Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-23

his return from the Arctic.
II discounted this decision from the
University of Copenhagen some time
ago." continued Mr.. Bradley. "In COM
mon with the rest of the world. ! was
delighted at the first news from Dr.
Cook that he had discovered the Pole
His actions. however. and his failure to
make more than the meagre statements
regarding his trip following his return TO
civilization took some of the smack off
the supposed triumph. | began to weak
en- decidedly when DR.. Cook left us all
without so much as a word of good bye.
When man runs away you can't eN-
pect his friends to fight for him and
Cooks flight, for that's what 1t seemed
20 me to amount to. killed all my interest
IN him and his affairs. Before that
never had had reason to DOUBT Cook and
his whole course In this matter seems
Inexplcable to mo But he fooled the
world and was only one of the bunch
rs I have said.
II am sick Of the whole blooming polar
business and don't want to near any
hing more about the North Pole or any
Of it's attributes"
WAKE is DCMBFOtNDED.
Charles Wake DR.. Cooks closest per-
Eondl ITlenu anu tne buIN peTSul beSI'eS
his brother who knew the whereabouts Of
the explorer in the last few weeks was
81 dumbfounded when informed Oh the
verdict reached by the University Of
Copenhagen that he gaspcd for breath
and dropped tho telephone receiver.
This is such a severe blow to me that
can not now fully appreciate it," said
Mr.. Wake when he had partially recov-
cred his composure II had every conf
dence in Dr.. Cook and I believed him
thoroughly. Yet. | am well acquainted
With the authorities ~ the University of
Copenhagen and I know that any YER
diet they reach is just and true.
DIR. Cook never expected such an adj
verse decision. I know for he always
spoke with full confidence that the pro-
fessors would decide that he had gone
TO the pole Mr.. Wake said that DR..
Cooks wife Is with him In Norway but
that his children are here.
From my personal knowledge of DR.
Cook and my knowledge OF the work In
the Arctic | never wavered in my belief
that DIR. Cook could never prove the
claims he made" said Herbert L. Brldg-
man. secretary OF the Peary Arctic club
81 thoroughly believed in the story OF
Peary and the Esquimaux that Aook had
not gone far north. Again DR.. COOK !
story was filled with holes so that any
one who had knowledge of Arctic condi
lions could easily see that no faith could
be placed in the story
Dr. Cooks claim that in 1906 he made
The ascent OF Mt. Mckinley in Alaska
the highest peak in America is now un
Ger investigation by committee OF thu
Explorers club here. DR.. Cook promised
10 appear before the committee after HI
had completed his polar data but he ha!
not done so.
MENTAL CONDITION BAD.
IF the public knew the truth concern
ng DR.. Cooks mental and physical con
eition as it is known by his close friends
hey would take more charitable view
" his unfortunate situation" were tn
significant words uttered by II. yelling
lon Wack, counsel for Or. Cook to-day
when told that the University of Copen
hagen had rejected DR.. Cooks proof
HAT he had been to the North Pole.
Mr. Wack said that he would like t
make full statement concerning Dr.
Cook but that he could not do so unit
he received the consent Of the explorer.
There is so much that nigh! be sal
that would throw full light on DR.. Cook
condition. mean by this. things that
and his friends observed when he wa
here in New York, but l can say moth
ing"