The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-28
The Arctic Explorers Compan-
ions Make Serious Charges.
They Say He Didn't Give Them
Enough to Eat.
TREATED THEM BADLY.
Mrs. Peary Comes in for Some
Blame.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Sept 2S.-Since
the return of the Peary expedition
from North Greenland on Tuesday
last, there have been stories of dissat-
isfaction on the part of the members
concerning Peary's conduct on the en-
terprise and the quality and quantity
of the food he compelled them to eat.
The interview had with Mrs. Pearv
in Washington. in which she said she
was at a loss to understand the com
plants, has caused much discussion
here, and yesterday afternoon mem
bers of the party held a conference at
the Bingham house to consider the
advisa bi1ity Of making a statement of
their reasons for dissatisfaction The
conference was held behind closed
doors and lasted several hours.
At its conclusion the membe de-
cljned to state what ha been decided
upon, further than it was not the in
tentiOn to make an answer to Mrs.
Peary's statements at this time. The
party has not yet dis banded, however.
and further consultation may be
held to-day.
party and went out with Peary as pri-
vate secre tary, said: eve are under
no contract with Peary- As regards
dissatisfaction with his manage cement.
the only agreement that exists was
made by us on board ship while we
were returning to Philadelphia. We
then agreed we would say nothing I'M
less Mrs Peary opened her lips.
This she did yes terday, and con-
slider myself at perfect liberty to
speak. As for my contract with
Peary, 1t has been broken by him re-
peatedly during the course of the ex-
pedition.
HE agreed that we were to be
treated as gentlemen. For one thing
can say that Lieutenant Peary GER
tainly did not act as a gentleman
among gen lemen. see Mrs. Peary
has something to say bout the food.
Let me give you our menu during the
last two months of our stav, while
we waited for the relief party.
The menu was the outcome of
Peary's arrangement and was
due to insufficient provision in
the beginning: Breakfast, corn
meal mush, sprink1ed by Peary with
sugar and with sparing hand; bacon
with all the fat fried out of it; an oc-
casional spoonful of Boston beans out
Of can; coffee Lunch, boiled seal
meat, tasting like stale mutton fla
vored with coal oil; corn bread; tea.
Dinner, reindeer meat, when we could
get it; seal meat, when we could get
It: and-don't omit this-one-ha1f a
slice of white bread; coffee
s'On Sunday evening, as a special
treat, we had for desert one can of to-
matoes- among the party.
What Peary and his wife had we
don't know. They lived apart and
not one of us was ever admitted to
their quarters Peary treated us to
a lot of red tape and autocratic rule
that had serious consequences. / am
lame on account of it. He would
order some of US to go a seventy Eve
mile sledge journey to get food for
his dogs and only give us an hours
warning, when half a day should
have been accorded. MY toe, which
lanes me, was frozen in just that
way.
AND one thing that can add, no
Arctic expedition can ever succeed
with a woman along to hamper it.
1t is understood that Profe ssor
Cham berlain of the University of
Chicago. who accom- panied the aux
iliary expedition as geologist, has Sc
cured valua BILE data bearing on gla-
ciers- During July rs and 20 he made
a pc rsonal examination Of seventeen
glaciers and he was Lieutenant
Peary's guest at Anniversary lodge
for fortnight The other members
of the relief party say he was re ally
the only scientist who learned all he
went to seek.