Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-09
NAVAL COMMITTEE
 EXAMINES CAPTAIN PEARY
Explorer Tells About the North Pole and Submits His Original Data-Mr. Macon Asked for Especial Light on the 30 Hours Peary Was at the Pole

Washington. Jan. S.-Capt. Robert E. Peary told the story of his trip to the frozen north at a hearing Satur- day before a sub- committee of the house committee on naval affairs, the purpose being to furnish proof of his attainment of the North pole on April 6, 1909, in connection with pending legislation for national recognition of his achievements.
 He produced all of his original mem oranda and answered numerous ques- tions- Cross examination by Repre- sentative Macon of Arkansas, who has announced his opposition to recogni- ton of the explorer, was deferred on account of the time taken in reading data. The committee adjourned until next Tuesday.
 MT. Macon asked especial light on '-the thirty hours Peary was at the Pole" and MT. Peary read from his log book detailing his four hours sleep, his journeying beyond and back to the camp. Peary said he made no en- tries in his book on his return march, April s, and not until the afternoon of the 9th.
 Just at the close of the hearing MT. Roberts handed the explorer a copy of pamphlet purporting to describe how Peary discovered the Pole, printed in Washington and headed By Robert F.. Peary." He asked Captain Peary if he had ever seen it before. Peary replied that he had written it. When the naval committee wanted Peary to appear last spring he declined, because of publishers rights to his story, and this pamphlet, the date of the publi- cation of which he could not recall, is claimed to have appeared at that time
 Upon appearing before the commit tee Captain Peary said that his posi- ton before 1t was a defensive one and that he was ready to answer any ques- tions. He described his naval service and said that his present rank of captain in the construction corps was the rightest rank he could attain, ex- cept that as head of the bureau, he might become rear admiral.
 The committee asked Captain Peary to tell in his own way how he actually reached the pole, and he began the narrative at the point where Captain Bartlett left him.
 The explorer submitted an original signed memorandum of Captain Bart lett, showing he had left Peary 133 miles from the pole, when, according to Bartlett, Peary should have reached the pole in eight days. the going being good and weather fair.
 Any objection to allowing the com. mittee to see your original notes while in the vicinity of the poIe?H asked Representative Dawson of Iowa.
 'l have not, replied Captain Peary, who then submitted memoranda, the text of which already has been pub lshed.
 Captain Peary also submitted his original logbook and journal.
 Was it absolutely necessary for you to be at the North pole to make these observati tions?" asked Chairman Butler.
 That is a question on which there has been some discussion replied Captain Peary. Observations have never been made yet, except where they are stated to have been made"
 Would there be any way to detect such efforts?" insisted MT. Butler
 That is thing I could not answer" replied Peary. There has been a diff ference of opinion. Some experts will say observations can be arranged and others say not"
 Representative Roberts of Massa- chusetts suggested to the explorer that Henry Gannett, president of the Ma tional Geographic society, and, he though. Supt. R. H. Tittmann of the coast and geodetic survey, both of whom were members of the Geograph- ic society committee which passed on the Peary case, had testified before the naval committee that it was possible for d person with sufficient knowledge and with data at hand to make any observations to place himself "at any place on earth and the figures them selves would not carry any proof on their face.''
 That" replied Peary, "4s the opin- ion of an expert.