12 DECEMBER 1925, Page 20

. THE VIENNA LAND SETTLEMENTS [To the Editor of the

SPECTATOR.]

Sur,—May I make a slight correction in the particulars you give in the article on the Vienna Land Settlements, in last week's issue of the Spectator ? The houses in these settle meats were only partly built by the settlers themselves, As a rule there were not enough workers skilled in the building trades among the settlers to give more than a small proportion of the necessary skilled labour. The chief saving in cost was due to the settlers giving most of the unskilled labour in their spare time. Most of the skilled labour, and some of the un., Skilled, was employed by the settlers at Trade Union rates of wages. Sometimes the paid workmen were also settlers, who happened to be unemployed, and were paid for their eight- hour day and then put in their free hours afterwards. Th6 organization of the paid and unpaid labour naturally required skill and good leadership in order to produce the excellent houses -that are to be seen. in the settlements at a markedly reduced cost._ The fact that it was done makes the experiment of praetical value in England.—I am, Sir, &c.,

HILDA CLARK.

Friends' House, Euston Road, N.W.1.