New-York tribune., 1909-09-30
ON DIR. COOKS TRAIL
Up MOUNT M'KINLEY.
ErpIorers' Cfub Wants TO KnoSc
about ascent -Peary Must Speak.

about Scent-PeGfU DIuSI Opcdh.
The directors of the Explorers Club voted yester
day to order an investigation Of DR.. Cooks asser-
tion that he ascended Mount Mckinley in 1906 the
truthfulness of which has been repeatedly and pup
cly called into question. The decision was reached
after warm debate among the members OF the
board the vote which finally passed the resolution
standing to 3. The temper of the dominant rae
tion is suggested by the comment OF professor
Marshall II. Savie. who. as acting president III
the absence of Commander Peary, Will appoint the
Investigating committee. When asked whether the
polar controversy was also discussed, Professor
Saville said:
There is no polar controversy. 1t takes two to
make controversy. AS matters stand to-day
Commander Peary has made charges against Dr.
Cook and DR.. Cook has not answered them When
Peary has taken final and formal action and Cook
has made a reply. then there may be polar con-
troversy'
The directors have already made extensive in
quiries relative 10 DIR. Cooks Mount Mckinley trip
by correspondence and personal interview and II Is
said that they have obtained information concern
ing II which has not hitherto been made puhnc.
All the affairs of the club excepting the election OF
officers managed by the directors. and the ac-
ton of the board in any matter is final as an ex-
preston of the stand of the organization.
The resolution which passed yesterday nrst
rehearses the fact that questions of the genuine
ness of DR.. Cooks mountain ascent have arisen
I'm the public mind. and that these questions bear
upon the standing of the club of which ne is a
member. II then directs the acting president TO
appoint a committee investigate the charges ana
make a report 20 the club.
An interesting development of the discussion was
that Professor Herschel c. Parker, OF Columols'
who headed the expedition with which Dr. COOK
approached Mount Mckinley. and who has twice
issued voluntary statements 10 newspapers caIlihg
attention 20 the doubtfulness of DIR. Cooks claim
70 the ascent was of the three directors who
voted against the resolution. The eight members
of the board who present at the meeting were
Professor Marshall H. Savile. acting president;
Henry c. Walsh. secretary; Professor Herschel {.
Parker. Caspar Whitney. W. G. Clark. Herbert L.
Brldgman. Frederick Ober and F. S Dellenbaugh.
WAS COOK "UNETHIcAL"?
The stand OF the club the point raised by Com
mander Peary. to whether an explorer commits
unethical act in using preparations made by
another explorer. first stated for publication
by Professor Saville yesterday. Commander Peary
requested the club to make a definite statement on
this point after the departure OF DIR. Cook for the
north. and included in his communication doctrine
that. by prior exploration and by taking precau-
tions looking to further work, an explorer pre-
empts' the field 10 the exclusion OF other men.
The Explorers Club. Professor Saville said. OFF,
cially recognized Commander Peary's position In
the matter after he made his request. that Is
while DR.. Cook still absent on his attempt 20
reach the pole.
In the current number Of THE Bench and Bar
OF the North Pale. The editorial laments the fact
that neither DR.. Cook Commander Peary was
willing share his discovery Of the pole with
white comrades. for in order 10 establish a claim
at law corroborative evidence must be introduced
in the shape credible witnesses who will testify
TO the truth OF story the telling OF a story
with such a degree OF circums,antialiiy that
scientists will be convinced Of the truthfulness
OF IL.
The two corroborating Esquimau witnesses Of
he wit az
believed by jury first because they are ignorant
and would know whether they had been at the pole
only told 50 b. an intelligent man. and secondy.
they occupy the position OF employees. and such
their testimony must be placed In the same cate
CORY the testimony Of servants which, when
given behalf OF their masters IS deemed unreli-
able The confederation Of the story by crcuin-
stantlal evidence such neither explorer has yet
produced Is the only course left open.
The Bench and Bar says:
OF course. DR.. Cook has as yet failed TO sustain
me burden OF proof which inevitably and prop
/ eTly rests upon any who claims TO have per
his claim he must adduce something more per,
snaslve. something more convincing than his bare
PearV however Ligh bis scientific stanSing Tb
question Of whether the pole has been attained is
one Of Importance too great to be settled by the
what his reputation FOR truth and veracty may
be Nor need We under accepted rules OF law.
give conclusive weight to the unsupported test-
mony OF either OF the explorers. as each is AN
|
Even if ne were produce these witnesses and
they able to corroborate has story fully their
testimony would still be liable he weighed In
| the light OF certain maXims OF tho ,aw Of wi
! dence. In the first place they probably de-
void Of the scientific knowledge that would cta bic
them to give Intelligent and valuable testimony
on such subject that under invest igation ard
witnesses who are ignorant and occupy "A low
/ station IN society are peculiarly liable :he i'm
1 nuence OF parties Of superior intelligence and
craft. II Dr. Cook wishes Corroboruto his story
! by c.rcumstantial evidence, the law md ..ommor
sense both agree that the circumstances 20 which
he lesthes must not be Inconsistent With known
scientific facts And this observation s. of couIse
} equally applicable any testimony which ma,
! be given by Commander Pqary
Commander Pearys ship Roosevelt will arrv,
| IN New York harbor this evening. or tomorrow
| morning according to the expectations OF Herbert
L. Bridgman. secretary of the Peary Arctic club
Mr Brdgman does know exactly when m,
/ boat will reach Sandy Hook. After the nava
parade on Friday the ship viii probably be Ial,
up at dock at East Zd street. The plans for tn,
arrival and disposition Of the vessel are not anoU,
fettled and may be changed by the officer il
charge.