shame on their faces you might think that they were the
criminals instead of being the victims.'

'Well you must admit that most of them is very inferior men,' said
Crass with a self-satisfied air. 'There's very few mechanics amongst
em.'

'What about it if they are? What difference does that make?' replied
Owen. 'They're human beings, and they have as much right to live as
anyone else. What is called unskilled labour is just as necessary and
useful as yours or mine. I am no more capable of doing the "unskilled"
labour that most of these men do than most of them would be capable of
doing my work.'

'Well, if they was skilled tradesmen, they might find it easier to get
a job,' said Crass.

Owen laughed offensively.

'Do you mean to say you think that if all these men could be
transformed into skilled carpenters, plasterers, bricklayers, and
painters, that it would be easier for all those other chaps whom we
passed a little while ago to get work? Is it possible that you or any
other sane man can believe anything so silly as that?'

Crass did not reply.

'If there is not enough work to employ all the mechanics whom we see
standing idle about the streets, how would it help these labourers in
the procession if they could all become skilled workmen?'

Still Crass did not answer, and neither Slyme nor Sawkins came to his
assistance.

'If that could be done,' continued Owen, 'it would simply make things
worse for those who are already skilled mechanics. A greater number of
skilled workers--keener competition for skilled workmen's jobs--a
larger number of mechanics out of employment, and consequently,
improved opportunities for employers to reduce wages. That is probably
the reason why the Liberal Party--which consists for the most part of
exploiters of labour--procured the great Jim Scalds to tell us that
improved technical education is the remedy for unemployment and
poverty.'

'I suppose you think Jim Scalds is a bloody fool, the same as everybody
else what don't see things YOUR way?' said Sawkins.

'I should think he was a fool if I thought he believed what he says.
But I don't think he believes it. He says it because he thinks the
majority of the working classes are such fools that they will believe
him. If he didn't think that most of us are fools he wouldn't tell us
such a yarn as that.'

'And I suppose you think as 'is opinion ain't far wrong,' snarled Crass.

'We shall be better able to judge