New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16
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THE RAPID TRANSIT BIDS.

The Rapid Transit Commissioners clearly
showed their great satisfaction yesterday
afternoon when they found themselves in pos
session of two attractive bids for the franchise
to construct and operate underground roads,
And they are well entitled to rejoice for their
faith in the enterprise, maintained during many
trying years, has been indicated 1t is worthy
of note that Mayor Van Wyck was not only
present at the opening of the bids as an eX-
officiO member of the Board but in an exceed
ngy cheerful frame of mind, and even deslr-
ous it is said, OF having the contract awarded
at once; but. of course his more judicious col
leagues could not be expected to countenance
such haste, for the proposals required dehDer-
ate examination. They properly refrained also
from indicating preference, for though there
was a large difference in the principal sums
named by the bidders they are to a greater or
less extent equalized by the agreement IN one
case to pay certain percentages on annual gross
receipts above 100000 and the omission III the
other case to make such a stipulation. 1t re-
mains to be determined by calculation ana est-
mate whether, other things being equal, the bid
of $3930O000 is more or less advantageous
than the bid of S35 100000 AS TO the security
offered. a committee of the Board is already In
vestigating it's character, and will probably re-
any difficulty on that score.
The good faith of Mr.. Onderdonk ana MT.
Mcdonald is not open to the slightest susplcloh
If there were no other proof of their sincerity
the fact that, in accordance with the terms gov
erning the bidding. each has made nlmselr haole
to heavy damages and put up $l9O,Ooo 10 guar
antee his proposal would show that ne meant
business Rut over and above that inducement
to confidence is the reputation which both enjoy
as successful contractors on large scale, who
are able to command ample resources TOT the
performance Of any obligation they may incur
Already as was inevitable there is much specu
lstion as to their associates IN an enterprise
Of extraordinary magnitude, ana common re-
port has 1t that while one bid Is OF speclal lh-
terest TO capitalists connected with the Metro
politan Street Railway Company, Tammany
magnates are concerned In the other. The
Rapid Transit Commissioners presumably know
inst whom Mr. Onderdonk and Mr.. Mcdonald
represent besides themselves, for their adver-
tisement for proposals required that every bid
should be accompanied by a statement or all
the persons concerned in it, directly or indi-
rectIv Such information the Board chooses TO
keep to Itself for the present, and 1t may not
become public property until the contract has
been awarded, but in the mean time 1t will be
strange if guesses do not come pretty near the
truth.
So far as the public welfare is concerned, we
do not know that the personal or political af-
fliations of the bidders are important, excepting
as they may influence the attitude Of other
transportation companies That, of course, is
question to which the Commission will give the
necessary consideration, guarding the interests
OF the community at that point as it has guarded
them at all points thus far in the performance
of it's complicated task. 1t is believed that the
CITY is amply secured against financial loss by
the provisions of the law and the terms Of
the contract, but it is a great satisfaction to
know that the enterprise will remain at all
stages under the control of honest and sagacious
citizens, whose highest ambition 1t is to fulfil
the obligations imposed upon them by the Leg
islature and the people