William opened the discussion the next evening.

"I feel certain," he said, "that, before long, the United States will have to stop the flow of immigration, at least for a while. As I look at it, a million newcomers every year will, in time, eat up even a land of plenty.

"All these people must find work to do, since they cannot go hungry. In order to get work, they will work for less money than that paid other workmen. I can see no other way for the newcomer who does not understand English, to find employment.

"This will mean, "he continued, "no work or else less pay for the men already here. If this keeps on for any length of time it will surely make trouble. If the United States wishes to avoid this difficulty it will have to stop the immigration."

William took his seat. He had made some mistakes in English while speaking, but with Mr. Clark's help he had corrected them. From what he said, it was plain to the class that he had been reading up the

question. It was also plain, that he was speaking for the workingman only; that he gave no thought to the good the country gains from the work of immigrants who are desirable.

George arose to speak. "I am sure," he said, "that William is not quite right in what he says. He does not look at the question from every point. While it is true that a million newcomers into a country every year must find work, does it follow that they must steal this work from others? Will not a million people coming into a country make more work?"

Mr. Clark was pleased to see the class catch the new point George had raised, but he said nothing. George went on with his argument:

"The newcomers must eat, must they not? They need shoes and hats and clothes. They must have houses to live in though they have but a room apiece or even part of a room.

"Does not this mean that more food must be raised than was raised before they came? that more shoes and hats and clothes must be made? that more houses must be built?

"If more food is to be raised, does it not mean that more farms are needed on which to raise it and more workers for the farms?

"Hats and shoes and clothes are made in factories.

Since the newcomers need these things, does it not mean more work and more workers for the factories where they are made? Where more houses must be

built, does it not mean more work for the men who are in the building trades?"

"I admit," said Henry, rising as George sat down, "that a million immigrants a year make plenty of work for workers. But I am afraid they make less work than they take away from the workers already in the country, as William pointed out.

"Every day I see people looking for work and unable to find it. If, as so many people say, there is plenty to do in the United States, why are so many men without work when they need it? Is it not because the immigrants take more work from the workers than they make for them?"

There was no answer from the class. The members only nodded their heads in approval and looked at one another in silence. They lived in a city where there were four millions of people. So vast a number must make a great deal of work, as George had said; yet more than one man in the room was out of work at that moment, and every one present knew only too well how hard it is sometimes to find work. George's idea was not wrong, but Henry's question seemed reasonable. It was hard to decide between them.

Mr. Clark broke the silence. "No, Henry; that is not the reason why the men whom you know often find it hard to get work. There is plenty of work to do in the United States for all who want to work and who look for it in the right place.

"It is too late this evening, to answer your question why people are so often without work when they need it. I should like all the members of the class to think it over until to-morrow evening and be ready to give us their opinions upon the subject."

Frank took up the discussion where they had left off

the evening before.

"Mr. Clark," he began, "you asked us to think about the question why people are so often without work, when there is plenty of work in this country for all who want work. I have been thinking about it, but I cannot understand it. May I tell you of my

own case?

"Three weeks ago the shop where I work shut down and I have been looking for work ever since. I am sorry to say that I cannot find anything to do.

"I am young and strong. I understand English and I am willing to work hard. I have looked everywhere for work and there is no work to be had. That is why I say, - and I beg your pardon Mr. Clarkthat in the United States, there is not enough work to go around."

"Before I answer you, Frank," said Mr. Clark, "I should like to hear from others in the class."

At first no one answered. Then Frederick stood up to speak. "I feel as Frank does, Mr. Clark. You