the people of the abyss(深渊居民)-第34章
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do their utmost to discourage the tramp and vagabond； and he is； in all
truth； a mightily discouraged creature。 He knows that two shillings a day；
which is only fifty cents； will buy him three fair meals； a bed at night； and
leave him a couple of pennies for pocket money。 He would 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 inefficiency； 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 bottom 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 inefficient； 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。
The mortality is excessive； but； even then； they die far too lingering
deaths。
Here； then； we have the construction of the Abyss and the shambles。
Throughout the whole industrial fabric a constant elimination is going on。
The inefficient are weeded out and flung downward。 Various things
constitute inefficiency。 The engineer who is irregular or irresponsible
will sink down until he finds his place； say as a casual labourer； an
occupation irregular in its very nature and in which there is little or no
responsibility。 Those who are slow and clumsy； who suffer from
weakness of body or mind； or who lack nervous； mental； and physical
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stamina； must sink down； sometimes rapidly； sometimes step by step； to
the bottom。 Accident； by disabling an efficient worker； will make him
inefficient； and down he must go。 And the worker who becomes aged；
with failing energy and numbing brain； must begin the frightful descent
which knows no stopping…place short of the bottom and death。
In this last instance； the statistics of London tell a terrible tale。 The
population of London is one…seventh of the total population of the United
Kingdom； and in London； year in and year out； one adult in every four
dies on public charity； either in the workhouse； the hospital； or the asylum。
When the fact that the well…to…do do not end thus is taken into
consideration； it becomes manifest that it is the fate of at least one in every
three adult workers to die on public charity。 As an illustration of how a
good worker may suddenly become inefficient； and what then happens to
him； I am tempted to give the case of M'Garry； a man thirty…two years of
age； and an inmate of the workhouse。 The extracts are quoted from the
annual report of the trade union。
I worked at Sullivan's place in Widnes； better known as the British
Alkali Chemical Works。 I was working in a shed； and I had to cross the
yard。 It was ten o'clock at night； and there was no light about。 While
crossing the yard I felt something take hold of my leg and screw it off。 I
became unconscious； I didn't know what became of me for a day or two。
On the following Sunday night I came to my senses； and found myself in
the hospital。 I asked the nurse what was to do with my legs； and she told
me both legs were off。
There was a stationary crank in the yard； let into the ground； the hole
was 18 inches long； 15 inches deep； and 15 inches wide。 The crank
revolved in the hole three revolutions a minute。 There was no fence or
covering over the hole。 Since my accident they have stopped it
altogether； and have covered the hole up with a piece of sheet iron。 。 。 。
They gave me 25 pounds。 They didn't reckon that as compensation； they
said it was only for charity's sake。 Out of that I paid 9 pounds for a
machine by which to wheel myself about。
I was labouring at the time I got my legs off。 I got twenty…four
shillings a week； rather better pay than the other men； because I used to
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take shifts。 When there was heavy work to be done I used to be picked
out to do it。 Mr。 Manton； the manager； visited me at the hospital several
times。 When I was getting better； I asked him if he would be able to find
me a job。 He told me not to trouble myself； as the firm was not cold…
hearted。 I would be right enough in any case 。 。 。 Mr。 Manton stopped
coming to see me； and the last time； he said he thought of asking the
directors to give me a fifty… pound note； so I could go home to my friends
in Ireland。
Poor M'Garry！ He received rather better pay than the other men
because he was ambitious and took shifts； and when heavy work was to be
done he was the man picked out to do it。 And then the thing happened；
and he went into the workhouse。 The alternative to the workhouse is to
go home to Ireland and burden his friends for the rest of his life。
Comment is superfluous。
It must be understood that efficiency is not determined by the workers
themselves； but is determined by the demand for labour。 If three men
seek one position； the most efficient man will get it。 The other two； no
matter how capable they may be； will none the less be inefficients。 If
Germany； Japan； and the United States should capture the entire world
market for iron； coal； and textiles； at once the English workers would be
thrown idle by hundreds of thousands。 Some would emigrate； but the
rest would rush their labour into the remaining industries。 A general
shaking up of the workers from top to bottom would result； and when
equilibrium had been restored； the number of the inefficients at the bottom
of the Abyss would have been increased by hundreds of thousands。 On
the other hand； conditions remaining constant and all the workers doubling
their efficiency；
