New-York tribune., 1909-09-12
REGRET PEARY ATTACK
DIR. COOK GAINS FRIENDS.
Interest en- Commanders StOry OUer-
shadOaced by Controversy.

/ Interest I'm Commander Peary's detailed account
OF his progress TO the North Pole was overshad-
/ owed again Yesterday by the controversy to
| whether Peary or DR.. Cook was the first to reach
the pole. The naval officers reiteration of the
Brooklyn physicians untrustworthiness, as
pressed IN his dispatch from Battle Harbor, dated
on Friday served only TO stir up the debate.
Commander Peary's statement said: "Dr. Cook
has not been at the pole April q, 1905, at any
/ other time. He has simply handed the public
gold brick" As result of this those who, have
consistently asserted their belief in Dr. Cook were
| more vigorous in their support of him. Men in
terested in polar exploration who have tried to
remain neutral inclined to think that COM
| mander Pesry had made grave mistake IN hasten
ing 10 denoGnce HIS rival without producing PROOF
Of mis- assertions at the same time
On the whole. the latest dispatch from Com
msnder Peary branding DR.. Cooks story as ia bri-
cation appeared 20 have turned public sentiment in
favor Of the doctor. Even Pearys friends we're
chagTned that he had let his Indignation overcome
his common sense, as one man put 1t. While they
could account readily for the feeling which
prompted him to send such message, they felt
that the general public would be likely to
condone the apparently ungenerous attack on a
rival.
Members Of the Arctic Club of America who have
been preparing fate DR.. Cook on his arrival in
New York next week went right ahead with their
arrangements DR.. Roswell O. Sebbns. chairman
Of the executive committee of the club had con-
ference with Mrs. Cook last evening, at which the
date for the clubs dinner for the explorer was set
for Thursday evening, September %. Mrs Cook
promised 10 all her influence to get her hus-
hand TO accept the invitation for the dinner. which
promises TO be far elaborate affair than at
first planned.
Captain Bradley Osbon. secretary of the club,
continued receive applications both for the din
ner and for tickets on the steamboat, which will
be chartered 10 take DR.. Cooks friends down the
bay 20 meet the Oskar IT. So fast are the appca-
tions pouring in that Captain osbon said the club
Ernnlr
lyn neighbors Of Dr. Cook have asked that two
hundred tickets be reserved for them. The Brook
lyn people want TO take DR.. Cook OFF the liner at
Quarantine and make triumphal sea and land
procession OF it TO his home in Bushwick avenue
Captain Osbon received many letters yesterday
from persons in various parts of the United States
expressing their belief in DR.. Cook. sherburn NJ.
Becker. the Boy Mayor" of Milwaukee from 1905
to 1905. wrote from Atlantic City as follows:
I'm with Dr.. Cook first. last and all the time.
reached The pole after DR. Cook Is no greater than
Samuel S whitehouse once a candidate for the
Supreme Court bench in Kings County, wrote:
believe DR.. Cook TO be the real hero OF the
North Pole. Peary. from his dispatches, if they
be true, is acting like and making himself
ridiculous before the whole world
While l believe Peary may have reached the
pole Captain Osbon said. his dispatches simply
confirm the opinion formed from those he first
sent attacking DR.. Cook-that is, he is certainly
fast approaching the height of diocy.' ]. Knowles
Hare. another member of the club. said: Captain
Osbon's statement expresses my sentiments.
Or. StebbIns when asked what he thought of
Pearys gold brick dispatch, said: Il don't think
Peary has any more proof about Cooks failure to
reach the pole than he had AT first. In fact the
chances for his making good his assertions are
lesssning every day. and confidence IN DR.. cooks
story is steadily increasing"
AT the Office of H. L Bridgman, in Brooklyn, The
following dispatch from Indian Harbor was re-
ceved:
The Roosevelt will remain here three or four
18th. Have hundred walrus skins on board Tor
the club. Your letters per whaler ana the Jeanne
received. You are the logical candidate tor the
polar commission. PEAR1
From the last sentence it was supposed that
Peary would recommend TO the government that
commission be appointed to determine the terri
torial supervision over the pole.
Mrs Frederick A. Cook. who has refused 10
make any statement for publication on her hus-
bands report that he reached the North Pole ahead
Of Commander Peary consented last night, through
a friend. TO account for her silence.
Il believe in my husband" she said, "and there
the matter ends for me. do not belong in this
controversy and have feared that if talked at
all no matter how guardedly. I should he dragged
into t. wv-nilly. Then there would he denias
and counter denials and 1 should never get clear.
For this reason I have said and shall nothing
whatever beyond the bare animation that believe
my husband.