The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-09
The Peay Case Again.

Despite ones inclination TO wish that
Congress might in some way manage to
dispose of the wearisome Peary case now
pending before it, it is not impossible to
see why Congress hesitates TO bestow
great and especial honor upon Mr.. Peary
In view Of that gentleman's somewhat
remarkable attitude with respect TO his
north pole data and proofs.
II Congress has it in mind to thank
Mr.. Peary onicially. for instance, Tor the
discovery Of the north pole and his other
feats Of exploration in the arctic regions,
surely it should be able TO justify the
step by tangible evidence. Whatever MIR
Peary. or some of Mr.. Peary's friends,
may think of the thanks" of Congress.
it is a rare and unique distinction, and
has never heretofore been won lightly or
doubtfully extended So far, two civil
ians and eighteen military and naval Off
GERS have been thanked by Congress for
great and meritorious services. In each
and every case. moreover. the record was
completely made up before the vote OF
thanks was rendered.
What is the argument advanced in favor
Of waving previous rules with respect 70
this in Mr. Peary's favor? Merely that
Mr. Peary is in no position 10 submit his
data 70 Congress, because he has bound
himself up with magazine and publishing
contracts the violation of which might
bring financial disaster to him. This seems
trifie queer. TO say the least OF II. Con-
sress-the authority now calling on Mr..
Peary for evidence that he is entitled 10
nonor at its hands-has been for the past
twenty-three years Mr.. Peary's paymas-
ter and superior officer. He has been in
vestigating the frozen north in the guise
Of an emplOye OF this government. receive
ing a salary from IT, The fruits of his
labor, therefore. would seem to belong
rightfully to the people OF the United
States without further compensation. To
publish to the people. through their Con-
gress, the scientific facts in vindication
Of such honor as Congress might elect to
bestoW upon Mr.. Peary-weH, that might
Do costly to Mr., Peary from a financial
standpoint, but we cannot see that Con-
gress Is wrong to insist upon it, neverthe-
less. Congress has something at stake in
this matter. no less than Mr.. Peary That
Mr. Pesry should have bound himself up
In such contracts as aforesaid is. in all
the circumstances, somewhat astonishing.
anyhow.
The average layman will opine. We
fancy, that Mr.. Peary has about reached
the parting of the ways. If his north
pole achievements are to be commercial
lied and exploited for bis personal behoof
and beneht exclusively, Congress. proba-
bly, viii decide to have nothing more TO
do with fundamentally at least II.
on the contrary, Mr.. Peary chooses 70
submit his data to Congress-where, at
least Congress thinks it properly be-
longs-then Congress. no doubt. viii pro-
coed 10 dispose Of his case as its merits
warrant.
How Mr.. Peary is to manage to have
his cake and eat It, too. is somewhat difi-
cult OF conjecture Just now; and that.
moreover regardless Of a practically
unanimous sentiment in favor Of getting
his exact status in our galaxy Of heroes
definitely and precisely fixed as speedily
as possible