New-York tribune., 1909-10-15
DIR. COOK MAKES DENIAL
SAYS HE PLACED RECORDS
ON TOP Mt. M'KINLEY.
Thinks BarriH, the Gaide, Uoul9
Not Deny Climb Under Nor
NAL Conditions.
NAL Conditions.

Atlantic City. Oct. I4-Dr Frederick A. Cook
mere this evening branded as false the stafe-
ment made in New York to-day by Edward Bar
rih that the explorer never nearer than
fourteen miles TO the summit OF Mount McKfn-
ley. DR.. Cook further said that II an expedition
would follow his route the records left by him
at the top Of the continent would be found EIs
said:
Il have always had the most complete conA-
dence in BarrilI. and cannot comprehend whv
he should have sworn to such story The fact
that General Hubbard is proprietor OF The
Globe throws light the affair which was
not previously apparent. I shall see Barrin
hope. when / reach New York. but do not know
when where.
1T appears to me that there was money be-
hind his statement He was perhaps annoyed
that he had not been paid his wages. but that
was not my fault. and I rernedfed the matter as
soon as got back from the pole"
IF expedition of experienced mountaineers
will follow the route that took and will go to
the top Of Mount Mckinley they viii find there
the records which I deposited on attaining tho
summit Of the mountain in the manner described
in my book. To the Top Of the Continent"
In the course of chat with number es
newspaper correspondents DR.. Cook declined to
enter further into discussion Of the subject
He stated that he expected soon to get into rouch
with Barrin, when the whole matter would bs
explained
Dr- cook was received enthusiasticaIIy here
to-day by the Mayor and HIS personal escort. the
City Troop. and escorted to the Marlborough
Blenheim. which is his headquarters while IN
the resort He was present at a formal receu,-
ton and shook hands with many admirers after
which he retired to his room and slept quietly
until about o'clock when he met the newspaper
men who were waiting for some statement with
reference 20 the statements made By Command
er Peary and that which published to-day
and accredited to Edward BarriT.
DR. A. w Ball, o. this city friend Of DIT.
Cook, who in charge of the governnent
school at the foot of Mount Mckinley in 1891.
the time at which Cook said he made the ascent.
said that every person who had been there az
that time. Americans and natives. had credited
his statement. He further said that he had per-
sonally got the story of Dr. Cooks accOmplish-
ment from two Esquimaus who had accom-
panied the doctor to point a little short of tbs
trip and had waited there until he had returned
DR.. Cook expressed deep regret that there had
been attempt to disparage his accomplish
ment. for. he said there should be glory enough
for all in the fact that t. America was given tre
credit of reaching the pole He said that hts
past pleasant relations with Commander Peary
forced him To refuse to enter into the present
controversy with counter ettack. despite the
efforts to belittle what he was pleased to con-
slider one of the real feats of Arctic pioneering
81 refuse 10 make any statement" said Or.
Cook, 'that will reflect Peary or his men,
who I honestly believe reached the pole have
always taken Peary's statement of his journey
to the pole at its face value As far as my
claims are concerned I shall leave them to the
scientific societies and tho public who l believe
will judge iEHpartiaIy.
Il would have been willing to assist Peary for
the sake Of the glory of carrying the Stars and
Stripes to the pole and that help would have
been given without the slightest hesitation had
he but intmated il was wanted Ny only re-
gret is that dissentiOH should have arisen among
the men VINO have spent years of hardship and
toll in the effort 10 locate the pole. The world
Is willing to admit that the glory OF the discOv-
cry of the pole belongs to America, and the at
tacks that are being made are extremely SMALL
DR.. Cook delivered his lecture the experi-
enCes of his trip before large audience to-
night the pier. and later was the guest OF
honor at testimonial dinner given for him by
the members Of the National Hardware AssOC;a
-iOn at the Marlborough -Blenheim.