The Washington herald., 1909-11-09
NEXT MOVE IN DOUBT
New Polar Committee Has No
Definite Plan in View.
COPENHAGEN TRIP ABANDONED
National Geographic Society, in
Fairness to DR.. Cook, Chooses New
Board of Experts to Inspect His
Claims, but Fails to Instruct Them.
Commander Perry Reaches Town.

Apparently a lull is the next thing on
| the programme in the National Geo
graphic Society's search for the truth
I about the Cook-Peary controversy.
Although the board of managers at a
meeting yesterday in the Hubbard Me-
mortal Building appointed new com
mittee to decide whether or not any one
reached the north pole prior to 1909.
/ it is generally conceded that the mem
/ bers do not intend 10 go to Copenhagen.
/ When the records will be placed at their
/ disposal anywhere else is a matter Of
| uncertainty.
Prof Willis L. Moore, president Of the
National Geographic Society. said last
night he didn't see the use OF having the
committee go to Copenhagen II it wasn't
10 be allowed 20 see anything when il got
there. and the members seemed TO take
much the same philosophic view OF it.
From the indications now they are to
! play a waiting game. and TO be ready TO
catch anything on the fly that is thrown
at their scientific heads Further than
that there is 10 plan at this writing TO
corral the original records for private,
family conference. and the society still add
heres TO its determination not 10 nave
anything 10 do with copies.
Board of Experts Chosen.
The committee appointed yesterday con-
sists Of j. Howard Gore. formerly pro-
| fessor Of mathematics at George Wash
! ington University, and author Of several
works on surveying and geodesy; Rear
/ Admiral John +. Pilsbury. L. 5. n, for
/ ten years in charge Of the photographic
/ Office OF the Navy. and for several years
assistant chief of the Bureau of Naviga-
/ ton Of the Navy Department. and DR.. G,
/ Willard Hayes. chief geologist OF the
United States Geological Survey and one
/ OF the pioneer explorers Of Alaska and
many Rocky Mountain districts
! No member Of the newly appointed
! committee served on the committee that
passed on the Peary records. This was
/ decided TO be the course fairest 20 Cook.
Among the $1,000 members OF the National
/ Geographic Society are many ardent sup
porters OF the Brooklyn explorer. and
/ those in charge Of the investigation main
/ tain they shall have no cause TO COM
plain Of the manner I'm which the records
| Of Or. Cook are examined
The authority under which the commit
/ tee was appointed was vested in a pre-
! yious resolution. providing that the COM
mIttee Of research recommend 20 the
/ board of managers a subcommittee OF
experts with authority 10 send for pa
! pers or make such journeys as may be
| necessary 90 inspect original records"
/ In its own discretion u will interrogate
! persons claiming TO have information
/ bearing on the controversy, and VIII view
any original data il can lay its hands
on. and make any trips II finds advis-
able Prof Moore said. I'm regard 10 the
/ committees plans:
But as long as the University of
! Copenhagen has seen fix to deny us the
courtesy we asked % them. l don't see
any reason why the committee should so
| TO Copenhagen"
No Action on Chester's Speech.
Prof Moore refused 10 say anything
/ in regard TO the possibility Of Official ac-
ton by the society in regard 20 Rear
Admiral c. NJ Chester's address at the
! university Saturday night In which he
/ called DIT. Cook a 'faker." 1t Is under
stood the strong stand taken by the ad-
miraI has caused considerable whispering
and waggins Of heads and, although Il IS
/ explained that the statement was simply
his personal view. there is a possibility
Of some sort Of action by the Geographic
Society. No action was taken at the
meeting yesterday
! Although an industrious attempt was
made yesterday by several newspaper
men to get a tart reply to Admiral Ches-
II ter's statements out OF other admiraIs
of the navy the service refused 10 en-
I broi itself. For the time being, at least,
\ there VIII be no trouble in the naval
ranks TO figure as satellite 10 the main
soiree Admiral Schley said he would
have to be excused from saying any
thing. and Admiral Brownson simply
shook his head. as much as to say his
ship was painted white
The committee Of experts VIII get to-
gether some time In the future and look
wlstfully in the direction of Copenhagen;
but so far no definite plans for meetings
have been made.
The President. the members OF his
Cabinet. the diplomatic corps. and many
others have been invited To attend the
lecture TO be given here on Friday night
by Commander Peary. under the auspices
OF the National Geographic Society.
Secretary of State Knox, Secretary Of
Commerce and Labor Nagel and the
British and the French Ambassadors have
said they would attend.