He advises that he has no 0rim--
.1 ..-.- 1 _,--.»,..,:Incas. 1 uucxuq
The following signed statement was procured .frcm
_
e threats or
I hev been employed
unizn was
1952 I become n.
when I was succeeded oy
to the Progressive Unitn.Fpringriela, I11__ '
Sept. 13, 1945
U ve the following statement te
ere to to be special Q, _ . . -
e been madArents of the F I3 I
sstazteme t w in 1 .
no since
The first time I joined 0. nine
in as e charter member. In .
hi.I.. I held this until 1935* before they chanp I
that time as for es ow U.1i.rT. at that
I W time got along alright as for us. kn, .
"When the change was made from U.L{.. to I-'.l£.A. I just went over
eutomsticolly with the rest. It did not nuke any difference to me whether we
were T.M.!.. Or Uelliuw-0 lint. in fHCt I
when I took it I went out and signed up
FJLA. when I ccntoted ELSHOFF to sign
quest. He seemed pleased that they had
From 1952 to 195?, there wasnct wont the job as board member, but
every mine in this District that went
up for the I-.2-.A. it was at his re-
gone 3.}-1.11. at his mine.
a lot of rumpus between ELSHGFF and the
F.lI.!.. officials from wh:-.t I have heard. Cne difficulty was caused by l-IGW
wanting: to operate on s. 6 day week and the I-.M.A. wouldn't let him. I never
heerd of ELSHOFF or FALSETTI doing anything to discredit the P.M.A. officials
nor do I know cf their having expressed
1952 to 19257 Local 54 T.lIJ1., was beingany desire to have U.Ii.R'. hack. From
run in e. way to satisfy most of the
men in ell respects there were some men who felt that some of the money Insnot being spent properly but this is usual: in all labor unions. I attended
all P.M.A. meetings during; this period. he I.M.L.-officials made regular
L
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JCHH L. LEWIS, ET AL
IIETERVILWT WITH reports on money matters. when the P.H.h. started it
Wes herd pressed finienciallxl I know that they didn't
continued e pay me ell they promised es :1 board member. This was
. due to their finiencel circumstances. I don't know of
anything to ind.ieete dishonest rnrling of union funds. I recall the Pd-.1..'~..
men who were sentenced for property bombings _'_ I have no opinion as to their
-juilt or innocence. While the 1- ILA. was the union at Hine B, it was neverto my knowledge picketed by the 6.133. nor was any literature distributed by
then. I did nct know of any group in P.!.£.A. who were actually U.I-.'I.92I. men.
Ne one ever contested no to 501; no to jcin 13.15.71. at this time. I hoard noth-
ing ab:-ut any ptxrti being given by ELSHC-FF for U.}.-I."-T. or by U.lI.92-'. for him.
""hen the contract expired on 5-Z51-3'I,_told us we were
Working on e temporary agreement and that our fey would be retro-e.ctiss.te
Lpr. 1. I figured c-.t this time that I-.1I.A. would be able to get us as good
s contract es the U.l.'I.}'.', In -pril and early I-iey cf 1957, there were no show-
ri:wr.s or stoppages at the mine or any ether demonstrations so fer es I know,
over the wage issue. I have no ides as to the znenupjments Position in the wage
::1e.tter. I did not attend the 5/11 meeting, where I believe two P.Li.A. members
were expelled I don t rwenber the names cf tlnse exyelled. At revieus meetsings I know mt ml; members were expelled. I wentto wcrk 5/12%;? this was
just like £.ny other day to me. I don__t remember any commotion at the mine th-1'
day ever either the wage question or the non who had been expelled from F.ii..K.
On 5/12/37 there were some cars loaded short I did not purposefully loud any
short and no one told no tc lend cars in that manner. I had e couple come out
short because the driver come 8: got than too soon. On the lest day we worked
I was celled '-ut of the mine end went over to one of the men 1': asked where or-
ders can 13-on to strike the mine he said from district headquarters. I -then s:92_v.'hr.1'1'.1 he told me he had ordered the nine closed he did n-rt at
the time toll me Why he had called the strike. I did not feel at the tine
that e strike should have been c:-.1 led st Mine B. I never heard that the reeso.
for closing the nine was because the Go. had refused to fire men expelled from
i.M.A. There was e picket line at Iriine B for e few dcys__ this was on the road
nwt the nine property.
I signed the first LL31. getitien on the rend near the mine. 1
was not forced to sign end did it -of my own free will.
I signed a leter Petition which was to be sutmitted to the labor-
board. I signed this also of my fvwn free will.
I did n--at sign any petition for U.H.?F. during the summer of 1937
and don t recallbeing asked to sign such.
"I reed of e. new U.!!!-'5. 1':-col being formed in Springfield the su_n_reor
of 1937. I was not epprenched concerning it however. No one ccntllcted me
during the summer of 1937 to join U.H.'-if.
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as: JOHN L. 1.svIs, ET AL
I '"hen the mine opened the summer of 1937 I reed cf it
in the papers I did not gr.» out the first de.y_ I did
c 1" lnue- go out the 21-id day en this day scme men tried te go to
- we:-k_ they walked up to the cage but were blocked. I
think either the 3:-c. er 4th day the sit-down started_ I was there meet of the
time it W'.'.s en. This strike was curried on by cur own lecel so far es I knew.
There were ne imported heediluns or thugs. Ne one forced me to take pert in
this and I did it figuring I was prctecting my job. The-re_1ms no violence at
this strike se fer as I knew. I was there when the U. 5."'1arhse1l came out
and reed the injunetien. He ed.-ne cut and told who he was, reed the law tc us
and tc-ld use te leave. some of the men asked us whet to do 5: I told them, that
men was the law dc we had ts ge. There was no trouble. I heard cf the attempt
to open the mine in Dee. 19:51 but I did not go cut.
I v-ates. in the first N.L.R.B. electi-:n_'_ I voted the wey I wanted
and sf mv rvm free will. I went te the lee:-.1 hall first end we went ever inlO's. explained the purpese ei the voting end why we were going to
Ee in grciups e did net tell me hcw to Vote. I did not see any U.I-.£.'N. men
r,-I1 the wey £5 rr at the Armcry. I third: this was en honest election. I re-
member the attempt to open the mine in Jen. 1958, but I did not go.
"I did net hear why FLSHOFF would net m.r~.ke e cent:-net with P.l-LA.
fren the time of the electi-;n till the mine eyencd nor do I have any k7iOW1Bd:.3
as ta where he ;_-ct the neney to keep it clcsed frm.
"I did net hear er FALSIITTI er any ~r the 1-ins B men working; at Jef-
fers:-n mine while Liino B was shut down.
"'"'hen the nine opened I get e. registered letter from the ecmpezny
telling :10 te repert in 5 dnys. I went cut, sew FALSETTI who gave me my check
and put me to werk nt cnce. I d-"-n__t recall what the wage scale arrangement
st this time was. hen I went beck tc werk I kept on paying dues to the Pre-
gressives. When we went beck te w-ark there were many falls in the mine. Two
bfxes never did open. I did nct hour of any fire in the mine while it was
clcsed down. fter I went to werk I was net contracted in regard tn joining
the U.Li.?-'. I was nct threatened in any way. I jcined up with the U.M.3'i'. the
first w;-rkiw dz: P in Jen. ef 1941. I signed then because sci many had alreadysigned. uid I just decided we might just es well jcin. ' I sigled cf
my ewn free will did not cere about my job there as I knew I could get a I
jab somewhere @131-.~. I only heard of one man being beaten and I didn't see
this and den t know whether there was anything to it er net. 50 fer as I knew
the 11-egress-i_ves did ncthing; to keep the men with mn. I den t think there
was any particular reason why they did net bother me except thdt they knew I
wculd be my own judge. During the summer cf 1940 I signed e menlbership card
fer F.M.!.. but net for U.M.W. During this time the mnrngenent did nothing to
-87-
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RE: Join: 1.. Lmls, ET AL_ - . _ _'_ ~.--.._.-. 92-._- ;;- ..=.;.-... -V|
92
.
II¥T£k.TIE¢'J W TH indicate preference for one union over the other. I
did not Bee ms-iny new men at the mine when it was first
c:ntinue_ opened. '
ll ii, _ :._ _ ._. . ..- :-.-. .- -. -.'1 vve :|.n fhc .2113: H.L.R-3- u1uuC4._=:9_ I vu'im uG"C fuiC6d 469- V392-:5
and vita-L the way I wanted, voting; U.!.i.H.A. As fur aa I can any this was sm-
h'.n<,-st el octiczn.
have hr-.d Agent-read this 6 page statement to me and ii; is- all true uni correct su far as I can rscall, and is as I have told it to It-£02111-be
I an signing this of my own free will.
T"TI "TD » _
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Re: JOHN L. Lewis, ET AL
k'TI-R'&]IF' 1.
Springfield, I 111018, was interviewe
home by Special Agent
He was cooperative but it is not felt the e would ma e a goo
witness because of his lack of knowledge oi the pertinent facts in this
case and his inability to speak English well. He admitted no criminal record
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
T RVIEW h TH the same way; accordin to Jim Hale. H. H218also claimed tmthad some mm-
continue y
K "I knew Andre Schrelevious, Dominic Pasquale, Pete
Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotch, John Cotton! ananias, John Sirtcut
George Jacaway,4§ Charles Bohannon but I never knew that any of them
were {EBA spies or know that any of them were suspended until I joined
Uha.
"So far as I know the strike in Lhy of 1937 was caused by
an argument about back pay. I was working the day of the strike, but
I don't remember how it started. I do remember seeing Coal Cars being
loaded short that day but I didn't load any short myself. After the strike
both PEA and UETA came around with petitions, but I donit remember signing
either one, because I had decided to quit. However, during the summer of
1937 the UREA started a new local. I believe itwas #7469. I was asked to
come over to John Ananias house to pay my dues. The only other person I
ever saw over there was Tony Plotch. I remember paying dues there a couple
of times.
"During the time the P3-IA was picketing the liine B I went out the. -
only one night. None of the FHA men knew that I was paying dues to UMWA
"I recall that in Dec. 1937 "Cotton" Ananias told me to come out 92to Mine B as it was going to open UHHA. I wnt out to the mine but there 92
was only about a dozen men there--mostly the men whose names have been '
set out above. I remember that there were some PEA men on the road in cars
watching who went to work. We only worked one day and quit because we didn'
have enough men. I was scared because I saw that the UNWA didn't have a
majority like James Hale had told me when he got me to sign up with UHHA.
"I remember voting in the lst NLRB election, but I dont remenber
how I voted. I believe the Progressives won.
After the strike I went back to work at Nine B in 1939. I got a
letter from Mr. Elshoff saying that the mine was going to open. I had been
on WPA for IA months when the mine opened. When I returncf to work I was paying dues to UHRA. No one bothered me or tried to get re to join UHEA ;jas I was already a member. I never tried to get anyone to join gin. II
never saw anyone beat up, but one morning I see an old man namedlying on the floor in the wish house and I heard the men talking, an5.!.!!hrd
that John Sirtout beat him up. I also heard about a_man being beat up down
in the mines. I think the reasons for these beating; j§§;because the
UMHA was trying to squeeze out the PEA. -
I recall voting in the Second NLRB election which UREA won. I v'
for UHWA this time-
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Re: JOHN L. iEWTS, ET KL
-n:*IvI_;pL1rr1'p"r. "I nuit. gut .313 1r5_'i!!8 B BbO11t the end Of becauae
I never went back to line Bco-1!.1nued! 3835-9'
' "If I had a free and voluntary choice of Unions I would cl-oose
the ircrrressives. -
I haw had the above st. tement consisting of four and one quarterpages Ag! read to me by Agent hand have initialed the changes Iwanted to me The above statements are true and I do hereby Bi? my ame-
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Witne ssed:
Snecial Agent - F-B.I-
pecial Agent, F.I2.I.
