The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-09-23
DIR. COOK
EXPLAINS
HIS TRIP
Submits to Severe Cross Exam
ination Regarding Discovery
of North Pole
Answers Questions Freely and
Corrects Misstatements in
First Printed Story
Declines to Enter Into Contro-
versy With Peary, Saying
Data Will Prove Claim
New York Officially Recognizes
Doctors Feat and Public
Reception Is Arranged

n Jew YORK. Sept. 22-Dr. Fred
IN erick A. Cook tonight submitted
cheerfully to one of the severest
cross examinations he has undergone
since he announced his discovery of
the north pole. The interview, which
was conducted by 40 newspaper rep
resentatives, including several from
foreign newspapers, proved at least
that he was not afraid to meet the
public
incidentally the city Of New York
officially recognized DR.. Cooks
achievement today when the board
OF aldermen passed a resolution COM
memorating his discovery and pro-
viding for public welcome at the
city hall
The material points of DR.. Cooks
answers today did not differ in a great
degree from his original recital. Some
slight details were cleared up, how
ever, which throw light on the way in
which the polar dash was effected
AS the questions asked were nut bv
laymen they did not go deeply into the
scientific aspect of the expedition. But
Dr. Cook was ready to answer anything
pertinent to the issue.
Cook Shows Diary
Doctor Cook was asked If he would
object to showing his diary He imme-
diately consented. and produced a small
octave notebook. which he showed
freely to ALL 1t contained 17s pares
each of which was filled with so or 60
lines of writing in the most minute
characters The book, he Said. con
tanned considerably more than 100000
words He also has other books en-
bracing his observations and other
data
Doctor Cook answered every aaes
tion in low voice without hesitancv.
as though in full possession of all his
facts
The interviewers were rather severe
in regard to details, but nothing indi-
Gated that the polar travellers memory
particulars Sometimes when a petty
question Indicated ignorance he smiled
with good humored sympathy at the
lack of technical knowledge displayed.
Avoids Discussing Peary
Not once did he refuse to reply. ex-
cept when the name of Commander
Peary was broached- Even then he
said he always had and did now con-
slider Peary as his friend. but contro-
versial subjects in connection with his
they could wait.
When requested to say what had oc-
Cured at his meeting with Harry Whit
ney. the New Haven sportsman. he
said he preferred to let Whitney tell
his own story. as Whitney was quite
unbiased. His reasons in imposing Sc
crecy on Whitney, on Pritchard. Com
mander Peary's cabin boy, and the Es-
kimos were prompted by his desire to
be the first TO tell the world of his dis
covery- He had done the work. he said.
and was entitled to relate how it had
been carried out
Cook Answers Questions
Some of the more important questions
put to DR.. Cook and his replies follow
Q.-Did anything ever occur in the
life of yourself and MIR. Peary that
would create an enmity or bitterness
between you?
A.-No; nothing whatever that
know of.
Q.-Do YOU look upon Commander
Peary as a-friend or an enemy?
Al must say do not know. I have
treated Mr.. Peary as friend and until
know more about the situation
shall continue TO do the same.
Q.-Did you ever say anything in
Etah that indicated that you feared
for your life if ne got there?
A.-No.
Peary in debate when he gets here
A.-As far as 1 am concerned the
Peary incident is closed. Mr.. Peary is
not the dictator of my affairs and I do
not care TO say anything further about
him.
Q-Did YOU know Mr.. Whitney when
you met him on your return to Etahs
A.-No; he introduced himself. but
did not catch his name and did not
know it until the following day.
Q.-Did you know that Peary was
going to start UP at that time?
+ A-No. L did not know.
o--what caused YOU to have such