StillmorestrikinglywasthesamepropositionrecentlydemonstratedinSanFrancisco。Asympatheticstrikecalledoutawholefederationoftrades\'unions。Thousandsofmen，inmanybranchesoftrade，quitwork，——draymen，sandteamsters，portersandpackers，longshoremen，stevedores，warehousemen，stationaryengineers，sailors，marinefiremen，stewards，sea-cooks，andsoforth，——aninterminablelist。Itwasastrikeoflargeproportions。EveryPacificcoastshippingcitywasinvolved，andtheentirecoastingservice，fromSanDiegotoPugetSound，wasvirtuallytiedup。Thetimewasconsideredauspicious。ThePhilippinesandAlaskahaddrainedthePacificcoastofsurpluslabor。Itwassummer-time，whentheagriculturaldemandforlaborerswasatitsheight，andwhenthecitieswerebareoftheirfloatingpopulations。Andyetthereremainedabodyofsurpluslaborsufficienttotaketheplacesofthestrikers。Nomatterwhatoccupation，sea-cookorstationaryengineer，sandteamsterorwarehouseman，ineverycasetherewasanidleworkerreadytodothework。Andnotonlyreadybutanxious。
Theyfoughtforachancetowork。Menwerekilled，hundredsofheadswerebroken，thehospitalswerefilledwithinjuredmen，andthousandsofassaultswerecommitted。Andstillsurpluslaborers，\"scabs，\"cameforwardtoreplacethestrikers。
Thequestionarises:WHENCECAMETHISSECONDARMYOFWORKERSTO
REPLACETHEFIRSTARMY？Onethingiscertain:thetrades\'unionsdidnotscabononeanother。Anotherthingiscertain:noindustryonthePacificslopewascrippledintheslightestdegreebyitsworkersbeingdrawnawaytofilltheplacesofthestrikers。A
thirdthingiscertain:theagriculturalworkersdidnotflocktothecitiestoreplacethestrikers。InthislastinstanceitisworthwhiletonotethattheagriculturallaborerswailedtoHighHeavenwhenafewofthestrikerswentintothecountrytocompetewiththeminunskilledemployments。Sothereisnoaccountingforthissecondarmyofworkers。Itsimplywas。Itwasthereallthistime，asurpluslaborarmyintheyearofourLord1901，ayearadjudgedmostprosperousintheannalsoftheUnitedStates。{2}
Theexistenceofthesurpluslaborarmybeingestablished，thereremainstobeestablishedtheeconomicnecessityforthesurpluslaborarmy。Thesimplestandmostobviousneedisthatbroughtaboutbythefluctuationofproduction。If，whenproductionisatlowebb，allmenareatwork，itnecessarilyfollowsthatwhenproductionincreasestherewillbenomentodotheincreasedwork。
Thismayseemalmostchildish，and，ifnotchildish，atleasteasilyremedied。Atlowebbletthemenworkshortertime；athighfloodletthemworkovertime。Themainobjectiontothisis，thatitisnotdone，andthatweareconsideringwhatis，notwhatmightbeorshouldbe。
Thentherearegreatirregularandperiodicaldemandsforlaborwhichmustbemet。Underthefirstheadcomeallthebigbuildingandengineeringenterprises。Whenacanalistobedugorarailroadputthrough，requiringthousandsoflaborers，itwouldbehurtfultowithdrawtheselaborersfromtheconstantindustries。
Andwhetheritisacanaltobedugoracellar，whetherfivethousandmenarerequiredorfive，itiswell，insocietyasatpresentorganized，thattheybetakenfromthesurpluslaborarmy。
Thesurpluslaborarmyisthereservefundofsocialenergy，andthisisoneofthereasonsforitsexistence。
Underthesecondhead，periodicaldemands，cometheharvests。
Throughouttheyear，hugelabortidessweepbackandforthacrosstheUnitedStates。Thatwhichissownandtendedbyfewmen，comestosuddenripenessandmustbegatheredbymanymen；anditisinevitablethatthesemanymenformfloatingpopulations。Inthelatespringtheberriesmustbepicked，inthesummerthegraingarnered，inthefall，thehopsgathered，inthewintertheiceharvested。InCaliforniaamanmaypickberriesinSiskiyou，peachesinSantaClara，grapesintheSanJoaquin，andorangesinLosAngeles，goingfromjobtojobastheseasonadvances，andtravellingathousandmileseretheseasonisdone。Butthegreatdemandforagriculturallaborisinthesummer。Inthewinter，workisslack，andthesefloatingpopulationseddyintothecitiestoekeoutaprecariousexistenceandharrowthesoulsofthepoliceofficersuntilthereturnofwarmweatherandwork。Iftherewereconstantworkatgoodwagesforeveryman，whowouldharvestthecrops？
Butthelastandmostsignificantneedforthesurpluslaborarmyremainstobestated。Thissurpluslaboractsasacheckuponallemployedlabor。Itisthelashbywhichthemastersholdtheworkerstotheirtasks，ordrivethembacktotheirtaskswhentheyhaverevolted。Itisthegoadwhichforcestheworkersintothecompulsory\"freecontracts\"againstwhichtheynowandagainrebel。
Thereisonlyonereasonunderthesunthatstrikesfail，andthatisbecausetherearealwaysplentyofmentotakethestrikers\'
places。
Thestrengthoftheuniontoday，otherthingsremainingequal，isproportionatetotheskillofthetrade，or，inotherwords，proportionatetothepressurethesurpluslaborarmycanputuponit。Ifathousandditch-diggersstrike，itiseasytoreplacethem，whereforetheditch-diggershavelittleornoorganizedstrength。
Butathousandhighlyskilledmachinistsaresomewhathardertoreplace，andinconsequencethemachinistunionsarestrong。Theditch-diggersarewhollyatthemercyofthesurpluslaborarmy，themachinistsonlypartly。Tobeinvincible，aunionmustbeamonopoly。Itmustcontroleverymaninitsparticulartrade，andregulateapprenticessothatthesupplyofskilledworkmenmayremainconstant；thisisthedreamofthe\"LaborTrust\"onthepartofthecaptainsoflabor。
