The Washington herald., 1910-02-09
North Pole Crew and Ship
to Be Chartered by
Scientific Clubs.
Geographic Society Acts Upon
Offer, and Announces Plans.
Public TO Aid-Start TO Be
Made in Midsummer.

After a session Of two hours du-
ration behind locked doors, the
board OF managers Of the National
Geographic Society yesterday after
noon decided that the United States
shall race England to the south
pole.
The Roosevelt, offered by Com
mander Peary in a Joint expedition
of the National Geographic Society
and the Peary Arctic Club, was ac-
cepted. A public movement to
raise $4,000 to help nail the Amer
ican flag at the other end OF the
world will be inaugurated. The
vessel which took Peary to the
north pole, manned by the same
crew. with the exception of the dis
coyerer himself, will leave New
York in midsummer, according to
the plans.
WILL START on EITHER SIDE.
With Coats Land as a base, the eXpe-
dition will cross the great ice barrier Of
the antarctic in September. pushing
south through an undiscovered waste OF
glacial mountains over new route. At
the same time. q party promoted by Lieut..
/ Shackletou, will carry the British flag TO-
ward the goal from the opposite side OF
the polar continent
/ With the world watching bTeathlessly,
| the rival parties viii close IN toward the
pole each with the knowledge that the
5the IS rivi,z TO reach the hual prize
in the realm Of discovery That one or
|botb Of the expeditions VIII sIrmOu1r the
! obstacles and get % the bottom Of tae
earth was conceded by every scientist az
Yesterdays session Neither can fau Ut
terlv. as both will add much 20 scientific
knowledge. even If they cannot plant a
flag pole where The merid-ans cross
Penetrate Its Feasibility.
The learned members Of the Geographic
Society went deep into the technical part
Of the proposed expedition yesterday aft
eruoon. They met at AS o'clock at Hub
bard Memorial Hau The home Of the
society. President Henry Gannett presid-
ing. and adjourned at G.45 clock. Study
ing Commander Peary's suggestion that
the Roosevelt be sent to the south pole
from every angle. they poured over at
|Iases and maps and globes. When Presi-
Dent Gaunett offered the resolution ac-
Iceptiug Peary's offer it was adopted
Unanimously and with enthusiasm
The press were not admitted 20 the con-
ference. and the statement given ont was
/ reager. but it was stated that there
would be no appeal from the decision oS
the board. providing the members Of the
Geographic Society are willing 20 con-
tribute and the public responds. There
will be no outright demand for public
IsubscriptIons. but donations Of any
amount VIII not be refused. There was
little doubt in the minds Of the scientists
that there viii be difficulty In raising the
required amount before the expedition is
Iready.
Bartlett 10 BE a Leader.
Cant. Bartlett. the Newfoundland ships
master. who commanded the Roosevelt
and was Peary's right hand man in the
CONQUEST Of the n0rthpole, probably viii
be AT the head Of the party. Capt Nc
NHIen. George Borup. and Mat Henson
will be his Ieutenants. As far as possi-
bic. the old crew Of the Roosevelt will
be mustered in again.
The equipment Of the vessel is as well
adapted 10 conditions in the antarCtiCs as
in the far north. though she will have to
be thoroughly overhauled and restocked.
The same sIeds. twenty OF them. and the
same dogs that took Peary over the last
stages Of his dash for the north pole VIII
be used by the southern expedition They
stood the arctic trip we'll and it is be-
iNeved they could not be improved upon to
cross the icy barriers to the south pole.
Even the furs and sleeping bags that
Peary's men used will so into commits
sion again.
The problem OF raising the money
needed was left 20 the finance commit
tee Of the board, Charles J. Bell, chair
imam. II each of the coco members OF
the Geographic Society contribute 81, the
amount can be raised without calling upon
the public, but it is believed that there
are many who viii make voluntary con-
: tributions TO swell the slnews Of ex-
ploration. Chairman Bell made fun re-
port Of the finances of the society, show
ing that it would be practically impos-
sble for the stipulated sum to be drawn
from the treasury, as the surplus IS
needed for actual necessities OF the or
{ ganization. including long contemplated
, additions TO Hubbard Hall.
His Suggestion Taken Seriously.
p When Commander Peary suggested an
antarctic exploring party and offered the
Roosevelt, during an address at a din
ner given by DIT. Alexander Graham Bell
on February 1. few took the proposal
seriously But many members Of the
o Geographic Society took kindly to the
p suggestion. and President Gannett called
1 2 special meeting of the managers yester-
: day 10 go over the ground It had been
expected final action would be postponed.
but the board stood unanimously for the
Confirmed On Page 3. Column .