ply as a stimulant to competition, making
more people willing to enter such employment at small wages than would be
willing without these special advantages.

A good illustration of such employments is found in common school
teaching. While a teacher does need an expensive preparation, and success
is dependent upon special adaptability to the work, it is nevertheless
true that the work can be taken up readily and as readily laid down; it
confers upon the applicant the privilege of social recognition and
somewhat of personal dignity; it gives opportunities for some note in the
community, and, with all, it is considered a work of philanthropic
character, entitling to the gratitude of the public. The result is that
teachers everywhere command less of salary or wages in proportion to their
abilities than other classes of wage-earners. Fortunately, this stimulant
to competition appeals largely to those characteristics of the individual
teacher which make him more serviceable in his calling. The opportunity
for a life of study, added to other considerations, makes still more
effective the competition of earnest, philanthropic students, such as the
world needs for teachers.

In the lower ranks of teachers, competition is still more increased by the
fact that common school teaching can be temporarily carried on in the
intervals of study, without interfering with mental growth. Teaching is
also specially adapted for the temporary employment of young men and women
not quite ready to enter the actual life work. Acquaintance with human
nature, which it fosters, is thought to be good preparation for home and
business life. The employments in which women largely engage as
wage-earners are chiefly of this temporary character. The fact that the
life work of most women must be the making of the home hinders competition
in employments where long apprenticeship or special skill of any kind may
be demanded. Any temporary employment not only appeals to her sense of
capacity for earning wages, but seems better adapted to her future. If
that employment at the same time affords opportunity for social life and
calls for the natural adornments of youth, the young woman considers wages
only a small part of the general consideration, and is satisfied with a
bare living. Hence clerkships in stores, subordinate positions as teachers
and places as typewriters are crowded with applicants at wages
insufficient for a life-time support. Employment in dom