THE PERSONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Since the formation of the Personal Service Association nearly four years ago there has been a constantly increasing interest taken by the more educated classes in the social issues of our industrial areas. To take only two instances, the Agenda Club and the Cavendish Club are both trying to get men to take up useful work. Probably the immediate outcome of this movement will be a reinforcing of the many voluntary agencies, which to-day are most of them faced with tasks far beyond their strength. But there is another field in which competent recruits are perhaps even more necessary, that of municipal service. In our East- End borough councils and on our boards of guardians men of public school and University training may be counted on one's fingers. The Poplar Council, I believe, has three ; the West Ham Council has one. The Borough Council elections will be held in November, and an opportunity now presents itself to educated men who have public spirit. The heads of the large firms in the East End, if they cannot them- selves find time for municipal service, might encourage their sons to do so. The problems of the East End are complicated at every turn by the absenteeism of the well-to-do; and unless those who should lead are willing to come forward, the problems will never be effectively solved. Is it too much to hope that at the approaching elections some will be found ready to undertake a duty which, rightly regarded, is also a privilege P
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