Letter from John L. Lewis, President, United
Mine Workers of America, to President of District 2

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John L. Lewis was president of the United Mine Workers of America from 1920 to 1960. He was one of the most powerful men in the United States at the time and one of the most important labor leaders in American history. He was born in Iowa, the son of a Welsh immigrant miner. He was held in such high esteem by miners and their families that his photo was often prominently displayed on their living room walls between an illustration of Jesus Christ and a photo of the President of the United States. 

Document: courtesy of Archives Department, United Mine Workers 
of America, District #2 Papers, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.