Evening star., 1909-09-02
DR. COOK In HIS ARCTIC cCo5TUfnE-

and geographical observations he has
made Other than that | look upon it as
interesting sporting event. That is to
say. it is the same 10 me as any footrace
would be- If American won / am
very glad of it."
Prof. f. c. Pickering, Harvard OBJ
servatory-.'1f the pole has actually been
located it is. of course matter of con-
siderable Importance.
prof. w. II. Brewer. Yale University
While DIR. Frederick Cooks reaching the
north pole is a great feat in itself. | do
| not think it will be of any great sci
entfiG value
Scientific School-.If DR. Cook had with
him at the time of his discovery the
proper instruments great light will be
thrown on the magnetic influences of the
pole.
Russell Chittenden, Sheffield Scientific
SCHOOL, am vastly pleased that Fred
Cook discovered the north pole. He has
been here at Shelf several times. He
lectured here shortly before his last de-
parture for the north
| William II. Brooks. director Smith OBJ
lservatory-"The north pole discovered is
a truly notable achievement and ! am
proud that the long contest has been won
by an American. It's scientific value is
more of geographical character than
astronomical, settling, as it will, the long
disputed and once popular question of an
open polar sea and probably in the neg
ative. The north pole is a northern ter
minus of the earth's axis, upon which
it makes it's diurnal revolution
1t is mathematical point 80 degrees
from the terrestrial equator Extended
against the sky, it forms the north celes-
tial pole. the center Of the apparent revo-
luton OF the heavens. 1t is marked very
nearly by Polaris or the North Star one
degree and a quarter distant. Two hun
will inf
within half degree of Polars and will
then recede. not returning to the same
point again for 26,0OO years
Now, this grand motion of the pole
together with many smaller wabblngs,
one of them discovered In recent years
| of only seventy feet in diameter have
been just as easily discovered as they
could have been from the north pole itself
and probably more accurately on account
| Of the better climatic conditions of the
temperate zone. Likewise all the aspects
and motions of the heavenly bodies as
viewed from the pole are known nearly as
well as If the astronomer stood at the
pole itself
"Our geographical and meteorological
knowledge should. however, he wonder
fully increased by this splendid conquest
| of DIR. Cook, and we must all rejoice in
his victory"
DR.. Philip r. Uhler. Peabody Institute
and Johns Hopkins University: IF the
pole has been discovered and photographs
and astronomical observations can be
made, the discovery will be of great
value; but. If it has simply been dis
covered, without any observations. less
benefit will accrue to the world of
science. Among the points which might
| possibly be ascertained through the dis
| covery of the north pole is a determina
| ton of the curvature of the earth at the
| spot. The depth and character of the
water should also be ascertained-
whether it is salt, or fresh, or impreg-
1 fnd .1r1 l.
not there is any kind of life at the north
! pole. So, too. we should now be able to
| make sure whether there is land there,
i and the character of the land. thus de-
termining whether it has been of geologi-
cal Importance, or is at present. Ii the
| discoverer had his theodolite, his camera
and other instruments. he might photo
graph the curves and measure the forces.
/ He might study the character of the
tides, and his observations would tend to
/ confirm or disprove the prevailing theo-
ries. OF course. If the territory is covered
with great icebergs and masses of ice,
this condition will prevent great discov-
| cries. The principal benefit of the dis
| covery of the north pole would be the
! opportunity opened to work up that part
| of the earth; to show the relations of the
| earth to adjoining planets; to prove
! whether storms originate there or are
| driven there: also the character of the
| tides. which will show whether or not
| water is lifted by the moon. If the dis
| coverer, has remained long enough to as
| certain these points, any one should
| remain there long enough to make such
| observations the discovery may mean
| much to science; otherwise"-
| Rear Admiral John ID. Ford. us. n
| ''One of the great ends obtained by the
| discovery of the north pole will be the
| location of the exact Npoint of the pole
This it is true. has been defined theo-
reticalIy. but 1t has always been an
| academic question. OF course. the dis
| covery can be of no commercial value.
Another thing. we can now ascertain
] whether we have been running correctly
by the north star, and this knowledge
will be a great thing for navigation.
| Then. too, the question of magnetic at
/ traction may be clarified, and the theory
| of the fiatness of the earth at the pole
| be verified disproved. This theory
| has been disputed by certain scientists
i at times, but it should now be settled
| one way or the other, provided the dis
| coverer has been able to make the
| requisite observations and calculations.
l do not think any further knowledge in
regard to the tides will be gained: we
know all about the tides now in all parts
| of the world. But, again. investigation
4 might possibly prove our theories all in
correct, and that we have been enter
/ tanning erroneous ideas. As to the reach
| ing of the pole, the achievement strikes
NE as a good deal like 'Teddy's' trip to
| Africa to- hunt lions-something to- make