Jack Battuello Memoir #1 - University of Illinois Springfield

Sack Battuello 4
they were as a result more militant, more concerned, more aware, more
interested in unions. And because of that awareness on the part of
the rank and file, we kept our leadership fairly in line with the
objectives and aims of the union.
Q. You would say then that in those days--to use the term esprit de
corps was much more present among the miners--there was much dedication
to the growth of the union, much dedication to the growth of
the rank and file than these is today?
A. Very much more, very, very much marc. I have omitted to reply to
the second part of your question. Today in the miner's union--1 don't
mean like this moment today--but up until the recent election the
miner's union became-well, like all other unions of today, they
became a tool and a pawn. They became a part of the establishment
and they lost sight of their objectives and their social concerns,
and therefore the reason why wc're beset with so many economic and
political problems . . . oh hell, 1 started and then I got lost.
Q. All righr:. The name and the impact of John L. Lewis on the labor
movement in this country, and his participation in thc organizing and
the original formative years of the miner's union are well known and
are very controversial. You took part in the labor struggle of those
days, and you have had personal contact with maay rank-and-file members
of the unfon and with many high officials of the union. Would you
care to go into this area, starting with John L. Lewis and then ending
with anything else that you feel would be of value to this particular
area of the interview?
A. John Lewis undoubtedly contributed greatly to the miner's union,
but in later years Be became enamored with the delusion that the
miners should be dominated rather than directed. Therefore he proceeded
to destroy the autonomy of the miners, as well as ro deny them
the right of seferend~m. As a consequence, the United Mine Workers
lost thousands and thousands of members, became practically helpless
in the struggle for the improvement of the coal miners. I would
concede that John Lewis, his later departure from the objectives of
the union were in part responsible Tor the apathy of the rank and file.
That's the way the United Mine Workers went when John Lewis became
the virtual dictator of the union. I mean dictator because rhere was
no right of referendum, there was no righr to elect your officers,
and as a matter of fact that's what led to the secession of the
Illinois miners in 1930 from the United Mine Workers.
Q. Would you describe John L. Lewis in overall analysts of his impact
on the union, despite whatever positive or degative qualities he did
possess, but overall, would you describe him as positive or negative
leader, and influence in the union?
A. In his early leadership of the United Mine Workers, his record
was positive. In his latter tenure of office, it became negative,
Jack Battuello Memoir -- Archives, University of Illinois at Springfield