The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-28
SILENCE BROKEN.
xhat Swain Has to Say of
The Peary Expedition.
I Leader Broke Contracts Alleged
ungenIIemanly Conduct.


81 PnILADEiPHIA, sept 2s--Sincc the re-
turn 81 the Beary expedition from North
Greenland on Tuesday last, there have
been stories of dissatisfaction on the part
OF the members concerning Peary's con-
duct OF the enterprise and the quality and
quantity OF .ac food he compelled them to
eat
The interview had with Mrs. Pcary I'm
Washington, In which she said she was at
a loss TO understand the complaints has
caused much discussion here, and yester-
dny afternoon the members of the party
held conference at the Bingham House
70 consider the advisability OF making a
abatement OF the occasion for dissatisfac-
ton.
The conference was held behind closed
doors and lasted several hours AT its
conclusion, the members declined 10 state
what had been decided upon, further than
that IL was not their intention Go make
answer to Mrs Peary's statements at this
time. The party has not yet disbanded,
however and a further consultation may
be held.
w. Il. Swain, who was one Of the party
and went out with Peary as his private
secretary, said: "We are under no contract
with Peary me- to find fault with his man
agement. The only agreement that ex-
lists was made by US on board ship while
we were returning TO Philadelphia. We
then agreed that we would say nothing
unless Mrs. Peary opened her lips This
see she did yesterday. 1 consider myself
nt perfect liberty to speak.
No Mincing of Words.
"As Co my contract with Peary, ~ was
broken by him repeatedly during the
course of the expedition. He agreed that
we We're to be treated as gentlemen, for
one thing. can say that Lieutenant
Peary himself certainly did not act as a
gentleman among gentlemen. Mrs. Peary
j see, has something to say about the food.
Let me give You our menu during the last
two months of our stay while we waited
for the relief party. This menu was the
outcome of Peary's arrangements and was
due to insufficient provisioning in the be-
ginning.
s'Breakfast-Co meal mush, sprinkled
by Peary with sugar and a sparing hand;
bacon with all the fat fried out of it; an
occasional spoonful of Boston beans out Of
q can; coffee.
sLunch-Boled seal meat, tasting like
stale mutton favored with coal oil; corn
bread; tea
"Dinner-Reindeer meat, when we could
get IL, seal meat when we couldn't; beans
occasionally, and-don't omit this-one
half slice of white bread; coffee.
s'On Sunday evening, as a special treat
we had for dessert, one can of tomatoes
among the party.
Pearys Lived Separately.
'What Peary and his wife had we didn't
know. They lived apart, and not one Of
MS was ever, during the whole time, in
vited to their quarters.
"Peary treated US to lot of red tape
and autocratic rule that had serious con-
sequences some times. am lame on ao-
count of il. He would order some of us to
go on 75-mile slcdge journey TO procure
food for his dogs, and only give us an
isour's warning, when half day could
rave been accorded. The hour did not
luffice TO dry our fur stockings, and we
san the risk OF frozen feet. My toe, which
lames me, was frozen in just that way.
"And one thing / can add, no expedition
can ever succeed which takes u woman
along TO hamper it,"
1t Is understood that Professor II. G.
Chamberlain of the University of Chicago,
who accompanied the auxiliary expedition
as geologist, has secured valuable data
bearing ON glaciers. Between July 25 and
Aug. 20 he made personal examination
OF l7 glaciers, and he was Lieutenant
Pearys guest at Anniversary lodge for
fortnight The other members OF the re-
lief party say he was really the only scien-
tisJ who learned all he went TO sec.