estic service,
which might be supposed more consistent with the larger work of life, is
rendered less attractive by the almost entire absence of social privileges
and natural opportunities for advancement in knowledge of the world. Girls
who would prefer house work, with equal social freedom and the natural
stimulant of contact with other young people, compete for lower wages in
less satisfactory employment during the years of their girlhood. This is
less noticeable in country life, where girls in domestic service become a
part of the household and share in the privileges of the young people at
home.

Another illustration of the depressing effect upon wages of excessive
competition is found in the work of women upon cheap clothing. This work
is usually done by the piece in the home, and can be taken up at intervals
between household duties. Many women consider earnings of this kind a mere
addition of spending money to a somewhat meager support in their home
life. It can be carried on without display, and so preserves the dignity
of persons who would otherwise shrink from wage earning. The result is a
very serious competition, reducing wages below even enough to sustain life
and character.

These are only illustrations of what happens in every calling when
circumstances stimulate excessive competition. Relief can come only from
larger range of satisfactory employment and a clearer distinction in favor
of genuine wage-earners and genuine employers among the mass of the
people. The customs of society have a much stronger influence upon the
life of women in steady employments than upon that of men. A thoroughly
enlightened community can do much to enlarge the sphere of such women as
are naturally wage-earners, by proper encouragement of their enterprise.

_Fluctuation of wages._--Wages in every employment are just as naturally
subject to fluctuation under the law of supply and demand as are prices of
commodities. Whatever operates to increase the number seeking employment,
or to diminish the amount of employment open to competition, reduces the
wages. Whatever increases the opportunity for employment, or diminishes
the number of persons seeking employment, increases the wages. This is
well illustrated in the cost of harvest hands in a year of large crops as
compared with a year of small crops. Any financial disturbance, checking
the building of railroads and other great enterprises, brings multitudes
of would-be farm hand