164 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



declining during the last decade. But this can be explained in part by 

 the prevalence of a condition there which in many ways resembles the 

 effect of the passing of the frontier. It is only in the last two or three 

 generations that modern European nations, with the exception of Eng- 

 land, have become primarily industrial or manufacturing nations. In 

 the earlier decades these nations were largely occupied in producing 

 such raw materials as coal, iron, agricultural products, lumber and fish. 

 Such industries as there were, were more open to the person of ordinary 

 ability than is the case with the industries at the present day. To be 

 a coal-miner does not require special training. The same is true of a 

 farmer, fisherman or lumberman. But to be a maker of watches, 

 microscopes or thermometers, requires a long period of apprenticeship. 



In recent years a number of the nations of Europe have ceased in 

 considerable degree to devote themselves to the raw-material industries 

 and have begun the finer kinds of manufacturing on a large scale. These 

 industries require of the workers years of preparation and during these 

 years the apprentice cannot marry. Thus it is that the changes in manu- 

 facturing industry in the European countries, by closing the door of 

 opportunity to the untrained, have had an effect somewhat similar, 

 though different in degree, to the disappearance of the frontier in the 

 United States. 



In the history of the United States nothing has been more conspicu- 

 ous than the remarkable increase in wealth. Owing to its unequal 

 distribution and the prevalence of the democratic ideal, it is natural that 

 there should be a great increase in competition between the various classes 

 as far as the struggle to secure wealth is concerned. 



This is precisely what has occurred. The great prizes that have 

 rewarded the exertions of those who have devoted themselves to exploit- 

 ing the undeveloped possibilities in the new country, and the cultivation 

 of our democratic ideals have feverishly intensified the struggle for wealth. 



In proportion as the standards of a community are determined by the 

 pecuniary culture and where, to a considerable extent, equal oppor- 

 tunities exist, the attempt on the part of those who are not yet included 

 in the wealthy class to reach and become members of this, to them desir- 

 able, group, must needs result in lowering the birthrate. The more 



