第62章

answered Owen, `and the lowest usually gets the job.The successful tenderer has usually cut the price so fine that to make it pay he has to scamp the work, pay low wages, and drive and sweat the men whom he employs.He wants them to do two days' work for one day's pay.The result is that a job which - if it were done properly - would employ say twenty men for two months, is rushed and scamped in half that time with half that number of men.

`This means that - in one such case as this - ten men are deprived of one month's employment; and ten other men are deprived of two months'

employment; and all because the employers have been cutting each other's throats to get the work.'

`And we can't 'elp ourselves, you nor me either,' said Harlow.

`Supposing one of us on this job was to make up 'is mind not to tear into it like we do, but just keep on steady and do a fair day's work:

wot would 'appen?'

No one answered; but the same thought was in everyone's mind.Such a one would be quickly marked by Hunter; and even if the latter failed to notice it would not be long before Crass reported his conduct.

`We can't 'elp ourselves,' said Easton, gloomily.`If one man won't do it there's twenty others ready to take 'is place.'

`We could help ourselves to a certain extent if we would stand by each other.If, for instance, we all belonged to the Society,' said Owen.

`I don't believe in the Society,' observed Crass.`I can't see as it's right that a inferior man should 'ave the same wages as me.'

`They're a drunken lot of beer-swillers,' remarked Slyme.`That's why they always 'as their meetings in public 'ouses.'

Harlow made no comment on this question.He had at one time belonged to the Union and he was rather ashamed of having fallen away from it.

`Wot good 'as the Society ever done 'ere?' said Easton.`None that Iever 'eard of.'

`It might be able to do some good if most of us belonged to it; but after all, that's another matter.Whether we could help ourselves or not, the fact remains that we don't.But you must admit that this competition of the employers is one of the causes of unemployment and poverty, because it's not only in our line - exactly the same thing happens in every other trade and industry.Competing employers are the upper and nether millstones which grind the workers between them.'

`I suppose you think there oughtn't to be no employers at all?'

sneered Crass.`Or p'raps you think the masters ought to do all the bloody work theirselves, and give us the money?'

`I don't see 'ow its goin' to be altered,' remarked Harlow.`There MUST be masters, and SOMEONE 'as to take charge of the work and do the thinkin'.'

`Whether it can be altered or not,' said Owen, `Landlordism and Competing Employers are two of the causes of poverty.But of course they're only a small part of the system which produces luxury, refinement and culture for a few, and condemns the majority to a lifelong struggle with adversity, and many thousands to degradation, hunger and rags.This is the system you all uphold and defend, although you don't mind admitting that it has made the world into a hell.'

Crass slowly drew the Obscurer cutting from his waistcoat pocket, but after a moment's thought he replaced it, deciding to defer its production till a more suitable occasion.

`But you 'aven't told us yet 'ow you makes out that money causes poverty,' cried Harlow, winking at the others.`That's what I'Manxious to 'ear about!'

`So am I,' remarked the man behind the moat.`I was just wondering whether I 'adn't better tell ole Misery that I don't want no wages this week.'

`I think I'll tell 'im on Saterday to keep MY money and get 'imself a few drinks with it,' said Philpot.`It might cheer 'im up a bit and make 'im a little more sociable and friendly like.'

`Money IS the principal cause of poverty,' said Owen.

`'Ow do yer make it out?' cried Sawkins.

But their curiosity had to remain unsatisfied for the time being because Crass announced that it was `just on it'.