New-York tribune., 1909-10-29
UNFAIR, SAYS COOK.
Charges Use of Money, but
Won't Sue BarrW.

Hamilton, Mont, Oct 2S.-Dr. Fred
erick A. Cook in an address tonight
denounced the tactics Of his opponents
as unfair. and vigorously defended his
contention that he assembled Mount Nc
Kinley. He declared money was used
corruptly in obtaining certain afidavits
against him.
Hamilton is the home of Edward N
Barrill. the only man with DR.. Cook at
Mount Mckinley. Barrill made sworn
statement that DR.. Cook never reached
the summit of Mount Mckinley. DR..
Cook tonight was enthusiastically re-
ceived, and his address was generously
applauded. He thanked his large audi
ence for its reception, and assured his
hearers he would go up the mountain
again and obtain proofs that he had
made the first ascent.
DR.. Cook said, in part:
Satisfied that the people of Montana
believe in justice and fair play, l have
come into your commonwealth. not to
seek revenge, not to enter into a con-
troversy with men in whom / only had
every confidence, but to ask for a fair
deal There is no malice in my heart,
am not here to invoke the strong arm
OF the law. My Veracity has been at
tackled by men residing in this COM
munity. They have fallen into evil
hands and the temptation was too great.
They have sold their birthright for sill
yer, and there probably was more than
thirty pieces.
I am here to give my version of the
Mount Mckinley controversy. and then
leave my case in The hands of an honest
body, the people of the great state of
Montana. / will accept her verdict.
At the time of my arrival in New York
after two years and three months in the
Arctic regions, and when all America
was rejoicing over the double discovery
OF the North Pole there began a warfare
to rob me of the glory of an achievement
which was. and is, rightly mine. Con-
fident that my rival had triumphed after
nearly a quarter of a century in quest
OF the great unknown, l. with all good
Americans, rejoiced in his success, ana
III Copenhagen l declared there was
glory enough for two. Despite the bitter
attacks which have been made upon me,
my attitude in this respect is unchanged.
When this warfare failed. the enemy
began this flank movement on the climb
or Mount Mckinley: men with money to
burn IN the flame of infamy entered the
arena Men of this community whom I
had previously believed honest fell dS
victims Their statements were abso-
lutely untrue. Still l nurse no spirit of
revenge or malice against these mis-
guided men. My counsel. however. has
heen instructed to continue the invest-
cation until we catch the guilty money
givers higher up.
Hamilton and Missoula have clearly
shown their disapproval of this battle Of
injustice. They have shown they do nos
believe this malicious turn Of rival
powers. Your fairness and your faith
IS a pledge of human nature worth more
than millions thrown into the hall OF
bribery.
For the present l am willing to trust
my case to the citizens of Montana as
jury. After you have read the mass
of testimony my counsel has collected
/ am ready to abide by your verdict
Then, with n new expedition to Mount
Mckinley, / will guarantee our future
possession. My records are on the sum-
NIT of the Alaskan peak, and. accom-
panied by unbiased. fair minded men,
pledge you my word that l will again
reach the top of the mountain and bring
hack this unquestionable proof of the
success of my former expedition.
AT the conclusion of Dr. Cooks adj
dress counsel for Barrill and Printz the
guides. rose and questioned the explor-
er's declaration that he reached the top
of Mount Mckinley.
Following this J. NJ Durston. editor of
THE Anaconda Standard" introduced ,,
resolution criticising DR.. Cook and up
holding the two guides This resolu-
tion was not adopted. A substitute of
non -commital character was presented
by Senator Joseph NJ. Dixon. of Missoula.
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