LORD NORTHCLIFFE

Evening Star, Issue 20634, 6 November 1930, Page 18

LORD NORTHCLIFFE

INTIMATE BIOGRAPHY No official biography oi ; Lord Northclilfe has boon published, and he never wrote his own memoirs. Of people, places, and events as he saw them he wrote much, but ho did not reveal himself in those writings. Mr Hamilton jfyfe has done_ that for him in a volume entitled ‘ Northcliffe: An Intimate Biography,' which is unusually attractive for tho new light it throws on tho character and personality of a man who inado newspaper history—and helped to make national history. Others have written readably of Northcliffe, but none has attempted so intimate a biography. There is little on which Mr Fyfe has judged it desirable to be reticent. Facts, events, and impressions discussed in newspaper offices and elsewhere, but rarely printed, arc here set down without reservation. Tho story of the Northclitfo newspaper enterprises is told, not in full, but with a sufficiency of gossipy detail to make interesting reading for those who like to know how such things are done. Incidentally, Mr Fyfe gives high credit for a measure of Northclifl’e’s success to his brother Harold (now Lord Rotherinere), the financial genius. There is a pen-picture, too, of Kenncdy-Jones, Northcliflo’s right-hand man in the ‘ Daily Mail,’ who is quoted us saying: “Alf ” (Lord Northclitfo) can have the limelight, there isn’t room in it for two.” So Kennedy-Jones (writes Mr Fyfe), “ will remain in the background, pulling the strings, while Allred comes ana goes, listens, watches, learns what people are saying, plays ‘the Elephant.’ K.J. is the man always on the spot. Morning, afternoon, very often evening, too, he sits in his swivel chair, usually with big icet on the table, smoking cigarette after cigarette, up to eighty, ninety, a hundred a day. He will sec anybody, ho will hear any suggestions, but most of his visitors leave his room with the feeling that they have been insulted.” There are many entertaining glimpses of Northcliffe. Ho liked engaging people, but lie never dismissed them unless ho lost his temper, which occurred rarely. He left the unpleasant duty of dismissal to others, but he gave ruthless instructions. Even his own brother was not spared. ‘‘ I’m afraid ho has not got tho popular touch,” reported' the new editor who was reorganising the ‘Mirror.’ “He ought to "be on ‘ The Times.’ So I propose . . .” “Yes, sack him, sack him,” was NorthclifFe’s cheerfully acquiescent reply. The storv of ‘ The Times ’ purchase is told—of the plan, put into operation with Moberly Bell’s assistance, by which Pearson was beaten in his race for ‘ The Times.’ There is also an account, a. bit too ■scrappy unfortunately, of NorthclilTe’s efforts to modernise the paper in tho way he wished there is sincere appreciation in the biography of tho great traits in Northcliffe’s character. His perfect understanding with his mother, how he consulted her in his difficulties, the wisdom with which she advised him, and tho affectionate regard' with which he repaid her—writing, cabling, or telephoning to her daily when on his travels. Tho strength, tenacity, and honesty of his war policy are revealed. Mr Fyfe gives Northcliffe credit for courageous patriotism, not influenced by personal feelings, and his narrative supports this judgment. The pathetic breakdown of a strong man is told simply. Incidents for some time had shown his _ growing eccentricity. It was manifested at first by extreme courses taken as a result of magnified dislikes. For example, he had complained much of the ‘ Daily Mail ’ being disfigured by big display advertisements. Then one day he suddenly informed the hall porter that he was to bo head of the “ so-called advertisement department.” Tho appointment was made, and as the porter was a man with dignity, humour, and education, it appears to' have achieved its purpose.