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HE: JUEH L. LEWIS, ET AL
"3 A. __ _ _ ___ _ _p_ Z Z_ _ __92 4 1' ERVIETW WITH $PI'i=15--n 92 field, Illinois was ' t viewed ome by
' _ S cial ents and P9 e iJ-_ Be was very cooperative and it is believed he will make a goodQ. T.-itness. He speaks English well and was Pit C*-"mdtteeman at liine "B" when
1 it reopened. He appeared intelligent and familiar with the pertinent facts
of this case. He hes no known criminal record other than an admitted traffic
violation.
He submitted the following signed statement and on addendum thereto
".Spri1.g£ie1d, Ill.
Beptember 6, 1943. p
volutary statement an who are
Special A-gents oi the e era uro u of Investigation. o rests or prom-
ises of my kind have been 1-Jade by then to get no to make a statement.
:11 was born I first joined. UJLW.about-when I began o wor a ring roe Line near Springfield. Ihogan working at Mine B about
"In 1932 when P.l!..A.
ings but was never an officer
wanted to join P.ld.A. because
proposed on the wage contract. 7
"For the first 5 or
everything seemed to go along
and only some minor arguments
grievances.smoothly. There were no strikes or
Prior to the strike in
on Windshields of the cars urging
men who were agitating and acting
just before the strike. They____._J_oe1937, there were some pamphlets
us to join U.ll.Ti'. There 1rr__a£_ 0.
as spies and some oi th-*-e werewas formed, I attended several of the meet-
until 1937 when I was on the Pit Committee. I
I didn't like the cut in wages which U.H.'W.
4 years P.1&..&. had the contract at lline "B"
closedovrns
took place in the office over settling
were placed
group of_____92 I _J
GLQULLUU
ilbanese who was also 1c~.=m as Sam Cstalino,
and Iundrew Sicrelivicus, Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank sustin, Tony
P1otch,_John lsnanias, John Sirtout, Goo. Jacaway, Emory Jacaway, Charles
Boh_e_rmon, and Jane Hale. These men were frequently seen at parties of 0
social nature at various homes including Falsetti.
"st the time when the wage contract held by P.1d A. ran out in 195?,
_read a temporary érecment to the miners at the mine explaining that
THE'§'Tv'Euld get retroactive pay if the new contract was higher. Soon after
this U.H.'W. obtained a wage scale which was higher than the P.}-1.1.. contraoth
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RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET hL
though,INTERVin jimi U.M.W. could not get a contract at Mine 'B'because they did not have bargaining rights
v~ at the mine. At this time the agitators named
above began talking to the miners explaining that the miners would got this
raise and be hotter off if they joined U.H.¥. These men were always around
the mine company offices; even after hours and on Sunday mornings, which
indicated to me that the company was behind it all. These men were also
seen going to U.M.; headquarters so P.M.A. expelled about 5 of them for
spying activities, but the company refused to fire them and this was the
cause of the strike.
on hone.
handwrit
asked me
open so
I could
went to
to work
company
tract."I signed a petition to have these spies tried before the Uion
body and to be dismissed for their spying activities.
"The day of the strike I was loading coal and I saw some cars being
partly loaded and I knew the men were doing this in an effort to force
the company to dismiss the spies. I began loading cars short also at that
time. About two o'clock that afternoon we were called out on strike. When
we cane up the shaft Frank austin made some slurring remark and this caused
a slight commotion but no violence occurred. The spies went immediately to
tho office of the company and after a short time of milling around we came
About two weeks after the strike P.H.A. circulated e petition to
show that P.M.A. had a majority. John Schneider and others made a house to
house canvas of the miners to get signatures. They made no threats of any
kind to get these signatures, and each nan was required to sign in his own
ing 0
I heard U.M.W. also circulated s petition that sumer but no one
to eisn it- -g. _ -
"In September, 1937, I saw in th paper that Mine "B" was to re-
the
not
thenext morning I called the mine to see if there was work because
hear the whistle from my home. They said there was work so I
nine to work but I saw that the expelled spies were thre to go
too and,I refused. That morning we all went to the office and the
gave each man a paper supposed to explain why no P.H.A. had no con-
led
4.- _____.92-CD WUTK
in a day or so and this continuedFhlsotti
-_: J,L A-L -_ _ -_W11.-I1 D11-51 Uhthe spies to
did the rest
with a court injunction.
I voted in the N.L.R.B.the shaft and when I saw this I refused
of the P.H.A. members. Ge began picketing
for about two months until we were served
election in Dec. 1937 and in my estimation
it was a fair election. No threats or violence occurred that I know of.
There were some pamphlets distributed at the election but I refused to takei
g ht
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RE: JOHN L. LEFIS, ET AL-
INTEi[IET WITH one and I don't recall what was in them.
FF *u@< "I received a letter that the mine would reopen
in-November, 1959, en an open shop basis. I went to work as e. member of
P.K.A. ' .
"Shertl after the mine epened a fight occurred when a man namedwhe had secured a job at the mine, hitnghcwee e .L.n. member. I don't knew what started this fight. on s
time en there were several fights and the spies mentioned above were always
going around in the mine attempting to get them to join U.M.§. and when the
men refused they weuld beat them up.
"In the winter cf 1940, after most of the men hcd gene down the
be t shaft, e bunch cf the spies a mars of
P.M.A. I saw them bent up on =1
FI "I voted in the N.L.R.B. election in Feb. 1941 and when it went f /U.M..;., I quit the mine and went to wet-k I-
During the time most of the fights occurred I was Pit Ccnmitteeman
and I settled all grievances whether the men belonged to P.K.A- or U.M.W.
"ihen the mine reopened, I suggested several P.H.A- men be hired
but Falsetti said he would hire the men he wanted and he refused to hire any
P..l.E..f-.. men. He refused to hire lm5 e P.l.£.£. member.
I have read this 5 page statement and it is true and correct to the
best cf my knewledge. '
/=/
hitnessed:
Special Agent, FBI.cial agent, FBI. '
Springfield, I11;
September 9, 1943.
addition to which I gavefellewin voluntaryelim _ when I knew to be Special Agents Bureau sti-
ga 1en- He threats er preises of any kind have been made to get me to
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RES Lo LEUIIS, M-In
I-IT " "*" make this additional statement. I wish to add the
following:
Cut] IIIUCn }n the day wa.s beaten up Qend myself were driving entry 111 the section of the mine w ere
working. A11 three of us who were driving entry were mem- _-.8
It is true an-:1 correct to the best of my knowledge-
/ /
Iuitnessed :
Special iagent, FBI
pecial Agent, FBI. "
-95..
# ___ ___ ,.,...-,.,-e,» --1 ' "-4 _ -~_
Pit Committee. About 10:50 e.n. we gut a cell to go up on top
and when we went to the company office Fnlsetti told us our district office
had celled and wanted us down at the district office right away. T-e get in_cer and came dawn to the District Headquarters but when we
roac ed there we were told that no call had been placed for us and that
weren't wanted. Thilc e were at the District Office a cell came in fromthe mine advising that hhei been beaten up.
I have rend this statement consisting of this and one other page
which is e statement in edditicn to the statement I have given previously
r
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re .1..-Fany curs light, although I sow some come by only hal on e .Qe§g3;f' celled us out on strike at 2:45 pm because the mine wouldn't pay e sco -, 1 -. ,2 ._-..--- V-1, V_.
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i ._ Irrinsvm"-"=1TH SP*'i=f§°¥"~' ._.92. iliineisi was interviewecl at his h;me 5 Soecial agents1 ruiII uu|u ull|ui!lll|uI!!I92 _L -was ecoperot ve but it is not felt that he would me e e goo wit-iiii iiinse cf his luck cf knowledge of the pertinent facts at Mine B.
has no known criminal record. He furnishei the followingsigneg s!n!encnt. _ _
"Springfield, Ill.
Sefbmbél 14,
dc vo nuke the following statement to Special agents
of the Feiorel Bureau of Investignt on.
-- - - - ----~~- ~ -»-- -* =~~~-es he --W1 + s --~ te .-ee:-.=e thisLC th-]'CaI5 [T PI'L.I1}.I.iiUb bi H.115 ILLLJ-Ll. uuvu mugs; 1.11.-ul-9 vc 33!} 9 aw
statement.
emigrated to nmerice
I11. I first started
eining T.lhrlTu'£i at that time. I
have never been an offic any cn. gen to work in Kine B about- 1 was e mm. member at that time a.n<1_we got along alright with the
Line E Cc. -LII "I was born
in - I was ni. _working in the nines in
"The Progressives were started in 1932 because the HEEL stole
scale notes. I never had anything to do with the formation of
. PEA and never attended any of the meetings when it wee being organized.
I 1 joined £3; elen; with all the other men at Kine B and we got along fine
Elsheff until the time of the strike in 1957. I thought that the with Zr.
ircgrossives were alright.the wage
"Tho strike started in 1937 because a bunch cf guys wanted to
in Eine B. Some of the non who were causing this trouble and
spies for UREA were: Joe Llbenese, hnirew Schrclevieus, Dominic
Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank hustin, Tony Ploteh, John Cotton! Lnnnies,
2 John Sirtcut, Emory Jncawey, Charles Bohsnnon Bowling Green!, and James
' Bole, 1 gnow that Jim Hale was kicked out of PMA for 99 years for talking
for UHWA. I never heard about any of the other men being expelled.put UKHA
acting as
_ "I don't recall any arguent about n contract or wages but I
" do know that I had some book pay coing that I never got.
Fr..----
am JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
fr,
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NI? F "*TITH I remember going out to Mine B one morning when 13
UAR-A, who had formed a new local, tried to open the
; con inue Mine. These 13 men were composed mostly of the men
:35 - named above. The PMA started a sitdown strike out
V? there to protect their jobs. I was
during the sit down strike. rmonly at the mine for a couple of days
I voted in the let N.L.R.B. election which PMA won by a big
majority-
I. "While the mine was closed on strike I raised a garden and
sold vegetables and went one year on W.P.A- I wns on GPA when I got a
I ':_,_
JIn
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4.
M in the office after he got
§ I finally joined UMRA because I saw
I and I was afraid of getting beat up
. "I also voted in the 2nd
r#~i~
same. _
§$L _ I am presently employed
"iifk
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7 - "at-W --he- ~.-1;?-"'-" <--".= 4' 1letter from Mr. Elshoff to come back to work.
"When I went back to Mine B it was "open shop. I was still a
Pro ressive. Two or three months after I was back at work5 came around and asked me to sign up U'n£"NA- I told him that_;_,. *' ' l'ttlo. I was never threatened or beaten, but I semi
"' ' ' beat up because he wouldn Join UMW1
that most of the men were joining up,
if I didn't
N.L.R.B. election which UMWA won.
** "I don't favor either union, both of them treated me about th
at Mine B as a digger.
§}" _"I have had the above statement consisting of 2 3/A pages read
to me b en It is true and correct.