Once，inEngland，aftertheGreatPlague，laborawoketofindtherewasmoreworkformenthantherewerementowork。Insteadofworkerscompetingforfavorsfromemployers，employerswerecompetingforfavorsfromtheworkers。Wageswentupandup，andcontinuedtogoup，untiltheworkersdemandedthefullproductoftheirtoil。Nowitisclearthat，whenlaborreceivesitsfullproductcapitalmustperish。Andsothepygmycapitalistsofthatpost-Plaguedayfoundtheirexistencethreatenedbythisuntowardconditionofaffairs。Tosavethemselves，theysetamaximumwage，restrainedtheworkersfrommovingaboutfromplacetoplace，smashedincipientorganization，refusedtotolerateidlers，andbymostbarbarouslegalpenaltiespunishedthosewhodisobeyed。Afterthat，thingswentonasbefore。
Thepointofthis，ofcourse，istodemonstratetheneedofthesurpluslaborarmy。Withoutsuchanarmy，ourpresentcapitalistsocietywouldbepowerless。Laborwouldorganizeasitneverorganizedbefore，andthelastleastworkerwouldbegatheredintotheunions。Thefullproductoftoilwouldbedemanded，andcapitalistsocietywouldcrumbleaway。Norcouldcapitalistsocietysaveitselfasdidthepost-Plaguecapitalistsociety。Thetimeispastwhenahandfulofmasters，byimprisonmentandbarbarouspunishment，candrivethelegionsoftheworkerstotheirtasks。
Withoutasurpluslaborarmy，thecourts，police，andmilitaryareimpotent。Insuchmattersthefunctionofthecourts，police，andmilitaryistopreserveorder，andtofilltheplacesofstrikerswithsurpluslabor。Iftherebenosurpluslabortoinstate，thereisnofunctiontoperform；fordisorderarisesonlyduringtheprocessofinstatement，whenthestrikinglaborarmyandthesurpluslaborarmyclashtogether。Thatistosay，thatwhichmaintainstheintegrityofthepresentindustrialsocietymorepotentlythanthecourts，police，andmilitaryisthesurpluslaborarmy。
Ithasbeenshownthattherearemorementhanthereisworkformen，andthatthesurpluslaborarmyisaneconomicnecessity。Toshowhowthetrampisaby-productofthiseconomicnecessity，itisnecessarytoinquireintothecompositionofthesurpluslaborarmy。
Whatmenformit？Whyaretheythere？Whatdotheydo？
Inthefirstplace，sincetheworkersmustcompeteforemployment，itinevitablyfollowsthatitisthefitandefficientwhofindemployment。Theskilledworkerholdshisplacebyvirtueofhisskillandefficiency。Werehelessskilled，orwereheunreliableorerratic，hewouldbeswiftlyreplacedbyastrongercompetitor。
Theskilledandsteadyemploymentsarenotcumberedwithclownsandidiots。Amanfindshisplaceaccordingtohisabilityandtheneedsofthesystem，andthosewithoutability，orincapableofsatisfyingtheneedsofthesystem，havenoplace。Thus，thepoortelegraphermaydevelopintoanexcellentwood-chopper。Butifthepoortelegraphercherishesthedelusionthatheisagoodtelegrapher，andatthesametimedisdainsallotheremployments，hewillhavenoemploymentatall，orhewillbesopooratallotheremploymentsthathewillworkonlynowandagaininlieuofbettermen。Hewillbeamongthefirstletoffwhentimesaredull，andamongthelasttakenonwhentimesaregood。Or，tothepoint，hewillbeamemberofthesurpluslaborarmy。
Sotheconclusionisreachedthatthelessfitandlessefficient，ortheunfitandinefficient，composethesurpluslaborarmy。Herearetobefoundthemenwhohavetriedandfailed，themenwhocannotholdjobs，——theplumberapprenticewhocouldnotbecomeajourneyman，andtheplumberjourneymantooclumsyanddulltoretainemployment；switchmenwhowrecktrains；clerkswhocannotbalancebooks；blacksmithswholamehorses；lawyerswhocannotplead；inshort，thefailuresofeverytradeandprofession，andfailures，manyofthem，indiverstradesandprofessions。Failureiswritlarge，andintheirwretchednesstheybearthestampofsocialdisapprobation。Commonwork，anykindofwork，whereverorhowevertheycanobtainit，istheirportion。
Butthesehereditaryinefficientsdonotalonecomposethesurpluslaborarmy。Therearetheskilledbutunsteadyandunreliablemen；
andtheoldmen，onceskilled，but，withdwindlingpowers，nolongerskilled。{3}Andtherearegoodmen，too，splendidlyskilledandefficient，butthrustoutoftheemploymentofdyingordisaster-
smittenindustries。InthisconnectionitisnotoutofplacetonotethemisfortuneoftheworkersintheBritishirontrades，whoaresufferingbecauseofAmericaninroads。And，lastofall，aretheunskilledlaborers，thehewersofwoodanddrawersofwater，theditch-diggers，themenofpickandshovel，thehelpers，lumpers，roustabouts。Iftradeisslackonaseacoastoftwothousandmiles，ortheharvestsarelightinagreatinteriorvalley，myriadsoftheselaborerslieidle，ormakelifemiserablefortheirfellowsinkindredunskilledemployments。
Aconstantfiltrationgoesonintheworkingworld，andgoodmaterialiscontinuallydrawnfromthesurpluslaborarmy。Strikesandindustrialdislocationsshakeuptheworkers，bringgoodmentothesurfaceandsinkmenasgoodornotsogood。Thehopeoftheskilledstrikerisinthatthescabsarelessskilled，orlesscapableofbecomingskilled；yeteachstrikeatteststotheefficiencythatlurksbeneath。AfterthePullmanstrike，afewthousandrailroadmenwerechagrinedtofindtheworktheyhadflungdowntakenupbymenasgoodasthemselves。
Butonethingmustbeconsideredhere。Underthepresentsystem，iftheweakestandleastfitwereasstrongandfitasthebest，andthebestwerecorrespondinglystrongerandfitter，thesameconditionwouldobtain。Therewouldbethesamearmyofemployedlabor，thesamearmyofsurpluslabor。Thewholethingisrelative。
Thereisnoabsolutestandardofefficiency。
Comesnowthetramp。Andallconclusionsmaybeanticipatedbysayingatoncethatheisatrampbecausesomeonehastobeatramp。Ifheleftthe\"road\"andbecameaVERYefficientcommonlaborer，someORDINARILYEFFICIENTcommonlaborerwouldhavetotaketothe\"road。\"Thenooksandcranniesarecrowdedbythesurpluslaborers；andwhenthefirstsnowflies，andthetrampsaredrivenintothecities，thingsbecomeovercrowdedandstringentpoliceregulationsarenecessary。
