Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-18
MAY REPLY THEM LATER
Tells Through Counsel Why He Pre-
fers to Wait.
HINTS AT LIBEL PROCEEDINGS
Significant Statement Made to Ex'
plorers' Club Special Committee
by Attorney Wack.

A. Cook appeared by invitation yesterday
before the special committee of the Ex-
plorers' Club which is Investigating the
doctors ascent of Mount Mckinley, with
view to determining whether his asser-
ton that he reached the summit is true
DIR. Cook took along with him his coun-
sell Henry Wellington Wack. under
whose advice the explorer is now acting
with respect to all phases of the Mount
Mckinley affair.
The Explorers Club committee had sent
word to the doctor. asking him to ap-
pear at the clubrOorps and 1t was eA-
pected that the committee would have
some questions to put to the doctor re-
lating to the climbing of the peak. What
ever questions were in the minds OF the
members of the committee did not come
out. however, as DR.. Cook. through his
counsel, submitted long statement, set
ting forth the legal side Of the investisa-
ton as concerns DIR. Cook, and tnformlns
the committee that until the prone mas
proceeded farther no DEFENSE 10 any
charges will be put in by the explorer
The members of the committee. com
prising Prof Marshall Saville. curator OF
archaeology of the American Museum ol
Natural History; Caspar Whitney, explor-
err: Charles III. Townsend, director or the
aquarium: Anthony Fiala, explorer, and
F. S. Dellenbaugh, explorer, were all
present Besides these there was pres
ent Prof Herschel c. Parker. who &C.
Companied DR.. Cook on his trip to Moun'
Mckinley, and who is to make an at
tempt next spring. with Belmore Browne
to scale the peak himself. Prof. Parker
is not a member of the explorers lnVes-
tigating committee
Was Cordially Received.
Before going to the clubrooms DIR. Cook
had been led to understand that the ex-
plorers' committee was hostile to him and
that he would meet with frigid recep-
ton. When ne entered the clubrooms he
found the committee cordial enough to
bring back the smile that had left his
face when he learned last week of the
affidavit made by his former guide. Ed
ward N Barrill. who asserted that Or
Cook did not climb to the top OF Noun,
Mckinley Although 1t is said that Ger,
tain members of the committee are OF
the opinion that DR.. Cook did not climb
to the top of Mount Mckinley. they die
not allow it to show in their manner to
the explorer.
DR.. Cook shook hands with the mem
bers Of the committee and with Prof
Parker He and Prof. Parker had few
words together, in which the professor
Informed the explorer that he could not
accept his invitation to make the ascent
of Mount Mckinley in company with
Anthony Fiala to look for the records
Dr. Cook says he left at the summit. the
reason being that the professor and Mr.
Browne were to make an independent
trip. Prot Parker said that he and Mr.
Browne had decided upon the trip before
Dr. Cooks request arrived. Mr.. Fiala
also declined the invitation. saying that
he was not an experienced mountain
climber.
DR.. Cook then addressed the commit
tee, saying that he had come In response
to its invitation, and was willing to tell
the committee anything it wished &c
know, but he should have to defer to
the advice of his counsel. who wanted to
say something to the committee.
Counsel Reads Statement.
Mr. Wack then asked the committee ii
there were any charges against DR.. Cook
He was informed that there were none
He asked the committee what was the
object of the investigation on foot. and
was informed that the committee simply
wished to ascertain, for the information
of the club, If DIR. Cook had really scaled
the peak of Mount Mckinley.
DR.. Cooks counsel thereupon drew from
his pocket a few pages of typewriter
manuscript and proceeded to read The
document set forth that DIR. Cook wished
to know, before going into any answer
of charges that might be brought, who
were responsible for the investigation
This information was desired, the state
ment said, for use in the event that any
later proceedings were decided upon by
DR.. Cook. This was supposed to have ref
erence to possible libei proceedings.
When Mr.. Wack had finished he was
informed that the committee had no idea
at present of preferring any charges
against the explorer; that the investiga
ton was only undertaken TO- put DR.
Cooks Mount Mckinley climb officially
on the records of the club. If he haC
climbed to the summit of the mountain
the committee wanted to know 1t, and II
not it was only fair to the club to have
that established. DR.. Cook was assured
through Mr.. Wack. that there was nc
intention of throwing discredt upon his
word.
When Mr.. Wack had finished interro
eating the committee Or. Cook expressed
his satisfaction with the investigation a.
it was being conducted. and Informed the
members that he would be ready to ap-
pear before them later and answer any
questions they might put. The explorer
explained that he had to leave at mid
night for his brief lecture tour in the
| west, but that he would return within ter
days, when a date for his appearance be-
fore the committee could be. fixed. II
there were any charges to meet at that
time. the doctor intimated, he would face
them. There was another round of hand
shaking, and DIR. Cook left with his coun
sci to go back to the Waldorf-Astoria.
EsKIMOS CONFIRM COOK.