12 JULY 1913, Page 13

[To tats EDITOR OT TRY "SPECTATOR") Sin,—Tbe writer of the

article on "The Cottage Problem" in the Spectator of July 5th entirely overlooked the chief reason for the high cost of cottages, or indeed of any building, which is the action of the trade unions in preventing men from laying more than a certain number of bricks per hour. I am informed that in many cases this increases the cost about one- third, and in most cases one-fitth.—I am, Sir, &c.,

A. B. C.