Thetrampisoneoftwokindsofmen:heiseitheradiscouragedworkeroradiscouragedcriminal。Nowadiscouragedcriminal，oninvestigation，provestobeadiscouragedworker，orthedescendantofdiscouragedworkers；sothat，inthelastanalysis，thetrampisadiscouragedworker。Sincethereisnotworkforall，discouragementforsomeisunavoidable。How，then，doesthisprocessofdiscouragementoperate？
Thelowertheemploymentintheindustrialscale，thehardertheconditions。Thefiner，themoredelicate，themoreskilledthetrade，thehigherisitliftedabovethestruggle。Thereislesspressure，lesssordidness，lesssavagery。Therearefewerglass-
blowersproportionatetotheneedsoftheglass-blowingindustrythanthereareditch-diggersproportionatetotheneedsoftheditch-diggingindustry。Andnotonlythis，foritrequiresaglass-
blowertotaketheplaceofastrikingglass-blower，whileanykindofastrikerorout-of-workcantaketheplaceofaditch-digger。
Sotheskilledtradesaremoreindependent，havemoreindividualityandlatitude。Theymayconferwiththeirmasters，makedemands，assertthemselves。Theunskilledlaborers，ontheotherhand，havenovoiceintheiraffairs。Thesettlementoftermsisnoneoftheirbusiness。\"Freecontract\"isallthatremainstothem。Theymaytakewhatisoffered，orleaveit。Thereareplentymoreoftheirkind。Theydonotcount。Theyaremembersofthesurpluslaborarmy，andmustbecontentwithahand-to-mouthexistence。
Therewardislikewiseproportioned。Thestrong，fitworkerinaskilledtrade，wherethereislittlelaborpressure，iswellcompensated。Heisakingcomparedwithhislessfortunatebrothersintheunskilledoccupationswherethelaborpressureisgreat。Themediocreworkernotonlyisforcedtobeidlealargeportionofthetime，butwhenemployedisforcedtoacceptapittance。Adollaradayonsomedaysandnothingonotherdayswillhardlysupportamanandwifeandsendchildrentoschool。Andnotonlydothemastersbearheavilyuponhim，andhisownkindstruggleforthemorselathismouth，butallskilledandorganizedlaboraddstohiswoe。
Unionmendonotscabononeanother，butinstrikes，orwhenworkisslack，itisconsidered\"fair\"forthemtodescendandtakeawaytheworkofthecommonlaborers。Andtakeitawaytheydo；for，asamatteroffact，awell-fed，ambitiousmachinistoracore-makerwilltransientlyshovelcoalbetterthananill-fed，spiritlesslaborer。
Thusthereisnoencouragementfortheunfit，inefficient，andmediocre。Theirveryinefficiencyandmediocritymakethemhelplessascattleandaddtotheirmisery。Andthewholetendencyforsuchisdownward，until，atthebottomofthesocialpit，theyarewretched，inarticulatebeasts，livinglikebeasts，breedinglikebeasts，dyinglikebeasts。Andhowdotheyfare，thesecreaturesbornmediocre，whoseheritageisneitherbrainsnorbrawnnorendurance？Theyaresweatedintheslumsinanatmosphereofdiscouragementanddespair。Thereisnostrengthinweakness，noencouragementinfoulair，vilefood，anddankdens。Theyaretherebecausetheyaresomadethattheyarenotfittobehigherup；butfilthandobscenitydonotstrengthentheneck，nordoeschronicemptinessofbellystiffentheback。
Forthemediocrethereisnohope。Mediocrityisasin。Povertyisthepenaltyoffailure，——poverty，fromwhoseloinsspringthecriminalandthetramp，bothfailures，bothdiscouragedworkers。
Povertyistheinfernowhereignorancefestersandvicecorrodes，andwherethephysical，mental，andmoralpartsofnatureareabortedanddenied。
Thatthechargeofrashnessinsplashingthepicturebenotincurred，letthefollowingauthoritativeevidencebeconsidered:
first，theworkandwagesofmediocrityandinefficiency，and，second，thehabitat:
TheNewYorkSunofFebruary28，1901，describestheopeningofafactoryinNewYorkCitybytheAmericanTobaccoCompany。Cherootsweretobemadeinthisfactoryincompetitionwithotherfactorieswhichrefusedtobeabsorbedbythetrust。Thetrustadvertisedforgirls。Thecrowdofmenandboyswhowantedworkwassogreatinfrontofthebuildingthatthepolicewereforcedwiththeirclubstoclearthemaway。Thewagepaidthegirlswas$2。50perweek，sixtycentsofwhichwentforcarfare。{4}
MissNellieMasonAuten，agraduatestudentofthedepartmentofsociologyattheUniversityofChicago，recentlymadeathoroughinvestigationofthegarmenttradesofChicago。HerfigureswerepublishedintheAmericanJournalofSociology，andcommenteduponbytheLiteraryDigest。Shefoundwomenworkingtenhoursaday，sixdaysaweek，forfortycentsperweekarateoftwo-thirdsofacentanhour。Manywomenearnedlessthanadollaraweek，andnoneofthemworkedeveryweek。ThefollowingtablewillbestsummarizeMissAuten\'sinvestigationsamongaportionofthegarment-workers:
IndustryAverageAverageAverageIndividualNumberofYearlyWeeklyWeeksEarningsWagesEmployedDressmakers$。9042。$37。00
Pants-Finishers1。3127。5842。41
Housewivesand1。5830。2147。49
Pants-FinishersSeamstresses2。0332。7864。10
Pants-makers2。1330。7775。61
Miscellaneous2。7729。81。80
Tailors6。2231。96211。92
GeneralAverages2。4831。1876。74
WalterA。Wyckoff，whoisasgreatanauthorityupontheworkerasJosiahFlyntisonthetramp，furnishesthefollowingChicagoexperience:
\"Manyofthemenweresoweakenedbythewantandhardshipofthewinterthattheywerenolongerinconditionforeffectivelabor。
Someofthebosseswhowereinneedofaddedhandswereobligedtoturnmenawaybecauseofphysicalincapacity。OneinstanceofthisIshallnotsoonforget。ItwaswhenIoverheard，earlyonemorningatafactorygate，aninterviewbetweenawould-belaborerandtheboss。IknewtheapplicantforaRussianJew，whohadathomeanoldmotherandawifeandtwoyoungchildrentosupport。Hehadhadintermittentemploymentthroughoutthewinterinasweater\'sden，{5}barelyenoughtokeepthemallalive，and，afterthehardshipsofthecoldseason，hewasagainindesperatestraitsforwork。
