ELASTICITY OF SUPPLY AS A DETERMINANT OF DISTRIBUTION 99 
his increase in ability to all would (unless the group 
argained as a whole) therefore be in part turned against itself. 
ut that there are certain conditions where such an improvement 
in bargaining technique might result in permanent changes and 
indeed in some cases lead to a cumulative movement will be 
emonstrated by the analysis which is to follow. and 
he change in the supply schedules whereby less will be 
ffered at identical prices than before, may be expressed by (a) 
shifting the whole supply curve (on a double logarithmic chart) 
o the left but retaining the same elasticity (slope) as before, or 
(b) from keeping the same curve for a portion of the supply but 
aking it become more inelastic for other stretches. Since prices 
are seldom determined in the lower ranges of the curve, the differ 
ence between the two is difficult to distinguish in the price making 
egions of the curve and may for all practical purposes be dis- 
egarded. Whether the curve has shifted its position to the lef 
ut kept its same elasticity, or reduced its elasticity after startin 
rom the same position, the result is that less will be offered a 
he same price than before. 
he cause for this, in the case of the factor labor, may be the 
rganization of the men into a trade-union which will distinct] 
essen the fears of the workers as to what will happen if the 
mployers refuse to pay the wage demanded. An individual ma 
well be reluctant to hold out for a given wage if he is acting 
all alone, lest he be not employed. With scanty funds to main- 
tain him and with many workmen, whom he believes are read 
to step into his shoes, he will tend to lower the price at which he 
will sell his labor. But in a trade-union he has the consciousness 
that his fellows are pledged not to undercut the union rate for, 
an they, like himself, are striving. This reassurance gives hi 
nd others more strength to hold out. Similarly, the fact that 
he members of the union in various regions of the country have 
ubscribed to a common fund which is used for strike benefits, 
llows the group to contemplate more philosophically thei 
ossible failure to be hired. It is no longer a possible choice 
etween employment at the terms of the employers and no 
mployment at all at that trade, but between the wage the 
mployer offers and the benefits paid by the union. Loss o 
work loses, in consequence, much of its terrors. There are still, 
to be sure, many fears which are left: such as the fear that th