The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-23
EXPLORER Submits to Severe Cross-Q Question
ing by Force of Newspaper Correspondents.
FORTY NEWS CATHERERs FIRE QUERIES At HIM
Conference Results in the Clearing Up Of Some Details
Regarding the Dash to the End Of the Earh--Scien-
tist Gladly Displays His Diary Holding the
Record Of His Daily Journeys.

New York, Sept. 2a-Dr. Frederick
A. Cook tonight submitted cheerfuiiy
to one of the severest cross -examina-
tions he has undergone since he an
nounced his discovery of the north
pole The interview, which was con-
Quoted by 40 newspaper men, including
several from foreign newspapers,
proved, at least, that he was not
afraid to meet the public.
incidentally, the city. of New York
officially recognized DIR. Cooks
achievement today, when the board
of aldermen passed a resolution com
memorating his discovery and p."sid-
ing for a public welcome at the city
hall.
The material points of DIR. Cooks an
swers today did not differ in gIea,
degree from his original recital. Some
slight details were cleared up, how
ever, which throw light on the way
I'm which the polar dash was effected
As the questions asked We're put by
laymen. they did not go deeply into the
scientific aspect of the expedition
But DR. Cook was ready to answer
anything pertinent to the issue.
DR.. Cook was asked If he would OBJ
iect to showing his diary. He Inn
mediately consented and produced
small notebook. which he showed free
ly to all. 1t contained 176 pages. each
of which was filled with so or 60
lines of writing In the most minute
characters. The book, he said, con-
tanned considerably more than 100000
words, while he has. besides, other
books embracing his observations ana
other data. DIR. Cook answered every
question in a low voice. without nesi-
fancy. as though in fun possession
of all his facts.
Rather Severe.
The interviewers We're rather severe
in regard to details, but nothing In
dicated that the polar travellers men,
ory was at fault. even in the most
minute particulars. Sometimes, when
n petty question indicated ignorance,
he smiled with good-humored sympa-
thy at the lack of technical knowledge
displayed.
Not once did he refuse to reply, ex-
cept when the name of Commander
Peary was broached. Even then he
said he always had and did now con-
slider Peary as his friend, but contro-
yersial subjects in connection with his
rival he avoided entirely. saying that
they could wait.
When requested to say what had oc-
Cured at his meeting with Harry
Whitney, the New Haven sportsman.
he said he preferred to let Whitney
tell his own story. as Whitney was
quite unbiased. His reasons in impos-
ing secrecy on whitney. on Pritchard.
Commander Peary's cabin boy. and the
Eskimos were prompted by his desire
to be the first to tell the world of his
discovery. He had done the work.
he said. and was entitled to relate
how 1t had been CARED out.
Some Questions.
Some of the more important ques
items put to DIR. Cook and his replies
follow:
Qr-Did anything ever occur in the
life of yourself and Mr.. Peary that
would create an enmity of bitterness
between you?
A.-No. nothing whatever that !
know of.
peary as q friend or an enemye
Al must say I 60 not know. I
have treated Mr.. Peary as a friend
and until | know more about the sit
uation l shall continue to do the
same.
Q-Did you ever say anything III
Etah that indicated that You feared for
your life If he got theree
A.-No.
Q.-would you be willing to meet
Peary in a debate when he gets here2
A-As far as / am concerned. the
peary incident Is closed. Mr.. Pearg
is rot the dictator of NY affairs and
/ do not care to say anything further
about him.
o.-Did YOU know Mr.. Whitney when
you met him on your return to Etah?
A.-No: he introduced himself, but
l did not catch his name and did not
know it until the following day.
Odd you know that Peary was
going To start up at that timee
tA-No. did not know.
Q.-what caused YOU to have such
confidence in Whitney that you in
trusted your instruments to him.
Al knew him by name and eireum-
stances that arose while l was with
him justified my confidence. | gave
him the instruments to bring back, be-
cause | thought they would be less
liable to injury on board his vessel
than If / took them across glaciers
and rough, ice-coyered country.
Q-what is your opinion of the story
told by the negro Henson of the in
formation he obtained from your two
ESkimoS?