/~/ i
pecia ngen S Springfield Illinois gig? ; 0 0 I I
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Re: JOHN L. Lewis, ET AL.
all "" ' Spring ie , inois was in e
92 I -.-as cooperative u i is n elieve won make a goo wi ness because he seems hazy on the facts and vents.9 which occurred at Fine T4 during the period under investigation. W
admitted no criminal record. He furnished the fOllm!'ing signed s a .
"Springfield, Ill .
September 10, 1943
do voluntarily
pecia agen and
of the Federal Bureau of Inves iga ion. No
of any kind have been made to cause mo to make
:T-'-- this stat en ent .
asll
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clain ci izensnip U father who got his
"I started working in the nines_ around Springfield, I11. in- I joined up with United Line Yorkers of Lmerica in the latterpart oi that year. I started at lline B Beti-ree:r1~nd
1932 the U;I7';_ got along fair out at fine 3.
"The split in 1932 was caused on account oi John L. Lewis
mostly he wanted us to take a reduction on a 'Yellow Dog contract.
I took no part in the formation of the Progressive lune Workers of
Jam-Erica but joined them along with all the other men at Fine B. The
Pitt rot along alright with the Mine B.o.fficia1s. I figuraithat the
P'y_ was a whole lot better than the 1.711174.-
"Ihe trouble in 193'? was caused by a temporary contract
about retroactive back pee. Elshofi backed down on this contract and
we went out on strike. I know that he owed ne $11.00 back pay. Lt this
time there was a bunch of men who favored LHIH. at I'ine B and they were
starting trouble. These men ~.-re:-e: Joe nlbanese, Lndrew Schrelevious,
DOin1C Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank nustin, Tony Plotch, John Cotton!
..nanias, John Sirtout, George Jacauay, Emory Jacax-ray, Charles Bohannon
and James Hale. ,_
"The strike was caused because told us not to go F
down because Flshofi" scold:-t give as our ..-ac.: ,..a}'. -..-"c came out about
the middle oi the afternoon. I recall seeing some cars cone out with .
short loads on the dag; of the strike. Ihis was because the men were .
mad about the Co. trying to switch back to 511,.
. -98-
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Re: Jenn L. LFFIS, ET LL.
392I'1"EaVIEi' -ZITH "I rencnber signing a petition after the strike
showing that I favored PILL.
j_ or inue
I . "I picketed out at line B for about a month, two or three days
* at a time, but 1 wasn't out there when it started, and I wasn't there when
4--
n went out
pardon .
.....,-.-_.
I2lC.'.
rfressives won by a big majority.
123
'_ ..'P.'. when
.-.
F hen I returned to Efinc
dues to that union. I stayed P35.the nen were ordered off by the injunction.
"Right after the injunction some of the 'U!~!'T1. nan mentioned above
to the mine and b1"OU"ht up allthe coal that was down close to the
I don't know how long they were there as I didn't go out to the
" "I remember votim; in the first N.L. R-5. election which the Pro-
"Between 1937 and 1939 I was on relief and later -?P.'.. I was onI got a letter to cone back to work at Fine B. 92
B in 1939 I was still Progressive and paid
untill about the last one, I never saw ;
anyone beaten up at the mine and no one"'ever bothered me but shortly before
' I joined UETY. the man I rode with
me that I had better join up with
of luck. 1:3 tools vrerenlt stolen
J4. "Just "a
M room w:=.s Yrorlzing
said that he wasday or two after
and when I came
poin , to give EL.
-.__ -1- .. Y
you going; nuts. 5:11 :1FM than asked the Eler ow many days
I;~¢ia;
. __,__
H ,_i_.- t
..' I :-i_._.
still vote Pm, any~.:ay.
it-1at; ' .r__92
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" H erg "92 _;92 " - _.j---92_-92-I 7* __f ','. .v_ iv K' said only l d.'=.y and that Id joined
clothes on and go on down to work.
"I remember voting in the
' election. I was surprised when [I1.=1'.'!. won because I thought the men wouldwas beaten up and 'Cudge' Baumgarner toldUNI. I joined because I had to or be our
and I only had a few docks. I
I had signed I q because the top ofback the next nornmg ' 5' ' e a two day layoff. I to in a e
gave me two I take two. He said that I was fired went in the wash-house_ -' to change and I got mad and went back and asked .1.-mats the ide are.' " F d th t I had been laying o to much. V
d 1 t d if d H . Th II os an I1 signs up e c orup. hen told no to put my
92second NLRB election. The I353, non this I
"I an still out at I-line B digging coal in Box" 92
"If I could have a free and voluntary choice of unions I would
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A C e
R0: JOHN L. L"§"'IS, FYI LL.
N'fE*i92],1'~7" .1'"H "When Mine B reopened in 1939 they closed off Boxancgecause of squeezes & caveins. I don't imaginecost them over $10,000.00 to start operation:"'"i ontlnuc that , again. I have read the above and it is true and
correct.:1 M j
witnessed;
/s/eial 1.gent, F.B.I.Special agent, F.'5.I."
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3 IT Iino 1' s was E er'vTe'w' 92 one by Spec ial
, Age nt aE _ atl£ineBandas sue soe union ac ivities. 15 not felt that_would make 0. good
witness because he was reluctant talk e Agents and advised thathe was a friend of Hr-,El sr1off's. I92as no known criminal re-
cord He furnished the followi oi no s ment:
' 1'15 E
"Springfield, Ill.
September 15, 1943
"1. Sprinzold I11» do *°mn °° SP°=i 1 =~%<=n*$ _- the Fed6I'D..l. Bureau or _|,1'1'VQSG1gi3.G10I1v
Ne three. s or promises have eon made to cause me to make this statement
and I lcnow that anything I may say can be presented in e Court of law.-
"I was born
working in mines about
- I joined
started at Mine B
nights and out of a activities. Se far as I knew the Illit
got along fine with Mine B officials before 1932. I donit knew the rea-
son for the beginning of PLEA and didn't take any part in its permotion-
I never even attended any union meetings under FAA. When Mine B changed
its union affiliations I joined PEA with the other engineers.when the
I knew Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotch, and Charles Bo-
hannon out at Kine 5 at the time of the strike in 1957, but I never heard
about any of them favoring UHZIIA or stirring up trouble, md I never heard
about them or any others being; expelled from PMA. On my job I didn't have
much contact with the miners and I have no knowledge o an contract or
we e diff culties at the time of the strike in 1937 and I wouldn't have any knowledge of coal be1|nEm lo! LE
a e mo of the strike. -
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.1ié_ I never discussed the strike or union situation with M Elshoff
or Oscar Falcetti either during the strike or after I returned to work.
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e?"F'§*" -' -." ' approached mo to threaten me or beat me up. I
just joined up with ULMA along with the mejorit
ucn inue When I returned to Mine B the fans, hoisting equip-
» _ merit, end boilers were in working condtion. I_ hove no knowledge of the condition of Mine B down below when we went
TN brick to work. s e '
_ I have read the above 2% pages of voluntary statements made by
- 0 me. The same are true and correct
"Witnessed
/s/
/s/
Specie ngen s, . B. I.
Springfield, I11.
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Re: JQHR L. LEWIS, ET LL
a
W _ n14....+.ii i I 1.;-..auv.--|
and
I lten by the UHW prior to eaving kins B
k and is interview, it was the agents* impression he in of92o questionable reliability. He executed the following statement:
Fl "Springfield, Illinois' 92¢._. -5 @¢ '1 1 I"! I ISuytumbur av, a.a4w
the following voluntary state-
whom I know to be Special Agents
S. Department of Justice.
"The first mine union I joined was the United Mine Workers of
d h ' ft as th UMW I joined this America which will be referre to ereina er e ' .
union about I worked in some nine or ten mines before
I started wor ing nine I worked in all of these mines as a
member of UMW.ment to
of the
"I have never held an office in'a union office. However, I was a
check weighman at Mine B. fro til January 1940 1-1 - -
"I joined the Progressive Kine Workers of America, which will be
referred to hereinafter as the PMA, following the action taken by the other
miners at mine B in September, 1932. I took no active part in the formation
of FHA.
"As far as I know the relations between Carl Elshoff and the UHF
prior to 1932 were satisfactory.
I believe it was in 1936 when Carl Elshoff was reported to be
interested in the operation of the Jefferson Mine at Springfield, Illinois.
at this time I recall that Falcetti, under Elshoff's orders took eight or
ten men from Mina B out to the Jefferson Hine and worked them out there. I
also recall that the Jefferson Pine at that time was operating under an ,
open shop and it later appeared that other men who were UMU mebers were
brought to Mine B to work when that mine opened under the open shop in
Fovember, 1939. It appears possible that the eight or ten men put in the
Jefferson Hine were UHN agitatore= I think that therefore from the Start
there was some working agreement between Elshoff and the UH? to have I UH?1.55-§<!my= om». 4,Fiel e on Se tomb 943 4
I1
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_ Re: JOHN L.Qc e
LEWIS, ET AL
i M'ne B and Jefferson. INTERVIEW WITH majority in these two m nee, 1
Between 1932 and 193? Elshoff would never try to
continued! H I i get along with the PEA.
t
5 As
»92far as I knew the PMA miners got along well with, and liked,
and trusted the PEA officials.
' "In 1936 the UHW tried to obtain UMW sympathizers in the union
offices in the FHA. »
A
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b James Hale.
.1. ' l' Ananias, John Sirtout, George Jacaway, Emory Jaoaway, Charles Bohannon,"I knew the following men were new organizers both before 1937
' and after the mine opened in 1939: Joe Albanese, Andrew Schrelevious,
and
I
"Sometime in December, 1936, just before the regular PMA local
* election, handbills appeared in the Mine B wash house. The bills read,
.m, vote for Tony Plotch for check weighman and you will be voting for the' ' git-,',v 1 do not know who put out these bills. I did not put them out-
--IIIIL
a clause in
12" _na_-»-a: hty JUUJUQHULVU
i7;m miners. It
miners they
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"var '
LEI: ;kf%xJ'receiving.
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5
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s"It was my understanding that the PMA District Board members had
5! 1 = as c d to
r "In April, 1937 at the mine offices there was some amongst
who expressed dissatisfaction about what wages they were getting and that
they were not being paid what had been agreed upon in the contract.
"The whole group of men whose names are mention
statement took advantage of this feeling and were active in telling the
* "About 1954 or 1955 the top
ted him to go to the men who work on
accept a lower wage scale. That is,get
the
thetheir contract with Elshoff by which the miners were to
pay dating back to april 1, 193?. Thin w n t psi
was expected that Fl would get as good a wage scale as
UH? would obtain. '
the miner
' above in this
would never get their retroactive pay.
boss told me that Faltetti had instruc-
top of the mine and get them to
a scale lower than we were then
The Top boss, whose name I do not remember refused and he was
fired. Ho was a company man.
. r 'do not remember if I attended the PEA meeting on hay ll, 195?.
I did hear that some UMW agitators had been thrown out of the PEA aDominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony Plotch, John Cotton! f
"
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" IFTE?V F? TY I remember that on the next day which was Hay 12,
1937 the coal cars were shorted. I think the cars -~
_» eon inued were shorted in the eet part of the mine because
it was in that section that most of the Um agitator!
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.-Re: JOHN L. LETIS, ET AL
including the men listed in this statement were working, end the PMK miners
in that section did not want to work with them. I assue the other miners
knew about the expulsion of these UM? agitators from the PEA. I could notice
unrest among the miners on Hay 12, 1937.