\"Thebosshadallbutagreedtotakehimonforsomesortofunskilledlabor，when，struckbythecadaverouslookoftheman，hetoldhimtobarehisarm。Upwentthesleeveofhiscoatandhisraggedflannelshirt，exposinganakedarmwiththemusclesnearlygone，andtheblue-whitetransparentskinstretchedoversinewsandtheoutlinesofthebones。Pitifulbeyondwordswashisefforttogiveasemblanceofstrengthtothebicepswhichrosefaintlytotheupwardmovementoftheforearm。Butthebosssenthimoffwithanoathandacontemptuouslaugh；andIwatchedthefellowasheturneddownthestreet，facingthefactofhisstarvingfamilywithadespairathisheartwhichonlymortalmancanfeelandnomortaltonguecanspeak。\"
Concerninghabitat，Mr。JacobRiishasstatedthatinNewYorkCity，intheblockboundedbyStanton，Houston，Attorney，andRidgestreets，thesizeofwhichis200by300，thereisawarrenof2244
humanbeings。
IntheblockboundedbySixty-firstandSixty-secondstreets，andAmsterdamandWestEndavenues，areoverfourthousandhumancreatures，——quiteacomfortableNewEnglandvillagetocrowdintoonecityblock。
TheRev。Dr。Behrends，speakingoftheblockboundedbyCanal，Hester，Eldridge，andForsythstreets，says:\"Inaroom12by8and5。5feethigh，itwasfoundthatninepersonssleptandpreparedtheirfood……Inanotherroom，locatedinadarkcellar，withoutscreensorpartitions，weretogethertwomenwiththeirwivesandagirloffourteen，twosinglemenandaboyofseventeen，twowomenandfourboys，——nine，ten，eleven，andfifteenyearsold，——fourteenpersonsinall。\"
Herehumanityrots。Itsvictims，withgrimhumor，callit\"tenant-
houserot。\"Or，asalegislativereportputsit:\"Hereinfantilelifeunfoldsitsbud，butperishesbeforeitsfirstanniversary。
Hereyouthisuglywithloathsomedisease，andthedeformitieswhichfollowphysicaldegeneration。\"
Thesearethemenandwomenwhoarewhattheyarebecausetheywerenotbetterborn，orbecausetheyhappenedtobeunluckilybornintimeandspace。Gaugedbytheneedsofthesystem，theyareweakandworthless。Thehospitalandthepauper\'sgraveawaitthem，andtheyoffernoencouragementtothemediocreworkerwhohasfailedhigherupintheindustrialstructure。Suchaworker，consciousthathehasfailed，consciousfromthehardfactthathecannotobtainworkinthehigheremployments，findsseveralcoursesopentohim。Hemaycomedownandbeabeastinthesocialpit，forinstance；butifhebeofacertaincaliber，theeffectofthesocialpitwillbetodiscouragehimfromwork。Inhisbloodarebellionwillquicken，andhewillelecttobecomeeitherafelonoratramp。
Ifhehavefoughtthehardfightheisnotunacquaintedwiththelureofthe\"road。\"Whenoutofworkandstillundiscouraged，hehasbeenforcedto\"hittheroad\"betweenlargecitiesinhisquestforajob。Hehasloafed，seenthecountryandgreenthings，laughedinjoy，lainonhisbackandlistenedtothebirdssingingoverhead，unannoyedbyfactorywhistlesandbosses\'harshcommands；
and，mostsignificantofall，HEHASLIVED!Thatisthepoint!Hehasnotstarvedtodeath。Notonlyhashebeencare-freeandhappy，buthehaslived!Andfromtheknowledgethathehasidledandisstillalive，heachievesanewoutlookonlife；andthemoreheexperiencestheunenviablelotofthepoorworker，themoretheblandishmentsofthe\"road\"takeholdofhim。Andfinallyheflingshischallengeinthefaceofsociety，imposesavalorousboycottonallwork，andjoinsthefar-wanderersofHoboland，thegypsyfolkofthislatterday。
Butthetrampdoesnotusuallycomefromtheslums。Hisplaceofbirthisordinarilyabitabove，andsometimesaverygreatbitabove。Aconfessedfailure，heyetrefusestoacceptthepunishment，andswervesasidefromtheslumtovagabondage。Theaveragebeastinthesocialpitiseithertoomuchofabeast，ortoomuchofaslavetothebourgeoisethicsandidealsofhismasters，tomanifestthisflickerofrebellion。Butthesocialpit，outofitsdiscouragementandviciousness，breedscriminals，menwhopreferbeingbeastsofpreytobeingbeastsofwork。Andthemediocrecriminal，inturn，theunfitandinefficientcriminal，isdiscouragedbythestrongarmofthelawandgoesovertotrampdom。
Thesemen，thediscouragedworkerandthediscouragedcriminal，voluntarilywithdrawthemselvesfromthestruggleforwork。
Industrydoesnotneedthem。Therearenofactoriesshutdownthroughlackoflabor，noprojectedrailroadsunbuiltforwantofpick-and-shovelmen。Womenarestillgladtotoilforadollaraweek，andmenandboystoclamorandfightforworkatthefactorygates。Noonemissesthesediscouragedmen，andingoingawaytheyhavemadeitsomewhateasierforthosethatremain。
Sothecasestandsthus:Therebeingmorementhanthereisworkformentodo，asurpluslaborarmyinevitablyresults。Thesurpluslaborarmyisaneconomicnecessity；withoutit，presentsocietywouldfalltopieces。Intothesurpluslaborarmyareherdedthemediocre，theinefficient，theunfit，andthoseincapableofsatisfyingtheindustrialneedsofthesystem。Thestruggleforworkbetweenthemembersofthesurpluslaborarmyissordidandsavage，andatthebottomofthesocialpitthestruggleisviciousandbeastly。Thisstruggletendstodiscouragement，andthevictimsofthisdiscouragementarethecriminalandthetramp。Thetrampisnotaneconomicnecessitysuchasthesurpluslaborarmy，butheistheby-productofaneconomicnecessity。
The\"road\"isoneofthesafety-valvesthroughwhichthewasteofthesocialorganismisgivenoff。AndBEINGGIVENOFFconstitutesthenegativefunctionofthetramp。Society，asatpresentorganized，makesmuchwasteofhumanlife。Thiswastemustbeeliminated。Chloroformorelectrocutionwouldbeasimple，mercifulsolutionofthisproblemofelimination；buttherulingethics，whilepermittingthehumanwaste，willnotpermitahumaneeliminationofthatwaste。Thisparadoxdemonstratestheirreconcilabilityoftheoreticalethicsandindustrialneed。
Andsothetrampbecomesself-eliminating。Andnotonlyself!
