312 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



A recapitulation and summary of cause and effect throughout 

 the industrial development of the United States as outlined in 

 the foregoing pages lead to the conclusions : 



That specialization of function and co-ordination of similar 

 functions become more pronounced with the growth of popula- 

 tion and ease of communication ; that this specialization and co- 

 ordination is accelerated by the invention of machinery, the dis- 

 covery of processes whereby the production and distribution of 

 greater quantities of an increased variety of products are facili- 

 tated ; that this specialization and combination are of benefit to all 

 individuals of the nation in that they bring to the control of the 

 processes of production and distribution the men best fitted there- 

 for, under whose directions the efforts of great bodies of workers 

 are co-ordinated to the greatest advantage, and under whose di- 

 rection the accumulations of great numbers of people can be used 

 with profit to the investors and to the individuals of the whole 

 nation, for this specialization and co-ordination lead to the pro- 

 duction and distribution on an ever-extending scale and at de- 

 creasing expense of the i)roducts that contribute to the strength 

 and fitness of the buildings in which these individuals live and 

 work, in which they congregate for instruction, deliberation, and 

 recreation ; of the products that nourish and the products that 

 clothe the body under the varying conditions to which it is sub- 

 jected, thereby aiding each individual to preserve for the greatest 

 period that condition which permits the effective performance of 

 the functions dependent upon physical action. 



That a powerful factor in this industrial specialization and 

 combination and in the diffusion of the benefits thereby attained 

 is the force known as competition. Increased demand causes in- 

 creased production by an increased number of producers, who, by 

 competition, are forced to lower selling prices and are thereby 

 forced to the discovery, invention, and adoption of appliances and 

 methods that decrease cost of production. Competition, still en- 

 croaching upon their profits, incites a combination of producers 

 in self-defense, but to withstand its still active force they are com- 

 pelled to production only in localities where conditions are most 

 favorable and to vest its control in men most competent to direct 

 it. Competition that rippled and eddied around and among the 

 simpler organizations of employer and employee gains increase of 

 force as the agencies of production combine, and rolls in mighty 

 waves upon a great organization, washing away and crumbling 

 every point of weakness, until there is left but that wall of bed 

 rock formed by production and distribution upon the most eco- 

 nomical basis that can be maintained with justice to producer 

 and consumer alike. 



That as the conditions incident to industrial combination have 



