The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-20
Records and Observations Are
Submitted to Experts.
Examination Probably Will Re-
quire Several Months.
WON'T WAIT FOR COOK
Prof. Willis l.. Moore Saws 1t
Would Not Be Fair.
SOciety's Action Is in Accord
ance With Bylaws.

Washington. Oct. 2o.-Commander
Robert E. Peary's proof, records ami
observations that he reached the North
Pole April 6, 1909, were today submitted
to the National Geographical society.
The board of managers of that body
referred them for examination to a
subcommittee of experts comprising
Henry Ganrett. chief geographer OF the
United States geological survey; Rear
Admiral Colby NJ. Chester, U. S. N, and
o. H. Tittman, superintendent Of the
United States coast and geodetlc sur
vey. 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
--''- hold their first meeting within a
few days and inaugurate their investi-
cation of the Peary data. They will
personally examine the note books and
original observations made by Com
mander Peary on his march to the Ioie
and will see all papers brought back by
him from the frigid north The wide
scope of the investigation renders 1t
probable that the subcommittee will
months, but when ready, the report will
be submitted to meeting of the board
of managers Of the society, specially
called for that purpose.
CabIegram From Copenhagen.
While the meeting was in progress,
and shortly after the submission of
the Peary data, messenger brought
a cablegram from the University OF
Copenhagen in reply to the society'S
request that the institution waive its
first claim to DR.. Cooks records. The
cablegram read:
National Geogra phic Society,
Washington: Sorry. University regrets
- III ,x@I- Il.
"TORP, Rektor.'
Prof. Willis L. Moore, president of
the National Geographic society, de-
clared subsequent to the board meet
ing that the society believed that
Commander Peary's claim that he
reached the pole should be passed
upon without further delay.
THE society is ready to make sim
liar examination of DR.. Cooks original
observations and field notes. said
Prof Moore, but as he promised to
send them to the University of Copen-
hagen and the society will not have
an opportunity of seeing them for
probably some months, it did not seem
fair to defer action on Commander
Peary's observations until DR.. Cooks
were received.
According to Bylaws.
1.-THE action of the society was ta-
ken in accordance with the bylaws:
THE committee on research shall be
charged with the consideration of all
matters of scientific and technical geo.
graphy, 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 for action
The society previously had urged both
Commander Peary and D1. Cook TO
submit their observations to a compet-
ent scientific commission in the United
States.
The society Joined in a request from
the American Museum of Natural His
tory of New York. and the American
Geographical society, to President
tional Academy of Sciences. appoint
commission to pass upon the records
OF both explorers. The society began
to formulate plans for Immediate
advised by DR.. Remsen that he would
rot appoint commission unless auth
orized by his council which meets in
November, and unless requested by
both Peary and Cook.
Here Is the List.
Washington, Oct. 20.-An even doz-
en- members of world wide standing
constitute the research committee of
the National Geographic society,
which is to pass on the merits of the
North pole controversy.
The chairman is Henry Gannett,
States Geographical survey, president
National Geographical society and one
of the founders of that organization
in 1888. He is the author of topo-
graphic surveying books, statistical
aliases of the tenth and eleventh CEN
sus, the dictionary of attitudes and
other books and government reports
on geographic, magnetic declinations,
etc.
o. P. Austin is chief of the govern
ment bureau of statistics and secre-
tary of the national geographic So
city and author of books on territorial
expansion and other works.
DR.. L. A. Bauer is the director of
terrestrial magnetism of the Carnegie
institute Phi. D., from the university
of Berlin, where he studied higher
mathematics for three years, astrono-
mer and magnetic computer of the
United States coast and geologic sur
vey from 1877 to 1892, and assistant
professor of mathematics and mathe-
matical physics in the University of
Cincinnati.
Rear Admiral Colby NJ. Chester,
known for many years as one of the
best navigators in the service, COM
mander in chief of the Atlantic squad
ron, superintendent of the national
observatory and chief of the hydro
graphic division of the navy.
Frederick v. Coville, the botanist of
the department of agriculture, is q
former president of the botanical So
ciety of America, and author of nu.
merous scientific reports.
DIR. J. Howard Gore, was formerly
professor of mathematics in George
Washington university, juror in chief
at the Paris exposition in 1900 and
author of works on geodetic geo.
graphy and mathematical text books
Gilbert H. GroSvenor, the editor of
the National Geographic magazine,
compiled a map of the North Polar
regions, showing the route of all ex-