Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-10-02
National Geographical Society
Wants Them Passed on by
Competent Commission.
COOK DEFINES HIS POSITION.
We win First submit His Observations
And Instruments 20 University
OF Copenhagen.

New York. oct DIR. Cooks re-
fusai TO submit his observations. notes
and other data az once 20 competent
scientific commission. is an that
stands IN tho way of compliance with
the suggestion OF the National Geo
graphical society today that such q
step--on tho part OF both Cook and
Peary-should precedo any official re-
conEnition OF the explorers claims.
Corrosr ondencc made public here to-
night shows that Commander Peary
has already formally signihed his will
lngness 10 comply with the condition,
but DR. Cook. IN q letter 20 Archer
Huntington. president Of the American
Geographical society. has declared that
he win continue in his determination
10 lay all his records and instruments
first before the University Of Copen-
hagen.
Prof. Ira Remsen. president Of
Johns Hopkins university was asked
several DAYS ago by Henry r. osborn,
president 81 the American museum Of
natural history, and by MI. Huntington
20 apVolnt--through his authority as
president Of tho national academy OF
sciences committee Of astronomers.
geographers and biologists. to whom
the records Of Peary and Cook should
be submitted.
Dr. Remsen in reply teiegraphed as
follows.
1T would be idle for me 10 appoint
q committee TO investigate the north
pole problem, unless 1t were clearly
understood that Commander Peary and
DR. Cook are willing to submit their
evidence. IL they are willing TO do so,
] shall not hesitate 10 appoint such a
committee as you suggest"
Mr.. Osborn at once took steps 10
obtain the consent OF Peary and Cook
He received the following dispatch
from gen. Thomas n. Hubbard on be-
half Of Commander Peary;
"Peary willing and DESTROYS to SUBJ
init all his records and data to ma
tional academy committee or other
scientists imIartially selected
DIR. Cook AT first fell In with the sug-
gestion. He agreed with Mr.. Hunting
ton that there would be no better per
son to call together a number ~
scientists than Prof. Remsen. but
later reconsidered and sent the fol-
lowing to MIR. Huntington;
COOKS TELEGRAM
"Tn bordering over the problems
which you were kind enought TO pre-
sent 70 me yesterday, IL appears TO
be an injustice to the Danes TO con
sent 20 the appointment OF another
hoard OF examiners after ! had de-
finitely agreed TO submit my material
first to the University of Copenhagen.
Il therefore ask your indulgence for
"a few months. and following the Dam
ish investigation, all the records VIII
be sent to all the geographical So
cieties OF the world. after which they
become Iublic property. / appreciate
the good offices of the American Geo
graphical society, the fair and friendly
attitude Of It's president and its MEM
bers, and win promise that they will
have an early opportunity TO go over
the entire data OF my polar conquest"
Mr. Osborn issued a statement to-
night TO show why the national aca-
DENY OF sciences was the body best
qualified 10 select such a committee
of scientists as that suggested by the
board OF directors Of the National
Geographical society in Washington
today. The statement follows.
The national academy was incor-
porated by act OF Congress March 3,
1868. with the object Of providing a
hoard OF scientists OF the highest ac-
cepted standing. uIon which the presi-
dent Of the United states. Congress or
any department OF the government
might cal 20 investigate, examine. ex-
pertinent and report upon any subject
Of science or art for the Information
OF the government.
Those who might be considered es-
pecially connected with OF interested
In the coast and geodetc survey Gin
GLIDING astronomers, geographers and
geologists) are. Cleveland Able,
Washington. ID. c.. Henry I. Abbott,
Cambridge Mass. George +. Becker
Washington, ID. C.. A. Graham Bell,
Washington. Lewis Ross. Albany: J.
e.. Branner. Stanford university, Cali
fornia. William "A. Brewer. New
Haven. Conn. william c. Campbell.
Mount Hamilton, Cal, Thomas G..