But you must admit that this competition of the employers is one of the causes of unemployment and poverty, because it's not only in our line--exactly the same thing happens in every other trade and industry.

Competing employers are the upper and nether millstones which grind the workers between them.' 'I suppose you think there oughtn't to be no employers at all ?' sneered Crass.

'Or p'raps you think the masters ought to do all the bloody work theirselves, and give us the money ?' 'I don't see 'ow its goin' to be altered,' remarked Harlow.

'There MUST be masters, and SOMEONE 'as to take charge of the work and do the thinkin'.' 'Whether it can be altered or not,' said Owen, 'Landlordism and Competing Employers are two of the causes of poverty.

But of course they're only a small part of the system which produces luxury, refinement and culture for a few, and condemns the majority to a lifelong struggle with adversity, and many thousands to degradation, hunger and rags.