The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-22
Suggest That His Records
and Data Be Submitted
for Investigation.
SAME COMMITTEE
FAVORED BY MANY
Rear Admiral Schley Thinks Uni
versity of Copenhagen Should
Consider Case.

To silence for all time doubling
tongues and satisfy those who oues-
tion the achievement of Conmmander
Robert f. Peary having reached the
North Pole. Rear Admiral Winfield s.
Schley today suggested that he submit
his data, records, and observations to
some competent scientific body as a
court Of final decision.
Rear Admiral Schley, himself a man
Of large experience in the frozen Arctic
Circle, was one OF the men who believed
in Dr. Cook.
Now that DR.. Cook has been dlsproved,
Il is only fair and proper, says the re-
tired naval officer, that Peary's claims
should be proved with as much GER
taiEty.
Moreover. Admiral SchIey suggests
that Commander Peary should be the
one to volunteer this program now that
his rival has been repudiated and dis
graced by the adverse decision Of the
Copenhagen University. He thinks. aIs1,
that no better tribunal for the submis-
sion Of Commander Peary's records
than the University OF Copenhagen con
sistory could be found in the world.
Copenhagen Committee Suggested.
1.-THE very fact that Cook has been
disproved seems 10 me to suggest a
reason why Commander Peary's case
should be proved" said Admiral Schley
this morning. Unless some scientific
body other than the National Geo
graphic Society is asked TO pass on the
records of his polar achievement, there
viii always be the probability Of some
fellow Sprtnglng up with the question
whether it has been conclusively proved
that he reached the Pole.
why not the University OF Copen-
hageny' asked Admiral Schley "They
would treat the matter fmparriaily, just
as they did Cooks claims OK this there
Gems q be no room for doubE"
Coming from an officer of Admiral
Schley's recognized position in the
naval world. and one Of his admitted
sense Of fairness, the suggestion made
by him is one that has created wide
spread discussion, and It is not un-
likely that steps win be taken TO urge
it's reasonabieuess 20 both Commander
Peary and the National Geographic So
ciety.
Verdict Would Be Respected.
Whether the Copenhagen University's
committee on polar exploration viii ask
20 inspect the records Of Peary, and
whether the National Geographic So
ciety would acede 70 such a request are
two questions that were discussed
NO one doubts the sincerity and com
potency Of the Copenhagen committee %
declared b. w Kumler, a member Of
the National Geographic Society, "and
it's approval at this time of Peary's rec
ords would relieve some Of the present
embarrassment. and cOUnteract some or
all Of the prejudice likely to arise as
result Of the decision against DR.. Cook.
II would show that American explorers
are not all Cooks and that America
does not condemn Denmark for her
hasty acceptance OF the Cook claim"
Still Nettled By Reply.
But the question OF showing Denmark
this courtesy is not one on which the
officials Of the society will agree. Sew
eraI who refused to discuss the matter
this morning for publication iutimated
that there would be serious COnsidera.-
tion before the society entered into ne
goriatiOUs with the foreign society
They are still nettled by the tone Of
the reply received when the society
asked shat it be allowed to have repro
sentatves present when DR. Cooks
records We're examined.