Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-17

BILE. He knew that Peary had spent
nearly twenty years In his investigations
and was perfecting his plans for reach
ing the goal on every trip. Cook took
advantage of all of PearyS discoveries
routes, facts about the drifting tendency
of the ice foes and other necessary In
formation.
Shortly after Peary announced that
he was going to make another attempt
it was found that it would be necessary
to replate the ship and install new boil
ers Everything had to be thoroughly
overhauled. 1t resulted in a delay. Cook
saw his chance and slipped off for the
pole
why Could Not Cook Waltz"
why could Cook not have waited for
Peary to complete his effort? Then,
failing, Cook could have started.
"a glance at the dates of Cooks ar
rival at Annovtok and Peary's return
10 the Roosevelt will probably show
that Cook was in a position to know or
Peary's discovery of the pole. On the
last stages of the journey Peary nau
fifty-nine ESkimos with him. For the
final laps of the dash to the pole SIX
men were taken along. The remaining
tifty-three went back to AnnoVtok, ana
1t is probable that Cook was informed
Of Pearys proximity to the goal ana
glory before news of Peary's success
could reach the world.
ITO me- who know both men. there is
no question OF what the result VIII ne
when they reach this country. If COOK
tries to bolster up his story with the two
Eskimos he will be Immediately dlscred-
tied for an Eskimo is so ignorant that
his testimony is valueless.
MY desk is piled high with letters
from persons of note who ask why l
don't take an aggressive stand in this
matter l cannot see the wisdom OF
such a course. Commander Peary Will
satisfy all doubts when he reaches the
United States.
Fraternity Would Dine Peary.
"The Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
corgratulates the discoverer of the pole.
thanking him for the honor to it's flag
and offers welcoming banquet any date
you may select
This message. sent by cable and wire
less to Robert E. Peary at Battle Harbor
Labrador resulted from Commander
Pearys recent announcement that the
ensign of his college fraternity was one
of the flags he raised at the north pole.
James Anderson Halves, secretary of
the Delta Kappa Epsilon Association of
New York city who signed the message
on behalf of the fraternity. explained how
the explorer came to honor the organi
cation at the moment of his supreme
triumph.
Shortly before Mr.. Peary left his last
trip north a banquet was rendered to
him by the New York association. On
that occasion a small silk flag of the
fraternity was presented to him, and he
promised to carry it on his expedition
and mail it to the pole just below the
national standard If his quest proved sue
ceSsfui.
Mr.. Halves says the discoverer wore on
all his expeditions the Delta Kappa Ep-
silon badge. which he received when he
Joined the fraternity at Bowdon College,
Maine.
Negroes to Give Banquet to Henson.
Matthew Henson. the negro who was
the only man besides Eskimos with Com
mander Peary at the north pole, will
have reception here quite as important
among the members of his own race as
that which the white people will tender
TO Mr.. Peary.
A committee of leading negro residents
of New York has been organized to ar
range banquet for him. Charles w.
Anderson. United States collector of in
fernal revenue. who is chairman said
that auxiliary committees will be asked
10 Cooperate for the colored people of
Boston. Philadelphia, Washington and
other cities
An effort will be made to gather at the
dinner leading negroes from every eastern
STATE. Inc GATE or the banquet will be
announced as soon as the committee can
get into communication with Henson.
DR.. r. o. Stebbins. chairman of the
executive committee of the Arctic Club
of America, and ]. Knowles Harl Of the
club called upon Acting Mayor MCGOWAN
yesterday and urged him to take steps
for extending an official welcome to DR..
Frederick A. Cook upon his arrival in the
city.
Mr.. MCGOWAN said he was heartily in
favor of the plan, but that he did not
feel like acting in the matter in view Of
the return to the city today of Mayor
Mcclellan. He said. however, that he
would bring the question to the latter's
attention.
Wife to Greet Cook First.
The first person to greet DR.. Cook when
he returns home next week will be his
wife. Mrs. Cook, who has consistently
kept herself in the background during
all the discussion following the announce
ment of her husbands success. surprised
the committee of the Arctic Club, which