"I helped picket Mine B after the strike started. I do recall
signing the PMA petition of Key 26, 1937.
"I think the attempted opening of Mine B in September, 195? was
just a test to see how many men would go to work under the UMW. Elshoff
would not let PMA members work there and and he and the UMW felt that the
miners by this time after being out of woFE_a1l summer would be willing
to go back to work under the UHW. I think the some reasoning applies to the
two other attempts to open the mine. I heard that during this period the
majority of the foreign element working in the mine were contacted at their
homes and told that the mine would re-open if they joined the UMW.
"In the late Fe 19 the mine had o oned nde , - en.-
told me L1 e l us eon o o.ee. n u 4 un o , . on s o sdesk. From'the wayvdeseribed it I understood this chock was made
payable to Elsheff. e o so told me once that Elshoff would not live up to
his contract with the PMA.
"I returned to work at Mine B on November 6, 1939, the day it opened
under the open~shop. I returned es a PMA member. I never joined the HEW
after I joined the PEA in 1932.
echnrlos Boho.nnon, come to me in the
sumer of 1940 at my homo an e e me o e p om - the PEA minors to
sign over with the UMW. They said I would have my job as long as I wanted
it. They mode another trip to my house and en one oceassion Cudge Bugarnercame by himself. These men wanted me to help organise th: belanee of the men.
They implied that I would get money for my trouble. They were trying to get
me to sign up at the some time. They figured that if I, as check woighmnn.
signed with the UM? the rest of the men would. Many of the miners came to mn
for general advise about mining affairs. They had confidence in me. These
agitators knEE_l-Eould influence the men. They showed me a list of the miners
who had signed up with UMW by that time and referred to some of the names
of the miners they had persuaded to join the UMZ. I head that practically
all of the Lithuanian and Italian miners had been contacted at their homes
by Fnleetti in an effort to got them to join the UHF.
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Re: JOH L. LEWIS, ET AL
"Because of my job at the mine the F.L.R.B. likened
my job to that of a company clerk or weighman and
con lnuu therefore I was not permitted to vote in either
K.L.R.B. election.
. "In the lest part of 1941 I was still a FHA member. At this time
about 2:30 FM. one afternoon I was in Falcetti's office checking sheets and
1 d I th ht thi was wro Falcetti ignored me. _This'was unusua an oug some ng ng.
About o holf hour later was stendin in front of the b1acksmith's shop ano. man, whom I lcnew to be came directly from the mine office
and mumbled something as e posse m . Ho stopped and when I turned my head
he hit ma over the head with a weapon and I fell. Ho hit me several times-
oks ho walked away from me he said, I would not come back to the mine to work
anymore.
A few days before this happened I was working up in the coal
tipple and a company men come up to where I was working and someone calledhi That is how I knew the name of the man that hit me as
thi H; , _ .en. He was o strong UMW man. I figured he got instruc-tions to beat me from Frxlcetti. This was the last day I ever worked at
Vine E
signed!
Special Agent, F.B-I."iitncssed:
signed!
pecial Agent F.B.I."
§ A -106-
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. HYII
Federal Bureau
born w92
-1nter-evled by pe lat Springfield, Illinois, on ered the questions put to him, -lish, but his readingin e oan read and write Eng available when the following statement was tel-en.' Springfield, IllinoisSeptember 9, L945the following voluntary statement towhom 1 knew to be Special Lgents of the
t 01 Justice.S. Departmen ld Illinois. sQ_Sp1.'ingfie , needthe t ees ina na ed oitil-en ill - A P nther Creel: ne , un er after as the . Theii
nof gs on ,
tly employed at the aa referred to hereinrkers of Ame:-ios. inUnited eeat New c~ linois. I am presen Progressive lline Workers of Lmerio , ne union I joined was the United liine We ' I then worked at two other mines under the as the UL , before -I started working at Bin
B
-4*-_ ¢3_ I have never held an o'52 the relations betweeapplies to the relatOW. I do not kn-cm theworld-ngIllinois.Nor referred to hereinafterin 1.120661 weI ever "worked at line B wee on lly l2, 1957.
eafedlast day 921n1OI1o and Ulll appI
u
K
The ffioe in any n ELSE!!-F ions between b
Prior to 19 sfaotory and I believe the same 952 to I-lpril 195'! as far as 1 lcn time. I was just interested in UM and PNI1, when I joinedunion andto be satiLSHOFF and PW from ld either union at thisunion meetings, bothrelations between the
use ' and although I wen1 paid little atten n ELSHOFF signed 9- o
tht union, in 1932 who
V" " 5 the operator.luntafily joined P155 Pm the formation of - in line B b
-- .-A "1'. -vo no pert in ' ers working P1-Sq_o1-A3.I tool; UN orgnniz S DQ151116 G536' i " tract with YMM- foil o-ring, men wereE JQTDREW SCHRELETLOU ,CUITOI4, JOHN SIRTOUT,
TheOE ALBPQTES ,CH JOB}? S ELLE. ;g:r;',.;_.r, ._ J
U? ';-"7,-':._-"I-11937: J , TONY FLU! , ' ' O15 9-Dd JP352-re Hey 12,FRP~192K mssni'" mails sognm 1'0CARTER, $11411 ! , C" PETE nsuosx Jr»JR-CAM»d EOFF favore t to most tion to theon-
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RE: JOHH L. LEWIS, ETAL
~ PH About e. month before the strike in 1937, and before he was
thrown out of PEA, FRANK AUSTIN came to my room in the mine,
on inue I was e digger. He told me if all of us would sign up with
" the ULW ELSHOFF would sign s. oontreot. He said he did not
whet I was working for heeause Fsii*. did not have e oontreot '-'-'it.h ELSHGFF.
He wanted me to sign a UH. card. I would not. I saw some of these agitators
talking loudly with PMA members and heard they tried to get these Pill: men to
sign up with the UNIT. There was a lot of talk before the strike at the mine
to sign up the miners with ULIY.O92-
"I heard each one oi these agitators were getting ten dojtdsrs
for each PEA man they signed up with the Ullii. They all looked like they were
making more money than they had before when they worked as regular mine workers.
TONY PLOTCH, FRANK AUSTIN, and WHTIELEVIOUS bought new automobiles about
this time. I saw the new oars.
I am not familiar with the wage soale trouble, except I know
I was supposed to get some back pay which I never received.
"I do not remember if I went to the Pm meeting of my 11, 1957.
I knew some UM? agitators had been thrown out of the PLEA at this meeting.heard about this the next morning from miners at the mine. I worked in Box
on the south side. I did not know coal oars were being loaded short. When I
came out of the mine that day I heard that oars from the west side had been
loaded short. I did not hear why they were loaded short.
"At 3:00 p.m. on May 12, 1937 the omnpany men came down to new
room and told me to oome out of the mine. I usually quit work at 3:15 p.m.
"I went back the next morning but the strike had started and
no one went to work.
"I helped picket lline B for more than three weeks.
"I never worked at Mine B again.
After the mine opened in November 1939 I went to the mine and
saw PALCETTI and told him I was sick. H6 told me to bring El doctor's certificate.
' ok him a doctor's certificate and he kept it. About eleven months later
* ole to *.-.-ork again and got another eertifioate to show I oould work.
k this to FALGETTI and the PEA Pit oommittee went with me. I was still
PMA member. I showed the oertificate to him and he refused to let me work.
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RE: JOHN L. LEi'l'IS, ETAL
: H "He said
. because
on lnue reason.
"I never
§'._ALCE.ITI was turning me
around m in Fill.-LET'l1'SI was too late. I am sure he would not let me work
I was still a member of PIIA. There could be no oth
had trouble with anyone. Also at that time, while
down there were fteen or twenty other miners atanding
offioe, Some i;-om the State of Penna. They all
signed up for work while I was standing there. I heardeome of than talking
about having worked in mines in Penna.
" ho is older than I am who There was e miner nmeshowed FALCETTI a sick certificate the same y did. I know this man re- ~
turned to work at Mine B 0. short time ifter I had been turned down by
FALCETTI, who said I was too late.
a+_si='nec! uh me.-' before he went bookL v bto work. Before the strike, I had re!!used to gign up with the ULIN. This
showed me that F.-'.I_.CET'II, who takes orders from ELSHOFF, favored the UNI.
"I have had ' onsisting of three and one half
pages reed to mo by nd it is true and correct.
itnessed: "
llu Special Agent, FBI
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C..
RE: JOHN L. LEHIS, ET AL
Special
at Bpring
ptember appeared
The following signed statement was obtained from-
'Springfield, Illinois
September 9, 1943.
make the following voluntary statement
whom I know to be Special Agents
U.S. Department of Justice.
Illinois I ine pringfield. I was I
born
HThe first mine union I ever joined was the United Hine Workersof America, referred to hereinafter as the Ului, mg at Mine B. This
was the first time I ever worked in a mine. I wor here continuously
from that date until May 12, 1937 when it closed on strike. I returned to
mine B in November, 1939, worked there two days and then quit and never
went back to mine B.
"The only office I ever held with either union was as a member
of the Trial Committee of the Progressive Mine Workers of America, referred
to hereinafter as the PEA, about 1936. I attended very few ILFK and HM
meetings. I took no active part in the formation of the FHA in 1932, but
merely went along with the rest of the miners when they joined the
as far as I knew, the officials of PEA were good leaders and treated the
rank and file miners fairly. The Pl-LL was run right as far as I knew. I
believe the other miners felt the same way. V
"The relations between Elshoff and the W5 at Hine B prior to
September, 1932 seemed to be satisfactory but from April, 1937 until the
mine closed on Hay 12, 1937, Elshoff was not getting along well with the
HM due to the negotiations on the eentract. Neither °1shoff or Faloetti
made any remarks to my knowledge indicating they favored the at this
time, but he was definitely dissatisfied with the negotiations on u. new
contract with PLLA and I was told on Hay 12, 193'? that he refused to sign
a new contract. .
"To my knowledge, the UIIW never had a picket line and never
distributedliterature at Mine B prior to Hay, 1935?."I am presently residing at Springfield,
B-IE1
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RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
" ~ * "I knew the following men who were members of the
P.M.&., but who were sympathetic for the UHF and
con inue who were agitators for the HEW at Nine 3 in the
' _ spring of 1937; Joe Albanese, Andrew Schrelevious,
Dominic Pasquale, Pete Garter, Frank anstin, Tony Plotch, Jon inanias,
John Sirtout, George Jacaway, Emory Jacaway, Charles Bohannon, James Hale.
J
I feel that Oscar Falcetti knew the agitating was going on
and I heard that he was informed of it, but he did not take any action.
Prior to May ll, 1937, the PEA trial Board tried several of the above
mentioned men, charging them with disloyalty to the union and several
were expelled a short time before ay ll, 1937. I do not know how Faloott
was informed that these men were agitating for UHW. I do not recall
attending the Pn meeting of Hey ll, 193?, and did not hear a out addi=
tional men being expelled.
"I knew that coal cars were being shorted on Hay 12, 193?,
but I do not know why. I was a digger at Mine B. I never received anyinstructions to load cars short in my room, which was Box, in the West
side of the mine. Sometime in the late afternoon on Hay 1 , 1937, I was
notified it was quitting time by the driver. I knew it was early, but
thought soetime had broken down. When I got to the top, I was told there
was a strike as Elshoff would not sign a contract.
I did not know the details of the wage scale trouble in 1937
with the exception that the PEA officials advised un that Elshoff had
signed a retroactive contract that would pay back 539 as of April 1, 1937.
