A free market with unrestricted methods of competition became the mode of regulation. The position and welfare of lowwage earners were established by the demands on industry. Government did not interfere. The free market determined labor demand and the availability of labor determined wages. In the United States we soon discovered that this would not and could not work. A cheap labor market composed largely of untrained and unskilled immigrants would take any wages available. Competition for employment was based solely on the willingness of the labor force to work for lower wages. The availability of such a force became a detriment to the entire wage structure.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants are described as being largely untrained and unskilled, willing to work for any wages, and detrimental to the entire wage structure.