Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-11
Prof. Tubbs Has Implicit
Confidence in Peary.
Cannot See Anything But Cooks
Own Word in His Case.
Society Meetings BegIn.-.Thlrd
Football Coach Is Probable.

Lewiston, Me-, Sept. 10.-(SpeciaD.
The Peary-Cook controversy which i:
arousing the interest of the world viii
form an important factor in the study
of the sciences at Bates College thi.
fall Prof. Frank D. I'ubbs, S. T. d.
of the departments of astronomy an(
geology, has followed for many years
the work Of exploring the Polar re.
gion and has been closely connected
with much important work which has
been done along geological lines an(
others as a result of the reports
brought back by Arctic explorers. DR.
Tubbs is a member of the Nationa
Geological Society, the association
which is assisting Mr.. Peary in many
ways in his explorations, and he is al
SO member of the American Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Science
DR. Tubbs is recognized as one of the
best authorities in the State on astron-
omy and geology, as he has been in
South America, Mexico and other OF
the United States in which he has done
educational and observational work.
In an interview this morning, DR..
Tubbs referred to his acquaintance
with Peary and the fact that he had a
personal talk with theN explorer just
prior to the latter's departure for his
dash to the pole. DR.. Tubbs said that
Peary gave him the impression OF
such determination as he had never
before seen in the man. "Peary showed
to me that he expected this would be
his last attempt. That it would be sue
cessful was question, but 1 have al
ways felt that if he came back alive
he would come with the news that he
has recently sent US, I have found the
POLE
Dr. Tubbs was then asked what he
thought of the possibility that both OF
the men had found the North Pole.
Il have no doubt that Peary has
reached the pole" he said. "Thus far
il is merely idle speculation as to the
relative claims of the men. DIR. Cook
had no companions with him who can
left behind his American associates
All that the scientific worff can judge
his story by is their belief in his va
racity. 1 have no doubt of his scientific
knowledge. He had accompanied Peary
and had studied with Peary so that the
thing was a possibility, that, without
the aid of white help he did reach the
Pole
las to his observations, they are
worthless. ANY astronomer can sit
down in his observatory and with the
that he has Of astronomical
make out all the figures
and observations that would cover a
trip to the pole. All that is necessary
for an explorer to do is to make out
these tables and his observations are
finished
When the POLE was reached ali the
instruments that the explorer would
have to use would be a ships sextant.
BY taking the position of the sun and
making three observations in "a hours
he could find within 1000 feet the exact
position on the earth that he was at.
Peary had some expensive Instruments
so that he probably made observations
that would not vary over few miles.
t'S !'ciIl lldS ilol UteIi uCIeQ
these discussions that I have seen.
That is, that neither man is absolutely
sure that he has found the pole. The
pole IS constantly changing ir it's po-
sition, moving in circle of about 40
feet. The statement attributed to DR..
Cook that he stood where every place
was south could not be easily proved.
The pole wahbles.
Now Peary, on the other hand, had
with him reliable men who were as ca
pable as himself and their word will
Peary's so that there will
probably be little doubt as to Peary's
discovery. The report that DR.. Cook
would return for the Esquimaux is
rather ludicrous. They are intellectu-
ally incapable of understanding DR..
Cooks work and good meal would
make them say anything. Hence
Peary's white witnesses give him an
advantage.
"The honor will all go to the one who
brings to us the best knowledge of the
Polar region. We need this knowledge
in order to complete the geological
history of the region. When Peary has
given his report, corroborated by his
companions, we can then compare it
with the one already given by DR..
Cook. If there is any noticeable differ
Ance in the reports then the one with
the evidence will have the advantage.
Lieut.. Shackleton has brought us
much knowledge about the South po-
lar region and We hope that these two
explorers can give us as much about
the Arctic region
Contrary to expectation, the new
society building, the Libhey Forum,
was not in condition to be used for
the first society meeting of the term
at Bates College. Consequently the lit
meanings hold in thu