Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-15
TAFT LAUDS PEARY IS IN ANAN|AS CLUB v
Explorer Warmly Commended Roosevelt in Defending Lodge Go
in Speech at BANQUET. Gives Lie to Butler Ames.
CONGRESS ASKED TO ACT TLEAPS INTO BAY STATE ROW SA
National Representatives. Statement
graphic Society Outrageous Fasehood
CLAssED AS AVIATION SPREAD
Ambassador Among Guests to of
Honor Wilbur nistered by Him Is
Explorer Warmly Commended
in Speech at Banquet.
CONGRESS ASKED TO ACT
Annual Dinner of the National Geo.
graphic Society.
CLAssED AS AVIATION SPREAD
German Ambassador and Mexican
Ambassador Among Guests to
Honor Wilbur Wright.

Emphatic Endorsement of Capt Robert
r. Peary as the discovcrer of the north
pole was voiced last night by President
Taft in a speech AT the annual banquet
ur tho National Geographic Society. The
President expressed the opinion that had
Capt. Pcary been an Englishman. a
Frcnchman or German he long ago
would have been amply rewarded. lie
said hc hoped Congress was taking sure
steps. even though slow, To recognize
capt. Pearys achievement
With an aviator in fun costume bearing
aloft miniature biplane with the pro-
pcllerS revolving, and following after hlln
"a hundred walters with ices and confec-
tions grouped about the base of aero
plane models. the National Geographic
Society last night gave an aviation
spread, at the New Willard in. honor of
Wilbur Wright. 1t was the annuai diii-
ner of the society President Taft was
there and made an address. ana III duui-
zion the ,;n members of the society pres
an, listened 70 talks from Gen. Leonard
Wood. chief of staff of the army: deh'
~ Greelv, arctic explorer and former
cbief Of the Signal Corps. L. 5. A., unoer
whom Prof. S. p Langley built ms III
<,1ed aeroplane. and the representatives
of Germany. Great Britain and MeAico'
each of whom told how the Work OF seo,
.rranbical exploration was being pusheu
- ~. uttermost parts Of the eartn,
Tbe erest OF honor. W liOur e.,
VAS expected 10 tell someth,lis o l.; the
Nc had done and intended uoihs " ,,r,.
tino Of aviation but he contenteo nIih
..a1s With racounting what he had ieaIne
ahout the gentle art OF ai.el -u =.
snestinr in which he said he was nol
expert enough to give a Wnoiis
tory demonStratioh-
President Hears Hail to Chle1.
President Taft was the speaker OF honor
49,, anneared mst as the Mexican am
,assaaor. senior de la Barra. was hnish-
;ng a statement Of Mcxico's early inter-
.st IN the completion of the lsthmlAi
capa, The land played Hail TO the
chief, and the President came down
tho dais nj p quickstep. There were pu.
. few words more OF the Mexican al
bassadors speech asa-ae1ns co,ie .,ie a,,di
President Taf, was presented to the auui-
cnce by Gen. John NJ Nhooh ~
serving as toastmaster -,.d
prcsidcnt Taft said he was always Siao
10 he present at meeting presiueu oNei
nrasentcJ in suca businesshke anu
..ldierIy wav He made reference 10
SmaaEer Cannon and Champ Clark. after
commenting on the military bearing VI
Gen. Wilson. :, - p.,;
dent ..tbat the Speaker of the House
might take lessons from Gen, hson IN
conducting a meeting. and ] tnink broth-
er Clark also might consult hi.i. III
lust before the President began ms
s,aecb t;en John " Wilson. the toast
master. announced that Pre- sident Iaie
had been elected an honorary incnner oi
the society in recognition oI ms ,l;.l- con;Ii
buttons to geograp phc problems, mahinS
him The fifth honorary member OF tht
society together with Theodore iioose
yelt. CAPT. Peary. Admirat Dc"tH aH
Nanscn. tho Danish explorer. ne t, ~,
dent said that while he did not feei thdt
he deserved the honor. he certainly was
not going to refuse ~ a.,
ON the general subject OF aftcr-din
nor speaking he said lie vlshed the &c.
era phi. Socjc;v would collect statist'es
90 70 tho amount of money and nervous
energy expended at banquets because ne
said when a man was eApected ~ -
spond with q speech every time ne "as
given a meal. it became decided draih
upon his vitality.
Now Regarded as Luxury.
The President referred to plan that
he had in mind. when he was first made
governor of the Philippines. Of expendinS
$40 ,0o 600 i'm a thoroughly scientific sur
,ev NJ the islands He said. however.
,bat after Inc had found how bard II was
10 got s2arurb out of Congress for ed1-
cation and current running expenses ne
had decided that the. sclentlhc survey
was luxury. which would have 10 wait
Tor completion at some future date
THE President spoke plainly about Com
wander Peary. who was ono or the guests
at the banquet. He said that il COM
,nander Peary had discovered the north
txrxtn
pole for Germany. tnsiahn vi - no,
he would long since have been given not
only some substantial promotion, but the
means TO enjoy that promotion Tor INC
balance of his DAYS
Touching upon tho Panama canal the
President said there was no question
tbat /, would be completed several months
I'm advance OF January, 1913.
Aeroplanes as Army Aid.
Gen. Leonard Wood. chief of staff. L.
g. A., spoke of the use OF the aeroplane
IN the army. He said that no military
man could fail to appreciate that II was a
great addition 10 army equipment and
that as a means OF reconnaissance Il was
destined 10 play an important part in the
next war He said that unfortunately
the American army was at present equip
ped with but a single aeroplane. and that
of ancient type. 1t would take SO or $50
10 get this machine in shape to NY, but
the officer who is in charge OF IL had as
sured him recently he hoped to be able to
raise this amount by private subscription
Gen Wood said that there was nope
that America would not fall entirely
behind other nations in the work OF avia-
tion, since John Barry Ryan OF New
York had organized sort of 'aeria
militia which he proposed to place at the
disposal of the government. Arrange
ments were now being made. he said
10 bring some OF the machines of this
aerial reserve TO Washington for army
practice and experiment.
Other Distinguished Speakers.
Addresses on aviation and geograph,