No. 4.] EDUCATION AND 1NDU8TKY. 93 



Second, the mental attitude of industrial workers toward 

 their respective callings is a significant factor in this discus- 

 sion. To a casual observer it seems as if large numbers of 

 the industrial class, particularly those in unskilled occupa- 

 tions, exhibit a oeneral lack of interest in their work, or 

 ambition to improve the qualitj^ of their service. They 

 perform their tasks in a spiritless manner, with little feeling 

 of responsibility, eager to hear the whistle blow and to re- 

 ceive their wage, but indifferent to the interests of their 

 employers. Such conclusions as these must frequently oc- 

 cur to those who employ or have to deal with Avorkmen. 

 Every one has had his unhappy experiences with careless or 

 incompetent persons, who expect the wages of first-class 

 workmen, but take little thought as to the kind of service 

 rendered in return. It seems as if many such were entirely 

 lacking in any conception of that pride in good work, that 

 devotion to their calling, and that dignity and self-respect, 

 which every man should possess. 



This spirit and attitude is one of the saddest features of 

 industrial life. The explanation lies in part in what has 

 been said about the ill-founded ambitions and tendencies of 

 our workers to rise above their present level. It is to some 

 extent also a manifestation of that vicious spirit which seeks 

 the reward without the toil, and hopes for luck in the lot- 

 tery of life; which desires to "get rich quick," and does 

 not accept life's law of equivalents. 



How unfortunate that multitudes whose training and ability 

 can never lift them above the ranks of laborers must toil on 

 through a life uncheered by pride or joy in their daily tasks, 

 and fretted by an aimless and impossible ambition, when, 

 under easily possible conditions, contentment and genuine 

 satisfaction miffht be woven into their life work. 



Our young people look askance at all manual labor or 

 hifrnble industrial callings, and they are unwilling to submit 

 to the discipline necessary to prepare them for such work ; 

 although it is quite certain that large numbers of them, un- 

 fitted for anything else, must find their life pursuit in such 

 capacities. And so the ranks of industrial workers are filled 

 with those who either will not or cannot enter into their 



