Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-03
VOTES HIM GOLD MEDAL
Board of Managers Unanimously
Adopts subcommittee Report.
READY TO TAKE UP COOK CLAIM
Committee of Experts to Be Ap-
pointed to Examine the Records
Of Other Explorers.

morning by it's board of managers. the
National Geographic Society placed its
stamp of oficial approval upon the
polar records of Commander Robert E.
Peary and voted him a special gold
medal commemorating his having
reached the north pole.
1--WE wanted the proofs said Prof.
Willis l.. Moore. president OF the society.
as he left the meeting Of the board of
managers, held in the Hubbard Memorial
building this morning. Commander
Peary's records were clear in every
particular. and it was the unanimous
opinion OF all the members of the board
present that there is absolutely no doubt
of his having reached the pole.
I'VE will appoint a committee of ex-
perts to look into the claims of any other
polar explorers. and I'm our endeavors to
get the truth before the $4,000 members
of our society we will spare no expense.
We will instruct the committee to exam
inc the records Of other explorers, no
matter where they will be found
1t was quite evident from Prof
Moore's remarks that the society will
instruct this committee to proceed to
Copenhagen, IL necessary, to examine
DR.. Cooks records. although in the
resolution adopted at the meeting, and
in Prof Moore's remarks. all reference
to DR.. Cooks name was omitted.
The subcommittee Report.
After the meeting of the board Of
managers. which lasted more than two
hours. was called to order the report of
the subcommittee of the research COM
mittee on the Peary arctic expedition.
Rear Admiral Chester and o. III. Tit
mann, was submitted and after some
discussion adopted unanimously.
The report was as follows:
The subcommittee. to which was re-
ferred the task of examining the records
|of Commander Peary in evidence of his
having reached the north pole, beg to
report that they have completed their
task.
Commander Peary has submitted to
this subcommittee his original journal and
records of observations. together with all
Of his instruments and apparatus and
certain of the most important of the
scientific results OF his expedition. These
have been carefully examined by your
subcommittee. and they are unanimously
OF the opinion that Commander Peary
reached the north pole April s. 1900.
They also feel warranted in stating
that the organization, planning and man.
agement Of the expedition. it's complete
success and its scientific results, reflect
the greatest credit on the ability of Com
mander Robert Z. Peary and render him
worthy Of the highest honors that the
National Geograp phic Society can bestow
upon him."
Special Medal Awarded.
After the adoption Of the report a reso-
luton was passed stating that as Com
mander Peary had reached the north
pole, and as this is the greatest geo
graphical achievement that this society
can have opportunity to honor" a spe-
cial medal will be awarded to Commander
Peary.
"The question of whether or not any
one reached the pole prior to 1907 the
resolution continues. shall be referred
to the committee on research, with In
structions to recommend to the board Of
managers. a subcommittee of experts.
who shall have authority to send for
papers. or make such Journeys as may
be necessary to inspect original records.
| and that this action of the society be
| communicated at once to those who may
| have evidence of Importance.
Another for Capt. Bartlett.
I'm view of the able seamanship, per-
| tinacious effort and able management of
Capt c. A. Bartlett displayed during the
Peary Arctic expedition of 1920. and
| that he reached the high latitude of 81
degrees
awarded a medal by the National Geo
graphic Society"
Rear Admiral John f. Pillsbury. l.. s.
N retired, was unanimously elected a
member OF tie board of managers to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of the
late Daniel c. Gilman.
Those who voted the unanimous ap-
proval OF the report are President Willis
| J.. Moore, Vice President Henry Gannett,
Secretary Q. p. Austin. Treasurer John
Joy Edsor, Editor Gilbert IL. Grosvenor.
Prof. Alexander Graham Bell, Admiral
IC. NJ. Chester, Charles j. Bell, Rudolph
lKauffmann Brig. Gen. John NJ. Wilson.
liz. s. A.. retired; T l. Macdonald. NJ. ID.
Prof. !. Howard Gore of George Wash
ington University. Henry F.. Blount.
David Fairchild and F. V. Coville.
Failed to Visit Navy Department.
/ The fact that Commander Peary failed
to visit the Navy Department during
his visit to this city is. the subject of
comment. especially among the officials
and employees OF the bureau of yards and
docks. to which he was attached before
1 ne made his latest trip TO the arctic re-
gion. AS he is not actually on duty under
| the Navy Department at present there
] WAS actual violation of the reeula-
tions In his failure to officially report his
return to Washington.
| His status at present is not that of an
| officer on leave of absence, but as being
| on detached service. According to the
| register he Is on special duty under the
coast and geodetic survey making tidal
observations on coasts of Grantland and
| Greenland. branch of the Department
| OF the Interior.
| II ne did not report to that office during
/ his visit to this city IL is inferred that il
was because he was not prepared to re-
port the result OF his observations on the
| tidas i'm the arctic