Evening star., 1922-01-16
SCORES STEFANSON |
FOR ARCTIC ACTION |
Prof. O'NeiII Says Explorer
Subordinated Science to
Personal interests.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
MONTREAL, January 15.-Prof. J.
J. O'Neill, geologist of McGin Uni
versity, tonight took up arms in the
controversy begun last week when
IA a. M. Anderson of Ottowa, sec
ond in command of the Stefansson
arctic exposition of 1918. accused the
explorer of having subordnated the
interests of science to his own per-
sonal advantage.
Prof. O'Neill, who was a member
of the southern branch of the expedi-
tion, commanded by DR.. Anderson.
said an unsatisfactory basis of or
ganization had caused friction from
the first. This friction, he declared
reached a crisis after Stefansson had
lost his vessel. the karluk, ana
southern party. describing its re-
fusal to hand over its remaining
provisions to him as '.insubordina-
ton, if not actual mutiny.
Il am not surprised that DIR. An
sderson, no longer able to keep silent
under these unjust accusations. has
publicly denounced him." frof ONeili
declared.
Crux OF the Difficulty.
The crux of the difficulty between
members of the expedition and their
leader, Prof. O'Neil1 said. was that
they were all in the pay OF the
Canadian government. while Stef-
ansson, although set over them as
chief, looked for income to his writ
ings.
.This arrangement was ridiculous,
for he worked with IL view to self
betterment from the very beginning.
instead of in the governments in
tereSt," he said.
Stefansson. he asserted. had been
charged with purchasing supplies for
both divisions of the expedition. al
though it was understood each was to
operate Independently.
At Nome. Alaska, the Starting point
for the far north, Prof. O'Neill said,
a terrible old whaler awaited us.
"Stefansson had made the purchase.
which he evidently considered good
enough for us, but he had taken great
pains to make the karluk, the north
crn party's vessel, the finest fitted
out ship that ever left for polar seas.
Trouble Over Supplies.
Tho Alaska. as ours was called.
was in such a dilapidated state of
preservation that the inha bitantS of
Nome We're actually making wagers
as to how long it would remain atloat.
But what could We do If We drew
back at that stage of the game we
would undoubtedly be accused of
cowardice.
Then came the question of receiv-
ing our share of the supplies which
had been stored at Nome prior to our
arrival StefanSson took nearly two
thirds of these and practically all the
provisions. He had purchased, for
example, with the governments
money. approximately seven tons of
pemmican. specially prepared food.
OF this huge supply he generously
allowed US thousand pounds. He
also appropriated every available sled
and dog that Scottie Allen. the cele-
brated Nome musher. could find. He
excused himself by saying that we
could easily get along without them.
as our work would not take us off
the continent"
As an example of Stefansson's al
legged extravaganza. Prof. O'Neill stated
that he once rented an American yes
sci, the Polar Bear. at $1,000 day.
Answers "Mutiny'' Charge.
'After the loss of his Karluk." said
Prof. O'Neill. .'Stefansson Joined our
party at Cohesion point. AS it was
his intention to form a new enterprise
to explore Peaufort sea- via the ice
route, he demanded what was left of
our thousand pounds of pemican. Our
refusal to allow ourselves to be Grip
pied so that he might be outfitted
afreSh, / believe, he describes as in
subordination' II not actual 'mutiny.'
The government may now consider a
full inquiry justified
Prof. O'Neill said Stefansson's claim
that traveller could live on the game
he encountered in the arctic was absurd.