Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-27

Elevation to the British peerage of
Philip Snowden, a man who has risen
from humble beginning, is viewed by
Americans as one of the striking de-
velopmentS of politics. His brilliant
services in a national emergency are
reviewed in comments and he Is cred
fed with unusual personal qualities.
Some Americans believe that his retire
ment from active affairs Is foreshadow-
ed by the action of the government.
Few of the changes wrought by time
and circumstances have been more pro-
nounced than his elevation to the peer
age" says the Pittsburgh Post Gazette,
paying tribute that "in the recent eco
nomic crisis he was one of the first OF
the Laborites to put country above
party" The Jersey City Journal also
views his career as "a striking illustra-
ton of the vicissitudeS of fortune" with
the recognition that his career "typifieS
the grit and persistence that the world
has learned to expect in the British
character"
Though Snowden's noble robes, in
some ways, i'll become the simple pre-
tensions he has made throughout a
useful public career" according to the
Cleveland News, they may, perhaps,
oe viewed purely as the reward of great
ness. Some of Snowden'S dis
gruntled comrades may sheer at his
found honorS, accuse him OF play
ing to the grandstand, but the world
will not believe them. He may turn out
to be a useful friend at court for the
very man who criticizeS him. Certainly
he will be no discredit to the august
company he joins, or the group which
sped him on his political career"
THE House of Lords" observes the
Topeka Daily Capital, contains many
Conservatives and plenty OF Liberals,
but Labor men who are peers are lew.
Lord Snowden will hold the office OF
lord privy seal and become the party
leader in the House Of Lords. This Is
not the first time that labor needed
help in order to be properly represent
ed in the Lords, body Of aristocrats.
When the Labor party first came into
power it had nobody for leader in the
Liberal, Lord Haldane, accepted this
responsibility. He had held the high
est judicial Office in the British En-
pire, that of lord chancellor, and as
such had occupied the wool sack,
headed the peerage in a political sense
and was presiding officer OF the House
of Lords"
CAS- he allows himself to be waited
upstairs into the peerage," states the
new 1OTk 11GIh1Q
almost automatically takes on the obit-
uary note. As long as Mr.. Macdonald
remains prime minister Mr.. Snowden
will raise an important voice in the
councils Of the government, but his
acceptance Of Q. vtscountcy at the
hands of the National coalition merely
emphasizes the fact that his long Serv-
ice as a Laborite intellectual cannot be
resumed. The son OF Yorkshire
weaver, he began his adult life in the
cavernous receSses Of the civil service,
in the foundations of the established
order. A bicycle accident rescued him
and launched him on his career Of
coldly passionate radicaliSm and re-
volt. Now he retires into the loftier
strata Of the peerage, at the upper end
of the same system. It speaks good
deal for the system that It can receive
him so easily. In a way, events
have been too much for Mr.. Snowden,
but II he is now on the path which
leads to retirement from public life,
he has behind him q widespread adj
miration from all parties and good
deal of real affection from nation
to which he has given distinguished
service"
Commenting on "the curious twists
and turns of political fortunes in Eng
land" the Rockford Register Republic
remarks: THE Labor party had no
more outspoken champion, yet when
England faced crisis he accepted the
post Of chancellor of the exchequer in
the National government and went the
limit Of his powers, physical and
mental, to help pull the country
through its emergency: Two years ago,
when he returned from brilliant service
in the cQntszanca dealing With the