Sinceheismanifestlyunfitforthingsastheyare，andsincekindispronetobegetkind，itisnecessarythathiskindceasewithhim，thathisprogenyshallnotbe，thatheplaytheeunuch\'spartinthistwentiethcenturyafterChrist。Andheplaysit。Hedoesnotbreed。Sterilityishisportion，asitistheportionofthewomanonthestreet。Theymighthavebeenmates，butsocietyhasdecreedotherwise。
And，whileitisnotnicethatthesemenshoulddie，itisordainedthattheymustdie，andweshouldnotquarrelwiththemiftheycumberourhighwaysandkitchenstoopswiththeirperambulatingcarcasses。Thisisaformofeliminationwenotonlycountenancebutcompel。Thereforeletusbecheerfulandhonestaboutit。Letusbeasstringentaswepleasewithourpoliceregulations，butforgoodness\'sakeletusrefrainfromtellingthetramptogotowork。
Notonlyisitunkind，butitisuntrueandhypocritical。Weknowthereisnoworkforhim。Asthescapegoattooureconomicandindustrialsinning，ortotheplanofthings，ifyouwill，weshouldgivehimcredit。Letusbejust。Heissomade。Societymadehim。
Hedidnotmakehimself。
THESCAB
Inacompetitivesociety，wheremenstrugglewithoneanotherforfoodandshelter，whatismorenaturalthanthatgenerosity，whenitdiminishesthefoodandshelterofmenotherthanhewhoisgenerous，shouldbeheldanaccursedthing？Wiseoldsawstothecontrary，hewhotakesfromaman\'spursetakesfromhisexistence。
Tostrikeataman\'sfoodandshelteristostrikeathislife；andinasocietyorganizedonatooth-and-nailbasis，suchanact，performedthoughitmaybeundertheguiseofgenerosity，isnonethelessmenacingandterrible。
Itisforthisreasonthatalaborerissofiercelyhostiletoanotherlaborerwhoofferstoworkforlesspayorlongerhours。Toholdhisplace，whichistolive，hemustoffsetthisofferbyanotherequallyliberal，whichisequivalenttogivingawaysomewhatfromthefoodandshelterheenjoys。Tosellhisday\'sworkfor$2，insteadof$2。50，meansthathe，hiswife，andhischildrenwillnothavesogoodaroofovertheirheads，sowarmclothesontheirbacks，sosubstantialfoodintheirstomachs。Meatwillbeboughtlessfrequentlyanditwillbetougherandlessnutritious，stoutnewshoeswillgolessoftenonthechildren\'sfeet，anddiseaseanddeathwillbemoreimminentinacheaperhouseandneighborhood。
Thusthegenerouslaborer，givingmoreofaday\'sworkforlessreturn，measuredintermsoffoodandshelter，threatensthelifeofhislessgenerousbrotherlaborer，andatthebest，ifhedoesnotdestroythatlife，hediminishesit。Whereuponthelessgenerouslaborerlooksuponhimasanenemy，and，asmenareinclinedtodoinatooth-and-nailsociety，hetriestokillthemanwhoistryingtokillhim。
Whenastrikerkillswithabrickthemanwhohastakenhisplace，hehasnosenseofwrong-doing。Inthedeepestholdsofhisbeing，thoughhedoesnotreasontheimpulse，hehasanethicalsanction。
Hefeelsdimlythathehasjustification，justasthehome-defendingBoerfelt，thoughmoresharply，witheachbullethefiredattheinvadingEnglish。Behindeverybrickthrownbyastrikeristheselfishwill\"tolive\"ofhimself，andtheslightlyaltruisticwill\"tolive\"ofhisfamily。ThefamilygroupcameintotheworldbeforetheStategroup，andsociety，beingstillontheprimitivebasisoftoothandnail，thewill\"tolive\"oftheStateisnotsocompellingtothestrikerasisthewill\"tolive\"ofhisfamilyandhimself。
Inadditiontotheuseofbricks，clubs，andbullets，theselfishlaborerfindsitnecessarytoexpresshisfeelingsinspeech。Justasthepeacefulcountry-dwellercallsthesea-rovera\"pirate，\"andthestoutburghercallsthemanwhobreaksintohisstrong-boxa\"robber，\"sotheselfishlaborerappliestheopprobriousepitheta\"scab\"tothelaborerwhotakesfromhimfoodandshelterbybeingmoregenerousinthedisposalofhislaborpower。Thesentimentalconnotationof\"scab\"isasterrificasthatof\"traitor\"or\"Judas，\"andasentimentaldefinitionwouldbeasdeepandvariedasthehumanheart。Itisfareasiertoarriveatwhatmaybecalledatechnicaldefinition，wordedincommercialterms，as，forinstance，thatASCABISONEWHOGIVESMOREVALUEFORTHESAMEPRICETHAN
ANOTHER。
Thelaborerwhogivesmoretimeorstrengthorskillforthesamewagethananother，orequaltimeorstrengthorskillforalesswage，isascab。Thisgenerousnessonhispartishurtfultohisfellow-laborers，foritcompelsthemtoanequalgenerousnesswhichisnottotheirliking，andwhichgivesthemlessoffoodandshelter。Butawordmaybesaidforthescab。Justashisactmakeshisrivalscompulsorilygenerous，sodothey，byfortuneofbirthandtraining，makecompulsoryhisactofgenerousness。Hedoesnotscabbecausehewantstoscab。Nowhimofthespirit，noburgeoningoftheheart，leadshimtogivemoreofhislaborpowerthantheyforacertainsum。
Itisbecausehecannotgetworkonthesametermsastheythatheisascab。Thereislessworkthantherearementodowork。Thisispatent，elsethescabwouldnotloomsolargeonthelabor-markethorizon。Becausetheyarestrongerthanhe，ormoreskilled，ormoreenergetic，itisimpossibleforhimtotaketheirplacesatthesamewage。Totaketheirplaceshemustgivemorevalue，mustworklongerhoursorreceiveasmallerwage。Hedoesso，andhecannothelpit，forhiswill\"tolive\"isdrivinghimonaswellastheyarebeingdrivenonbytheirwill\"tolive\"；andtolivehemustwinfoodandshelter，whichhecandoonlybyreceivingpermissiontoworkfromsomemanwhoownsabitoflandorapieceofmachinery。
Andtoreceivepermissionfromthisman，hemustmakethetransactionprofitableforhim。
Viewedinthislight，thescab，whogivesmorelaborpowerforacertainpricethanhisfellows，isnotsogenerousafterall。Heisnomoregenerouswithhisenergythanthechattelslaveandtheconvictlaborer，who，bytheway，arethealmostperfectscabs。
Theygivetheirlaborpowerforabouttheminimumpossibleprice。
But，withinlimits，theymayloafandmalinger，and，asscabs，areexceededbythemachine，whichneverloafsandmalingersandwhichistheideallyperfectscab。
Itisnotnicetobeascab。Notonlyisitnotingoodsocialtasteandcomradeship，but，fromthestandpointoffoodandshelter，itisbadbusinesspolicy。Nobodydesirestoscab，togivemostforleast。Theambitionofeveryindividualisquitetheopposite，togiveleastformost；and，asaresult，livinginatooth-and-nailsociety，battleroyaliswagedbytheambitiousindividuals。Butinitsmostsalientaspect，thatofthestruggleoverthedivisionofthejointproduct，itisnolongerabattlebetweenindividuals，butbetweengroupsofindividuals。Capitalandlaborapplythemselvestorawmaterial，makesomethingusefuloutofit，addtoitsvalue，andthenproceedtoquarreloverthedivisionoftheaddedvalue。
