Evening star., 1915-04-07


Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary, L. s.
E.. retired, who attained the north
pole six years ago yesterday, celebrated
he anniversary of that great event in
history at the New Willard Hotel last
ight with the assistance of a number
II friends in public and private life,
among them Secretary Redfeld as the
guest Of honor. as well as Secretary
Lane, Secretary Houston, Senator
chamberlain and others. The occasion
was a dinner given by Admiral Peary,
preceded by a reception to the guests
by Mrs. Peary and her daughter, Miss
Marie Peary, who was born in the
arctic, and is known to the American
public as ''the snow baby"
A discussion Of the future of Alaska
was ono of the principal features of
the program of the evening, aside from
the "reminiscences that were indulged
in. The banquet was given in the blue
Dom Of the hotel, and behind Admiral
Peary's chair was a large relief map
of Alaska that had been made by the
geological survey for President Will
sons private study. and which was
loaned by the President to the host Of
american flag which the admiral plant
ID temporarily at the north pole. Dis
colored, torn and patched, II was sup
ported by two ivory narwhal horns
brought back from the arctic by the
explorer.
The acquisition by the governmen,
Of the Roosevelt. Peary's ship. was
discussed. and in an address delivered
by Admiral Peary he said 1t seemed
particularly fitting that that noble
ship should link the past with the
future on this particular date and give
is the opportunity of hearing from the
lips of the men who are shaping the
work. of developing Alaska something
IN regard to their plans and program
Other addresses were delivered by
4. A. Jones. assistant secretary of the
interior: Hugh NJ. Smith. commissioner
Of fisheries: George R. Putnam. com
missioner of lighthouses; E. Lester
Jones. superintendent of the coast and
geodetic survey. and Secretary Redfield
of the Department of Commerce.
Peary's Address.
ADMIRAL Peary said:
Tonight is the sixth anniversary Of
the discovery of the north pole. and
perhaps / may be permitted a mo-
nent's digression to note that the
sixth day of the month is my fortunate
date
My birthday is the sixth of May
the expedition on which / reached the
then farthest north left land on the
5th of March-the steamer Roosevelt
on the last successful expedition in
which | reached the pole, sailed from
SeW York on the 6th of JULY
cached the north pole on the 9Th of
April-and the wireless message that
.he Stars and Stripes were nailed to
the north pole went out from the
Labrador station on the 9Th of Sep
tember.
The discovery OF the north pole on
the 6th of April six years ago tonight
meant the closing of the 400-year book
Of north polar efforts, with the last
chapter written by the United States.
Talks Of the Roosevelt.
In the successful completion of the
work required certain tools. and
among tho most important OF them was
specially constructed ship which
should be able to drive me TO a point
within striking distance Of the pole.
Such ship was the Roosevelt built
for me expressly for arctic work by the
Peary Arctic Club, OF which my friend,
zen. Thomas II Hubbard, is president
That ship. the sturdiest ice fighter
float today. one of four ships specially
Quilt by different nations the Norwe-
Slan Fran. the German Gauss the
British Discovery for the purpose Of
Winning the much-coveteG polar prize.
IS now to begin a new lease OF life and
sefuiness In connection with our mag
uificent arctic province--Alaska
sentiment for the splendid ship that
enabled me to realize the dream of my