New-York tribune., 1909-11-04
PEARY CONFIRMED
RECORDS .4PPROTED.
National Geographic Society
TOtes Him a Medal.
rr-on The rrib,na Ru-.au. !


Washington. Nov. 5---Through a resolu-
/ tion adopted by the unanimous vote of its
! board Of managers the National Geographic
/ Society to-day placed its stamp Of official
! approval on the polar records of Com
/ mander Robert E. Pearv and voted him
! special gold medal commemorative OF his
! trip to the North Pole.
] Coincident with this verdict il was an
/ nounced that the society will appoint a
/ committee to examine the claims of any
/ other explorer who announces that he has
reached the pole II is understood that
/ this committee will be instructed to spare
/ no expense in its scrutiny of the records
1 and that it will be empowered to go to
/ Copenhagen if the records Of DR.. Fred
erick a. Cook are not ultimately placed
in the hands Of the society.
No mention Of Dr. Cooks name was
made at the meeting. but il was perfectly
I understood that the references TO other
explorers applied to him.
Those who voted the unanimous approval
/ Of the report of the committee en- research
that Commander Peary reached the pole
en- April 6. 1909. are:
( President Willis L. Moore, e-President
Henry Gannett. Secretary o. P. Austin.
Treasurer John Joy Edison, Gilbert H
/ Grosvenor. editor; Professor Alexander
/ III dIdIl Dell, rear ACIlllTdl - NJ GueSlcIe
Charles Bell, Rudolph Kaufman, Brlga-
dier General ohm N. Wilson. [. 5. A. (re
| tired), DR.. =. L. Macdonald. Professor
J. Howard Gore. of George Washington
University: Henry F. Blount. Da. id Fair
child and F. V. Coville.
For his able seamanship, pertinacious
/ effort and able nanas sement" in connec-
ton with the Peary Arctic expedition the
society awarded a medal to Captain A. c
Bartlett. who reached the high latitude Of
81 degrees 20 minutes north
The report Of the Subcommittee said:
The subcommittee to which was re-
ferred the task Of examining the records
OF Commander Peary in evidence OF his
having reached the North Pole begs to re-
port that 1t has completed its task.
Commander Peary has submitted to tins
subcommittee his original journal and
records of observations, together with all
of his instruments and apparatus and Ger
tific results of his expedition These have
been carefully examined by YOUR sub-com-
iHIlee' ana II Is unanimously OF tne opIh-
North Pole on April 6, 1903
1t also feels warranted in stating that
ment Of the expedition. its complete sue
cess and its scientific results reflect the
greatest credit on the ability of Comman-
der Robert F., Peary and render him
worthy of the highest honors that the
National Geographic SOCIETY can bestow
c. NJ. CHESTER,
o. II. TITTMAN.
The resolutions adopted by the society
were as follows:
Whereas, Commander Robert z. Peary
has reached the North Pole, the goal
sought for centuries.
Whereas, This is the greatest geograph-
ical achievement that this society can have
opportunity to honor; therefore.
Resolved. That special medal be awarded
70 Commander Pesry.
Resolved, That the question of whether
or not any one reached the North Pole
prior 10 1893 be referred TO the committee
on research with Instructions TO recon-
mend 10 the board of managers a sub
committee of experts who shall have an
thority to send for papers or make such
Journeys as may be necessary 10 inspect
original records and that this action of the
society be communicated at once 40 those
who may have evidence OF Importance.
Rear Admiral John E. Pillsbury. [. s y.
(retired) was TO-DAY elected q member OF
the board OF managers of the National Geo
graphic Society TO fill the vacancy caused
by the death OF Or. Daniel c. Gilman.
We must be shown" was the comment
of Professor Willis l. Moore. president OF
the society, in speaking OF other explor-
ers's whose records are TO be subjected to
a rigid scientific test looking 10 a speedy
settlement of the question OF priority in
The Cook and Peary claims Of discovery
o. the pOle
Professor Moore declared that the So
ciety and its fifty thousand members will
spare no expense 10 have this question
settled. The committee of scientists TO be
appointed later will be authorized TO go
TO Copenhagen or any other place TO make
their Investigations.
Commander Peary has accepted an in
vitation to deliver a lecture on his dash
for the pole before the society in this city
November L. This will be the first of a
series of addresses which the explorer will
deliver this winter
Portland. Ne, Nov ST am extremely
gratihed at the action OF the board OF man
ayers of the National Geographic Society
and greatly appreciate the honor which il
| has conferred upon me in voting the
medal" said Commander Peary. when in
formed of the action of the society to-day
When asked about the comment on the
fact that the did not call at the Navy De-
partment while in Washington, Commander
Peary. said he arrived in Washington late
in the forenoon, went before the sub-com
mittee of the National Geographic Society
Immediately after luncheon, was with the
committee until after the department closed
and was obliged 10 start for New York on
the midnight train.
Commander Peary returned here TODAY.
He and his family will move TO Washing
ton next week. closing their summer home
on Eagle Island.