New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16
WORK ON TUNNEL SOON.
RAPID TRANSIT CONTRACT TO
BE A WARDED TO-DAY.
MDONALD AND ONDERDoNK THE BID
DERs-MEETING OF THE COMMISSION
ERs TO OPEN THE BIDS-GEN-
ERAL THOMAS AND OTHERS
INTERESTED WITH
ONDERDONK.


ONDERDONK.
Construction work all four sections of the
rapid transit underground railroad will begin
simultaneously and the contract will probably
be awarded to-day. That tremendously impor-
tant and eminently satisfactory announcement
was made by Controller Coler about o'clock
yesterday afternoon after a subcommittee Of
the Rapid Transit Commission had spent a
couple of hours in discussing and examining the
only two bids which had been made for the con-
tract So satisfactory were they that the Com
missioners have made up their minds to accept
one the other of them. and the pleased faces
Of the members of the Board showed consider
able satisfaction that both bids had come from
seasoned and successful contractors whose
trustyorthiness and responsibility are rated
high in this community.
The subcommittee which is examining the Sc
curities offered by the rival bidders meets again
at 10:30 this morning, and will report it's de-
cision to the full Board at $3.50 this afternoon.
Those members of the committee who were
asked by Tribune reporter last night to throw
some light upon It's probable choice or upon the
men who are supposed to be behind the two bid
ders steadfastly refused. saying they were in
honor bound not to do so.
THE TWO BIDDERS.
The two bidders are Andrew Onderdonk and
John B. Mcdonald. Mr.. Onderdonk now has the
contract for widening the East Channel in New
York Harbor. Mr.. Mcdonald is the contractor
for the Jerome Park reservoir. In the reservoir
contract Mr. Onderdonk also has an interest, but
it is declared emphatically that no partnership
arrangement of any kind exists between them
in bidding for the rapid transit job Rumor
couples the names Of several Tammany Hall
leaders with Mr.. Mcdonald in this enterprise.
They are said to be John F. Carroll. Andrew
Freedman, D. F. MacMahon and, of course,
Richard Croker Mr.. Mcdonald is a member of
the Finance Committee of Tammany Hall. He,
however. told the Commissioners fatty that no
one was interested with him in the bid, and
many persons said yesterday that Mr.. Mcdonald
had nothing substantial to expect from such an
alliance. In their opinion he was well able to
carry out the contract unaided since upon the
favorable terms to payment which the city
makes he borrow ali the money he needs
from banks and trust companies.
The check for $15OOOO which Mr. Mcdonald
deposited with his bid a forfeit was drawn
by himself upon the National Park Bank to the
order of the Controller, and bore other name.
Tspec,Iation was lively about those who
may be behind Mr. Onderdonk This not
due to any feeling that Mr.. Onderdonk is one
whit less able to carry out his plan unaided by
partners than is Mr.. Mcdonald but was prob
ably caused by the fact that two other names
appeared on his $150O0O check This check was
drawn by General Samuel Thomas. upon the
Metropolitan Trust Company, to the order of
F. W. Whitrdge, and was indorsed by Mr.
Whtridge to the Controller. Mr.. Onderdonk is
reported to have said that the only person in
terested with him in making the bid was Mr.
Whitrdge, but The Tribune reporter did not
succeed in getting an interview with Mr.. Onder-
donk yesterday and could not confirm that
statement. :
GENERAL THOMAS INTERESTED.
General Thomas was seen however, and he
readily admitted that he and others were inter-
ested in the bid. When asked point blank if
those others were not men identified with the
Metropolitan Street Railroad, General Thomas
replied
The Metropolitan is not interested in this project
a corporation, but you safe in saying that
the men who are interested in it individuals are
no friction with that company If we get the con-
tract. So long bid is not accepted
will say more but if we get the contract there
public the identity of the capitalists behind this bid
Men of affairs who were told last night what
General Thomas had said seemed to have little
doubt that at least some of the Metropolitan
people were after the contract. Nevertheless,
w. C. Whitney told a Tribune reporter positive
ly that he not interested in the bid in any
way, shape manner Mr.. Whitridge who is a
lawyer and member of the firm of Cary & Whit
ridge. at No 80 Wall-st., also declined to say just
yet who are behind Mr.. Onderdonk but intmated
that he would do in good time. 1t should be
borne in mind that the contract be sublet
or assigned at any time with the consent of the
Rapid Transit Board though not without 1t.
MR. ONDERDONK'S BID.