The Washington herald., 1910-02-12

Civil Engineer Robert Z. Peary. ac-
knowledged discoverer Of the north pole,
got the worst sort OF rundown yes
terday A subcommittee Of seven Of the
House Committee on Naval Affairs made
a unanimously adverse report on the
Hale bill, which passed the Senate the
other day, proposing 10 retire Mr.. Peary
with the rank and pay Of rear admiral,
senior grade. A like report was made on
tie bill introduced in the House ny Repre-
sentative Allen, Of Maine, proposing SINH
lar honOrs.
After the meeting was over Representa-
tive Roberts, Of Massachusetts, chairman
Of the subcommittee, gave out an inter-
lew containing some rather warm COM
ments concerning the iii advised eff
forts made by Mr.. Peary's friends to Sc
cure Congressional honors for him.
so far as the subcommittee was able
TO see said Mr.. Roberts. there was
nothing in the record Of Mr. Peary, as
far as his services 20 the navy or 10 the
country were concerned. which made him
worthy to receive from Congress an an
nual salary Of 5000 a year for the bal
ance OF his natural life.
Was on Leave Thirteen Years.
eft IS absurd to propose that a civilian
for that is just what Mr.. Peary is, and
nothing else-shoUld be made senior ad-
miral OF the line when he IS not even
naval constructor. but merely civil en-
gineer. in the navy While he performed
q Iaudable feat, Mt Peary reached the
north pole not in the performance OF any
duty imposed upon him, but, as the Sec
rotary Of the Navy Says in his letter 10
the Naval Affairs Committee, opposing
the retirement Of Mr.. PJary at the grade
and paw suggested. by carrying out a
self-lmposed task. During his service as
a civil engineer in the navy. beginning In
ISL. Mr.. peary has been absent on leave
a total OF thirteen years and one MONTH
and during the last three years. he mas
received the fun pay 81 the rank Of COM
mander in the navy. which is more than
the government has ever done for any
other explorer in financial way.
If the friends Of Mr. Peary wish 20
recognize his service think II would
{
a gold medal Under the legislation now
proposed he would get more pay than
Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans and other
admirals Of the line.
Mr.. Peary endured hardships and priva-
tons to reach the pole. but so did others
Why not make Matt Henson a captain in
the navy as a reward for his services?
think the proposed legislation has been
/ III advised and the subcommittee so held"
{ In the letter written by Secretary OF the
Navy Meyer TO the Naval Affairs Com
mittee. which was referred 70 by Mr..
Roberts. Mr.. Meyer SAYS:
1T would appear that the bill in ques-
/ ton IS framed for the purpose Of reward
/ ing Civil Engineer Peary for having
/ reached the north pole. and while his
having successfully accomplished the self
! imposed task is most commendable and
reflects great credit not only upon him
/ self. but also upon the entire nation. his
various exploring expeditions cannot be
regarded as having been conducted for a
strictly military or naval purpose. and
/ for this reason Il seems inappropriate to
confer upon him a title for which his
/ previous education. training. and service
have not fitted him"
( Furthermore, Secretary Meyer recon-
mended that wherever Mr.. Peary was
referred 20 in the bill as Commando"
/ Peary, the reading should be changed 20
/ Civil Engineer" Peary. which latter
! designation. the Secretary says, is Mr..
/ Peary's correct title.
The Secretary believed that instead Of
appointing Mr.. Peary a rear admiral and
placing him on the retired list as such,
( that he should he retired as a civil engi-
neer. with the rank OF rear admiral and
with the highest retired pay Of that
grade.
The subcommittee, however, does not
even accept the recommendation Of the
| Secretary in this regard Members Of the
committee privately suggested that no
doubt Congress would look with favor