THE MANUFACTURE OF PAUPERS. [To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In an article in the Spectator of June 26t1i the writer remarks that in 1886 Mr. Chamberlain "placed upon the municipal authorities an entirely new responsibility for dealing with the unemployed. Since that date the number of unemployed has steadily increased." Illness has pre- vented me from addressing you sooner, but I feel sure that the Spectator will think it never too late to correct an important misstatement. The percentages of unemployment for triennial periods, starting with 1886, and assuming 6 per cent. for 1909, are as follows :-7.6 per cent., 2-6 per cent., 6-9 per cent., 4.2 per cent., 2.8 per cent., 44 per cent., 5.3 per cent., 6 per cent. Could a statement be more extraordinarily at variance with the facts? The percentage for the first triennial period is the highest of all, and greatly in excess of the average of the rest, the percentage for 1886 itself being actually 10.2. I enclose the full figures that my averages may be checked. I am aware that, as positive figures, exception may be taken to them; but as they are computed on the same lines each year, they are quite reliable for comparative purposes, as I am
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