New-York tribune., 1909-09-29
DIR. COOK STRIKES BACK
Makes REPLY TO PEARH.
Points to Accuser's Failure to Find
lSUerdrup'S CGirn.

Dr. Frederick A. Cook spoke yesterday more def
ntely in reply to the accusations of Commander
Peary than he has done hitherto. Referring to his
rivals charge that In negecting TO seek out Pearys
cairn at Cape Thomas Hubbard he failed to follow
the custom of explorers DR.. Cook said:
'I had other things 10 do than hunt for Mr..
Pearys cairn. We did not see 1t near at hand An
object which we saw at some distance might have
been a cairn. but had time to investigate. II
is strange that did not come upon IT, Mr..
Peary himself could not find Sverdrup's carn in
that neghborhood, although he tells of looking
for II.
mfr. Peary is mistaken in assuming that had
an artificial mercurial horizon. 1t was of plain
glass and sufficient for my purposes. shall equip
ship at my own expense to go north as soon as
possible and recover the records and instruments
which Mr.. Whitney left at Etah. The vessel will
also bring down the Esqumaus who went with me
to the pole
Pressed for an opinion 10 his own popularity
with the Esquimaus as compared with that OF
Commander Peary he said:
Ask the Danes. They know the Esquimaus. and
what they think almost all points"
DR.. Cook a guest at two of last nights Hud-
SON Fulton dinners following Governor Hughes
from The Bronx dinner Eblines Casino to the
Harlem dinner in the Harlem Casino. AT both ne
received a turbulent and enthusiastic welcome.
AS he entered the dining hall in The Bronx the
diners rose and cheered while he walked the length
of the room and through auteroom to the dais
AS he shook hands upon introduction TO Governor
Hughes. the applause doubled in volume. The en-
thusiasm did not die out after that by any means
Every reference 20 the distinguished guest brought
on more of it, and when the Governor referred in
characteristic fashion to those who have essayed
the difficulties and dangers of the frozen North and
put the American flag at the North Pole the man
in the gallery had his say usual and led the
cheering With cry of "Oh. you Cook
Il have DR.. Cook" diner was heard
to tell his neighbor table. "and have heard him
talk you. he is faker.'
Or. Cooks speech very short. Introduced by
Justice Brady the discoverer of the North
Pole" with several complimentary qualifications
he said:
Gentlemen Fellow Explorers: II affords great
pleasure TO meet my friends of The Bronx on such
honor TO Hudson and Fulton fts the sentiment
VI We're te pTime moTers IN the eary dsys Of Arctc
exploration. Henry Hudson made record OF
Greenland That record was only surpassed in the
% biphast f ~ siafon S nssibe Genin oTpInreTs
were these, and am sure that | express the sen
when I say: IAN honor TO Hudson and Fulton;
Let sing their praises from pole to pole"
When it came 10 making exit the explorer
found himself facing down a lane Of standing men,
all Of whom must shake his hand. Both hands were
pressed into service, while the cheers started
over again. with the customary three more" The
crowd outside numbered several hundred cnthuSi-
asts both at his arrival and his departure.
The Explorers Club is about 20 take up issue
which was raised by Commander Peary at the
time of DR.. Cooks departure on hts Journey. soon
after DIR. Cook sailed from Gloucester Commander
Peary filed with the club n formal protest against
his rival. charging that the other had taken
unfair advantage in avaiiinE himself Of prepara-
tions which he. Peary. had made for his own pur-
poses in the Far North. He asked that direct ac-
tion be taken against Dr. Cook. and also that
general rule OF exploration he put into definite
form and receive the official approval OF the club
saying that any invasion by explorer of the
field which another has already pre-empted IS
! ethical and dishonorahle. The club viii hold
meeting tonight, when Pearys complaint Of two
years ago is expected to come up for discussion.
Herbert l. Brdgman, secretary Of the Peary
Arctic Club said yesterday that he member
Of the expedition OF ten years ago when Command
er Peary met the Norwegian explorer. Sverdrup.
and that the American explorer not only carried =
large amount OF mail 10 Sverdrup. but brought
back with him from Smith Sound mail which Sver-
drup gave him 10 be forwarded 10 Chrstiana.
The Peary party did not refuse 10 bring back
Sverdrup's records" said Mr.. Bridgman. but I
suppose Sverdrup did not TO hand his
records 10 others"