The Washington herald., 1910-02-16

A bill to give Commander Peary, dis
eoverer OF the north pole, a gold medal
and the thanks of Congress. was intro
duced in the House yesterday by Repre-
sentative Butler, OF Pennsylvania. chair
man Of the subcommittee OF naval affairs,
which just the other day reported ad-
yersely on a measure which had passed
the Senate to retire Peary with the rank
and pay OF senior rear admiral This ac-
ton by Mr.. Butler followed meeting OF
the fun Committee on Naval Affairs yes
terday, which indorsed the action Of the
subcommittee in declining 70 recommend
the discoverer for the rank Of rear ad-
miral but which referred the whole mat
ter back 20 the subcommittee with in-
structions to consider II further.
Language of the Bill.
The language OF the bill is as follows:
THAT the thanks Of Congress be and are
hereby presented to Civil Engineer Robert
Z. Peary. L. S. y. and through him TO
the men who accompanied him on the last
expedition into the arctic regions for the
discovery Of the north pale and the plac-
ing thereat Of the flag Of the United
States Of America.
That the President Of the United states
be requested TO cause a gold medal TO be
struck emblematic OF the distinguished
and memorable service. and be presented
10 Civil Engineer Robert E. PeaTy. u. 5. n.
in such manner as may be most honorable
10 him.
THAT any money in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated is hereby appro-
priated TO carry out the provisions Of this
act which shall be Immediately available" "
At the next meeting OF the subcommit-
tee the Butler bill. just introduced, viii
receive a favorable report, and the prOpo-
sition 70 give Mr.. Peary q gold medal
and the thanks Of Congress will then be
approved by the full committee and go
before the House OF Representatives for
action It is believed Il will be approved
/ by that body without material opposi-
ton.
: II was pointed out yesterday by mem
bers Of the Naval Committee that even
Mr.. Peary's warmest admirers and most
intimate friends consider the action pro-
posed by the Butler bin as substantial
IttbEAlLitIit liaN4lAA'AA a. NtiN t'-ettiiAf' "a
/ Congress carries with II the privileges Of
the floor OF the House 10 the recipient
and in the case Of "a naval officer adds
/ ten years to the period during which he
may receive the pay Of his rank on the
active list.
! This would permit 8Ir- Peary 10 remain
on the active list. so far as his pay is
concerned. until seventy-two years Of
age.
/ Representatives. Foss. OF Illinois. chair
man Of the committee: Hobson. Of Ala
bama. who used 20 be a constructor in
the navy, and Dawson. Of Iowa, were
Mr.. Pearys principal advocates at yes
terdays meeting Of the Naval Committee
although 10 one Of these gentlemen sug-
gested that favorable action should be
taken on the Hale or Allen bill, proposing
10 retire Mr.. Peary with the rank Of rear
admiral Il seemed TO be the consensus
OF opinion in the committee that the
action proposed by the Butler bill con-
stituted an adequate reward for Mr.
Peary's achievement in discovering the
north pole.
A formal motion by Representative
/ Hobson. Of Alabama. that Mr. Peary bC
called before the Naval Committee and
asked to tell why he thinks he should be
retired with the rank Of rear admiral was
voted down unanimously.