I never heard the UEW'wou1d be able to get a better wage scale arrangemnt
than the FHA. A
"I helped picket at Hine B off and on for several weeks in
1937. I only went back to Eine B one time during the shut down to go to
work, which I believe was in September, 193?. I heard the mine was going
to open by the end of the month. When I got to the mine the URN organizers
were in the company office. I heard that only UHW men were going to work.
The mine did not open.
When the mine opened in November 1939, I went back for two
days, got my tools and quit. I quit because I thought there was going to
h -I-. 1-921 .+ +.h¢= rm Nn nna 11+. nnv than naked me tn lain the mm but Q PP ! Ill "i Y'1 n BID Us vi-Ill-Lu vuu us-v nu-nu-vw --~.- w--... ..-.- --J -_-.- -.---1-.. --1 -w U-- ---- ----i we..-
I knew UHF men were trying to sign up miners.
I never heard there was a fire at the mine from 193? to 1939.
I signed the FHA petition of Hay 26, 1937 to show I was a member of that
union. I do not recall any other petitions. I voted in the first NLRB
election on December 15, 1937 and as far as I know it was fair. I did not
- 111 -
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1 C =9
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Y P * ' vote in the second election.
~_ con lnuc "I have carefully read and fully understand the three j pagea of this itatement and 11; 1; true to the beat of
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P - 112RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
my knowledge. -
Eitnessed:
' _ W"-1 W F -
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92RE: JOHN L. LETIS, ET AL.
NTERVI T
et his residence,
field, Illinois on September 9, 1943.M , J» questions put to him, and appeared to be elert and intelligent. He
92
.3!
'-Qfurnished the following signed statement:
92
K Iic-.._._:__.n;_14 'r114...._|__ Dyringiiuiu, .u..u.uu4.s
- - September 9, 1943
following voluntary statement
to I lcnow to be Special lgents
, U. S. Department of Justice.
-I arrived in the
iprg gfieldl HhnoisUnited Ste was n..92 n27*" W I E P Y °°°"P1°Y°° md W ""
' of emerioo which
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- . rSpring ield, Illinois .
"The first mine union I joined was the United Mine Workers
..... .........: .-. ....Iufussuu u um tll LHWQ I
Illinois and worked in theioined th
"Leg started working in Hine B under the mm end worked
there until that nine closed down on Hey 12, 1937. Hy job in Mine
B was conli digging. I never held on office in e nine union.
"I worked at Mine B es e nenber of the UH! frcn -11:-
til 1952. at that time the Rh. was organized at Mine B due'B'E> the
feet that the miners had voted agoinst e lower wage scale end JOHN
L. LETIS oleimed the bullets were stolen and tried to push the new
W5-ge soele through T851:-rdless of the wishes of the rank and file.
"I did not help to organize the Progressive Mine Workers of
nmericu which is being referred to us the PH , but I willingly joined
that union beoeuse I was being oheeted by the UEIW.
"It seemed to me that EIBHOFF never did go out of his my
to get along with P11 officials. I renenber ti-set when little
grievunoes were taken to him he would not cooperate with the His.
committees. " '
92
"I was ulwuys sotisfied with the PH und its leaders und I
believe the other miners felt the sane wuy. ht least I never heard
any ecnplaints frcn the miners. 92
-113-
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RE! JOHN L. LEIIS, E1 4..
INT? *' "I attended most of the INN and Hie. meetings
while I worked under these unions-
T¬on~:i11WrT-
"I do not recall the details or circumstances
ofthe W58 soele controversy, but generally speaking I was interested
in the PM.» because I liked the union. I felt the miners were being
treated fairly under the -Btu
"I think ELSHOFINS attitude toward the P!-in was clearly indi-
cated when he wus finally shown by the first N.L.R.B. election that
the PH-n. had the vast majority end he still would not open the mine
cnd lot the PH». miners work.
"After the nine had been closed down on trike for scmetime,
it beoumc cannon talk amongst the miners that ELSH5FF must be getting
paid by someone to keep his mine closed.
"I never saw z. U311? picket line at the mine. I never sow any
LEE; literature distributed at the nine while I worked at Mine B.
"It was the general opinion at the mine the following non
who were working as members of the Rh. at Mine B were bought over by
II-5'} to agitate for that union at that mine; JOE z.L3¢.NF-SE, AITDRHI
SCHhELEJIOUS, DCMINIC P4'>SQUlL-IE, PETE 0.-.1-arm, FPUJIK nusrln, TONY PLUICI-1,
JOHN comes! ..1u.uL.s, Jam: szrrouw, GEORGE .1nc:i.Y, mom: .1..c..w.Y,
CILRLES 3OI'L».NNOEi, und J.»-HES H»LE-
"I observed that CHu.RL-E3 BOH¢Jl1i0H nnd AUDREF SCHHELJJVIOU'B
spent c. lot of money in bars and saloons in :.o1mto'#'r. Springfield,
about two years before the strikes They soened to hl-vo n lot of
money all of a sudden. It looked like these nen whose nunes 1-re
mentioned above were more prosperous during the eeriod between 1935
end 1937. No one hus ever talked to no about joining the UilI'.'. How-
ever, many of the minors were ueorouohed for this purpose, but I
guess they thought I was too strong from the HI!»
"I ettendod the P1! Special meeting on Hay ll, 1957 when some
miners, about five I think, were thrown out of the F1-In union. I voted
to have then thrown out because there was evidence that they were
double-crossing the Pilm I can not remember the testimony hghinst
them, but I remember that it was strongly against then. I do remember
that .|92H-DRE: SCHRELEVIOUS, TONY PLOTCH, PETER C-¢.RTER, and IRHINIC
PISQILLE were included in this group who were thrown out of H11
-114-
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as: JOHN L. mus, er 1.1..
"I helped picket Mine B for two or three month»
continued I went out to the mine each of the three times it
i tried to open, but did not go to work beohuae the
WI men were allowed to go down in the mine. Hone of us Pm. members
would work there at this time for that rename
"I signed the Pilu petition of Ihy 26, 195? to show x we n
member of the Hm.
"1 think the "first u.1..R.s. election in December, 195-: was
fir and I never heard any complaints fz-an anyone who st-id it was not
fair.
"I hove reed this statement consisting of three and one M12
pages and it is true and correct to the best of my 1Cl1OWlBdg0¢
IY~r- .
- IBIII
Sneoiul gent, .B.I ."
-115-
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C" Q92
Rel La , ET ALI
92-I "T" " '
' ' 10, 1943
by Special Agents Br?
broken English a s at Line
He was repeately contacted by an UHII organizer, until he finally joined
92- my to hold his job. Heexecuted the following written statement,
u.
+~-- Special
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wk. *2. v.}
1 N
'1'"Springfield, Illinois
September 10, 1943
following signed state-
ment to whom I know to be
tion, U. S. Depart~
ment of Justice.
' I am presently
un p y . asthe United states, entering l
t li d U I became a na ura ze .5. ci
Illinois"I reside a
em lo ed I w
' "The first mine union I joined was the United I-Zine .3orkers'o1'America at liine A, Springfield, Illinois mmd 1 only
worked at 1-iine A for three or four months a en s a workingat fine B about worked at Iiine B continuously from until the o ray 12, 1937. I went back to Mine B
to en it re-opened in November, 1939 and worked in this mine until
Iiay, 1943- I quit at this time as the work was too hard for me.
"I joined the United Kine Workers, referred to hereinafter asthe U35-, in-and remained a member of that union until 1932 when
the Progressive 'ine Y-orkors of America, referred to hereinafter as
the PM», was organized at Kine B. I joined this union when Carl
Elshoff signed a contract with this union at Mine B. I did not take
argr active part in the 1" ormetion of this union. I never held an
office in any union. It was my belief that the PEA fought more '
for the rights of the miners than the U1!!! did. I thought the PIJIA
was a good union and had good leaders.
"Prior to 1932, Elshoff had trouble with the UPI? in settling _
grievances, but from 1932 to 193'? he had more trouble with the FHA.
I feel that Falcetti and Elshoff favored the U112! because that union
did not cause him Bo much trouble. That union did not fight so hard
for the miners rights I never heard either Elshoff or Falcetti
-116-
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92.-K?-. F:.1. '.92.._a_ . 1g ."|.92___ X -.;.. -x"Before the mine closf_f r W make any statements on this matter., at
ed down in ay, 1937, Pete Carter and
several other men working st Eine B were agitating for the UM and said
the Pun did not have a contra ct 'it}lE1ShOffo No one ever asked me to
join the nus at this time. I had no knowledge of the wage scale trouble
in 1957 and I went to only a
on Fay ll, 19:7, and never he
from the P141.
"On May 12, 1937 some
not know why. Ihe mine close
cause Elshoff wanted to sign
make any statement to this ef
with the U'{'_'T, and I also belie
men.
"I signed the PEA pet
member. I signed no other pe
"The first NLRB electfew meetings. I was not at the BU. meeting
ard about any miners that had been expelled
coal oars were loaded short, but I did
d on this day and I believe it closed be-
up with the UMJ. I did not hear Elshoff
feet. I knew that Elshoff was friendly
ve that the miners at Mine B were 95$ PM;
ition on May 26, 1937 to show I was 9. FHA
titione.
ion on December 15, 1937 was fair. There
was no doubt about that in my mind. I do not believe the second NLM5
election on February 21, 1941 was fair as the men had already signed up
with the UM in order to get steady work. I helped picket for a few
weeks in 19e?, but did not go back to work until the mine opened in
November, 1939. In HOv¬rmb6I 1959, I went back to work as a PEA member
but I joined the UM? in January, 1941.
In January 1941 Pete
to join the on . 1 told him
if you do not sign. Carter
to me almost every day until
from the UK? office building
me to join that union. I do
to jo
I knew that
not join.
house and tried to get me toCarter came to me in the mine and asked me
no. Carter said, you will lose your job
was mad when he talked to me and he talked
1 signed with the UMW. Some other Una organizers
in Springfield came to me at the mine to get
not know the names. f
but I did join to keep my job.beatings because they would K
Pete Carter c e to am "U
di not oin at this time, butlater I signed a card at the mine and gave it to who was
a U11, organizer.
"I have had this stat
because I cannot read much Enement reed to me by
glish. All of these an ee pages ve en ea
117 -
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! K
;:;_ Re: JOHN L. LEWIS. FT AL-__ _ .
H . _
2;? :
. . __ to .9 and 1 understand all that is written
N W ' °n each P856. It is all true.
M fontinue , /='"=/
1 "witnessed :
f /s/
-fl Sp-'="ciEJ~ Ilhscnl LB-1'
. spa.-cial i.E,<1Y1t» 'B'I'
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a:,..-,>-ff
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1.¢
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92-p
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I
Re: JOHN Lt LEWIS, ET AL-
Springfield, __-_..-.,-an----n -w-rm-n-1' - ..._ ,. r
witness
~~ tive butwas VET} coopera 3 as inter..-due to his inability to speak einclieh very "ell aboutpreter during the interview. He £1180 lacked _ °n d _1116 controversial facts -of this case. He has no known criminal recor .
upplied the following signed statement.
"Springfield, Ill
September 10, 19213
ke the follmving awho haveidentified Fe eral Bureau of
Investigation. No threats or promises oi any kind have been made
to "get me to make a statement and I know I do not have to make a
statement and also that what I may say can be used in a court of
law. .
