The whole force of Unionism hangs on "the unemployed." The strongest and most effective Unions are in trades where there are the smallest number of unemployed competitors; the weakest Unions are in trades which are beset by crowds of outsiders able and willing to undertake the work, and if necessary to underbid those who are employed.
Close attention to the composition and working of our Trade Unions discloses the fact that their chief object is to limit the competition for work in their respective trades.

Since their methods are sometimes indirect, this is sometimes denied, but the following statement of Trade Union methods makes it clear.

The minimum or standard rate of wages plays a prominent part in Unionism.

It is arbitrarily fixed by the Union, which in its estimate takes into account, [Greek: a].

prices paid for articles produced; [Greek: b].