The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-02-09
PERFECTING PLANS
FOR DASH TO POLE

Members Of the board OF managers Of
the National Geographic Society de-
cIared today they would let no grass
grow under their feet in getting the so
ciety's expedition for the South Pole
under way.
At informal conferences this morn
ing ways and means OF raising the
$4,000 necessary 10 equip the expedition
were discussed, asd It Is probable that
no public subscription VIII be asked
but that the money viii be raised from
the membership Of the society.
a meeting Of the board Of managers
probably viii be called as soon az We
can communicate with Commando
Peary.-' declared Charles J Bel. a
member Of the board Of managersA and
chairman Of the finance committee,
and AZ that meeting definite plans for
quick work in raising the amount
needed viii he made
Members to Raise Fund.
y do not think it likely declared AIr.
Bel. that il viii be necessary 10 go
outside the society for funds Our
membership now exceeds the 5000 mark
and from them I should think it would
be easy 10 raise s5o.g0 in short order
Just how II will be done I don't know,
Of course. and that viii not be decided
until the mama gers meet
One Of the first things 70 be done
when the board meets. II was predicted
today. viii he TO tender Commander
Peary vote Of thanks for the $1,000 he
added TO the fund for fitting out the ex-
petition last night
Il think Commander Peary-S act vas
one Of unusual generosity and IT showed
he rr-rza q
Bell and 1 for one want TO put the So
Ciety on record. at the earliest possible
time. as approaching 10 the fullest his
gift
Provide for Emergency.
It was said today that the gift OF
Commando Peary would not deter the
society from trying 10 raise the fun
amount agreed upon, $4,000, and that
the added $4,000 viii be placed in re-
serre as an emergency fund and prob
ably viii be needed before the explorers
return.
Though the managers met in closed
session yesterday Il became known to-
day that they agreed upon the route
suggested by Commander Peary at the
dinner given by Dr. Alexander Graham
Ben on February T. This agreement
was aided, il was said, by the favor
able report Of the research committee,
Of which Dr. Henry Gannett, president
Of the society, is chairman
The American expedition viii ap-
proach the South Pole from a point ex-
actly opposite that taken by the British
expedition The explorations viii be
come a race of nations for the Pole,
with Americans taking the longest odds
The route taken 10y the British IS fairly
well known on account OF previous eE-
peditions. which reached various dis
Hr~n THra~- q PM g F
the American expedition is less well
known.
May Meet Unknown Obstacles.
II conditions are what such eminent
explorers as Commando Peary and
others think they are. the Americans
viii have all the best Of it BuC IN
known obstacles are likely TO be encOUn-
tered which viii put the stars and
Stripes under an unexpected handicap
The American party viii also have far
Their 10 go than the British expedition
Even the spot that viii be used as a
base Of the American expedition is not
vet known There Is some doubt as 10
whether the Roosevelt Will be able 10
fnG a safe harbor- According 10 pres
emf plans the expedition should reach
Coates Land by March II conditions
are favorable from that point the
South Pole should be reached by
December 81 1911
An effort viii be made, Il was said
today to obtain the same crew for the
expedition as that whiciB went with the
Roosevelt 10 the North Pole Captain
Bartlett, Pearys right hand man on
the Northern expedition, probably VIII
he in charge OF the Southern expedition
His IieutenantS probably viii include
Captain NCAIilIen. George BOrUp, and
Matt Henson