22 OCTOBER 1927, Page 18

READING ROOMS FOR UNEMPLOYED

[To. the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—A correspondent from Birmingham states that my reference to the reading room recently opened in Liverpool is inaccurate. It is the corrector's statement that- is incorrect; Reading rooms for both employed and unemployed were established in almost every town and city in Great Britain long before the year 1921.

The new and important departure in the Liverpool room is placing it in telephonic communication with the Labour Exchange, and so enabling men to spend their time profitably without missing the chance of work. It was this feature that attracted the support of the Carnegie Trustees, and prompted them to contribute to the cost of the building. The scheme has proved so successful that it has been extended to other reading rooms in populous districts in the City of Liverpool.— I am, Sir, &c.,

YOUR LIVERPOOL CORRESPONDENT.