PROBLEMS OF DISTRIBUTION 229 
been solved. There remain for discussion 
the vital questions, first of what are the 
effects of the use of machinery upon labour 
directly apart from its wages (what, for 
instance, are the effects upon the workman’s 
producer’s surplus), and, secondly, of what 
are its effects upon the prospects of the more 
able and ambitious of the labour world. 
These questions it is for realistic economics to 
answer, but two thoughts may be suggested: 
the one that the influence of machinery on 
labour is elevating when the workman is 
no longer called upon to perform a mechanical 
task, and possibly a heavy task, but is 
required instead to apply knowledge and 
exercise intelligence in the management of 
power-driven appliances of a complicated 
nature ; and the other that within the large 
business upward progression may be possible 
for the talented, while it may still be feasible 
to start employing, in many industries, in a 
small way which may not be beyond the 
reach of the pushing and thrifty workman 
under conditions of developed credit. 
The beautiful theory of distribution ex 
pounded in the last few chapters works in 
the world as it is against enormous friction. 
It is not, therefore, surprising to find in all 
advanced countries associations of workmen