Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 47.djvu/87

Rh until his reward is made equal to that paid A, C, D, E, and F. But if from B, G, H, I, and K work can be obtained equal to that obtained from A, C, D, E, and F for the same reward to each as that paid to B, the totality of effort would be increased byemploying B, G, H, I, and K at the lesser reward. Society as a whole, therefore, receives greatest benefit, other things equal, by obtaining needed results for the least reward. But by paying unequal rewards for equal services it incites the antagonism of those discriminated against as soon as the discrimination is perceived by them. The merchant, who pays one clerk a greater salary than another whose services are of equal value, incites that other to the demand for an increase of salary. A class of laborers receiving wages less than other laborers to whose services they think their own equal, are incited to demand equal wages; and so throughout all society.

But if A and B for equal results receive equal reward, and in a given time A produces more than B, it follows that to make equal contributions to, and to receive equal reward from, the totality of effort, B must work longer than A. And if A in a given time produces not only more than B, but of more important result than B, it follows that his reward should be greater than that of B. In other words, to receive the greatest reward that he can obtain from the totality of effort, each individual should contribute to his capacity to that totality; and that the totality of effort may be the greatest, society must bestow upon each individual such proportion of benefit as in return for which the proportion of effort of which he is capable can be obtained.

And it is not difficult to perceive that the value of effort is directly proportionate to the intelligence with which it is guided and by which its results are directed. On roads and embankments, in the fields, mines, and quarries, is necessary a vast amount of work that depends almost entirely on physical exertion and endurance. While the aggregate of this work forms a large proportion of the totality of effort, the portion contributed by each individual is but an infinitesimal portion of the whole, and, as requiring but little intelligence or experience or training, it can be performed substantially as well by one as another the proportion of benefit accruing to each individual in return is small, and this also because such work is without avail unless it is directed to efficient result, and its results are co-ordinated to beneficial ends, and this directing and co-ordinating come from others than those performing the work. On the plane with these laborers may be classed teamsters, stevedores, porters, and like functionaries. For their individually slight and easily obtained services, which are immediately directed by the intelligence of others, society gives but slight reward. In stores and offices are needed the services