Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-09

his successful dash for the pole when
they are made public
There S not the slightest doubt"
said Mrs. Cook to her friends. that
my husband will be able to produce
absolute proof of his discovery of the
pole when he gets back TO the United
States"
Professor Herschel C. Parker, adj
junct professor of physics at Columbia
university. had something to say of DR..
Cooks supposed achievement in climb
ing Mount Mckinley. Professor Par
ker was one of the men who started
out with D r.Cook on that expedition.
and he returned to the city Tuesday
from a tour of exploration in the Sci
kirk mountains in British Columbia.
Doubts Mountain story
1T is with great reluctance" said Dr.
Parker, that can only say that DR.
Frederick A. Cook has not made salts
factory explanation or submitted cor
roborative evidence that he made the
ascent of Mount Mckinley
1t was after the return of DR.. Parker
and other members of the expedition
that DR.. Cook reported that he had
made his successful ascent of the
mountain
IN the party that made the attempt
on Mount Mckinley said DR.. Parker,
were Belmore Browne of Tacoma. an
artist and big game hunter; Mr.. Por-
ter. the topographer; Fred Printz, the
head guide; Mr. Miller. the photogra-
pher. and number os packmen.
I'VE first went up the Yentna river
as far as we could in power boat,
and then proceeded rapidly toward the
mountain. This line of march was on
the southwest side of Mount McKin-
ley, but ii ended in an impossible can
yon. We crossed to the south side.
but there our efforts We're frustrated
by the towering cliffs.
Or. Cook said the east side was i'm
possible of ascent. as the cliffs rose at
least 5000 feet without Il break. Then
we all agreed to give up the attempt
for the season and to try the next
summer on the northwestern side
which had been advised by The govern
ment topog aphers.
News Surprises Parker.
Il returned east, and later was SUI:
plised to hear that DR.. Cook had as
eended Mount Mckinley / learned
later that he had sent Mr. Browne ON
a hunting expedition, that Mr.. Porter
was engaged in making typographical
observations and knew nothing of Dr.
Cooks final attempt. and that DR.. Cook
dispatched his head guide. Fred
Printz. and Photographer Miller on an
other hunting expedition
War ON In New York.
New York. Sept 9.-Messages re-
ceived from Commander Peary in this
country yesterday have precipitated
the north pole controversy. 1t now is
an out and out question of veracity be-
tween Peary and Dr. Cook, and before
| it is settled the world undoubtedly will
have seen mighty bitter and far
reaching quarrel.
The message from Peary yesterday
|discrediting Cook was like a red rag
for the Cook supporters, and their an
ger increased with the appearance If
another message sent by Peary to his
wife in Portland. in which he told he-
not to worry about Cooks story be-
cause he had him mailed
Cooks friends could not think of
things too mean to say about Peary,
and if yesterdays turmoil is Just a be-
ginning the controversy will be Won
der when running full speed. They de-
eIared that Cooks word as every bit
as creditable as Peary's, and that they
would call on Peary FOR full proof be-
fore they would accept his statement
that he had penetrated the pole.
In the meantime, however. Cooks
friends are going ahead with prepare,
tions for a big celebr- ion on his home-
coming. They intend to welcome him