Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-07
PEARY POLAR TRIP
IS COMMEMORATED
Honors Accorded to Memory
of Explorer at Tomb in
Arlington Cemetery.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The buzzing of the radio about the
daily activities of Comdr. Richard E.
Byrd in his Antarctic exploration yes
terday reminded geographers of the
contrast of 20 years ago, when Rear
Admiral Robert e. Peary discovered the
North Pole and the world did not learn
of his deed until five months later.
On April 6, 1909, Admiral Peary
reached the Pole and the first word
that the world had of the discovery
Of this goal of explorers for centuries
by an American was received Septem-
Der 5, when he cabled his wife from
Labrador.
In contrast, the modern Arctic ex-
plorer's feats are recounted almost
simultaneously with their accomplish
ment over the wireless and cable-the
flights of Comdr. Byrd and the late
Road Amundsen to the North Pole
were broadcast Immediately after they
had reached that goal.
Career Is Praised.
In Washington yesterday, the twen-
tieth anniversary of the North Pole
discovery was commemorated at the
grave in the Arlington National Gene
terry Of Admiral Peary, who died in 1920.
Simple and dignified exercises were
held beside the tomb. Comrades of
Peary in the Navy, Capt. Curtis H.
Dickins, chief of Navy chaplains, and
Rear Admiral Luther e. Gregory de-
livered prayers and an eulogy of the
explorers career. M
The exercises were under the aus
pices of the Adm. Robert e. Peary Ship,
Veterans of Foreign Wars which was
joined by the National Geographic
Society and the Civil Engineer Corps
of the Navy. Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy Jahncke also participating in the
exercises.
At the same time on Capitol Hill, a
move TO award belated recognition to
the members of Peary's crew in his
Polar expedition was started. Repre-
sentative Kelly, Republican, Pennsyl-
vania. announced that he would intro
duce in the new Congress a bill to grant
gold medals to. Peary's aides. Among
those who would receive the medals are
Matthew Henson, colored, and Pearys
only companion on his final dash to
the pole from his ice-bound steamship
Roosevelt, and Capt. Robert A. Bartlett
and Donald B. Macmillan, the latter a
leader later of several Arctic explora-
tons.
The news Of the poles discovery was
flashed to the world by Peary from
Indian Harbor, Labrador, In the follow
ing terse message to his wi1e: Rave
made good. I have the pole"
Climaxed Long Quest.
Than q few DAVIS later the full story
of the discovery was related IN tine
newspapers of the world by the Asso'
ciated Press. After travelling on an
ocean tug from Cape Breton, Ats miles
to Labrador. two representatives OF the
Associated Press reached Peary-tne
flrst newspaper men to hear and relate
the complete story of the feat. In his
book on the discovery which ne pup.
lished later. Admiral Peary recountec
that he greeted the Associated Press
men with the words:
This is a new record in newspaper
enterprise and appreciate the COM
pliment.'' :,
Three days later q boat carrying q
other newspaper men reached the Pole
discoveries.
Admiral Peary's discovery of the Polk
climaxed his quest Of 3S years to reacf
that goal, which had been sought by
explorers of many nations for severa
centuries. Twice before his 1909 ex.
petition Peary had failed. The thirt
time he was successful, but for a time
his laurels were blighted by DIR. Fred.
erick A. Cook, who had reached civil.
zation year before with the claim o.
discovering the Pole. Cook, who hac
served with Peary on q previous ex.
petition as surgeon, later was dis
credited.