The Washington herald., 1909-11-05

With a determination not TO make any
attempt TO discredir Dr. Frederick A.
Cook. the National Geographic Society at
a meeting last night sent a cablegram to
the University Of Copenhagen.
II reads:
"The National Geographic Society IS
about 10 send representatives TO copen-
hagen. and as our committee had access
TO the original records OF Commander
Feary. we respectfully request the Uni
versity OF Copenhagen TO grant them the
courtesy Of being present at the official
examination OF Cooks papers.
tsimeH MOORE, President
Special Committee Named.
Previous to sending the message 10
Copenhagen the following committee OF
research was named:
Henry Gannett. chief geographer at the
Geological Survey; Rear Admiral Col
by NJ. Chester, former superintendent Of
the United States Naval Observatory; o.
II. Tittman. superintendent Of the United
states Coast and Geodetic Survey, and
n. j..
Washington University.
Three members Of this committee viii
be selected in "a Few days 20 make the
journey TO Copenhagen. 1t is believed the
university there will accede 10 the re-
quest Of the society.
THE society" said Prof Moore last
night. desires In no way to discredit
Dr. Cook We awarded Commander
Peary medal for mis- polar achieve
ments. and feel that if DR.. Cook has ac-
compHshed the same. feat he also should
be honored Furthermore. it is the desire
OF the society to satisfy its membership
Of the truth Of the matter.
Committee Unbiased.
"The COMMITTEES sent TO Denmark WIN
he an unbiased one. composed of three
scientists of recognized merit. Their work
in the examination of the report mas
much as some Of them have had a chance
10 read Commander Pearys data. would
doubtless be Of value 10 the University
OF Copenhagen"
Cooks data as submitted to the Univer-
sity Of Copenhagen. II is argued. is APP
Droximately the same as that OF Com
Wander Peary when it was offered TO the
National Geographic Society.
we feel" said member last night,
that If our members are allowed to ex-
anime Dr. Cooks records now. both sci
cntists Will have been given an even
chance before the society. and neither viii
have had more time to prepare his ma
terial than the other"
With the exception Of Prof Gore. the
men on the committee are the ones who
served on the subcommittee chosen TO-
pass upon Peary's data.
Called on Department.
Hoping that the state Department
might be able to exercise some influence.
a commission composed of John JOY Ed
son, Prof. Gore, Gilbert Grosvenor. and
+. v Covine. yesterday visited Assistant
Secretary Wilson. Their request. though
not made public, was doubtless for off,
cial recognition OF the scientific commits
sion, so that the Danish government
might not ignore them without embarass-
ing itself. The State Department de-
clined to take action.
From the attitude Of the National Geo
graphic Society, both in It's resolution "to
find out whether any one reached the
pole prior 10 1900" and fits appointment Of
a committee. three members OF which
viii visit Copenhagen. It is evident the
organization is resolved to settle. so far
as its members are concerned. the com /
paratiye authority Of the Peary and Cook /
claims
The appointment OF Gannett. Chester. /
canoe inasmuch as they are the best
qualified 10 say whether Cooks data /
measures, in coherency and accuracy.
with that OF Commander Pearv.