New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
TRANSIT MEETING CALLED.
BOARD TO HEAR M'DONALD'S .APPLICA-
TION FOR MORE TIME.
OPPOSITION LIKELY FROM COUNSEL FOR
ONDERDONK - CONTRACTOR SAYS HE
WILL SURELY QUALIFY.

WILL SURELY QUALIFY.
So serious has the Rapid Transit situation
become, through the failure of John B Mcdonald,
whose bid was accepted. to provide the neces-
sary bonds within the time allowed him that the
Commissioners are becoming uneasy, and Presi-
dent Orr yesterday called meeting Of the Board
for tomorrow at .. m. TO consider the next
step which must be taken. If Mcdonald is
ordered TO qualify on time OF forfeit his S1J0000
check need be surprised. Mr.. Mcdonald
has announced that he will need another ex-
tension Of time even after the second period Of
days which he asked for expires. Next
Tuesday is the twentieth day, unless the inter
vening Sundays omitted from the reckoning.
In that he has until Wednesday to qualify.
Mr.. McDonalds application has not been re-
eeived by the Board yet. but by telling the
porters a day two in advance that he would
make he threw out a "feeler" TO see if
there would be any opposition,
F. w Whitridge, who represents the Onder-
donk syndicate, has given warning of active
opposition from that quarter. and the meeting
OF the Board has been called TO consider whether
additional extension could be granted with
safety. If the Board decides that il cannot then
Mr. Mcdonald will be spared the humiliation Of
a rebuff
Several important factors enter into this ques-
ton. One of these will be the question whether
Mr. Mcdonald would be any nearer qualifying
at the end of thirty days than he was at the
end of ten twenty. So far August Belmont.
his financial agent, has reported no progress
with the formation Of the construction company
and the finding of personal bondsmen, and Mr..
Mcdonald was not able to come TO any terms
with the guarantee companies. All this time
Mr.. Onderdonk's check OF $4,000 is tied up.
and his hackers declare that this is q loss to
them which they had no reason TO expect from
anything contained in the invitation TO bid. They
may withdraw their bid altogether if a further
extension is granted to Mr.. Mcdonald or bring
q litigation which might delay the entire
project indefinitely. While there is a sincere
desire the part of the Board to see McDon-
aid get the contract both on account of the
lowness of his bid and the character OF his work
former contracts they are disposed to be
extremely careful not to risk the loss of the
Onderdonk bid lest readvertisng of the con
tract should result in a much higher price be-
ing asked for the work now that the great diff
Guilty Of procuring bonds for Sc 100000 has been
demonstrated
MIGHT HOLD MCDONALD RESPONSIBLE.
Counsel for the Board is of the opinion that
the city could hold Mr. Mcdonald responsible. if
he fails TO qualify. for any sum above $50 600
600 which the city shall have to pay to any enc
else for building the road, but there are doubts
about that and Judgment for S4OO0OO0 or
IS 600 600 against a single individual would be
a difficult claim to collect.
Mr.. Mcdonald was asserting yesterday Wig
orousy ever that he would pull through all
right He said:
will sign that contract and do the work as sure
as the sun will rise tomorrow. I do not know how
the rumor tnat am going to abandon the project
is liar. 1t seems TO me that people should ind
something else to do besides starting rumors that
/
the Rapid Transit Commission for time.
unreasonable in view Of the difficulties that nave
OF necessity been encountered This is a matter Of
great magnitude and requires time. There is now
no chance of failure on my part. but little more
/ shall want days more but if / should
there il nothing in the conditions or which the bids
giving It TO me. | am certain of their goodwill
within reason TO assist me.
Mr. Mcdonald was very nervous in conse-
qLence doubt, OF the difficulties that he has
encountered in furnishing the requisite bonds.
His feelings are aggravated by the delay IN
forming the construction company which is in
the hands OF August Belmont. and by the ru-
mors affecting his possible failure TO qualify
PRESIDENT oRR's VIEW
EIr Orr left his office at 100 o'clock yester-
day afternoon. AS ne went away he said:
There will be a meeting of the Rapid Transit
special subject for discussion but think ii would
be better for meet and talk over the general
coTdtion OF affairs. | have not heard from Mr.
Mcdonald anybody "~Hnected with him and
near from aim until Monday Person
al I do any reason why he should not
have more time If he needs IT, He is a responsible
man and knows, no doubt, what he is about lie
will. however have 10 present some very good rea-
sons to the Board for more time in order for
consider the application tell me he is about to
make The time cannot of course. be extended 20
any unreasonable length. but / do not think Mr.
Mcdonald would ask for that.
There has been a lot of discussion about the
limit of time during which the check II Andrew
Onderdonk the other bidder can &c retained by
the Rapid Transit Commission. Mr. Orr himself
is authority for the statement that Il must be
returned 10 MI Onderdonk after the lapse OF
thirty days from the time OF the opening OF the
bids Corporation Counsel whaen says there is
no legal barrier TO the retention OF the check
for an indefinite period so long the contract
Is not signed. He said:
The check must be returned within I'VE days after
.he signing of the contract. but that is ali that Is
said about IL in the invitation TO contractors This
bas nothing to do with the time that may be given
- the successful bidder for the contract The
pa rid Transit Commission has the power 10 extend
the time indefinitely L must not Of course, be ex-
are the ones 70 Judge WHISTLER the time they are