Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-10-27
SUBMITS
RECORDS OF TRIP
TURNS OBSERVATIONS AND
DATA OVER TO NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
COPENHAGEN UNIVERSITY RE.
FUSES TO YIELD FIRST CLAIM
TO Cooks PROOFS.

WaSQlnSl on, II. H., OCt Ill YIN
mander Robert E. Peary's proof rec
ords and observations that he reached
the north pole on April 6, 1909, were
yesterday submitted to the National
Geographic society. For examination
and report, the board of managers OF
that body referred them to a sub
committee of experts comprising
Henry Bannett, chief geographer OF
the United States Geological survey;
Rear Admiral Colby M. Chester, U.
S. N, and c.. H.. Tittman, superintend-
ent of the United States coast and
geodetic survey.
The society announced that the
only question it now had to decide
was whether Commander Peary
reached the north pole on the date
claimed. The experts designated by
the society will hold their first meet
ing within few days and inaugurate
their investigation of the Peary data.
They will personally examine the
notebooks and original observations
made by Commander Peary on his
march to the pole and will see all pa
pers brought back by him from the
frigid north.
The wide scope of the investigation
renders it probable that the subcom-
mittee will not report findings for
several months, but when ready the
report will be submitted to a meeting
of the board of managers of the socl
ETY., especially called for that pur.
pose.
While the meeting was in progress
and shortly after the submission OF
the Peaiy data, a messenger brought
cablegram from the University OF
Copenhagen in reply to the society s
request that the institution waive
claim to DR.. Cooks records. The ca
blegram read:
National Geographic society Wash
ington.-Sorry. University regrets not
able to comply with your request.
Torp Rektor.
Moore Wants no Delay.
Professor Willis L. Moore, presi
dent of the National Geographic soci
ETY., declared subsequent to the board
meeting that the society believed tina,
Commander Peary's claim that he
reached the pole should be passed up
on without further delay.
"The society is ready to make
similar examination of Dr. Cook s
original observations and field notes,
Professor Moore said, "but as he
promised to send them to the Uniyer
sity of Copenhagen, and the society
will not have an opportunity of seeing
them for probably some months II
did not seem fair to defer action on
Commander Peary's observations I'M
til DR.. Cooks papers were received.
"The action of the society was tax
en- in accordance with the bylaws of
the society which provide: "The com
mittee on research shall be charged
with the consideration of all matters
of scientific and technical geography
including exploration which may be
brought before the society, or which
may originate in the committee; and
shall report thereon to the board OF
managers, with recommendations for
action
The society previously had urged
both Commander Peary and DR.. Cook
to submit their observations to a com
petent scientific commission in the
United States. The society joined IN
a request from the American Muse
UNI of Natural history, New York, and
the American Geographical society
to President Remsen that he as pres
ident of the National Academy of Sci
ences, appoint a commission to pass
upon the records of both explorers.
The society began to formulate
plans for immediate action on the
Peary records, when it was advised
by DR.. Remsen that he would not ap
point a committee unless authorized
by his counsel which meets in No