_Wages vary with abilities employed._—The variation of wages among different classes of workmen in the same calling is universally recognized as dependent upon the powers employed. The strictly operative labor is usually paid by the hour, day or week, the terms varying with the supposed strength or skill exerted. Executive duties commanding monthly or yearly salaries vary with the total amount of responsibility implied, the large establishment requiring greater abilities than the small one. The strain of responsibility increases in some degree with the number of operative laborers employed, and successful oversight of many hands may be essential to their profitable employment. In that case the salary of the overseer gains something of the nature of profits, since the manager gauges the pay by profits expected. If, as in great stock companies, a manager is hired at a stipulated salary, his personal abilities, as tested by accomplishment, are likely to be the sole gauge of wages. A successful manager of a great enterprise can scarcely be said to have a market price for his services, but will estimate himself in large measure by the profits he might secure as an independent business man. Within limits, such salaries will vary with the experience and inventive ability required. _Supply and demand in wages._—Wages in general are subject as truly to the law of supply and demand as are the products of labor. If few places are vacant and many applicants seek those places, it is impossible to prevent the reduction of wages through the anxiety of some applicants to secure places. On the other hand, if few applicants seek the places open to many, each will find the employer most willing to give an increase of wages for his work. Laws cannot prevent such natural competition, though they may hinder it. Even organization under secret bonds can only temporarily restrain. Human nature is stronger than any arbitrary restriction. In general, then, wages in any particular occupation may be affected directly by limited competition. Any necessity for peculiar abilities of body or mind, or for preparation by education or training, makes certain, as far as it goes, a limited competition, and therefore the opportunity for higher than ordinary wages. In the same way, if unavoidable hardships or dangers are involved, comparatively few workers will seek such employment and can have larger pay. If, however, the dangers carry with them a stimulating excitement and exhibition of daring, arousing admiration for the worker, this may offset entirely the effect of the danger. Soldiers and railroad employés for such reasons do not command pay in proportion to the dangers met. Any employment where there are obstacles to natural advancement or where continuance is uncertain does not attract applicants except by higher wages. Illustrations of all these occasions for limited competition are found everywhere.