In the steel mill, the type of work we were involved in was gang-type work. You couldn't do the job yourself. You had to help the guy in the next furnace. He helped you. You didn't have to like him, but you knew that to get the job done and not die, you had to help each other.

So then you start talking. "How's the kids?" "What kind of car do you got?" Everyday stuff. And before you know it, "Come on over and have a beer. We're going to have a party. Why don't you bring your wife?" Before you know it you're friends.

You go to the union meetings and speak your piece. Somebody says, "Hey I don't know him but that's the way I feel." So you go over and say, "Hey, I'm Ed and I work in the Open Hearth." If you're going to be a socialist, you got to be sociable.