The San Francisco call., 1910-12-23

said In 1t all that there is to say.
Every charge against me is taken up
and answered in its proper place in my
narrative
Plans Indefinite
Il do not know what my plans for
the future will be. l have not returned
to America with the intention of max
ing money out of my Arctic expert
ences. Money did not prompt the writ
ing of my story, as I have seen sug-
gested in certain newspapers. I have
come back solely for the purpose of
rehabilitating myself and my family
by setting matters right with my coun-
trymen."
The argument among the George
Washington's passengers arose when
the doctors sympathizers aboard
wished it understood that he was re-
ceived with no shadow of discrimina-
ton by the other passengers. His
enemies wished it made clear that he
had been stunned The minute the re-
porters, who had gone down the harbor
on revenue cutter, stepped into the
saloon, representatives of both sides
assailed them Persons who in
ordinary circumstances dodge publicity
the reporters in their eagerness to
present their case first.
Men elbowed one another, trampled
on toes, shook their fingers in one an
others faces and shouted unqualified
contradictions. Women gave up pour
ing tea to stand on the brocaded chairs
and peer over the ring of men into the
vortex of discussion.
Cook Unchanged
Cook was spared the embarra ssment
of this hubbub. He met the reporters
at the ladder when they boarded the
snip, perfectly poised 1t was the same
Doctor Cook, a little less tanned and
worn, but with the same lock of hair
hanging down over his forehead, the
same reticent half smile and the same
stubby mustache.
In half an hour, gentlemen. / will
have a statement for you. Just make
yourselves at home in the women's
saloon,' he said, and he led the way
himself. He spoke a few words here
and there to a friend, shook hands and
excused himself without a trace of self
consciousness.
While the dispute in the women's
saloon boiled, more temperate passen-
gers elsewhere found time to tell with
out heat of the doctors trip. He came
aboard at Bremen, they said wearing
a full beard, but had it shaved off .on
the first day. His name did not ap-
pear on the passenger list at first, but
later was placed as Herr DR.. Frederick
A. Cook. on a supplemental list. He
was an unostentatious passenger, play
ing cards evenings with a few friends.
Once when the toasts were going round
before bedtime. it came his turn to
name a health, and he was quick to
propose "The Stars and Stripes
Been to Pole
One time a passenger who had not
remarked him before, asked brusquely
Are you the Doctor Cook who went
to the north pole?
II have been there" asserted the
doctor gravely.
The typewriter interview did not
satisfy the reporters. They piled him
with questions.
You will not submit to cross ex-
animation on what you have pub
lished?" was asked
NO" said the doctor, firmly, and
then qualified it:
AT least not now, but in my own
time and way.
You have written, doctor: After ma
ture thought, / confess that I do not
know absolutely whether | reached the
pole or not Do you believe that you
did,"
Il still believe it."
Does your uncertainty at all extend
to your ascent of Mount Mckinley"
Not in the least"
Did you still believe in your rec
ords when you sent them to the Uni
versity of Copenhagen"
.'Oh, certainly
Why did you choose to make this
statement to the public for money,
through the medium of a magazine.
rather than to the University of CO.
penhagen, which had honored you with
a degree
Il wanted a medium that would be
free from bias
And you believe that Peary got to
the pole?"
II have never questioned it,
Shall you enter into any debate with
him?"
'1mpossible That is not my man.
ner."
DO you intend to take part in any
other polar or antarctic expeditions"
No. I've come home to stay. This
community is to be my home. I am
through with exploration
LoCKSMITH KILLS HIMsELF-San Rafael