Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-09-17
Portland Commercial Club A.
most Unanimous for DR.. Cooks
Claims Of Discovery.
But ONE GENTLEMAN AT POLE
Some Even Go ~ Tar a. to Charge
Pcary With Acting Like
Blackguard.

] ''iHNlht t'fft-l ouueucN.l
Portland or. sept I5-if Com
mander Perry were to visit the far
west. he might find it a. chilly as he
did 40 the north pole FOR practically
everyone In this section seems 70 be a
! Cook supporter with a view 10 de-
terminiug public sentiment in this city
| on the polar controversy. a straw vote
was taken at the Commercial club at
the lunch hour today and $50 business
and professional men expressed them
selves on which Of the two explorers
is entitled 10 the credit OF planting
the flag at the north pole
The opinions were almost unanimous
| for Or. Cooks claims. Those writing
their opinions did not doubt that Peary
reached the pole but censurcd him
severely for his attitude toward Dr.
Cook. Some even went so far as 10
charge him with acting like a black
guard
Expressions on the subject were
many and varied. Most held the BELIEF
that both reached the pole but Cook
was first and thought him entitled 20
more honor because OF his attitude
since his return Commando Peary's
charges against Cook were character
lied as ungentlemanly and unsports-
maulike and IL was said they tended
TO weaken public confidence in Pearys
own claims.
Cook did II like a hero and acted
Ike a gentleman afterward" was the
way one man put IL and this ls the
keynote Of nearly an the expressions
Both got there. but only one gentle
man reached the pole" said another.
Cook IS a gentleman in his attitude:
can't say AS much for Peary," was
another opinion.
II think they both got there hut am
sorry Peary did: he made fool Of
himself said another
My sympathles are with Cook
Peary Is a poor sport" was the way
another put II.
"HURRAH FOR DIR. COOK"
G. Il. shoies. who Is prominent
mountaineer of the northwest and who
is familiar with Or. Cooks explorations |
In Alaska. said
Il examined very carefully Or. Cooks |
account Of his ascent Of Mt Mckinney |
the top Of the continent and that /
statement. IL seems to me. contains con- |
vincing proof OF his having reached the /
summit, In All his arctic work ne has /
shown remarkable persistence and in 4
domitable energy I think there is no /
doubt that Or Cook discovered the /
Nf'ANs AtNebtN 4 col n AtA AAAfAt a NFtiA
hter, hut his expressions slace re-
turning are unsportsiuanlikp- s@f s'end /
to throw dorbt on his CiNrvEs1- or. 4
kurfah for nr Cook " 4
others rely on the judgnleyments, "a
matters OF the Danes who appear TO
nave accepted Dr. Cooks claims after
investigation. Some point TO the fact
that scientists OF that country who in
terviewed DR.. Cook are well able 20
judge OF the truth on falsity Of his
and what convlnces them
should be sufficient for anyona
Despite their great distance from the
center of the controversy, which must
be- in New York or Washington, as
both explorers have their greatest num-
Der OF friends and supporters there, the
people OF the Pacific coast are no less
Interested In the feat OF planting the |
lag at the pole and look forward eager
y 90 the Investigations OF the rival
,lalms. The western love OF fair play
g bringing out many uncompli
remarks toward Commander Peary.