The Sentinel=record., 1910-02-12
CONGRESS REFUSES TO CONFER
RANK OF REAR ADMIRAL ON
NORTH POLE FINDER.
Committed OH Naval Affairs Could Not
See Why the North Pole Dscov-
erer Should Get $4,000 Per
Year for Life.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 11-"Com-
mander' Robert Il. Peary. discoyerer
of the North Pole, will not be gwen
the rank of rear admiral in the navy,
as proposed in recognition of his SER
vices as an explorer, if Congress ap-
proves the action of the sub-commit-
tee of tine house committee on naval
affairs, which voted today to report
adversely the bills offered by Senator
Hale and representative Allen.
The committee of six members vot-
ed unanimously against bestowing the
honor upon Mr.. Peary.
A letter from Secretary Meyer was
received by the navel committee, CIV
ing Mr., Pesry's naval record, and
stattingfi that he should be designated
as civil engineer and not command.
er.
Secretary Meyer said Peary enlisted
on October &c, 1881, and that he had
had total of more than ten years in
various leaves of absence. The sec
retary spoke OF Mr.. Peary's discovery
of she pole as a self imposed but
most commendahle task, having no
military and naval significance. and
recommended that Mr.. Peary he retir
ed as a civil engineer with the pay of
a rear-admiral.
Members of the committee express-
Ed antagonism to any idea of pen.
sioningF Mr.. Peary with increased
pay, although they thought Congress
might favor the idea of giving him
gold medal.
Representative Roberts, Massachu-
setts. member of the subcommittee.
SAID ne saw no reason whatever for
comforting an honor upon Mr.. 2eary.
Until his discovery of the North
Pole said Mr.. Roberts, "he has been
of absolutely no benefit to the United
States or to the naval or military es-
tahlishment or civilization, as far as
can see. He has been absent from
duty most Of the time he has been
connected with the navy department.
and has done nothing to entitle him
to this honor
~
Il think probably Congress- might
look with favor on giving him some
kind of recognition. For instance. If
his friends wanted him to receive a
gold medal of something of that sort.
| would be in favor of it, But am
not IN favor of giving Mr. Peary a
pension for what he has done.
don't think he is entitled to it,
The subcommittee, which took the
action today, consisted of Messrs. But
ler Roberts, Bates, Englebright. Gregg
ana Macon Representative Dawson
was absent
Secretary Meyers letter referring
to the bill introduced by Representa-.
tive Allen is as follows
'It would appear that the bill in
question is framed for the purpose of
rewarding Civil Engineer Pearv for
having reached the North Pole. and
whilxe he having successfully accom-
rlished this self-imposed task is most
commendable and reflects great credit
not only upon himself, but also on
the entire nation, his various exp.,r.
ing expeditions cannot be regarded as
having been conducted for a strictly
military or naval purpose, and ror
this season it seems inappropriate to
confer upon him sitle for which mis-
previous education. training and SER
vice have not fitted him.
The salary which MIR. Peary would
nave received as rear admiral. u. S.
NJ. retired, for the remainder OF his
life, would have been about $4,000 a
year.