Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-01
Cooks Eskimos Capable,
Harry Whitney Testifies

TRURO, N. s., October HAIRY Whit.
ney, the New Haven sportsman who Is
the most conspicuous nonpartisan wit
ness in the Peary-Cook polar contro-
versy, spent five hours here to change
cars en- route to his home last evening
in New Haven.
Whitney said he had not understood
that the articles left with him by DIR.
Cook were important or he would have
gone back and got them. He also said
that while DIR. Cook conided to him
freely that he had been at the top of the
globe. Peary did not tell him Of his
own achievement
Commander Peary did not tell me
that he had been to the POLE" said he.
so far as l know he had not told any
one on the Roosevelt. not even Capt
Bartlett. how far north he had been UP
to the time I left the ship.
"Of course. it was gossip on the Roose-
Welt that the commander had been to
the pole, and 1 heard that. The crew
inferred that Commander Peary had been
to the pole. from the fact that he re-
turned SO soon when he had plenty Of
provisions left
Cooks Sledge Much Worn.
Whitney talked reluctantly. for he said
he felt not only friendly with but under
obligations to both explorers. His posi-
ton, he insisted, was literally neutral.
You saw DR.. Cooks sledge?" he was
asked. Did 1t look as though IT had
been used in a journey as difficult as the
ice trip to the pole?''
lit looked as though 1t had been sub
jected to hard usage" Whitney answered.
land it's appearance to my mind CONFIRM
ed DR.. Cooks story OF his experience.
The sledge was badly cut up.
Some of the wooden strips had been
sivered for firewood. for the doctor had
no other material for a fire. The base
of the frame had been cut down for ar
rows or harpoons, with which he and
his Eskimos killed arctic hare for food.
1.-The Eskimos had taken off the steel
runners to make knives"
AS Peary has said that no explorer
could achieve the pole unless he had one
of the Peary design, Whitney was asked
If there was any resemblance between
the Cook and Peary sledges.
No" he answered. there was not.
Dr. Cooks sledge was patterned after
the type that DR.. Wilbur Grenfell uses
in his work. Cook adopted the Grenfell
sedge because, l suppose. he thought
Grenfelrs experience had been extensive
enough to enable him to judge Of the
most effective pattern for rough work"
Cooks Eskimos Most Capable.
Whitney was told of the assertion of
Hensen and others In the confidence Of
Peary that Cooks two Eskimos were too
young and inexperienced to have accom-
panied any navigator to the pole.
Il employed both on my musk OK hunt
ing trip and found them capable" he
said. They are bright young fellows,
and they were the best dog drivers and
sledge handlers In my outfit These two
Eskimo boys that DR.. Cook had would
get their sledges over the ice faster than
any other drivers. pushing and lifting and
jumping them"
Were they intelligent
Yes, very intelligent. would not want
any better Eskimos."
Did DR.. Cook show you any proofs?"
mo, he only indicated his route on
the map. I did not question the truth
Of his story. 1 knew he had been away
fourteen months and knew that q man
is not staying for fourteen months out
in that country for nothing If he can
get back. When he and his Eskimos
CONTINUED on Eighteenth Page.)