The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
'Of course, Landlordism is not the only cause,' said Owen, ignoring these remarks. 'The wonderful system fosters a great many others. Employers of labour, for instance, are at great a cause of poverty as landlords are.'
This extraordinary statement was received with astonished silence.
'Do you mean to say that if I'm out of work and a master gives me a job, that 'e's doin' me a injury?' said Crass at length.
'No, of course not,' replied Owen.
'Well, what the bloody 'ell do yer mean, then?'
'I mean this. Supposing that the owner of a house wishes to have it repainted, what does he usually do?'
'As a rule 'e goes to three or four master painters and asks 'em to give 'im a price for the job.'
'Yes; and those master painters are so eager to get the work, that they cut the price down to what they think is the lowest possible point,' answered Owen, 'and the lowest usually gets the job. The successful tenderer has cut the price so fine that to make it pay he must 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.' Owen paused and there was an uncomfortable silence.
'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 'appin?'
No one answered; but the same thought was in everyone's mind. Such an one would be quickly marked by Hunter, and even if the latter failed to notice him 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.
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