Neithercarestogivemostforleast。Eachisintentongivinglessthantheotherandonreceivingmore。
Laborcombinesintoitsunions，capitalintopartnerships，associations，corporations，andtrusts。Agroup-struggleistheresult，inwhichtheindividuals，asindividuals，playnopart。TheBrotherhoodofCarpentersandJoiners，forinstance，servesnoticeontheMasterBuilders\'Associationthatitdemandsanincreaseofthewageofitsmembersfrom$3。50adayto$4，andaSaturdayhalf-
holidaywithoutpay。Thismeansthatthecarpentersaretryingtogivelessformore。Wheretheyreceived$21forsixfulldays，theyareendeavoringtoget$22forfivedaysandahalf，——thatis，theywillworkhalfadaylesseachweekandreceiveadollarmore。
Also，theyexpecttheSaturdayhalf-holidaytogiveworktooneadditionalmanforeachelevenpreviouslyemployed。Thislastaffordsasplendidexampleofthedevelopmentofthegroupidea。Inthisparticularstruggletheindividualhasnochanceatallforlife。TheindividualcarpenterwouldbecrushedlikeamotebytheMasterBuilders\'Association，andlikeamotetheindividualmasterbuilderwouldbecrushedbytheBrotherhoodofCarpentersandJoiners。
Inthegroup-struggleoverthedivisionofthejointproduct，laborutilizestheunionwithitstwogreatweapons，thestrikeandtheboycott；whilecapitalutilizesthetrustandtheassociation，theweaponsofwhicharetheblack-list，thelockout，andthescab。Thescabisbyfarthemostformidableweaponofthethree。Heisthemanwhobreaksstrikesandcausesallthetrouble。Withouthimtherewouldbenotrouble，forthestrikersarewillingtoremainoutpeacefullyandindefinitelysolongasothermenarenotintheirplaces，andsolongastheparticularaggregationofcapitalwithwhichtheyarefightingiseatingitsheadoffinenforcedidleness。
Butbothwarringgroupshavereserveweapons。Wereitnotforthescab，theseweaponswouldnotbebroughtintoplay。Butthescabtakestheplaceofthestriker，whobeginsatoncetowieldamostpowerfulweapon，terrorism。Thewill\"tolive\"ofthescabrecoilsfromthemenaceofbrokenbonesandviolentdeath。Withallduerespecttothelaborleaders，whoarenottobeblamedforvolublyasseveratingotherwise，terrorismisawell-definedandeminentlysuccessfulpolicyofthelaborunions。Ithasprobablywonthemmorestrikesthanalltherestoftheweaponsintheirarsenal。
Thisterrorism，however，mustbeclearlyunderstood。Itisdirectedsolelyagainstthescab，placinghiminsuchfearforlifeandlimbastodrivehimoutofthecontest。Butwhenterrorismgetsoutofhandandinoffensivenon-combatantsareinjured，lawandorderthreatened，andpropertydestroyed，itbecomesanedgedtoolthatcutsbothways。Thissortofterrorismissincerelydeploredbythelaborleaders，forithasprobablylostthemasmanystrikesashavebeenlostbyanyothersinglecause。
Thescabispowerlessunderterrorism。Asarule，heisnotsogoodnorgrittyamanasthemenheisdisplacing，andhelackstheirfightingorganization。Hestandsindireneedofstiffeningandbacking。Hisemployers，thecapitalists，drawtheirtworemainingweapons，theownershipofwhichisdebatable，butwhichtheyforthetimebeinghappentocontrol。Thesetwoweaponsmaybecalledthepoliticalandjudicialmachineryofsociety。Whenthescabcrumplesupandisreadytogodownbeforethefists，bricks，andbulletsofthelaborgroup，thecapitalistgroupputsthepoliceandsoldiersintothefield，andbeginsageneralbombardmentofinjunctions。
Victoryusuallyfollows，forthelaborgroupcannotwithstandthecombinedassaultofgatlinggunsandinjunctions。
Butithasbeennotedthattheownershipofthepoliticalandjudicialmachineryofsocietyisdebatable。IntheTitanicstruggleoverthedivisionofthejointproduct，eachgroupreachesoutforeveryavailableweapon。Noraretheyblindedbythesmokeofconflict。Theyfighttheirbattlesascoollyandcollectedlyaseverbattleswerefoughtonpaper。Thecapitalistgrouphaslongsincerealizedtheimmenseimportanceofcontrollingthepoliticalandjudicialmachineryofsociety。
Taughtbygatlingsandinjunctions，whichhavesmashedmanyanotherwisesuccessfulstrike，thelaborgroupisbeginningtorealizethatitalldependsuponwhoisbehindandwhoisbeforethegatlingsandtheinjunctions。Andhewhoknowsthelabormovementknowsthatthereisslowlygrowingupandbeingformulatedaclearanddefinitepolicyforthecaptureofthepoliticalandjudicialmachinery。
ThisistheterriblespectrewhichMr。JohnGrahamBrooksseesloomingportentouslyoverthetwentiethcenturyworld。Nomanmayboastamoreintimateknowledgeofthelabormovementthanhe；andhereiteratesagainandagainthedangerouslikelihoodofthewholelaborgroupcapturingthepoliticalmachineryofsociety。Ashesaysinhisrecentbook:{6}\"ItisnotprobablethatemployerscandestroyunionismintheUnitedStates。Adroitanddesperateattemptswill，however，bemade，ifwemeanbyunionismtheundisciplinedandaggressivefactofvigorousanddeterminedorganizations。Ifcapitalshouldprovetoostronginthisstruggle，theresultiseasytopredict。Theemployershaveonlytoconvinceorganizedlaborthatitcannotholditsownagainstthecapitalistmanager，andthewholeenergythatnowgoestotheunionwillturntoanaggressivepoliticalsocialism。Itwillnotbetheharmlesssympathywithincreasedcityandstatefunctionswhichtradeunionsalreadyfeel；itwillbecomeaturbulentpoliticalforcebentuponusingeveryweaponoftaxationagainsttherich。\"
Thisstrugglenottobeascab，toavoidgivingmoreforlessandtosucceedingivinglessformore，ismorevitalthanitwouldappearonthesurface。Thecapitalistandlaborgroupsarelockedtogetherindesperatebattle，andneithersideisswayedbymoralconsiderationsmorethanskin-deep。Thelaborgrouphiresbusinessagents，lawyers，andorganizers，andisbeginningtointimidatelegislatorsbythestrengthofitssolidvote；andmoredirectly，inthenearfuture，itwillattempttocontrollegislationbycapturingitbodilythroughtheballot-box。Ontheotherhand，thecapitalistgroup，numericallyweaker，hiresnewspapers，universities，andlegislatures，andstrivestobendtoitsneedalltheforceswhichgotomouldpublicopinion。
