[TO THE ED/TOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—The attention of the public has during the last few weeks been again drawn to the great scarcity of employment in West Ham, and to the distress which accompanies it. How great the scarcity is, and how real the distress, only those who live and work here know, and it is to be feared that a certain scepticism on both points prevails in the public mind. Unscrupulous exaggeration by interested agitators has been freely suggested in certain quarters, and no doubt unwise things have been said and done here and there. It .could hardly be otherwise in a community so large as this; but those in authority have acted, and are acting, with prudence and circumspection. The Statutory Distress Com- mittee of the borough has already registered two thousand five hundred names of men and women under the Unem- ployed. Workmen Act, and is arranging for a careful examination of the applications by qualified persons. Its powers of helping are, however, sadly limited by the terms of the Act, and the field for voluntary charitable effort is very large. Many of the unemployed, especially those who are women, can be put into touch with existing agencies, and special ways of helping individual cases will often suggest themselves to skilled visitors. The ordinary work of a Settlement brings those doing it into daily .contact with many whose needs can only be met by devoting much time and thought to them, more than the few permanent workers are able to bestow. There must be many patient, kind, and skilful people in London who would wish to be of use at this difficult time, and to show by personal work their sympathy with those to whom " the cup has been dealt in another measure." West Ham, although distant from the West End, is yet comparatively easy of access. Electric trains run direct from Earl's Court and intermediate stations, and there is a good service from Liverpool Street to Stratford. Ladies desiring to reside here for a longer or shorter time could be helped to make suitable arrangements, and are requested to apply to me.—I am, Sir, &c., (Mrs.) S. M. CROSSLEY, Acting Warden of S. Helen's House, Stratford, E.
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