The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-09-13
.PEARY REPEATS
HIS ACCUSATION
Says Cook Is Handing the
Public a Gold Brick.
ASSERTS HE CAN PROVE IT

Declares the Brooklyn Explorer Did
Not Reach the North Pole on April
q, 1908, or at Any Other Tlme-Dis-
patch Adds Fuel to tho Already
Fierce Fire of Charge and Counter
Charge.
New York, Sept. 13.-The Cook,
Peary controversy over the discovery
of the North pole continues to rage
with unabated fury. For the time be.
Ing the great achievement itself is
somewhat obscured if not, lost in the
intensity of feeling which has been
aroused over the personal aspect of
the two conflicting claims. Comman-
der Peary's latest dispatch, challeng-
ing Cooks claim and characterizing it
as "a gold BRICK" has added fuel to
the already fierce fire of charge and
counter charge This dispatch is ad-
dressed to the New York Herald and
reads as follows:
do not imagine the Herald is like,
ly to be imposed upon by Cook story,
but for your information Cook has
simply handed the public gold brick.
He had not been at the pole on April
II, 1908, or any other time. The
above statement is made advisedly
and at the proper time will be backed
by proof"
In a dispatch to the New York
Times Peary declares that as soon as
Cook makes his claims as a discoverer
of the pole before a reputable geo.
graphical or scientific society he
(Peary) will be in position to furnish
material that may prove distinctly In
teresting reading for the public"
Each explorer has his camp of loyal
champions and defenders, centering
In the various polar organizations
with which they have been identified
but ramifying throughout scientific
and public circles generally. In these
divided camps plans are being hastily
formed on a prodigious scale for the
welcome to be accorded to the two
claimants for polar honors and as
present plans indicate that both ex-
plorers will arrive about the same
time the demonstrations greeting
them promise to bring to climax the
present intense feelings of approval
and disapproval
Peary's Charge Very Plain.
Peary's latest challenge to Cooks
claim is viewed with varying shades
of emotion by the supporters of the
two men. 1t is accepted by both sides
as a direct charge of the untruthful-
ness of Cooks narrative. 1t is noted
also that Peary How adds that he has
proofs of his statement contradicting
Cook. 1t is also noted that his inten-
ton to present this proof is when he
Cook makes full statement of his
journey over his signature. Peary
also requires that this written state
ment from Cook shall be made Ito
some geographical society or other
reputable BODY in this connection.
Copenhagen dispatches have already
stated that Cook was ready to submit
AAAo SAe~AAA w kAAC SoooC C1O SCOuSI1C
survey at Washington or other scien-
tif1c body if Peary would do the same
thing. The use of tho contemptuous
phrase, "a gold BRICK" in referring to
Cooks claim is looked upon by the
champions of DR.. Cook as particularly
offensive. They regard it as not only
challenge of his veracity, but as
one of such serious import in reflect
ing upon Cooks methods that it calls
for immediate substantiation from
Peary. Whether Peary will give this
substantiation at once is open to
doubt, in view of his statement that
the proof would be presented when
Cook made a signed full statement to
some geographical society or other
reputable body.
Commander Peary has now taken
action as naval officer as we'll as an
explorer by reporting officially to the
president, to the navy department and
to the coast and geodetic survey at
Washington that he reached the North
pole April 6, 1909. .