The New York herald., 1922-12-22
Appears Unexpectedly in Court
and Demands Permission
to File Caveat.
WITHHOLDS PARTICULARS
Huge Profits Said to Have
Been Made in Sale Of London
Times Stock.
Special Cable TO THE New YORK HERALD.
Copyright. 1929. oy THE NEW YORK HERALD

Special Cable to THE New YORK HERALD
Copyright, 1879. oy THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Dec. Fl.
What was expected TO be definite
step toward the settlement OF the es-
tate OF the late Lord Northcliffe was
hindcred to-day by the unexpected ap-
pearance in the Probate Court of Mrs
c. A. Thomas. who asserted that she
had claim on the estate and sought
TO prove that Lord Northclife had
been under undue influence in making
his will.
Upon the first appearance OF Mrs.
Thomas in the morning there was a
hurried whispering among the barris-
ters and solicitors representing Lady
Northcliffe and the trustees of the other
interests. But the woman, dressed in
black. maintained her composure and
told Sir Henry Duke, who was presiding.
that she wished 10 file caveat. The
Judge told her she would have later
opportunity for presenting her caveat.
The court then heard the formal proof
OF the signature on the will and the
four codicils.
Mrs. Thomas told reporters that she
lived In Brixton. a London suburb, and
that she had a claim on Lord North
oiiffe.
To-day's Intervention apparently was
unexpected Il was understood that the
case would net be brought formally be-
fore the court until a practical agree
ncnt had been reached by all parties
concerned. II Is reported that the sale
OF the Times was necessary in order
to- carry out the terms OF certain al
lowances" which Lord Northciffe
wanted to have continued. 1t Is not
brown whether Mrs. Thomas Is the
same woman who attended the North
clffe funeral, yelled and, accompanied
by two younger persons. Though she
was shown the utmost consideration IN
the funeral arrangements she did not
form part of any OF the family groups
and was not mentioned in any of the
lists 81 guests.
The DGiiv Express says that contrary
to the general belief. Lord Northclife's S
ownership of the Times was profitable
one. Ills original interest In the Times
Up TO June. 1922" II says. was $50,
600 ordinary shares out Of n total OF
500. 600 one pound shares Issued. Tho
purchase price was 100000 pounds
sterling. The Walter estate owned 2O0.-
600 ordinary shares. In June. however.
ne bought the whole Walter interest OF
200, 900 shares at par. paying 100000
cash. His interest IN the Times thus
became 550.000 ordinary shares and his
capital and total investment amounted
TO 100000.
The newspaper adds that this interest
was sold to Lord Astor and others Tor
Ei.350.00O. representing a net profit OF
f7bO, 600 on the whole NorthclMe inter-
est IN the Times, and continues But
what Is more remarkable stiN Is thar
the 100000 Walter shares. which were
bought at 20 shllllngs by Lord North
ciire In June. were sold hve months
later at so shillings, representing a
Lroft OF 100000"
The Daily ErpreSs says that Lord
Astoria entire payments for the control
OF the Times, incrdiug the Elierman
shares. tota;ed fl.550.000
The difficulty n the way Of q formal
proof OF Lord NorthcliHe's will lies IN
the manner in which the four codlcils
were drawn. The Judge made Il clear
in granting an adjournment TO later
date that Il be agreed that Mrs. Thomas
and other litigants would not be
urejudced by the evidence on the sigma
lures submitted to-day All witnesses
testified Lord Northcliffe was IN sound
mind when the codicils were signed.