"I was born in cane to U.S. in and became a naturalize citizen o ..>. int SpringfieldIll. I first started to work in the mines near pringfield inqndioined U.Ei.7. at that tine. I first began to work at Z-Zine '3' aoostatement
"I joined P.M.1;. when it was first for-med and as far as I know
xere was sows trouble with John L. Lewis and e~.'er1~'bod;,' changed to
P.LI.A. so I changed too. As far as I know there was no difference
between P.."-A. and U.li.". as far as Elshoff was concerned.
"IF know Iiine 'B' closed down in about 1937 because John L. Lewis
was tryinrg to get control of the union again.
"I did picket duty while the miners were on a sitdown Strike 1
fE2 ¢ket line until we were ordered off by an injunctionemu _eaio we SI1OLLl.C1 go nome,
"1 remember eieninc A Petition for P.H.a. shortly after the
strike Occurred,
"I voted in the Government election in which the P.}'.1. won by
a large "*=1J<>I'i*=Y- I eerked on w P 1 1» hile all the u-W515 was . D I I O KIon at the rimo except the time I picketed. ing
-119-
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Ea: JOH1lL- LETIS, TT LL.
» vow ~:-- -v *1 "1 went back to the nine when it opened on an open
shop basis and after uorl:i1.g there for a while I EH1?
,on inuo that the mjority was all joining U-11.72. so I J°i192°1
too, 1 was a member of P..-'I.L.. before that and paid
dues to P-13-1'..
I dont understand English very well and I talk mostly to myriends and when they changed iror:1 P.ZI.{,. to U.Il.W. I Changed E00.
"1 have no choice of unions and think they are just to get money
out of the miners.
"I have had this 2 page statement read to me in presence of-ncl it is true and correct.
/S/
Snuc1.al Lgont, F.B.I.
Special Lgent, F.B.I."
-120-
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gs mm L. LE";"IS, m AL
Ih'1ERV'IE T .-IITH ' was Special at 1 "*1"
dance, v Illinois
on Scptenber 12, 1943. He his theories con-
cerning e wnditiens existing at Mine 3 during the pertinent period. It is not
believed that his judg,mcnt is sound due tz his inability to concentrate en a
paint for any length of time. H; 11-1u_1d net make a good witness generally.
He furnished the f-all Ming signed statement:
"Springfield, Illinois
September 12, 191.3
make the follewin_-; voluntary statement to
uh an I knew t > be Special A-gents of the
S. Department of Justice.
" -was born i entered the nited Stet" .-in and I was nature ized at rinr 1e inois about H I
an presently living at ringfield, Illimis and
~...>rkin;: at the Penthsr ree .lI'1G J. . an resently a member of the
Prqgrcssive Iiine '92-'-arkcrs of hnerica which will be referred to hereinafter as
T1118 P12:
"The first mine unien I ever _-jsined was the United Mine Workers -*1
America which will be ref I 1 ' the UIIT. I jeined this unionins? the T i " nine I
n >r1-cc within e eu 0 e e 1. es a
under the U18-f. I nor e at two ether mines located n llinnl e1 arestarted werkim; at Hinc B, Sp;-in;;.field, Illinois inuunder the URI".-
"The only union wffice I have ever held was as e nenbcr of the Pit
1:l1 -Qsnittee n a ne nin-uni1
"I think Elshaff was trying to feel the miners at Mine B psri.".r to 3
1932 by attenptint; to sell the miners bonds which would be backed by stock whichwas admittedly law grade stock. The money was supposed te be taken out of the wages of the miners. The ownership of the bends was to be transferred to the 92
miners. Host of the miners nnuld net stand for it. I remember that Tow
Plstch ¢11TE!Gd to take a bend, but the U25. local at Iiine B clisceura -ed it and
the prwjeet fell thrJu Zn. 1115114": admitted to he that the stack backing the
bmds was luv: grade stock and that this was in effect a cut in wages.
"I valunterily jrinerl the FHA in September, 1932. The PHI. was farmed
due ta the handed tactics of J >hn L. Le "is in attenptinfy t-.1 disregard
the expressi -ns -sf the miners as far as the wage scale matter was concerned.
-121-
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.,.,_,, -r .__-1 r - ..--vr--._--..-"5;-_. as 92 - 92 Q -u~ 1' "~-f__-.-I -_-j_4w-5;-..'»': f92',;'f*. RIF -.
.1-a~ c.. . a L - .-~- .~. ...
1 A,
_1u:_: .1emI1. Leas, LIT AL
L ' . Q '
._ :_ /_
.
aEN'lFIHa ' rna ll "Conditiuns between Elsheff and PR5. appeared t> be n.xr1aa1
1Q_~§I-92 101'? 111-1+-1 1 -_='n 92n+ civ 1-; -_n~i-I-1: la.-P min +1-ma a+.'|I'lIra anl-J Id 92l4lU|l-L FlLl l92lU ¥LI§ I-I IIULLIJ lI-IL -I 92J UII92-I YUB K39 WI.A 1| nueru F-I Hay L2, 1937. _
T h "I was always satisfied with the leadership if the P116. and I felt
I was being, treated fairly by the PM. leaders.l 4' -4
5.; L
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s A ' .Y ru-5 din. iI Yd
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fey-#5
I-_Ll ._._ $ ,5-'~:~-~--» ~. >- 5 ' M -' 4i.
"I have n it attended nan;-' UTTI er P111 meetings.
"I think the PEA leaders were trustxwrthy.
"It is 12;; 1;-pini an that elthou-eh there was a certain an-iunt ef dis-
satisfacti >n aver the 1.'.C:.._,'C scale qucsti-in involvin; the CXi3lZ-i11_'; cnntrect
tween Elshvff and the PEI. befare the strike, yet the I.iDO1S were wh-ale heart-:
behind the PILL. They still rermzbercd the :.1eth.>ds used by the U151 leaders tr-
ezain their awn ends and n.»t actually representing the miners.
"I knm that Dminic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony
Plvtch, J ahn Sirtiut, Ge.>r=;e and 13-mry Jacaway, Charles Binhanmn and James
",1 ., _..,.._- ...,.___92-:.. __4. .|.| ... .._:_.. .n.1.._ ;:....._ a.92..-H -4--.,:l-A -4...-1.--3I 1cLJ.U iiU1'L; Ii '!I'lKJ-11; d. La bl U 1..1.LlU-1 MUG La-I-L..l-92.. DIAL R3 U-L .l.l92.U § MU. UUI-lo
me
mi
7f
O11"Hmever, about a Lllth befu-re the strike GGQTJTC Si;-tout talked t-1
ab aut the contractual relati-ins between Elshnff and the Isa". and that we
ht n..-ver .;et the back pay. It appeared that Sirt-mt was s.1win' the secc..=.
disc vntent.
"It appeared that lilsh->.ff, by nut tryin; tt> get tzyethcr with the I
the retraactive wag»: question, was tr-yinL; to force a strike, He knew we
would never be satisfied t; eerk there umer a l;.'iC:f ea le than stipu-
lated in the U12? centrect.
"If the retr Jactivc wee clause was nut set fnrth in the P1-Ht cent:-ac,
with Elsh-Jff then Elsh ,~ff ' '" 'misrepresent cl the nemin Jf the , deliv-..-r;.te.Ly * ' e " ' ,3 :
enntr-.=ct to FHA or put sanetlainh war an the P15; keeping; in mind the effects
ofthis me the ten and _ivint the U?f..- -;1-eunds te start er_-.::nizin_: fer that
uni an.
It YLLS my m1dersts.n<iin=_ net we would _,-ct ret'r.:z1eti.Tre pay. There
was no feelin; that P25. w-mld bu unable to ,et as good a wage scale as the
$115!.
"There was sane talk at the nine en pay days in the Sprie ei L93?
abut the wa,-7;-s. There was n 1 disturbance as far as I knm.
92
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BE: JOHN L. I.£- HIS, ET LL
"I think I attended the PW. meeting an Hay ll, 193'? I
r-nrwnhnr t 1; 503:3. ._1;';j.j1_1'j_-_:_.g;5 wggg thrcmn -J01, OI _e._.i_i_ -11-'1. - _
:0 :»n!1.nue: P112. at that time.
"On Liay 12, 1.937 there was :-generally an understanalinzg at the nine
that c:>c.l cars were to be slnrte-:1 because sf the sage scale, and e,a-1eralJ.y
b'.C<'3U.SQ the c.n:.pany was to make trquble. This is in my mind and
I ale nit r.-me1:.b:.ir exactly why siwrt cars were loaded.
"I helped picket the nine until the Federal injunction.
"I <1-3 mt reizcrzbwr si nin - any petition, but I may have si_;no:1 any
H1; pt-titi ms.
"I do n 1t. rC'..10ub<.-r_, but I think I went to the nine each time it trie'
t», re-.>pen t<_> prevent the UILT fr 22:. ein: dawn in the mine. I think the U}-Ti
ml;-; hei a fe'».- ucn at the nine rm these accasi ms.
"I was n92t in 5ynpz;th_3-' with the Federal injunctim of December, 19f
"I v-vted in the first !J.L.R.B. elcctiun. I remember that unsigned
hanlbills were passed out an bhw c-Jrner near the arsenal _be-I ire the eleeti an,
whieh nanibills jjavc the i::.prcssi.;n that we would be better Jfi if we vated 1' -
111'.
"Na one t¢ilke:_ t.» :1-_< abmt hm I shnul-.1 vote. It was a fair electi:
"The sec mc-. N.L.R..B. electi in was'i'ai:r except that many miners who
v t-:2. far Um" were afraid the tI.=UD1'., at the sine w -uid cantinue.
"The last day I ever v: =r1:c,c1 at Mine B was an 12, 1937."
1' "a
"Tiitncssud: 3pc.-cial ¢»_;ent F.B.I.
lit FIBII-'8
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P I
Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL.
Springfield,EN'1ERVIE.'.'I W _ I3 ~ Leents_ T"£9 residence.
organisers at themlne w!re his friends, and never asked him to join the UIJTJ, but that he
did so voluntarily. He executed the following written statement.
' "Springfield, Illinois
September 10, 1943
In-. .felle'eing volunt-ary sutement
whom I know to be Special .
1, U. S. Department" 1"
of Justice. _
"I reside :1-in field Illinois and
I am I wasborn i States inQ I a U.S. citizen in 5pringfield,
;l;lOiS in
"The first mine union I joined was the Unite fine Workers of
America, referred to hereinafter as the U117, about t Call City,
' ' ed at the Illinois. I worked there for a cougle of years. Old37-Fest 1-iine in Springfield from nd from-worked on EPA. In 1935 I went o nor Mine and con work
there until the mine closed on Hay 12, 1937. When the mine re-opened
in November, 1939 I went back to work there as a PEI. man. I am refer-
ring to the froessive Hine sorkers of @riea. I eerked there until
the Fall of 1940 and quit because I was sick. In the first part of
191.0 I joined the UH?-' because most of the miners were joining the W1.
No one asked me to join the U152.
"I was not working in the coal mines from 1932 to 1935. ".'ihen
I started in }-Zine B, I joined the BIA. I went to only a few PHI.
meetings and do not know how Elshoff got along with the PFA union.
as far as I know, both the nu. and the U1-I treated me fair. I just
wanted to 1-aork and had no trouble with aryone. Ho one asked to join
the U115. I do not know anything about the wage scale contract, or
the wage scale trouble between Elshoff and Local 54. FHA. _
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Re: JOHN L. IE".-IS, ET LL.
l!.'1" .... I H that any miners had been expelled from the P!-H1. I
did not go to the PW. meeting on Hay ll, 1937 and did
on inue not hear an men had been expelled from the EEK.
