New-York tribune., 1909-12-25
THROW OUT DR.. COOK
CLUB TAKES ACTION.
Erplorers Sag He Never
Ascended Mount Mckinley.

The Investigating committee OF the Ex-
plorers Club Of which Commander Peary
Is president. yesterday delivered the most
scathing arraignment Of DR. Frederick A.
Cook which has yet been made public.
recommending that the club reject MS
claim 70 have ascended Mount Mckinley
as unworthy Of credence." Acting on the
report OF the committee. the hoard Of gov
ernors OF the club voted unanimously that
the name of the discredited member be
dropped from the rolls OF the club.
THE evidence considered by this COM
mittee." the report says. indicates that
DIR. Cook had repeatedly made statements
that have not been I'm accord with the
facts. that he has entered into agreements
which he has failed 10 keep, and that the
n1isstatements and broken agreements deal
not only with matters appertaining to dis
covery. but TO ordinary financial transac-
tons. so no credence can be given TO him.
Dr. Cooks actions since he returned from
his Arctic adventures are given consid-
erable weight in reaching this conclusion.
letter was written TO him by the board
Of governors at the time when the alder
men were about 10 confer on him the free
dom OF the city. protesting against his ac-
ceptance OF the honor as improper" In
view OF the charges which had been made
against him
FINANCES IN BAD SHAPE.
The financial transactions referred 70
include a number of matters which, ac-
cording to Professor Marshall Fl. saville.
chairman OF the committee. were brought
out IN the testimony but were not made
public. However. the report expressly says
that Dr. Cook was 'in a very serious pO-
Kinley expedition. and that he would
have had great difficulty in getting out OF
Alaska II he had not reported that he had
climbed Mount Mckinley"
Another charge is that. though the
Mount Mckinley expedition was managed
and financed by Dr. Cook and Professor
Herschel c. Parker on equal terms. DR..
Cook made a contract with Harper q Bros.
giving TO that firm the exclusive publica-
ton rights for all the material written on
the expedition This was without Profess
sor Parker's knowledge or consent and
against his preference. the report says.
COMMITTEES REPORT
follows;
TO secure information from DR.. Cook and
from his associates on the Mount Mckinley
expedition.
Dr. Cook appeared in person on October
OF its meetings, and being fully informed
OF the purposes OF the committee, ex-
pressed an appreciation OF It's spirit and
purposes.
Dr. Cook then promised to supply the
committee within one month with evidence
substantiating his claim
The committee has obtained all the data
elsewhere procurable bearing on that claim.
The committee has examined the asso-
ciates OF DIR. Cook and weighed their
statements. well as the public and
printed statements OF DR.. Cook himself
Dr. Cook failed entirely to supply the
committee with the data promised. or any
other data, ignoring the committees fur
ther request, made six weeks later.
sions. has disregarded all matter contained
IN the affidavit Of Edward Barrill and all
other evidence received against DR.. Cook 3
claim from outside sources. eventually re-
were preferred against him by members OF
From the information obtained from all
sources. your COMMITTEES finds no evidence
reached the summit Of Mount Mckinley.
NJ. n. Saville chairman; Walter G.. Clark.
Caspar Whitney. b. s. Dellenbaugh, An
thony Fiala. Henry Collins Walsh. c. III.
Townsend. secretary.
Washington. Dec. A-Commander Peary
when told this evening OF the expulsion OF
DIR. Cook. refused 10 discuss the matter
further than TO make the following state
ment:
"All the information have on the sub
ject I have received from the newspapers
Aside from that. I know absolutely moth
ing OF the affair. None OF the governors
has ever spoken or even written to me