Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-21
TO that arrangement. because of his
preference for the university
Attitude Of Geographers.

Its time"
Inc terse comment of one of those of
nclfis who investigated closely the arctic
claims of Peary and Cook was an ejacuIa-
ton that APPLY expressed the feeling of
practically all the officials of the National
Geographic Society.
All along. the officers of that organiza-
tlon, representing different lines of sci
eHtlEc research, have believed that the
result or the deliberations of the Copen-
naeen institution would be as stated but
ehey were willing to be convinced.
Admiral c. NJ. Chester. former head Of
the United States Naval Observatory
and a prominent figure i'm the inquiry
INTO the claims of the two explorers. at
lacked the alleged attainment of DIR.
Cook IN more or less public way at a
lecture before the University Club in
TINS city about a month ago.
While the Geographic Society did not
go on record, it was apparent that the
leeling or the personnel of the board of
oncers or that organization was closely
aligned to the views then exnressei
which arraigned DR.. Cooks contentious
III sweeping way
me society has already awarded Com
laahdef Peary a medal. So far as official
expression Is concerned it has deferred
denmte conclusions as to Cook pendinp
further investigation.
Investigation to Continue.
Prof Willis L. Moore, president Of the
National Geographic Society which
through committee of the BODY is con-
Quoting an investigation into the dis
coVery OF the north pole, expressed the
iveiiest interest in the Information from
the University of Copenhagen.
our own committee said Prof. Moore
WITH Prof. J. Howard Gore as chairman
may be complete and contain a fun his
tory of the discovery of the pole We
nope that the report will be so fair and
Impartial that the world may understand
~ ~, al lts oetalls the controversy respect
ing the discovery which has arisen
Il presume that neither the Jrni,,are,ty
or copenhagen nor DR.. Cook now will
have any objections to our COMMITTEES
examining the original records | antici
pate the committee still will desire to po
70 Copenhagen for the purpose of makino
that examination.
ne committee is acting under an
authority of the board of managers Of
.he National Geographic Society. which
permits 1t to use it's own discretion As
II cannot make its report entirely com.
piete without seeing these records if is
reasonable to assume the committee will
go abroad for that purpose.
Would Pass on Evidence.
oat NoiiIiiilteeS examination of 1T
COOKS records doubtless. would confirm
the innings OF the University of copen-
haseh' ana would In no sense be an i'm
peachment OF that universitys examinin.
poard; but under the rules of our society
IL is necessary that. original records shall
be examined by it's investigating commit
tees In order that the society's findings
snail In every sense be original,
All the evidence in the case Of DR..
COOK pointed OILY in one direction-the
conclusion that COPENHAGEN has rea Oh.
ed declared Prof. Henry Gannett ono
of the officers of the society. "rhe news
Is extremely gratifying and exactly
what everybody has expected"
some directors Of the society see no
reason why anything should be done
by them in relation to the claims of
Or. COOK as the discoverer of the north
pole SO far as they are concerned the
incident is ended.
Ihese members of the board do not
care to see DIR. Cooks records and arc
quite ready to let the matter drop so
far as the Cook controversy is CON
cerned.
Cook Claim to Be Weighed.
The subcommittee of the society.
charged with the duty of taking IN
Cooks claim. requested him to turn.
over to that subcommittee his records
as soon as their examination had bee,
completed by the Copenhagen Univer-
sity. So far no answer has been re-
ceived from Cook.
The committee is headed by Prof. J. H
Gore. and includes DR.. c. w. Hayes OF
the United States geological survey ard
Rear Admiral Piilsbury, retired
DIR. Hayes, in declining to EXPRESS a
personal opinionf as to the decision at
Copenhagen. pointed out the delicate posi-
ton in which the subcommittee was
placed. as it must continue its work UNI
prejudiced by the Copenhagen view.
I'VE do not want to detract from the
force and value of our verdict when VIC
finally give it," declared DIR. Hayes 1--WE
shall make every effort to see DIR. Cooks
records"
Suppose DR.. Cook refuses to deliver
his records to your" was suggested.
1T will be time to cross that bridge
when we reach it," answered DR.. Hayes.
But he refused once before"
Eyes, but he refused until the University
of Copenhagen had examined Them
The Cook investigating subcommittee
has held a number of meetings and an