New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-17

The Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners
accepted unanimously yesterday the bid of
S35,000,00O which John B. Mcdonald. Of the con-
tracing firm of Mcdonald & Onderdonk, No. 1
Broadway, made for the construction of the
rapid transit underground railroad in Manhat-
tan and The Bronx and rejected the bid of
$39,3OO,OOO which Andrew Onderdonk, of the
same firm of Mcdonald & Onderdonk. of No.
Broadway, made for the same contract. Both
Mr.. Mcdonald and Mr.. Onderdonk assured the
Commissioners that there no partnership
between them regarding their bids for this
great contract. Mr.. Onderdonk coupled with
his bid stipulation to pay to the city "0 per
cent on the first million of gross receipts above
$5OOOOO0 and 215 per cent upon each succeed
ing million up to a maximum of 10 per cent
Mr.. McDOnald's offer was fiat" Mr.. Onder-
donk argued that the offer of these percentages
made his bid the more profitable to the city.
should the receipts equal the estimates of the
Commissioners, and than offset the
S4,3OO,OOO by which it exceeded the bid OF Mr..
Mcdonald. After careful deliberation the
Board thought otherwise and accepted the
tract of $35.0OO,OOO.
SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE SYNDICATE
Mr.. Mcdonald is reported to represent syn
dicate of Tammany Hall leaders, including
Richard Croker John F. Carroll, Andrew Freed
and D. f. Mcmahon. No direct confirna-
ton of this can be obtained, however, and Mr.
Mcdonald told the Board his bid represented
himself alone. Mayor Van Wyck was all smiles
however, w4ren he announced the result of the
Boards deliberations to the reporters. and went
out of the room in arm with the Controller
Mr.. Mcdonald is a member of the Finance
Committee of Tammany Hail. but many think
that all the advantage which Mr.. Croker's
ganization will derive from the contract will be
70 Of oT
the road is being constructed. This In itself will
prove Of small advantage to the Wigwam
for perhaps the greater part of the $35. 100000
will be expended for labor, and much of it for
unskilled labor. The work of construction need
not be completed for four and half years un-
der the contract. Every brick laid and every
nail driven must satisfy the Boards chief en-
gineer, William Barclay Parsons. and the Com
missioners also
THE PREDICTION VERIFIED.
The cheerful prediction made in these columns
yesterday that all four sections of the road
would be begun at once was also verified. The
Board only let the contract, but let it for the
entire road from the City Hall to Bronx Park
on the East Side and Bailey-ave. on the West
Side The taxpayers in the upper part of the
city have therefore nothing to complain of. and
Corporation Counsel Whalen sees the desire of
his heart fulfilled.
The successful bidder has now an allowance
of ten days in which to sign the contract and
furnish the necessary security for its successful
completion. If he needs more time to do this
the president of the Board is authorized to grant
him an extension OF ten days additional If he
should fail to provide satisfactory security his
certified check of $150,OO0. which accompanied
his bid, will be forfeited, and bids may be ad-
vertised for anew. The security which Mr.. Nc
Donald must furnish consists of $1OOOOOO
in cash or securities, a bond of $5.00O.OOO for
construction and bond of 81 100000 for rental
The suretes these bonds must be bound for
at least $500, 600 each and justify in double the
amount. Mr. Mcdonald has said that he will
deposit the $1,0OOO00 in cash and offer sure
ties the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Mary
land, the United States Fidelity and Guaranty
Company and the American Surety Company.
WORK OF THE sUB-COMMIrTEE.
The subcommittee which was appointed by
the Board on Monday to investigate the two
bids met in the Controllers Office yesterday
morning and spent considerable time in their
deliberations. When the full Board. every men,
Der being present met at $3.50 III the afternoon,
at No. 800 Broadway, the Controller, as chair
man of the subcommittee. reported in favor of
Mr. McDonald's bid and then the following reso-
luton, presented by Commissioner John H.
Starin and seconded ry the Mayor. was unani-
mously passed:
and operation OF the Rapid Transit Railway, pur-
suant to the Invitation to contractors issued by
the Board and dated November 13. 1899 and TO
January 15 1900 be and the same is hereby award
ed the said John b. Mcdonald; provided. how
from the Board. or such extension thereof as the
Board shall grant, as provided in the said invita-
Of A.OOO 600. give the two bonds (being the bond
for construction and equipment and the continuing
bond) and in all respects comply with the terms
Resolved. further. That the president of the
Board be requested to give to John b. Mcdonald
authorized IN his discretion TO extend such period
for not more than ten days.
Resolved. further, That Immediately after the
making of such contract the president shall in due
FORM in the name and on behalf of the Board. ex-
ercise the option reserved the city by the
tract, for the construction and operation of sec
tions Nos. ]. q and OF the proposed Rapid Tran
sit Railroad
WHAT THE CONTROLLER SAYS
Transit Commission in company with Controller
C,Ier as soon the meeting over The
Mayor would not talk about the award, sticking
to mis- rule not TO give information The Con-
troller said he satisfied that the action OF
the Commission in awarding the contract to Mr..
Mcdonald was for the best interests OF the city.
Asked II he knew who was behind Mr. McDon-
ald he said: Mr.. Mcdonald gives ample Sc
curity. and we believe he will carry out the con-
tract quickly" In reply last evening to the
question as 10 whether he had any knowledge OF
a conjunction between John B. Mcdonald, the
successful bidder. and Andrew onderdonk. he
replied:
Mr. Mcdonald says there Is not. and the Com