The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-04


so far as the scientific world is con-
oerned. whether credit is due TO Cook or
to Peary as the discoverer Of the north
pole.
Based Upon "A Report.
The decision Of the board Of managers
yesterday was based upon a report sub
mttcd by a subcommittee composed OF
Henry Gannett, chairman Of the United
States Geographic Board; Admiral Colby
II. Chester. former director Of the Naval
Observatory, and o. II. Tittman. superin-
tendent OF the Coast and Geodetc Sur
vey Fifteen members Of the board were
present. and all approved the report or
the subcommittee. Those who voted the
approval Of the report are: President
Willis L. Moore. Vice President Henry
Gannett. Secretary o. 7. Austin, Treas
urer John Joy Edison. Editor Gilbert n.
GrosvenOr. Prof Alexander Graham Bell.
Admiral G. NJ. Chester. Charles J. Bell,
Rudolph Kaufman. Brig. Gen. John VI.
Wilson. L. :. A. retired: T. L. Macdon-
aid. NJ. d: Prof. J. Howard Gore. Henry
7. Blount. David Fairchild. and r. V.
COville. The personnel OF the committee
20 pass upon Cooks claim will be named
probably this week
In commenting upon the proofs Of Com
mander Peary. President Moore. OF the
society. said:
They were very complete, indeed"
President Moore was asked whether. II
I'm the final analysis. the society was COM
PEELED TO accept the word Of Peary that
he had been to the pole
NO" be replied emphatlcally. we
had the records and instruments Of the
explorer. They were convincing. In adj
ditiOn we had voIuminous corroborative
evidence This came from the four par
ties that supported Peary I'm his dash
10 the pole. Each one Of these parties
was In charge Of a reputable man. who
certified geographically just where he
left the main body Of the expedition. The
party that went with Peary 20 the start
Of the last march was in charge OF Capt
Bartlett. He went as far North as S.
degrees 40 minutes. At that point all
conditions were favorable for the final
dash TO the top OF the world No ele-
ment Of doubt suggested itself az any
stage or our examination OF Peary's data
and instruments. The evidence was vo-
luminous. including among other things
Peary's notebook which showed for each
day OF his journey the latitude and lCngi-
tude. and the methods by which he Sc
cured these observa ton. There can be
no doubt of e Peary reached the pole d"
Report Of subcommittee.
The report Of the subcommittee upon
which the board acted. follows:
1.-The subcommittee. 20 which was re-
ferred the task Of examining the records
OF Commander Peary in evidence OF his
having reached the north pole. beg to re-
port that they have completed their task
Commander Peary has submitted 10
this subcommittee his original journal and
records OF observations. together with all
OF his instruments and apparatus and
certain Of the most important OF the
scientific results OF his expedition. These
have been carefully examined by your
subcommittee, and they are unanimously
OF the opinion that Commander Peary
reached the north pole April s. 1909.
They also feel warranted IN stating
that the organization. planning and man
agement OF the expedition. its complete
success. and its scientific results. reflect
the greatest credit on the ability OF Com
mander Robert T. Peary and render him
worthy OF the highest honors that the
National Geographic Society can bestow
upon him"
The resolution providing for the special
gold medal for Commander Peary relates
geographical achievement this society
can have opportunity 10 honor"
Continuing. the resolution says:
The question OF whether or not any
one reached the pole prior TO 1909 shall
be referred to the committee on research.
with instructions to recommend to the
board OF managers a subcommittee OF eX-
perts. who shall have authority to send
for papers or make such Journeys as may
be necessary 10 inspect original records,
and that this action Of the society DO
communicated at once TO those who may
have evidence of Importance.
In view OF the able seamanship. per-
tinacious effort. and able management OF
Capt. c. A. Bartlett displayed during the
Peary arctic expedition. and that he
40 minutes north. he will be awarded a
medal by the National Geographic So
ciety."
To Name Committee.
In discussing the action at the close OF
the meeting. Prof. Moore said:
I'VE will appoint a committee OF eT-
perts 20 look into the claims Of any
other polar explorers, and In our endeav-
ors 10 get the truth before the 5000
members Of our society we will spare nc
expense. We will instruct the committee
TO examine the records Of other explorers
no matter where they will be found
IL was evident from his remarks that #
the society deems II necessary its com
mittee will be instructed to proceed e
nauhagan IN examine he recorda ~