The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1939-08-29
BY WILLIAM McGAEFiN
AP Feature Service Writer

A glance at the record viii show
that's not correct.
1t is true that pcpper-tongued
Virginia born Nancy Astor has far
surpassed her handsome viSCgunt
in the public eye since she sue
ceeded him in the House of Com
mons 10 years ago But She got
there with his help and at his bid
ding
Pattern Reversed
The customary domestic pattern
wife remaining in background, pro-
viding inspiration for husbands
SUGGESTS exactly reversed in then
case.
This was not the choice Of either
but was brought about by the tri-
umph of the villain in their lives
the family title
The Hon. Waldorf Astor. MP,
was launched ON a promising po-
litical career when his father dice
in 1919, leaving him the title OF
viscount.
He had an intense desire to re-
main plain Waldorf Aston ac-
cepting a title would mean being
kicked upstairs from the House o,
Commons to the dead-end, ihnoau-
Gus House of Lords. So committing
sacrilege in the eyes IF his flabber-
gasted compa triots (who probably
attributed this irreverent action to
his American BIRTH, Astor tried to
dodge the title.
Convinced, finally, Of the futility
of his battle, he gave the world a
start by talking beautiful Nancy
into having his career for nm.
A Teet0taler, TOO
She became The fins woman
member of the House of Commons
Under his astute guidance, she has
made herself one OF the most prom
inent women of her age.
Ever in the background of her
brilliant speeches, her election VIC
tories, her widespread philanthro-
pies, have been the brains and
money of the sparc-built gentle
man of slightly more than medium
height, who has a shy smile a mill
tary moustache and close-cropped
hair, now CRAVING.
Although his Wife's career is his
first consideration, he has found
time for other things
Racehorses His Pride
He has taken an active role in
the House of Lords where his rec
ord is punctuated by campaigns
for liquor restrictions principle
to which teetotaler Nancy Woa
him), health reform, cleaner towns,
and better milk supply.
He fought for equal franchise for
women, and for the right of heredi-
tary peeresses to sit in the upper
house
He has found time. too, to hold
minor cabinet posts. But-next TO
his wife's triumphs-the most sat
isfying compensation for his lost
political career is Tie success he
has achieved as a racehorse owner.
The Quickest man on the turf
as he is known, has added a size
able fortune his ancestors anassed.
You don't have to be a bodsie to
know II is a remarkable achieve
ment to consistently make big
money out of racing especially
when, like Aston, you never Oct.
But even in this activity the
horsey lord has not been without
Illustration. He has won every ma
jor English race except the most
coveted-the derby.
American editors nearly devel-
oped apoplexy in print when wal
dorf, with his father and brother,
John Jacob, turned British in 1899
The presses trembled with vitu-
perative adjeotives when she - a
woman--dared TO STAND Tor Com
mons.
More Tons of Ink
And in recent months, tons of
ink have been spilled over the So
called "Cliveden Set"-a pro-fas-
cist band, according to the gossips,
influencing British policy. Waldorf
and Nancy pooh-pooh the talk,
which started after the Prime Min
lister attended weekend parties at
Cliveden, t heir stately country
home on the Thames.
Whatever the effect of their week
end tete-a tetes, the Astors have
been able TO Ebert considerable in
fluence through the powerful Times
and its influential complement, the
Sunday Observer Waldorf controls
the Observer, brother John Jacob
the Times.
A husband with a new spaper Isl
a handy asset for lady politician.
OF even greater assistance, some
might say, is husband who viii
play nursemaid TO your brood of
five while mama goes from house.
to house" as Nancy puts it.
Owing to the fact that my wife
is an Mp, Lord Astor of.ce said.
i've spent more time in my nurs-
cry than I otherwise would have
dcnau Put Ina did not rni.,ll ~