The Washington herald., 1910-03-08
PEARY REFUSES
TO SUBMIT DATA
Continued from Page one.

'Gegislate In the dark" made a speech,
urging that nothing be done for Peary up-
til he placed all his original documents
before the committee. He said that since
| he had made an announcement of his po-
sltion, he mad received the written APP
prevail of 1900 of his constituents.
f, The subcommittee took no action yes
! terday. At It's meeting tomorrow ii viii
1 be decided finally whether or not Mr.
Peary will have to place his original
documents before Congress in order TO
have any of the various propositions 70
reward him seriously considered.
There was some discussion at yester-
days meeting of Mr. Peary's action in
submitting to the Department of Com
merce and Labor. 10 which he was loaned
/ by the navy, for the purpose OF making
tidal observations" report on this sub
/ ject signed by him, but actually from the
/ Peary Arctic Club, which contained the
request that the report be kept secret
for the present. in view of the ex-
plorer's publishing engagements.
In this connection Representative Rob-
erts. Of Massachusetts. submitted TO the
/
| by H. L. Hopkins. treasurer and secre4
tary OF the American Association of Mas
tiers, Mates, and Pilots, a prominent and
influential organization with headquarters
| in Boston.
| How Did He sound"
How in time" says this letter, did
Peary. with one man. sound in 800
fathoms Of water? A lot of his tale Is a
little bit fshy."
This has reference to a paragraph in
Mr. Peary's report on tidal observations.
having to do with a sounding made by
him and Matt Henson five miles from The
pole
| AS being a clear statement Of the case.
with reference to the refusal Of AIR.
Peary. a civilian officer of the United
States navy, to submit to the depart
ment and To Congress his official report
prior to its publication. Mr.. Roberts sub
mitted letter from Rev. Daniel Merri-
man, OF Boston. which is, in part, as
follows:
rs not Commander Peary a civilian
officer of the United States navy, now.
and for several years. on detached service
in connection with arctic explorations?
lis he not therefore Obliged under the
| regulations 20 make full and accurate
reports of ali his explorations and doings
in such service to his superior officers or
the Navy Department Is not such
report part of the property of the people?
II this be the case, why has he not made
such a report, and why has il not been
published?
ALLOW me most respectfully TO suggest
that If Mr.. Peary had been required TO
make such report, and had made il as
soon as he returned. the public would now
be in possession of the facts in the case.
At present these facts seem TO be kept
| secret. In order that later Mr.. Peary may
publish them privately for money. I
have seen no explanation OF the matter
in all the controversy"
English Want Proofs.
It was developed yesterday during the
meeting Of the subcommittee that. al
though the Royal Geographic Society of
London has decided to give Mr. Peary a
medal and has invited him TO lecture
before il. that it has not accepted the
verdict OF the National Geographic So
ciety as absolutely final but has request
ed Mr. Peary. when he comes to speak,
to bring his original proofs, record. and
data along that they may be reviewed
and inspected.
| The members of the subcommittee
which will pass on Mr. Peary's ease to-
morrow are Representatives Butler, Of
! Pennsylvania. chairman; Roberts, of
| Massachusetts: Bates. of Pennsylvania:
Dawson, of Iowa; Englebright. of Wis
lconsin: Gregg. of Texas. and Macon, OF
Arkansas. It is known that Messrs. But
Ter, Roberts and Macon are opposed to
any action by the Naval Committee until
Mr.. Pesry produces his original proofs.
Mr.. Englebright wants something done
for Peary. proofs or no proofs. Messrs.
Bates. Dawson. and Gregg are lying low
and saving nothing