The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-21
COOKS OBSERVATIONS
CANNOT BE OBTAINED
University. Copenhagen De-
CIineS to ReIinquiSh Its Priv
iIege to First Examination of
Doctors North Pole Data,
MUCH TIME is REQUIRED

Washington. Oct. 2o.-Commander Rob
ert 2. Peary's proof, records and observR-
tions that ne reached the north pole April
g. 1909, were today submitted to the Ma
tiOnal Geographic society The board OF
managers of that body referred them for
examination and report to q sub-commit-
tee of experts comprising Henry Gannett.
chief geOgrapher Of the United States
geological survey: Rear Admiral Colby
NJ Chester, United States navy. and o.
II. Titman. superintendent OF the United
States coast and geOdetic survey The So
ciety announced that the only question Il
now had to decide was whether COM
mandeT Peary reached the north pole on
the date claimed
The experts designated by the society
will hold their first meeting within a few
days and inaugurate their investigation
Of the Peary data. They will personally
examine the note books and observations
made by Commander Peary on his march
TO the pole, and viii see all papers
brought back by him from the frigid
north. Tile wide scope OF the question
renders it probable that the sub-commit-
tee will not report its finding for several
months. but when ready the report will
be submitted to d meeting Of the board
Of managers OF the society, especially
called for that purpose.
Message From Copenhagen.
While the meeting was in progress and
shortly after the submission of the Peary
data, a messenger brought a cablegrem
from the University of Copenhagen in re-
ply 70 the s0clety's request that the IN
stitutiOn waive its first claim 70 DR..
Cooks records.
Professor Willis /. Moore, president OF
the National Geographic society, de-
clared subsequent TO the board meeting
that the society believed that Com
mander Peary's claim that he reached the
pole should be passed upon without fur
Their delay.
THE society is ready to make similar
examination Of DR.. Cooks original OBJ
servations and field notes" said Presi-
dent Moore but as he promised to send
them to the University of Copenhagen,
and the society will not have an oppOrtu-
nifty OF seeing them for probably some
months, ii did not seem fair to defer ac-
ton on Commander Pearys observations
until DR.. Cooks were received
THE action of the society was taken IN
accordance with the bylaws.
"The committee on research shall be
charged with the consideration Of all
matters Of scientific and technical geCC-
raphy, including exploration, which may
be brought before the society, OF which
may originate in the committed and shall
report thereon to the board OF managers
for action.
The society previously had urged both
Commander Peary and DR.. Cook 20 sub
nit their observations to a competent
scientific commission IN the United States.
The society Joined in a request from
the American Museum OF Natural His
tory, New York, and the American Geo
graphical society to President Remsen,
that he, as president Of the National
Academy of Sciences, appoint a commits
sion TO pass upon the records Of both eX
plorers. The society began to formulate
plans for Immediate action on the Peary
records, when II was advised by DR.. Rem
sen that he would not appoint q COM
mission unless authorized by his council,
which meets IN November, and unless re-
quested by both Peary and Cook.