Theonlyhonestmoralitydisplayedbyeithersideiswhite-hotindignationattheiniquitiesoftheotherside。Thestrikingteamstercomplacentlytakesascabdriverintoanalley，andwithanironbarbreakshisarms，sothathecandrivenomore，butcriesouttohighHeavenforjusticewhenthecapitalistbreakshisskullbymeansofaclubinthehandsofapoliceman。Nay，themembersofaunionwilldeclaiminimpassionedrhetoricfortheGod-givenrightofaneight-hourday，andatthetimebeworkingtheirownbusinessagentseventeenhoursoutofthetwenty-four。
AcapitalistsuchasCollisP。Huntington，andhisnameisLegion，afteralonglifespentinbuyingtheaidofcountlesslegislatures，willwaxvirtuouslywrathful，andcondemninunmeasuredterms\"thedangeroustendencyofcryingouttotheGovernmentforaid\"inthewayoflaborlegislation。Withoutaquiver，amemberofthecapitalistgroupwillruntensofthousandsofpitifulchild-
laborersthroughhislife-destroyingcottonfactories，andweepmaudlinandconstitutionaltearsoveronescabhitinthebackwithabrick。Hewilldrivea\"compulsory\"freecontractwithanunorganizedlaboreronthebasisofastarvationwage，saying，\"Takeitorleaveit，\"knowingthattoleaveitmeanstodieofhunger，andinthenextbreath，whentheorganizerenticesthatlaborerintoaunion，willstormpatrioticallyabouttheinalienablerightofallmentowork。Inshort，thechiefmoralconcernofeithersideiswiththemoralsoftheotherside。Theyarenotinthebusinessfortheirmoralwelfare，buttoachievetheenviablepositionofthenon-scabwhogetsmorethanhegives。
Butthereismoretothequestionthanhasyetbeendiscussed。Thelaborscabisnomoredetestabletohisbrotherlaborersthanisthecapitalistscabtohisbrothercapitalists。Acapitalistmaygetmostforleastindealingwithhislaborers，andinsofarbeanon-
scab；butatthesametime，inhisdealingswithhisfellow-
capitalists，hemaygivemostforleastandbetheveryworstkindofscab。Themostheinouscrimeanemployeroflaborcancommitistoscabonhisfellow-employersoflabor。Justastheindividuallaborershaveorganizedintogroupstoprotectthemselvesfromtheperilofthescablaborer，sohavetheemployersorganizedintogroupstoprotectthemselvesfromtheperilofthescabemployer。
Theemployers\'federations，associations，andtrustsarenothingmorenorlessthanunions。Theyareorganizedtodestroyscabbingamongstthemselvesandtoencouragescabbingamongstothers。Forthisreasontheypoolinterests，determineprices，andpresentanunbrokenandaggressivefronttothelaborgroup。
Ashasbeensaidbefore，nobodylikestoplaythecompulsorilygenerousroleofscab。Itisabadbusinesspropositiononthefaceofit。Anditispatentthattherewouldbenocapitalistscabsiftherewerenotmorecapitalthanthereisworkforcapitaltodo。
Whenthereareenoughfactoriesinexistencetosupply，withoccasionalstoppages，acertaincommodity，thebuildingofnewfactoriesbyarivalconcern，fortheproductionofthatcommodity，isplainadvertisementthatthatcapitalisoutofajob。Thefirstactofthisnewaggregationofcapitalwillbetocutprices，togivemoreforless，——inshorttoscab，tostrikeattheveryexistenceofthelessgenerousaggregationofcapitaltheworkofwhichitistryingtodo。
Noscabcapitaliststrivestogivemoreforlessforanyotherreasonthanthathehopes，byundercuttingacompetitoranddrivingthatcompetitoroutofthemarket，togetthatmarketanditsprofitsforhimself。Hisambitionistoachievethedaywhenheshallstandaloneinthefieldbothasbuyerandseller，——whenhewillbetheroyalnon-scab，buyingmostforleast，sellingleastformost，andreducingallabouthim，thesmallbuyersandsellers，theconsumersandthelaborers，toageneralconditionofscabdom。
This，forexample，hasbeenthehistoryofMr。RockefellerandtheStandardOilCompany。Throughallthesordidvillaniesofscabdomhehaspassed，untiltodayheisamostregalnon-scab。However，tocontinueinthisenviableposition，hemustbepreparedatamoment\'snoticetogoscabbingagain。Andheisprepared。Wheneveracompetitorarises，Mr。Rockefellerchangesaboutfromgivingleastformostandgivesmostforleastwithsuchavengeanceastodrivethecompetitoroutofexistence。
Thebandedcapitalistsdiscriminateagainstascabcapitalistbyrefusinghimtradeadvantages，andbycombiningagainsthiminmostrelentlessfashion。Thebandedlaborers，discriminatingagainstascablaborerinmoreprimitivefashion，withaclub，arenomoremercilessthanthebandedcapitalists。
Mr。CassontellsofaNewYorkcapitalistwhowithdrewfromtheSugarUnionseveralyearsagoandbecameascab。Hewasworthsomethingliketwentymillionsofdollars。ButtheSugarUnion，standingshouldertoshoulderwiththeRailroadUnionandseveralotherunions，beathimtohiskneestillhecried，\"Enough。\"Sofrightfullydidtheybeathimthathewasobligedtoturnovertohiscreditorshishome，hischickens，andhisgoldwatch。Inpointoffact，hewasasthoroughlybludgeonedbytheFederationofCapitalistUnionsaseverscabworkmanwasbludgeonedbyalaborunion。Theintentineithercaseisthesame，——todestroythescab\'sproducingpower。Thelaborscabwithconcussionofthebrainisputoutofbusiness，andsoisthecapitalistscabwhohaslostallhisdollarsdowntohischickensandhiswatch。
Buttheroleofscabpassesbeyondtheindividual。Justasindividualsscabonotherindividuals，sodogroupsscabonothergroups。Andtheprincipleinvolvedispreciselythesameasinthecaseofthesimplelaborscab。Agroup，inthenatureofitsorganization，isoftencompelledtogivemostforleast，and，sodoing，tostrikeatthelifeofanothergroup。AtthepresentmomentallEuropeisappalledbythatcolossalscab，theUnitedStates。AndEuropeisclamorouswithagitationforaFederationofNationalUnionstoprotectherfromtheUnitedStates。Itmayberemarked，inpassing，thatinitsprimeessentialsthisagitationinnowisediffersfromthetrade-unionagitationamongworkmeninanyindustry。Thetroubleiscausedbythescabwhoisgivingmostforleast。TheresultoftheAmericanscab\'snefariousactionswillbetostrikeatthefoodandshelterofEurope。ThewayforEuropetoprotectherselfistoquitbickeringamongherpartsandtoformaunionagainstthescab。Andiftheunionisformed，armiesandnaviesmaybeexpectedtobebroughtintoplayinfashionsimilartothebricksandclubsinordinarylaborstruggles。
Inthisconnection，andasoneofmanywalkingdelegatesforthenations，M。Leroy-Beaulieu，thenotedFrencheconomist，maywellbequoted。InalettertotheViennaTageblatt，headvocatesaneconomicallianceamongtheContinentalnationsforthepurposeofbarringoutAmericangoods，aneconomicalliance，inhisownlanguage，\"WHICHMAYPOSSIBLYANDDESIRABLYDEVELOPINTOAPOLITICAL
