New-York tribune., 1909-09-02
II. l.. BRIDGMAN'S TIEWS.
authority on Arctic Exploration
A1caits Further Details.

Herbert L. Bridgrnan. Of tine Arctic Club. which
has backed various expeditions of Lieutenant
Peary not inclined last night to discuss at any
great length the reported discovery Of the Pole by
Dr. Cook.
"Of course II he has found it, said Mr. Bridg-
man. che is entitled 10 credit. but he must first
submit his data to scientific experts before the
discovery Of the pole can be accepted as a fact I
have doubt that he would wish to claim
such discovery without submitting such proof.
such data woUf consist Of track charts.
meteorological observations and other records such
as explorers before him have taken on their trips
Such data COGld he checked up by scientists Until
know what data DR.. Cook has cannot tell
the value Of his work There is little use speculat-
ing until We have such facts"
Mr.. BridGmau said he had no information ra-
Eardng Or. Cooks achievement other than he had
read in the papers. He is anxously awaiting
further details.
Mr.. Brdsman is somewhat puzzled that Dr. Cook
should not have returned TO Etah, in Greenland
which he established his base. The last heard
from him at Cape Thomas Hubbard on March
Il, 1905 II he reached the pole on April o. as re-
ported. he should have got back 70 Cape Thomas
Hubbard about May o. II he had gone back to
Etah he should certainly have reached there before
the Eric. the auxiliary vessel pf the Pearv expedi-
ton returned from there.
The Roosevelt. the Peary ship. LETT Etah on Au-
gust II. 1905, and nothing has heen heard from
Peary since. Mr.. Bridgman said that Peury might
be his way back. perhaps with word
that he had reached the pole. He would probably
touch at Battle Harbor. on the coast OF Labrador
where there is a wireless telegraph station. and
send word to Mr.. Bridsman.
Peary intended TO take the Roosevelt around the
coast OF Ellsmere Land to Cape Sheridan or fur
ther. II possible. while Dr. Cook went across Ellis
mere Land with sledges. Mr.. Bridgnan thinks that
his way back Or. Cook may have stopped IN
EIlsmere. Land until he could cross Smith Sound
on the ice. and that Peary may have met him
there.
I'VE shall now something definite when we hear
from Peary.'' said Mr.. Bridgman. "or possibly
when the Jeanie gets back with Harry whitney
who left at the base at Etah" The Jeanie is
the ship sent bY Mr. BridEnan in charge OF Cap
tain Bartlett TO bring back Harry whitney and
DIR. Cook. if he should be found at Etah. II left
early in August Reports from the north" said
Mr.. Bridgman. SHOW that the water has been
open there. and it Is probable that the Jeanie has
already reached Etah Captain Bartlett thought he
might stop in Baffins Bay for a while 10 get
salmon. but we expect him back some time in Oc-
tober"
AS to the commercial value Of finding the pole
Mr. Bridgman said it a matter Of discussion
81 have always thought he said that we should
have exact knowledge Of the northern regions
as we have ot New York state. There is no reason
why other expeditions should not go north. so long
there is money 70 finance them as travel there
is largely matter of being able to carry enough
provisions to insure safe return. Now that we
have concentrated foods this is not so difficult a
task
As TO going TO the exact pole. II may be that no
one will ever 20 attempt it, once IL has been
done. There is n good deal In the idea of doing
something which cannot be surpassed. Once a man
has reached the pole he establishes record that
cannot be broken