Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-21
FOR PEARY
Continued From First Page.)

wholly to the veil of secrecy which he
up to that time had thrown about his
proofs and records. coupled with the lack
Of conviction resulting from the per-
those records by the committee OF the
National Geographic Society,""
In connection with Peary's recent ap-
pearance before the naval committee Mr..
examination Of the explorers records by
the geographic society's committee OF
three.
Recollections Delightfully."- Vague.
Capt. Peary.' says Mr. Roberts in his
report, gave the committee his recollec-
ton Of the incidents Of the examination
Of his records by the committee OF the
geographic society at some length. which.
while not SO clear as the statement OF
Mr.. Gannett. do not differ in any material
particular from those statements, both
showing beyond question that the exami-
nation was anything but thorough and
that no attempt was made to. eorroborate
any of Capt. Peary's statements. or to
supply any process of reasoning or deduc-
ton. or to check up his records to see
II one tailed with the other.
"A perusal Of Capt Peary's testimony
shows his recollection Of the events of
that day to have been delightfully."- vague
and uncertain. The occasion was a mo-
mcnlOuS one III Ills career, IOT the TcPOTI
Of this committee was to settle In the
public mind the mooted question OF his
having attained the pole, and the fact
that the incident made no sharper i'm
preston on his mind than Is shown by
his testimony is conclusive evidence that
the examination Of his records was any,
thing but minute, careful or rigorous.
'tAt the conclusion of Capt. Peary's
testimony q diagram was shown the COM
mittee on which was marked the points
TN viz 0f q milo where Cant.
Peary made his astronomical observa-
tions. These points were determined by
working out these observations and
plotting them on the diagram.
This work was done. according to the
testimony Of Hugh c. Mitchell, within
the past month, and, so far as the COM
mittee has been able to ascertain. II ~
the first and only effort or attempt mace
to verify in a practical way any OF Capt.
Peary's proofs or records.
Would Have Ended Controversy.
HAD such a chart been worked out by
the committee OF the geographic society
and there is no reason why it should not
have been done, for that committee had
before it the same astronomical observa-'
lions as were before Mr.. Mitchell-and
had this chart been given to the world by
that committee - the geographic So
ciety undoubtedly the controversy would
have ended then and there.
LAS it is. it is somewhat doubtful IL
its publication at this late day will re-
move the deep-seated doubt created in
the minds of many people by the made
Quate examination and report of the geo.
graphic society, coupled with the re-
luctance. of Mr.. Peary to submitting to
any tribunal other than the geographic
society his records and memoranda.
Assuming the astronomical observa-
tons upon which this chart is based to
have been made by Capt. Peary, as he
states they were made-and there Is moth
ing in evidence to the contrary-I am
forced to the conclusion that Capt. Peary
was within q very short distance OF the
pole; sufficiently near to warrant the
claim that he reached the pole"
The majority report recommended the
passage of the Hale-Bates bill, giving
Peary the thanks of Congress and Great
ing him q rear admiral on the retired
list.
A fight is certain to develop in the
House over the proposed legislation.
Representative Macon of Arkansas has
indicated that he will oppose its passage
on the floor.
Peary Acted Under Orders.
The report pointed out that Capt Peary
was acting under orders from the Navy
Department when he made the polar
dash. The charges that have been made
that his expedition was private one are
not borne out. the report stated, by the
facts disclosed in the committees hear
ings.
When leaving for his polar trip. - said
Mr. Bates in his report, 1.-The acting secre-
Tor rSf he h 49,