ALLIANCE。\"
Itwillbenoted，intheutterancesoftheContinentalwalkingdelegates，that，oneandall，theyleaveEnglandoutoftheproposedunion。AndinEnglandherselfthefeelingisgrowingthatherdaysarenumberedifshecannotuniteforoffenceanddefencewiththegreatAmericanscab。AsAndrewCarnegiesaidsometimeago，\"TheonlycourseforGreatBritainseemstobereunionwithhergrandchildorsuredeclinetoasecondaryplace，andthentocomparativeinsignificanceinthefutureannalsoftheEnglish-
speakingrace。\"
CecilRhodes，speakingofwhatwouldhaveobtainedbutforthepig-
headednessofGeorgeIII，andofwhatwillobtainwhenEnglandandtheUnitedStatesareunited，said，\"NOCANNONWOULD……BEFIRED
ONEITHERHEMISPHEREBUTBYPERMISSIONOFTHEENGLISHRACE。\"ItwouldseemthatEngland，frontedbythehostileContinentalUnionandflankedbythegreatAmericanscab，hasnothingleftbuttojoinwiththescabandplaythehistoriclaborroleofarmedPinkerton。
GrantingthewordsofCecilRhodes，theUnitedStateswouldbeenabledtoscabwithoutletorhindranceonEurope，whileEngland，asprofessionalstrike-breakerandpoliceman，destroyedtheunionsandkeptorder。
Allthismayappearfantasticanderroneous，butthereisinitasouloftruthvastlymoresignificantthanitmayseem。
Civilizationmaybeexpressedtodayintermsoftrade-unionism。
Individualstruggleshavelargelypassedaway，butgroup-strugglesincreaseprodigiously。Andthethingsforwhichthegroupsstrugglearethesameasofold。Shornofallsubtletiesandcomplexities，thechiefstruggleofmen，andofgroupsofmen，isforfoodandshelter。And，asofoldtheystruggledwithtoothandnail，sotodaytheystrugglewithteethandnailselongatedintoarmiesandnavies，machines，andeconomicadvantages。
UnderthedefinitionthatascabisONEWHOGIVESMOREVALUEFORTHE
SAMEPRICETHANANOTHER，itwouldseemthatsocietycanbegenerallydividedintothetwoclassesofthescabsandthenon-scabs。Butoncloserinvestigation，however，itwillbeseenthatthenon-scabisavanishingquantity。Inthesocialjungle，everybodyispreyinguponeverybodyelse。AsinthecaseofMr。Rockefeller，hewhowasascabyesterdayisanon-scabtoday，andtomorrowmaybeascabagain。
Thewomanstenographerorbook-keeperwhoreceivesfortydollarspermonthwhereamanwasreceivingseventy-fiveisascab。Soisthewomanwhodoesaman\'sworkataweaving-machine，andthechildwhogoesintothemillorfactory。Andthefather，whoisscabbedoutofworkbythewivesandchildrenofothermen，sendshisownwifeandchildrentoscabinordertosavehimself。
Whenapublisheroffersanauthorbetterroyaltiesthanotherpublishershavebeenpayinghim，heisscabbingonthoseotherpublishers。Thereporteronanewspaper，whofeelsheshouldbereceivingalargersalaryforhiswork，saysso，andisshownthedoor，isreplacedbyareporterwhoisascab；whereupon，whenthebelly-needpresses，thedisplacedreportergoestoanotherpaperandscabshimself。Theministerwhohardenshishearttoacall，andwaitsforacertaincongregationtoofferhimsay$500ayearmore，oftenfindshimselfscabbeduponbyanotherandmoreimpecuniousminister；andthenexttimeitisHISturntoscabwhileabrotherministerishardeninghishearttoacall。Thescabiseverywhere。
Theprofessionalstrike-breakers，whoasaclassreceivelargewages，willscabononeanother，whilescabunionsareevenformedtopreventscabbinguponscabs。
Therearenon-scabs，buttheyareusuallybornso，andareprotectedbythewholemightofsocietyinthepossessionoftheirfoodandshelter。KingEdwardissuchatype，asareallindividualswhoreceivehereditaryfood-and-shelterprivileges，——suchasthepresentDukeofBedford，forinstance，whoyearlyreceives$75，000fromthegoodpeopleofLondonbecausesomeformerkinggavesomeformerancestorofhisthemarketprivilegesofCoventGarden。Theirresponsiblericharelikewisenon-scabs，——andbythemismeantthatcoupon-clippingclasswhichhiresitsmanagersandbrainstoinvestthemoneyusuallyleftitbyitsancestors。
Outsidetheseluckycreatures，alltherest，atonetimeoranotherintheirlives，arescabs，atonetimeoranotherareengagedingivingmoreforacertainpricethananyoneelse。Themeekprofessorinsomeendowedinstitution，byhismeeksuppressionofhisconvictions，isgivingmoreforhissalarythangavetheotherandmoreoutspokenprofessorwhosechairheoccupies。Andwhenapoliticalpartydanglesafulldinner-pailintheeyesofthetoilingmasses，itisofferingmoreforavotethanthedubiousdollaroftheopposingparty。Evenamoney-lenderisnotabovetakingaslightlylowerrateofinterestandsayingnothingaboutit。
Suchisthetangleofconflictinginterestsinatooth-and-nailsocietythatpeoplecannotavoidbeingscabs，areoftenmadesoagainsttheirdesires，andareoftenunconsciouslymadeso。Whenseveraltradesinacertainlocalitydemandandreceiveanadvanceinwages，theyareunwittinglymakingscabsoftheirfellow-laborersinthatdistrictwhohavereceivednoadvanceinwages。InSanFranciscothebarbers，laundry-workers，andmilk-wagondriversreceivedsuchanadvanceinwages。Theiremployerspromptlyaddedtheamountofthisadvancetothesellingpriceoftheirwares。Thepriceofshaves，ofwashing，andofmilkwentup。Thisreducedthepurchasingpoweroftheunorganizedlaborers，and，inpointoffact，reducedtheirwagesandmadethemgreaterscabs。
BecausetheBritishlaborerisdisinclinedtoscab，——thatis，becauseherestrictshisoutputinordertogivelessforthewagehereceives，——itistoacertainextentmadepossiblefortheAmericancapitalist，whoreceivesalessrestrictedoutputfromhislaborers，toplaythescabontheEnglishcapitalist。Asaresultofthis，ofcoursecombinedwithothercauses，theAmericancapitalistandtheAmericanlaborerarestrikingatthefoodandshelteroftheEnglishcapitalistandlaborer。
TheEnglishlaborerisstarvingtodaybecause，amongotherthings，heisnotascab。Hepractisesthepolicyof\"ca\'canny，\"whichmaybedefinedas\"goeasy。\"Inordertogetmostforleast，inmanytradesheperformsbutfromone-fourthtoone-sixthofthelaborheiswellabletoperform。AninstanceofthisisfoundinthebuildingoftheWestinghouseElectricWorksatManchester。TheBritishlimitpermanwas400bricksperday。TheWestinghouseCompanyimporteda\"driving\"Americancontractor，aidedbyhalfadozen\"driving\"Americanforemen，andtheBritishbricklayerswiftlyattainedanaverageof1800bricksperday，withamaximumof2500
bricksfortheplainestwork。