New-York tribune., 1909-09-07
WASHINGTON REJOLCES
COMMENT At CAPITAL.
Scientists Plan Rousing Reception
for Peary on His Return.

washington. Sept s-"should an American hrst
c. al place tho Stars and Stripes at that coveted
rpot there Is not an American citizen at home or
Fhroaa ana ;here are a million OF US but what
-rovia feel little better and & little nroude- OF
being an American; and Just that added increment
ot pride and patriotism millions would Of itself
Alono be worth ten times the ef attaining the
pole"
sso thus prophetically outlined his view Of the value
s1d interest attached TO the achievement he an
4ouncod r. dispatches to-day. The penetration OF
size frozen heart of the Arctic circle the news Of
rearys feat following close upon the heels Of DR..
Cooks planting Of the American fag al the same
epot. evoked enthusiastic plaudits IN Washington.
Everywhere among army and navy officers and
scientists. and Official Washington generally. only
words Of praise were spoken for Commander Peary.
such wonderful achievements this make
spochs the history of the world declared Cap
tain Veeder, in charge Of the United States Naval
Observatory. and have doubt that this dis
covery viii add inlmeasurably 10 the sum of human
knoWledge.'' Captain Veeder greeted the announce
Fneat OF Peary's attainment Of the pole with
hearty Good and added that he immensely
pleased. 10 know, that the American navy was at
least second in the race.
''Pesry ADDS stin another name TO the long list
of American heroes" sad Professor Asaph Hall OF
the observatory. Il did not know him personally,
but lad come TO have the greatest admiration
for him. The energy he displayed. his persis-
fence and ;he intelligence he has brought to bear
this great problem. which have at last been
crowned With success, are worthy Of all commen-
dslion.'
MAN or WONDERFUL CAPACITY"
Those persons who had been associated with Peary
here spoke Of him to-day as a OF wonderful
.-apacity doing things, and they instantly ac-
Nepted the statement that had discovered the
pole. The% expected him eventually TO win in his
struggle. and 50 it was surprise 10 them when
ord came that he had succeeded
gal-. ly- md ~
DF. Cook did differ materially, according to
Professor Henry Gannett. the geographer. at
seemed 20 me that Peary being delayed when
De left year 50 ago." said Professor Gannett.
who is old friend OF the Pearys. "Pearys plan
was to get up to the northeastern cape of Grant
Land. where he made his former headquarters, be-
fore the ice closed IN. He had been previously to
the vicinity OF Lady Franklin Bay and then north
west along the coast for quite distance before pro-
ceed!ng away from land and striking out for the
pole. should say he took about the same course
this time Dr. Cook started Etah Z place
there and crossed over into GrinneN Land to
some point the north coast near where Peary
started Gran: Land and Grinne Land form the
same body OF land. ] think that Cook left Grant
Land Ettle further west than Peary did Their
courses, however seem have varied little"
'Pesry's compass probably pocket one. -
slEgested Lieutenant Commander J. S Doddridge,
The superintendent Of compasses at the Naval OBJ
serrstofy. IN discussing PeaTy's equipment The com
pass would point 10 the real North Pole. but
20 the magnetic pole. which Amundsen discovered
n -s6. The compass points the north mag
-etic pole continued Commander Doddridge. The
magnetic pole Is located north OF Hudson's Bay
snd IS quite distance from the North Pole Itself.
In going 20 the geographical North Poie the com
pass needle would be pointed 20 the magnetic IN
stes6 ot 70 the geographical pole When the ez-
riorer reaches the Ncgth Pole, the geographical one
Ire compass would indicate the direction of the
magnetic pole and might be pointing south or west
--oa the real pole. The compass though giving
The general direction of the poe, would not fix the
ezsrt spot"
That's good exclaimed Professor Willis Z.
Moore. president Of The National Geographic So
cie,y. when he vas informed this evening that
Commander Pesrv had reported he had reached
'As &orth Pole on April s. I am glad re can
encore on the pole. delighted beyond measure
ttsr our society subscribed 70 Commodore Peary's
expedition. and also because TWO Americans reached
-hc North Pole before any one else L is a wonder
F1l achievement for both Cook and Peary'
Professor Moore added that II was entirely prob
abe that the data Of one would not cheek up virh
".st ot The ether because Of the moving ice and
-as- Peary may nov have found April last
sry traoe indicating that Cook had been there the
ear before The statements OF both explorers that
they have found The pole accepted by Professor
a-oo-e, he believing that they will be substantisteo
r ssrfsfs ctory scientific data. He stated that later
= rhe week. when more cf the members OF the
hoard OF managers of the Geographic Society
Rave returned 20 the city, he would call special
eetirg ot the board for the purpose Of taking &c
"on toward making suitable recognition Of the re
--s-kahle exploits Of the American explorers.
Rear Admiral ". 8. CoTles chief OF the Bureau
- Equipment OF the navy. expressed his delight
ever the Pearv announcement. 1T was my under
standing" said Admiral CoWles. What when he LEFT
he-e i was his hope reach the pole about This
'iIue. PeaYy Is 3 most deserving oflcer. He has
pursued his purpose under all sorts OF adverse con-
0tons. and only OF his energy and per
sstence could hope % win 50 great an undertaking
PEARY HAD FINE EQUIPMENT.
Pear had sn exceptionally fine equipment
Very much money was spent his outfit, and he
tss been able 70 take advantage Of all OF the mis-
tzkes and successes OF his predecessors. II would
be 70 great wonder az all Il he has al last achieved
past he set out 70 DO. The only fear is that ever
= he had discovered the pole Sufficient time has
rot elapsed in which get the news 20 the out
eide world. hope, however. il IS true
Admiral Cowles also said he believed that DR.
cook discovered the pole last year. AT any rate,
r said y believe in the interest Of fair play I'D
verse judgment should be suspended until il ha:
feer demonstrated that he has not made the dis
Ccye-v IL claims
Conrnander Peary is personally popular with the
tcie.tfsts IN Washington and 4 movement will be
s'srte6 a. once 10 give him 4 roUsing reception
-rer te gets back 10 this country.