‘Have you anything more agin the Unions?’ asked Johnson angrily.
‘Yes; I maintain that when they thus endeavour to control the labour market they often drive away trade. Why are our shops filled with American manufactures? For this simple reason: In America the men are always looking out to improve the processes of manufacture. A workman who can strike out a new and improved method is rewarded by his masters and applauded by his fellows. Here masters and men are against him. The workmen are too conservative. You are not offended, I hope, by my plain speaking?’
‘Not at all,’ replied the visitor in a sulky tone.
‘Well, I will add that, so far as I can see, they often drive trade away as well. I will just give you one instance: I was spending an evening with an eminent judge a little while ago.’
‘Why, the lawyers are the greatest trades unionists going,’ said Johnson passionately.
‘It may be. I am not a lawyer, and have not much to say on their behalf. The judge of whom I speak had just been at one of our great Midland towns, where an order had come for a large supply for a foreign Government. “But,” said the English firm, “we must have a strike clause inserted in the agreement, as our men will strike directly they hear we’ve got the order.” The agent of the foreign Government declined to agree to such a proposal, and the order was taken to Belgium and executed there.’
‘Ah, that was an isolated case.’
‘Not a bit of it,’ said Mr. Wentworth. ‘I can give plenty of other cases that show how often the British workmen unwittingly drive away trade, and make us all suffer in consequence.’
‘Well, this is a free country, and the workmen have a right to act as they think best,’ said Johnson.
‘Undoubtedly; I do not dispute that for an instant. All I say is, don’t throw all the blame of poverty on the rich; a good deal of it is due to the poor themselves. Parliament can do little more than it has done. No Act of Parliament can give permanent employment and good wages to a man who drinks, or neglects his duty, or who will not work properly and efficiently.’