The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-05
National Geographic Society
Approves His Claim.
INVITES HIM TO GIVE LECTURE
Commander Spends Seven Hours
With Committee and Submits
Data and instruments of
Polar Trip.

Washington, Nov. "A report declar-
ing that Commander Robert Z. Peary
has substantiated his claim to having
reached the north pole on April this
year will be given to the public ON
Thursday bearing the Endorsement of
the board of managers of the National
Geographic society.
Soon thereafter Commander peary
will go on the lecture platform, and
he will make his first public appear
ance in Washington under the direc-
ton Of the National Geographic So
ciety. The society has indicated that
it would be pleased to have Command
er Peary lecture on Nov. u.
That the National Geographic socie-
ty, after proper investigation, is satis-
fed that Peary reached the pole was
indicated by member of the organ
ization, who said: I'VE have invited
him to address us here this month.
That ought to satisfy you as to what
we think Of Peary's exploit in the polar
regions"
Commander Peary arrived here in
Willis L. Moore of the Geographic So
ciety that he appear before sub
committee Of the society appointed to
pass on his data and instruments and
to offer such other evidence bearing
on his dash to the pole as he cared to
submit.
This subcommittee is composed Of
Henry Gannett, chairman Of the Unit
ed States geographic board; Admiral
Colby NJ. Chester, U. S. N, retired,
former superintendent of the United
States naval observatory, and o. II.
Tittmann, superintendent Of the coast
and geodetic survey. 1t was named by
the board Of managers to make the
initial inquiry into Peary's claim.
A portion of Commander Peary'S
data was placed in the hands Of the
subcommittee last week. This body
wanted more light on certain features
of Peary's journey northward, and it
was furnished today by the explorer,
who was in session with the subcom-
mittee for seven hours prior to his
departure for New York.
While no official statement on the
subject was made by any member OF
the subcommittee, 1t was learned that
Messrs. Gannett, Chester and Tit
mann have decided to report to the
board substantiating Peary's claim
that he reached the pole. This report
will be submitted to the board Of man.
ayers tomorrow, and it will be made
public by the board without delay.
There was some gossip here when 1t
became known that the subcommittee
had asked Commander Peary to come
to Washington and that there were
dissensions among members of the
Geographic society over Peary's evil
dence. DR.. Gannett declared that all
such reports were without foundation.
1.-The subcommittee and the board
will act in harmony" he said. I'VE
sent for Peary because we felt that
his presence would aid in the compile
ton of our report to the board"
Commander Peary saw few people
here aside from members of the Ma
donal Geographic society. He spent
the day at the home of Admiral Ches-
ter, where the subcommittee met in
conference with the explorer. To those
who sought him he sent word that for
the present he would not comment
publicly on his polar work, preferring
to await the verdict of the National
Geographic society.