ABSTRACT
I do not think it too farfetched to claim that Everett Hughes must share responsibility for my inquiry on Southern labor union matters, of which this offering represents a portion. Many years ago, in a course on methods of field research, he taught us that it was fun to sally forth with pencil and notebook, like newspaper reporters, to observe and to question. I assisted with this course for a time, and learned along with those who took the adventure for credit. We infiltrated an area surrounding the University of Chicago, in team pairs and by task assignments, for reconnoitering, interviewing, and questionnairing. In last-minute reassurance, before his neophytes hit the streets and alleys, our smiling mentor would advise, "My phone number is in the book. If you run into trouble, and need bail, give me a ring—day or night.” Thus we learned that field investigation was both fun and safe.
