1 JANUARY 1870, Page 25

TRADES' HALLS FOR OPERATIVES.

[TO TILE EDITOR OF TILE "SPECTATOR."]

Sin,—The writer of the article on Trades' Unions in your last number has fallen into an error which it is important should be corrected, namely, that our hall here has been built with the funds of Unions.

Our operatives at present rent the chief portion of a mansion in a central street, and have the use of two large rooms, capable of seating together nearly 400 persons, as well as eight or nine others, which are used as committee-rooms for the Unions, of which ten already meet in the building, and more are expected to join shortly. The funds, which have been raised under the Companies' Act, 1862 (Limited Liability), have been contributed largely by the Unions, but the members for the borough and a few other friends of the operative class are shareholders. These funds have been used to furnish the hall. The money necessary for supporting the institution is sub- scribed entirely by the Unions and by individual operatives, and the whole affair is managed by the directors of the company, who are nearly all representatives of Unions. Apologizing for intruding upon your space, I am, Sir, &c.,

JAmEs SAMUELSON, President of the Operatives' Hall.

1'.S.—It may be interesting to your readers to know that the establishment of similar halls in London and Birmingham is contemplated.