"It: is nw belief that Mine B closed because of the trouble over
oec}-: pay. I think the miners loaded short coal cars on Hay 12, 193'? because
th d'd t ~et their beck pay. I do not remember signing any petition ey 1. no U
in 1937. I voted in the NLRB election on December 15, 1937 when the PHI. non.
- ' nd 1 - I thought the election was fair. I do not remember voting in the seco e ec
tion.
"I have carefully read this statement consisting of two pages and
it is true and correct. I understand all of it, and no threats or promises
were made to get mo to make this statement.
/S/ _
witnessed:
/5/
n B.I.
Special Agent . B.I. "
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL.
INT~='E?VI FIE "JITH no union, and later the Ht- got the contract
and still later, the U1!-T got the contract. I
joined the PM; at the Jefferson Mine when the
1*,..5;,_ hm. the contract. I do not resell the exact-
dote of joining the Hi, as that mine for o. time did not have s union. I
recall that I was a member of the PAL, when I trensfered from the JeffersonMine to Mine B about 1936. I was instructed to repori to work at Mine B
. ' Iby the Top boss at the Jefferson mine Whose name we
continued to work ct Mine B. as a PM member until it-01-o e 12, 1937.
"From 1936 until Mine B closed in Hay, 1937 I was not familiar
with the feelings of Falcetti or Elshoff regarding either union. The
closing of the mine was o complete surprise to me. when I worked at the
Jefferson mine under the 5st,, thst mine was in Receivership and the opera-
tor did not pay us 10031 of our pay. However, the PM}. 11°11 -1111961 11°
take the full amount of dues and assessments out of my wages. I there-
fore did not like this ond felt we were not being treated fairly. I
continued to work just to make u living and not because I liked the PML.
I got my full pay at Mine B and there was no ufnir treatment. I con
only soy against tho P4| that at the Jefferson mine, prior to 1936,
that union did not treat their members fairly because of tho above reason.
"I wont to ve few wit or !E,nwctings. The only office I ever
held in n union was of tho UHT'for about three months innot the knew the following men who worked
at --111C: C, prior to the min: closing down in 193?; Joe .'.1bs.nsse, .'.ndrew Sohre
levious, Dominic °nsquc1e, Pete Carter, Frank hustin, Tony Plotch, John
;_nzmi:1s, John Six-tout, ghorles Bohnnnon, James Hale.
"I did not know if these men or any other men were organizers or
agitators for the UM, at Mine B. No om contacted me on the matter
of joining up with the UM§"{.
"I had no personal contact with Fnlcetti or Elshoff. I did
not know the non they more friendly with or which union they favors
on . I ust worked aid dues and nothin more.Y I my
"1 did not attend the FHA meeting of May 11, 193?, but I heard
the next day that some of the B-J. members were expelled. I heard -
this by word of mouth st the mine. _
"I knew some coal curs were loaded short, but I never knew why.
I worked on top at the time, and did not have any knowledge of what mas
going on below. I signed the Pm, petition of Hay 26, 1937 to show I
was :1 Pu member. .I do not recall signing any other petitions.
-127-Q
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Re: JOHN L. was, er AL.
IN-To 1:"*' _ "I believe the NLRB election in December, 1937
was fair. The FHA "OH by a large m&§0Pit¥ and I
feel this election showed the miners true feel inga
'. ' d in the second0'1 1
at that time. I am not sure if I vote
NLR election in Februarg 1941.
"I an not .a mmber of either union now. I merely joins
f ' es I worked at. one union is as good union that had the contract at tie min
as another union as far as I am concerned,
"I have read and fully understand the four pages of this state
ment and it contains the truth to the best of mgr knowledge.
"witnessed;/s/ I
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Specie gent, F,}3.1, 1'
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Re: JOHN L. I.E;eIS, ET AL.
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_ at his residencefield, Illinois on September 9, 1943. willingly/
answered the questions put to him. He is mentally slow and his English 92'
is difficult to follow. He furnished the following signed statement.interviewed
I
"Springfield, Illinois '
September 9, 1943
"I, ""' -"""" *- voluntary statement' whom I know to be Special,
ggen s 0 16 e eral , U.S. Department
of Justice.
"I presently reside
Illinois I am presently. I arrived in the
c.... - _. zed U.S. Qitizen
"The first mine union I joined was the United Nine '.orkers
' to hereinafter as the -UH.- at Illinois
I never held an office in any .in e
"In-I started working at Kine B and worked there until
.'.ugust 2'7, 1942, when I quit work.
"I joined the P11 , the Progressive Mine "-brkers of America,
in 1932 when the miners at Mine B signed up with the PM! I joined
because everyone else joined. I liked the REL.
'Ihe relations between Elshoff and the U!-I..' before 1932
were good. From 1932 to 1937 Elshoff did not like the FHA union.
I do not believe he wanted to sign a contract with them. The PW.
officials seemed to deal fairly with the members of the Pith. I
nent to most of the union meetings when I was working under the
UPL. and the Pt!."'.. All I know about the trouble in 193'? at Mine B
was that Elshoff did not want the PHI. men to work in that mine
and he closed it down. $.10, the HE. men did not want to work
at the mine when the UM. members worked in the mine.
"I had no understanding of the wage scale trouble in 193?.
Before the mine closed in May, 1937 UM 1; men came to my housethree times to get men to join the ll I do not remember their
-129-
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Re: JOHN L. LE--'IS, ET £1».
INTERVIEU WTTH HEMBS. I tO1d them that I would wait and BBB
how the other miners joined, and when everybody
. - ~ joined, I would join.
"On the picket line, after the mine rent on strike, I helped'natch
the mine for more than two weeks after it closed in 1937, to keep the
UHJ men from working. T?hen the mine tried to reopen three different
times, before November 1939, I did not try to go back to work but
when the mine opened as an open shop in November, 1939, I Went bak $0
work as a FHA miner. -
"When I went back to the Nine in November, 1939, man HMS organizer!
walked around in the different rooms in the nine and asked the men to
join the UH1. I remember only the names of Frank austin and Peter' Carter
who talked to me. These men promsed better working conditions and every-
thing good under the UH, but they did not threaten me. More and more
UHH men started working in this mine, so to keep my job I signed up with
the UHJ in January, 1940. I joined this union just to keep m job.
I did not want to join the UHF. I was satisfied working under the PM1.
"I never san anybody get a 'licking' because I was not around,
but I heard
the URI.
"I am
_..._..L....... _......i-.1.LlUi¢|.l!92:'1 lhltjll
because the
election.some PEA men got 'lickings* because they would not join
not sure if I signed any petitions in 1937. I do not re-
about the HLRB elections, but I heard_they were 'erooked'
PEA won the first election and the UHE won the second
"I have carefully read this statement and I know what it means
and I understand everything written on_these pages. It is all true
as best as I can remember. '
/5/ ___
F.B=I="
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RE: JOHN L. LETIS, ET AL
,~ ~~ asprineiee. mm
jointly interviewed at his r idence on September 12, 921 : was19 " S °i' 1 g° s$I° Ewas a member of the FHA Trial Boar a n e
?¬rTI<'é""::'I1 1937, but appears to have a very poor recollection of the business
handled by the Board during the strike period and prior to that time. He was
cooperative, seemed sincere, is still a member of the FHA, and presents a good
appearance. He executed the following signed statement:
"Springfield , Illinois
September 12, 19&3
make the following voluntary statement t.
whom I know to be Special Agents of the F
,5. Department of Justice.________ uI
yard
ureau of
"I reside a Springfield, Ill. -I am presently
employed at the Panther ofueri nine ya, in Springfield, as s re-mber of the
d h iftrasthet I Progressive *' I ' s of America referre to ere na ~.: ,
was born on The first union I joined was
the United L. no .-or ers o - ._ e o .ereinaiter as the UNA, in
From -until .;bcm.t_ I worked in coal minesIn s? » of IIIino1s. In app-roximatclymgtarted working at Nine B
as a digger. I worked there until Hay 12, I n en that mine closed down
on strike. I helped the P115. picket for a short time at Mine B in 1937 but I
never did return towork at Mine B after that time.
in UHIORS were
_ "I was not familiar with the relations between Elshoff and the UIIT
prior to 1932. The some applies to the relations between Elshoff and the FHA
from 1932 to 1937, with the exception that I believe the P}-IA had more griev-
anccs to settle. I voluntarily joined the Eb; in 1932 when that union obtained
the bargaining rights at Mine B. I took no active part in the formation of
that union.
' It is nnr opinion, and I feel the other men felt the same way, that
the FHA officials were honest, capable and gave the rank and file miners fair
treatment. I believe the miners were satisfied with the PHA, and did not want to
join any other union. Between 1932 and 193'? I gained the opinion that
Elshoff favored the U!-fl, but I have nothint; tangible to base this opinion on.
-isi- AAbout April, 1937, I was on the 1-MA Trial Board at Mine B. I knew the follow? -".3
F
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m:= JOEZN L. IE-.IS, ET AL
I-" ' " - employees at Mine B to be organizers for the U117, and at
the same time were holding FHA membership cards; Charles
con u Bohnrmon, Emory Jacsway, Tony Fletch, Frank Austin,
' Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Andrew Schrelevious, Joe
.nlb8.I'1G59, James Hale. John Sirtout and John Ananias.
"These above mentioned men were attempting to persuade the miners
to join the Ulii by contacting them in the mine and at their homes. In the last
part of April or the first part of Hay, 193?, the following we -r-.-ere exwlled
for disloyalty from the P1-in. By this, I mean they were trying to ailing
the miners to the UMTI; Joe Aleanese, Imdrew Schreievious, Pete Carter, Frank
nustin, and Dominic Pasquale. I am not sure if I attended the PHI. meeting on
May 11, 193'? and do not I-ecnll having; heard of the meeting. I do not know hon
Elshoff or Falcetti felt about either union at this time. I was not familiar
with the details of the wage scale controversy in 1937, but I did expect some
back pay which I have not received. '
"On May 12, 193? I worked in Box South Section, arid loaded my
cars full. The men in that part of the mine 1-er. loading; full cars. I did
not lcnox-: about the short cars until after quitting time that day. I never knew
wh; the cars were loaded short.
"I recall signing the Pit. petition of I-icy 26, 193'? to show I was a
P251. U1SY1b3l". I did not sign any other petitions end I heard of no others. I -
did not go back to the mine when it attempted to reopen. I voted in the
NL-?.B election on December 15, 1937. The PH}. won by a large mz*.jorit;',r and I
felt the election indicated the trueieelings of the men. I thought this
was 2. fair election. Since I was not working at the mine in 1941, I did not
vote in the second NLRB election. -
"No one ever Zlttk_i1'!l]'3t.; '1 to persuade me to join the U1-$7.. I never heard
any thro ~.ts made to get miners to join the U111. I have no information indi-
catirn; that ¥-lshoff n:~.ntt.d to sign up with the U151.
. rend and fully understand this sts.tee1ent ei three fl-.lgQ§ end
it is true and correct."
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.0""'..l'1en I sta~.rt.d working in Mine B
layer. I hold h's ob about six or seven vths.
I no:-kod as :1 compongy man.
u s mont s after tho strike ended in 1939.- !'_.-.s'"- .,..¢ i._, .. s. .._.
