If a man were so stupid as to
have no choice as to occupation, he would simply remain a common laborer; but
such cases, as you may suppose, are not common.«
    »Having once elected and entered on a trade or occupation,« I remarked, »I
suppose he has to stick to it the rest of his life.«
    »Not necessarily,« replied Dr. Leete; »while frequent and merely capricious
changes of occupation are not encouraged or even permitted, every worker is
allowed, of course, under certain regulations and in accordance with the
exigencies of the service, to volunteer for another industry which he thinks
would suit him better than his first choice. In this case his application is
received just as if he were volunteering for the first time, and on the same
terms. Not only this, but a worker may likewise, under suitable regulations and
not too frequently, obtain a transfer to an establishment of the same industry
in another part of the country which for any reason he may prefer. Under your
system a discontented man could indeed leave his work at will, but he left his
means of support at the same time, and took his chances as to future livelihood.
We find that the number of men who wish to abandon an accustomed occupation for
a new one, and old friends and associations for strange ones, is small. It is
only the poorer sort of workmen who desire to change even as frequently as our
regulations permit. Of course transfers or discharges, when health demands them,
are always given.«
    »As an industrial system, I should think this might be extremely efficient,«
I said, »but I don't see that it makes any provision for the professional
classes, the men who serve the nation with brains instead of hands. Of course
you can't get along without the brain-workers. How, then, are they selected from
those who are to serve as farmers and mechanics? That must require a very
delicate sort of sifting process, I should say.«
    »So it does,« replied Dr. Leete; »the most delicate possible test is needed
here, and so we leave the question whether a man shall be a brain or hand worker
entirely to him to settle. At the end of the term of three years as a common
laborer, which every man must serve, it is for him to choose, in accordance to
his natural tastes, whether he will fit himself for an art or profession, or be
a farmer or mechanic. If he feels that he can do better