rather work for those two shillings, than for the
charity of the casual ward; for he knows that he
would not have to work so hard and that he would
not be so abominably treated. He does not do so,
however, because there are more men to do work
than there is work for men to do.

When there are more men than there is work to
be done, a sifting-out process must obtain. In
every branch of industry the less efficient are
crowded out. Being crowded out because of ineffi
ciency, they cannot go up, but must descend, and
continue to descend, until they reach their proper
level, a place in the industrial fabric where they are
efficient. It follows, therefore, and it is inexorable,
that the least efficient must descend to the very
bottom, which is the shambles wherein they perish
miserably.

A glance at the confirmed inefficients at the bot-
tom demonstrates that they are, as a rule, mental,
physical, and moral wrecks. The exceptions to the
rule are the late arrivals, who are merely very ineffi
cient, and upon whom the wrecking process is just
beginning to operate. All the forces here, it must
be remembered, are destructive. The good body
(which is there because its brain is not quick and
capable) is speedily wrenched and twisted out of
shape; the clean mind (which is there because of
its weak body) is speedily fouled and contaminated.

[[197]]

p196 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p197w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p198

v?