The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-09-23
COOK SUBMITTED
TO TRYING ORDEAL
Forty Newspaper Men cross-Exanine
Arctic Explorer as TO Details
Of His Journey.

New York, Sept 23.-Dr Frederick
A. Cook, seeking rest and seclusion
with his family after the boisterous
welcome of Tuesday, denied himself
to interviews yesterday and remained
in his suite at the Waldorf-Astoria
until late last evening, when he sub
mitted cheerfully to one af the sever
est cross examinations since he an
nounced his discovery Of the North
Pole.
The ordeal of the interview, which
was conducted by forty newspaper
representatives, including several
from foreign newspapers proved at
least that he was not afraid to meet
the public.
Incidentlly the city Of New York Of
ficially recognized his achievements
when the board Of aldermen
passed resolution commemorating
his discovery and providing for pub
lie welcome at the city hall The date
Of the reception will be announced lat
er.
The material point of DR.. Cooks
answers here did not differ in great
degree from his original recital. Some
slight details were cleared up, how
ever. which throw light on the way in
which the polar dash was effected
AS the questions asked we're put by
laymen they did not go deeply into
the scientific aspect of the expedition,
But DR.. Cook was ready to answer
anything pertinent to the issue
The most interesting phase Of the
interview was reached when DR. Cook
was asked if he would object to show
ing his diary. He immediately con-
sented, and after retiring to his room,
returned with small octave note
book which he showed freely to all.
It was a thin book containing l76
pages, each Of which was filled with
sfty or sixty lines of penciIed writing
in the most minute characters. The
book he said, contained considerably
more than 100000 words, while he
has besides other books embracing
his observations and other data. He
did not show them however, today.
AS question after question was
asked whether it was Of trivial
nature or Of a more serious trend. Dr.
Cook answered in a low voice. with
out hesitancy, as though in full pos
session Of all his facts.
The interyiewers were rather severe
in regard to details, but nothing in
dicated that the polar travellers mem
ory was at fault, even in the most
minute particulars Sometimes when
a petty question indicated Ignorance
he smiled with good humored sym
pathy at the lack Of technical knowl4
edge displayed. Occasionally when
question was long and complicated
he asked for its repetition.
Not once did he refuse to reply. ex-
cept when the name of Commander
Peary was broached. Even then he
said that he had always, and did now
consider Peary as his friend, but con
troversial subjects in connection with
his rival could wait Throughout the
interview he exhibited the utmost pa
tience.
When requested to say what had
occurred at his meeting with Harry
whitney. the New. Haven sportsman
be said he preferred TO let Whitney
tell his own story as Whitney was
quite unbiased.
His reasons in imposing secrecy on
Whitney. on Pritchard, Commander
Peary's cabin boy. and the Eskimos
were prompted by his desire to be the
first to tell the world Of his discovery
He had done the work he said, and
was entitled to relate how it had been
carried out.