The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-07-31

Dear olf ana BrOtner. Board Nj
statement to the Board that things
contract had been entered into be-,
tween two substantial officers of this
district and w. ]. Lester to allow his
strip mine to operate during the re-
cent strike.
"Dobbins also told me that you said
Harry Fishwick and myself were the
two substantial officers you referred
to. He further told me you said the
Lester strip mine Office had been rob-
bed and the attorney general had all
papers in connection with the COM
pact
He further stated that you told him
that Robert M. Medill, director of the
department of mines and minerals in
Illinois, had made the compact and
that the money was to be split three
ways, namely, between Medill, Harry
F'ishwick and myself He further said
that you told him that | was verging
on nervous breakdown because of
mental disturbance over the matter.
"Dobbins said that you stated to
him the information came from Mr.
Honnold, secretary of the Illinois Coal
Operators association and that he,
Dobbins, could secure further informa-
ton from L. F. Lumaggi, a coal OPP
orator in this state
Il am not at all disturbed over this
matter, but l do intend to expose
those who are attempting to defame
my good name. | am anxious to ar
rive at the facts so that | shall know
how to proceed in clearing up this
matter. | shall appreciate an early
response to this communication.
yours truly, (signed) F. EARRING.
TON, President
Copy Of Lewis RepIy.)
Springfield, Illinois, November 9,
1922.
Mr. Frank Harrington, President,
District No. IL, U. M. w. of A.,
Springfield, Illinois.
Dear Sir and Brother:-This will
reply to your communication of Nov
ember 2. Mr.. Dobbin's memory is
somewhat inaccurate as to my state
ment to the International Board and
my later conversation with him when
he called on me. t
"The whole story of Medilrs prosti-
tuition of his public Office and at
temped bribery of certain coal operat-
ors in Illinois during the strike, is so
infamous and corrupt that 1 do not
care to discuss it here. have no OBJ
lection to discussing some phases of it /
with you personally if you desire.
About a month ago / discussed the
same subject with Vice President
Fishwick.
"YOurs very truly. JOHN L. LEWIS,
President"
To this letter from Lewis, Earring |
ton replied partly as follows:
Il was told the president of the
South Western Coal Operators assoc
iation stated that the Kansas Coal OPP
orators would pay almost any price to /
get rid of Alex Howat as president of |
the Kansas miners, and considering |
the outrageous manner in which you |
treated him and the Kansas miners, in |
order to get rid of Howat as president |
of the Kansas miners, | have as much |
reason to believe that you collected |
handsome sum of money for your part |
in the Kansas trouble as you have to |
believe that | was to collect money |
for allowing the Lester strip mine to /
operate.
Lewis Fake Fight.
An influential operator with whom
| happen to know you had dinner dur
ing the month of December, told me
you said that you believed the miners |!
would have to take a reduction, but |
in order that you may escape the re-
sponsibility, a strike would be called,
The government would then intervene,
and break the strike" (The miners |
will remember the statement that I'VE
cannot fight our government"-mad
by Lewis-A. r.
Il heard you collected 100000 from
Kentucky operators for permitting
them to operate during the last
strike"
What About This, John L. Lewis?
81 heard that instead of borrowing
one hundred thousand dollars from the
Hartman Rank NJ Nauy XorL tbat No.,