92
an JOHN L. 1F§.'IS, ET AL
SCQtdEb;T 12, 1943- H; ap
is i1'1Zolli5§.:I1l'., alert and decisive in his 2cm£1I"k5. H
signed Statomcnt: _
"Springfield, Illinois
September 12, 1943"by Special Agents
t his residence,
, Illinois on
'* sylnpathetic for tho EMT. He
0 furnished the following
" make tho following voluntary statement to
an ahom I know to be Special Agents of tho
c cral our-~-:.u of Invest gation, . . Department of Justice.
"I n:-s born Illinois; I am presently
o inzfiold, Illinois. nnemploy d, and livin;
Springfield, My last employment was ui
Ill.
"Th-2 first nine union I joined was the United Mine liorkers of America
er as the UM... I joined this union
ht this time I was employed at the
I worked at other mines in Sprin~fiuld under the U111. before Istarted working at Mine B which was about
I was a track
th -!th of Hover-.b r, 1939 when the mine "I ucnt b: ck to non: on . o vro-opened, About Juno, 191.0 I became a "Face Boss"
' hr 11.:-1 01 r~'=.c1-c man timbcrmcn, company men and diggers. and I then .o c _-_ ,
"In 1932, when the PIL. was formed, Elshoff first refused to sign a
contract. with PIL. at mine B. .-.s I urdcrstood it, ho clnimod it was an ill .g:".l
0I;_;.'1niZa.Lion and also that ho still hold a contract with U257. ...t this
time most of the men at Minn :3 nantsd to join the PH...
"Shortly after tho TIL. was organized and before the P'!lL. and Elshoff
signed a contract, about fourteen of us who were still mommrs of the U11? got
together and tried to keep the local L15 ch.:.rt¢.r. I wanted the UIF. to ro-
main at Hino B. I do not ronamber tho name of those other men.
~133-
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RE: JOHN t. LFTTIS, ET AL
_z'r;-' '9 V" "T" "Tho Pit. asked no to join that union, but I would not.
'- Later on, about three months later, I did sign up with
. on inuo the PHI. as a new member. A1; that time .Rll.k had -'1 <!1O$@<i
' - shop agreement with Elshoff and I was compelled to
join EL. or lose 121;; joo.
"I was never threatened by any PHI» monbori. to join the P124. Bo-
cnuse I did not sign up with FHA, some months before that, I was compelled to
pay an initiation fee. I was one of seven who were made to pay this fee.
"In Mag, 1937 a PIL1 Board Member celled the strike at Mine B and
never produced 1. strike order from the President of the St.-Ito District of
P3-1.1. It is my opinion that it was an illc;_;.1l strike.
"J-.s for as I knon: the P}-bl ran": and file minor was satisfied working
under the PILL. from 1-932 until 1937.
"I never hoard that the F21 loaders at liino B were not trustworthy,
but I heard some non complainin-L; about high assessments, but they did this
in the UIII and every other local whore I hem. worked.
"I was satisfied working under the PILL. I had a good wage scale and
had no fault to find gcnor-lily. I know the following mun: Joe hlbanese,
nndr-zw Schrolevious, Dominic Pasquale, Pete Carter, Frank Austin, Tony
Plotch, John Cotton! imanias, John Sirtout, George Jacaway, Emory Jacoway,
Chi.-*.I"lC5 Bohannon, "and James hale. It was moored that they were organizing
for the U211". They never eontezctod mo. 7
"To mr knov:1ed_;c, Falcctti and Elshoff did not fovor either PH}. or
U15.
"I did not underst.¢nd the. we-go Sc£.lC controversy.
"I attended only a few U114 end later PMIL meetings.
"I recall hearing that some UIf.'. organizers were expelled from PS1,;
and the next day the miners we.-nt on strike because Elshoff refused to dischar"
those men.
"I remember cool cars were shorted on tho day of the strike, but I
do not knot why. I worked nights all of this time and I was not too well
acquainted with what lvipponod during the day.
"I did not help picket Mine B. I think I signed the PHA Petition
of May 26, 1337. At this time I was no longer interested in the UIU.
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*PTT"TT TH "I went to the nine in September, 1937 when the Bi iried
to re~open. I did not go ta work because I was a FHA
. . - L . » c f? o work. vn 1 menber To my knauledue only UL members went t
It was just a few, possibly ten or twelve and included
sjme cf the men listed in this statement. '
"I was out sf-the State of Illinuis from December, 1938 until
N*v»mber, 1939.
"I voted in the N.L.R.B. election held in December, 1937. I
nun thought it was e fair election. It was not a fraud, and no one tried to i
fluenee my vote. I never heard that anywne was influenced to vote one may
or the other.
"Ecceuse of my job I was not permitted te vats in the second H.L.R.B.
electiun.
"I have never heard of any threats made by an miner to another to
get a miner to join a mine union.
"I joined the UNI in hugust, 1941. I could net Jain earlier because
I was the "Face Bess" until that tine. _
- "In January, 1942 I was made "Face Boss" again and so had to sever
my canncctians with the UK].
"The last day I worked at the nine was February 12, l9L3. I was
not a member of any unisn at that time for the abeve uentianed reason. I
quit because I get tired of m jab."
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"Jitnessed:
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RE: JOE? L: LELJIS, ET la-1 I
mrzsvz 2:7; ties, _ fSpringfield, Illinois was interviewed at ms
resi Se tember 14 1943, by Specialevents and e not presently em-
rleyci 1 e. "131 s, e 18 nc nor ally s. ert, ittle understanding
of the union difficulties at mine B, and was ~:e:'§,' segue in his ststements=
He can road and enecuted the following statement:
"Springfield, Illinois
Sootember 14, 1943.
the following voluntary state-
I know to be Special Agents
Department of Justice.ment tr
c-1 the
My resi-
dence is
played at
II - - . O . - -The first nine union I Joined was the United Lline Markers of
lmerica, which will be referred to hero-inzifter as the UL:'Ti. I eined. thisunion at the Spring Creek Coal Co. S rinrfield, Illinois mg I workedat th; S;-i.;c.rno:1 Liine #2 from *1 went to wcr no B ins s digger. 1 wzfs i;1'w;ys1Tt1*;,'1;er at ii-ine I5. I left_i.1ine B
6. , '2 n -
"I never held an office in any union. Ghen I worked under the
mg the Progressive Lline leerlcers of l;T.'1f;1!i92;&; which will be referred to
hereinafter as the PLLA, I attended about one union meeting a month.
I recall that the PLLA was ergenized in 1932 because the miners
did not went to work under John I... Lewis any longer.
"As far as I know Elshcff got along all right with the ULZT,
before 1932 end with the PLIA after that date-
I jcined the HLA vclunt " I "- "c active ff
in orgsni sing the PHA-
I was always satisfied with the FHA and its leaders. As far
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;1Y~;*..-- I"1-:~=»»ss= JOHN L. 1R=*=- =1 L5
ii " T"" ' John Sirtout, Emory Jocomay, Charles Bohunnon, and
James Hale.
Cd : "_ I do not remember the details of the wage scale
C-.Ilt1'OVCI"Sy-
"I did not attend the PEA meeting on Hay 11, 195?. I did not
lmow there was going to be 0. meeting on that night.
I dial lmcw tho next morning by talking with men down in the mine
that srmo minors hazl boon expelled from tho PEA.
"On the day of tho strike I loaded my curs about half a tonshort-or then 92_1.suo.1= I workei in Boot? On the Frost side of Mine B»
"?J§1tlo1moi~ier,'s PL!; member, come along the bottom of the mine
that morning while we wore still in our curs and before we had gone to our
boxes to start working. He told us to load short oars that day. He did not
soy why. At that time I did not know tho reason for this. Later on I hoard
that the oors were shorter. because tho minors who had been expelled from tho
FLA went to work that morning.
I only h* '-" '* e -' . the
Strikes .
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~.RE: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET LL:
§** P " "I voted in both H.L.R.B. elections. They were £51?
to the best of my knowledge-
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1.e "I have read this atatement cgnsiating of three pages
and it is correct-
HITHESSED: Special Agent, FBI-Special agent, Fez. '
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T~ ell SChREJLEV10US pulled a revolver from 2. shoulder holster and shot ;h I10 fired again but missed the scoord time. tried
h for a board or club to coat SC"Q'_?LE"vIOUS but C6111-92-lr92.l'U ....c1 v;I-;_-,'-f;,_¬,-L-,;_F one, and SCPHELEVIOUS turned and shot him. 1.vas in the J hospital for three months D.nd*.'!u$ in e for two months,
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Re: JOHN L. LEWIS, ET AL
if YJITH S P
inois, was in erviewsd by S ecial A enrid Special Agention ep er 10,
1945..
ia rkins at Pa- her Brosk
Mine #5 a w He entered the "nited
' ' n rm is inois on States 1n na!ura!1|ze! ! !p gll H,He advised the after the beginning of the strike D0!-KINIC PA -. o-.scsnsmrxoes and c ZARLES OHAW! N came to his home several times. Q
. 1.'..- .1 L Cdrinks. At one time, SCHMELEV o ¢ from his pocket, turned to
PILSQUALE and d "That's what he's worth," meaning he could buy bullets 5to vet rid Qf hone-__1-.immn the tavern PASQUALE, scsaetsvzoos anti ,1
i wife scsasumoos ~; g.EDsormmor: began W , W 92 -saying, "You look healthy now, you can go s o v: u quick. PASQIIALE. '
told her that bullets would go through her very easily. BOHANNOE told her,-o- you had better keep out of this or you will got in trouble.
Sometime in he late sxmmer of 1937, the exact date not being
remembered by BOHMIFOII, PASQUALE and SCHRELEVIOUS came to the
house and trio o to sign up with the United. He refused,
and SCERELEVIOUS said .,-..-a.- ..-.-oy would dome back later when his wife was .
there; that she was the one who was keeping him from joining, and they would
see that she agreed to allow him to join. Ho advised that a number of
people had told both him and his wife that the three men had been looking
for her and threatening what they would do to her.
1 ut three days after the above ooeurrenee, SCHRELEVIOUS came
t e about 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon and walked intothe house, was in the back yard working, and we.s
in the house. one told SCPELELEVIOUS to get out, and he s-ar-oo o_ ,1l'lEabout Mine B, and told her that if she knew what was good for Q
she would let him 'oin the United because he wouldn't have a jo edidn't. tried to force scam:-xtwxoos out of the house. Hograbbed , on ore er dross. She was pulling towards the back dooryelling at him, and meme running from the back yard, grabbedSCHFELEVIOUS by the ae- o o coat and jerked him out of the house. As
-139-
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evern and come .1 _ er having had several !
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Ron Jomr 1.. LEWIS, ET AL
F " " he above information was g
in tho presence of
con inuo n lme they both'beoameand requested that no furtherbe_eoneuctod at that time. n is time said that during thesummer of 1937 in a talk with SCHRELEVIO e o that he was
a so being paid $35.00.a week by the U.H.W. to org ni . _ 92
1In ility ofthe request oi Jded to an no ur
Questioning was vb ed thatF2-.ad been under tho or a period o our years, dueo no nervous react . l o ting, and they were both in poor health.She also stated tha were also under the doctor's care andthat they were n ea . in ear of their lives. She stated that showould not allow to tostify to any of the above information;that they would ra er Just forget about it and she did not believe thattheir testimony would be of any paramount importance in the Federal Courts,
inasmuch as the matter was one entirely for the local authorities.
- 140 -
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