The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-09
Big Cheek Is Presented to the Explorer By tho Citizens
 Of New Yotk
PEARY DONATES MONEY
 ID SOUTH POLAR TRIP
Plans Are Being Formed for n Dash to the South Pole By Americans in n Race Against British
 Explorers

New York, February S.--Before an au- dience of more than 1000 persons in the Metropolitan opera house, Commander R bert F. cary, discoverer of "farthest no.Ih" toward the north pole. was pre- sented with a slO,0o0 check on behalf of the citizens of New York, but instead of retaining it the commander announced Immediately that he would contribute it toward the south pole expedition, as planned b. the National Geographic so- cieiy.
 The checl. was presented to the com msnder b. Governor Hughes of New York at tonight's first national testi- monial in honor of the explorer.
 MT. Peary advanced to the front of the stare in accepting the gift and said:
 Here is check for BIO, ,000. This check will be deposited tomorrow as joint contribution of the members of this au- dence, the officers and committee of the C!vic forum, and myself, toward an American Antarctic expedition, for the purpose of exploration and scientific nayi- gation, and to enter the Stars and Stripes in splendid, manly information race for the south pole with our British cous- in,, than whom there are no finer foe- men in the worold.'
 The audience which greeted the com mander tonight was representative and enthusiastic The gathering was held uIier the auspices of the Civic forum.
 Taft sends Regrets
 i'r,sident Taft telegraphed that he was sorry he was unable to attend but he said he sincerely hoped that Congress will take some substantial notice of the great achievement of Commander Peary
 Governor Fernald of Maine also sent hIs regrets, and the greetings of the 700 men and women of MT. Peary's own state bAilwick. A resolution presented by Seth Low formerly mayor Of New York, set ting forth taht thls meeting respect fIly and earnestly petitions the Con stess of the United States to make some spacial and appropriate recognition of the achievement of Commander Peary in reaching the polar region and winning for the United States the prize so earn estly sought century after century by great company of brave and adventurous men
 Mir Peary then delivered his illustrated le~ture, showing his progress to the polar region, and Captain Bartlett spoke brlefy.
 When the doors were thrown open a bit late vast number were waiting to fight their way in. Many were standing In the house, which was draped in flags and the foot lights of the stage were buried in furs and skins, relics of Commander Peary's Arctic trip. The sled on which he jour fo 70 tyac ien1o ua5 f,, t.a front of the stage. while the Stars and 7 Stripes that Peary raised at the pole hung . above.
 Under the flag were the Illuminated nitl- als in red and blue 'R. b. F."
 Tribute to Peary
 When Governor Hughes led Commander Peary onto the stage the audience rose en masse and cheered the orchestra played The Star Spangled Banner"
 In the commanders party occupying seats of honor were three of the Roose- velts crew Capt. Robert A. Bartlett master of the ship; Charles Peercy stew ard; Capt. George Bartlett of the relief ship Eric, and the surgeon of the Roose- welt.
 The committee had guaranteed MT. Peary a cash purse of s10O0O and the proceeds exceeded $13,OO0 all of which will so to the naval officer. As Governor Hughes spoke the audience broke into cheers The governor said in part:
 T have no sympathy with those who in quire of what utility may be the dis covery of the north pole, or a visit to those frozen regions. We cannot ever afford to be without examples The jour ney to the polar region may seem far removed from the life of the ordinary workman in the shop, or the clerk in the office. or the busy professional man. but unless that workman and that clerk and that professional man now and then feels the stimulus of high endeavor because of such examples and bring food to his mind the will grow weak in his own efforts and fail to show the best of the manhood that is within him. Whatever vocation i've are engaged In, all in all, it Is bet ter to have before us just what has been related 10 you. All hail to the man who puts his life to a worthy purpose and wins in every line of life"
 American Will Seek south Pole
 Washington. February S-America has decided to seek for south pole laurels similar to those won for her by Com mander R. E. Peary at the north pole
 The National Geographic society today resolved to send an expedition in search of the south pole, provided the neces- sady funds can be raised.
 It Is not believed there will be any doubt on this score. Commander Peary. who is in New York, where testimonial was given in his behalf tonight at the Metropolitan opera house. was notified immediately after the action of the board of managers of the Geographic society.
 Captain Bartlett, who was in com mand of the steamship Roosevelt which MT Peary used on his success ful trip to the north pole, will prob ably be placed in charge of the ex- petition that attempts the Antarctic trip.
 vUtth tho axoantio,, oe c,o,,x,,a |, Il o. Peary the members of the expedition will be the same as those who rs turned last year from the frozen north.
 The Roosevelt, including complete equipment, seds and all, is practically