30 MARCH 1912, Page 13

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE WORKING MAN.

[To vim DOME OF THE "SrEcriaon."]

SIIL,—Will you allow a working-man reader—not subscriber— of the Spectator an opportunity of putting, however crudely, one view before your readers P I have been a constant reader of the Spectator for the past four years. Its logic and absolute fairness are, perhaps, the most striking features of the Spectator. But human nature being what it is, absolute and detached impartiality is probably impossible, and so it seems to me that sometimes your censures on the workers are a trifle severe. In all activities of life allowances should be made for human weakness.

The wide and ever-widening gulf that separates the classes in England is at once a menace to our country's continued prosperity and a saddening spectacle to all the followers of He who's ethical code was summarized in the Sermon on the Mount. The present age is one of intense materialism and ostentation. All classes are permeated with a desire to show

proud to their fellows." Generally speaking, the barrier between the various classes of the community is a financial one. The reason is not difficult to find. Whatever may be said to the contrary, it is certain that the refinements of life, as the terra is usually understood, are not possible to a poor man. Hence it comes about that unless he ceases to be poor he must rub alonwas best he may, whilst his highest faculties become more and more blunted for want of exercise. The average working man is not infrequently a strange blend of prejudice and sentiment. I often reflect with what mingled feelings of disgust and wonderment such thinkers as Mr. Balfour and Lord Haldane must contemplate their respective party's politi- cal posters in times of election! To think that such travesties of the truth can influence a vote! "Protection means black bread." "A vote given to Jones means American dollars shall rule the Empire." Obviously, whilst such "arguments" as these can, and do, influence votes it is pretty certain the working classes are in a. bad way. Possibly if such were not the case it would soon be no longer true to say there are millions in the country who are on the verge of starvation. Alas it is the plain truth that the spectre of want is never absent from thousands of English "homes." The thought is dreadful and terrifying. With those of my class this is not an abstract question suitable for after-dinner discussion. It is an insistent one calling for immediate attention.

The cheap sneers at Socialism have given place in certain sections of the Press to hysterical alarms and shoutings. The Eldorado that Socialism holds out to the workers may, or may not, be possible of attainment ; at all events its Promises are doubly sweet to them, and appear to offer a solu- tion for their many grievances. My knowledge of political economy is necessarily extremely limited. But to me, as to thousands of others similarly placed, some industrial problems appear capable of solution only by State intervention. I am

living in a district depending largely on the boot industry. So far, I understand, this particular industry has kept the

home market practically free of foreign goods. Yet the average wage paid to the male boot operative is deplorably low ; there are regular periods of short time, and a large number of married women are pressed into service, and work either in the factories or take work home for execution. Half a loaf is certainly better than the baker not calling, but commercial supremacy is dearly purchased on the lines indicated. No matter how great the prosperity of a firm may be, the wages paid are almost always influenced by supply

and demand. Hugo fortunes are made by employers, who IIIUSt know that the wages they often pay their employees is

barely sufficient to keep body and soul together. Thousands of married men with families are working in this beautiful rich city for less than a week. Along what path, Sir, can a remedy be found P Dickens's " Aw a muddle, aw a muddle" in "Hard Times' finds an echo in thousands of thoughtful working men to-day. Our School Board education has widened the horizon, dor- mant tastes have been stimulated, the innate sense of justice has been shocked, and a just claim has arisen for a fuller par- ticipation in all that makes life worth the living. To quicken the appetite and withhold the means of gratification is both unjust and foolish.-1 am, Sir, &c., C. H. N.