CHAOTIC LONDON [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] , Sul, = Sir
Percy Harris's article in your issue of February 26th must have aroused widespread interest and indeed concern.
I venture to hope that you will allow me the opportunity to inform your readers that the " New London Council " has been formed to educate public opinion on the problems of the administration of " Greater London " and to mobilise all possible forces in favour of a new policy. There is a very considerable measure of agreement among those qualified to express an opinion that co-ordination and centralisation of most of the principal local services such as town-planning, housing, transport, provision of open spaces, &c., is an urgent necessity, while the inadequacy of the " permissive " legis- lation regarding town planning and ribbon development is frequently referred to in Parliament and in the Press.
It is a mistake, too, to think that what may be termed " uninstructed " public opinion will for long be silent. The very docile public which is transported daily from the growing outer suburbs to and from the centre of London is beginning at long last to protest against the extension of the tubes which are already crowded to suffocation during the rush hours and already worked practically to their maximum capacity during those hours. Such extensions can only create fresh urban areas farther from the centre, and thus add to the congestion.
The " New London Council " intends to urge all members of the newly elected London County Council, irrespective of party, to press as a matter of urgency for a fresh Royal Commission to consider the many urgent problems awaiting solution. Many will recall the abortive efforts of the London County Council before the Ullswater Commission of 1923 to obtain a full consideration of these questions at that time.
All those who are in sympathy with the general objects set forth above are earnestly invited to communicate with the
undersigned.—Yours faithfully, R. H. WHITEHORN, Hon. Directing Secretary, The " New London Council." 15 North Court, Wocd Street, S.W.r.
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