Lord Beaverbrook is a smart publisher first, a stubborn Tory second. The last three men he has picked to edit his London Evening Standard (circulation: 608,000) have been bright young journalists first, fiery leftists second. The advantages in each case were mutual—but temporary. The Beaver got a well-edited paper. For the leftists, the Standard was a soapbox, a springboard—and a handsome meal-ticket. So long as they could agree on "fundamentals" (Churchill as a war leader, aid to Russia) the wary alliance lasted. Last week the last of the three leftists gave it up.
First to go was tall, flamboyant socialist Frank Owen,...
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