The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-01
'ASTOR ACH|EVESH HIS AMBITION AT LAST Made a Baron by King in
 New Year HonOrs IS FORMER AMERICAN Went to England Twenty-Five Years Ago, Became an Expatriate and
 Has Been Working for a
 Peerage Since

London, December 31.-The New Years honors announced tonight stand apart from the conventional lists through the absence of rewards for political and party services and the substitution of recognitions of vari- ous sorts for war activities
 There was one notable surprise-the conferring of peerage on William Waldorf Astor the wealthy American citizen, who years ago became an ex- patriate. Mir. Astor becomes baron. Another surprise, which is certain to be as popular as it is harmonious with the spirit of the day, is the appoint ment of William, or Will, as he is bet ter known, Crooks, the labor leader, to the privy council
 MT. Astor's title is considered as be- ing the fulfillment of the ambition winch brought him to England 16 years ago to become a British subject. There is no one able to recall a for mer instance of an American becoming British peer, except it was the case of Lord Fairfax of Cameron. It is gos- sip tonight that some of the Kings ad- vlsers entertain the belief that Mr Astor's honor will be especially pleas ing to Americans
 EDWARD DIDN'T LIKE HIM
 MT Astor's reputed candidacy to the peerage was a topic which greatly en- crossed society after he launched his career as British subject. Unfortu- nately for his ambitions, they were beclouded by an incident which was supposed to have incurred for him King Edwards displeasure. A popular Brit ish officer is said to have appeared at a reception at MT. Astors London mansion. whose name was not on the invitation list The officer arrived With party of invited guests with whom he had been dining, which is frequently the case in London society
 MT Astor, it is said, requested the officer to depart, and King Edward was reputed to have been irritated, since the officer held a high place in the Kings esteem. This story was cur rent and widely published at the time.
 To Americans, the most interesting of the Kings honors is that bestowed upon William Waldorf Astor, great great grandson of John Jacob Astor, who founded the family fortune in this country. William Waldorf re- moved to England in 1890 and expat- riated himself, arousing a storm of criticism in the United States. At that time his personal fortune was esti- mated at s100.000,0 ,000
 William Waldorf Astor was born in 1S4S and married in 1878, Miss Mary Dahlgren Paul. daughter of James w Paul of Philadelphia He was United States minister to Italy from 1882 to 1885.
 OTHER HONORS
 Another honor of unusual interest on the American continent is that given Sir Thomas Shaughnessy presi dent of the Canadian Pacific Railway company, who was born at Milwaukee of Irish parentage.
 Lord Charles Beresford retired in 1911 as an admiral in the British navy, after a long and distinguished career in that branch of his majesty's serv- ice.
 Sir Alexander Henderson is chair man of the Great Central railway.
 David A. Thomas is known as the s'Welsh coal king" and Is widely known in this country where he has been on a mission for his government for the purchase of munitions since the war began.
 Captain Norton is assistant post master general of Great Britain and member of Parliament.