The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-08
Critics Surprised at Peary's
Branding of DR..
Cook,
MAY FORCE SOCIETY
TO ALTER PLANS
Organization Had Planned Triple
Banquet of Honor.

The Peary-Cook controversy can
not last long. 1t has now reached the
point where DIT. Cook must present
his data. II can be safely said that
there are no scientists who doubt
Commander Peary. Lay the astTon-
omical data OF the two men before
any body Of disinterested scientists
and II will require but a short time
TO decide whether one or both men
heve discovered the North Pole"
This statement, by DR.. Henry Gan
nett, vice president of the National
Geographic Society. and a prominent
local scientist connected with the
Geological Survey. may be said to re-
hect the prevailing opinion in the
Capitals scientific circles today.
Although none of. those seen want
ed to be placed in the attitude Of
openly discrediting DR.. Cooks story
It was readily admitted that there
existed no disposition on the mart Of
Washington scientists to disbelfeve
Commander Peary.
The National Geographic Societv
according to it's president. Prof WINS
l. Moore. is in a waiting attitude
The society does not propose to become
involved In the COok-Peary controversy.
not at this Juncture, anyway.
I would not care to comment unon
The respective claims Of DR. Cook and
Commander Peary." said Prof. Moore
The action taken at the meeting of
the board Of directors of the society
held yesterday, indicates our position
we are waiting for the two explorers
10 present their proofs. It will then he
time to act upon the respective merits
he dnH
Genuine Surprise.
An exclamation OF surprise came from
eNery one TO whom was shown this
morning the cablegram from Command
er Feary, In which he makes the bold
statement that Dr. Cook has not been
TO the North Pole.
mat Is not only interesting. hut ex-
citing" said Secretary o. p Austtv, -
the Geographic Society and cbief OF
the Bureau of Statistics, Department Of
commerce and Labor. ut is inpossib,e
Tor us to arrive at any decision until
we have more data.
i Stand by the action Of the Socia+,,
Yesterday. You will note that we de-
coed 10 take no action at this time
upon the respective claims Of DR.. CooIr
ana Lieutenant cary. We cabIed Com
Hahoer Peary our congratulations I'm
IePiy 20 MS telegram saying that he had
discovered the Pole. DR. Cook did not
communicate with the society and
hence no telegram was forwarded hin,
Both men are members Of the society
and II viii await with interest report
or the observation and the detailed
story Of the reported discovery"
Dr. Gannett, perhaps, was the most
outspoken of the scientists who read
a~.a.
Nord cabled on the latest phase OF the
puzzling matter.
Il note your message says that few
scientists doubt Peary.' You can nate
II stronger than that No Scientists
oouot Peary's story His stories of for
Her explorations have always been
louhd correct and he is man who
understands his business.
Doubt Cook.
There is, as is well known. consider
able doubt IN the scientific world here
and elsewhere about DR.. Cook. in the
absence Of positive proof from him and
in the face Of his statements that his
Polar records have been left behind in
the care OF another. It seems to me
now that Or. Cook must act at once
and grove his claims or become dis
credited The world VIII demand it,
could anyone fake astronomical
observations bearing ,ut a contention
that the Pole had been reached?'' Or.
Gannett was asked
II Is possible for a clever astron-
omer 10 do this ne replied. "A man
understanding the conditions OF the sun
each day might be able 10 compile a
record that on its face would Indicate
that II had been maue at the Pole IT.
self This would not stand, however.
under the scrutiny Of men who are
Versed IN such matters and inaccuracies
as 20 ne position OF the sun, geOgraph-
ical data, and Polar conditions would he
bound 10 be discovered"
Asked the derect question whether the
men OF research Of Washington bad ac-
cepted without question DR.. Cooks re-
ported discovery, DR.. Gannett said.
scientists talk more freely among
themselves than for publication. There
u no denying the fact however, that
IN many quarters there exists 2 DISPOSE