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

mission asked him particularly on that point
From my knowledge I scarcely think that such
a conjunction is probable. There was no doubt
whatever in the mind OF the Commission as to
which was the better bid"
The Controller added that but for the passage
Of the constitutional amendment separating the
city and county debt which he advocated with
so much zeal before election. rapid transit would
not be in sight as it is now. The amendment
he went on. adds $3OOOOOOO TO the debt In
curing capacity of the city and this. with the
premiums. is just what it will cost to build the
rapid transit road. But for the passage OF that
amendment we would not have rapid transit"
Charles Stewart Smith, one of the Commits
s1oners. said that the decision TO award the con-
tract to Mr.. Mcdonald unanimous. He said
that all he thought he ought to say about Mr..
McDonald's backing was that it was satisfac-
tory and promised rapid transit at an early day.
All the Commissioners. Mr.. Smith added. were
of one mind on the subject believing that there
should be no further delay in awarding the con-
tract By such action. he added, the city's
credit was pledged for the completion OF the
whole rapid transit road. and other enter
prise. such as the building of bridges, could in
terfere with the work. All the sections OF the
rapid transit road would be under construction
at the same time. and the people of the city
would soon be enjoying the rapid transit they
had been so long praying for
Alexander f. Orr was seen by a Tribune
porter last evening at his home. No. 1O2 Rem
sen-st., Brooklyn, and asked whether it was pos
sible that there could be any colIusion between
Andrew Onderdonk and John B. Mcdonald Mr.
Orr seemed 20 be very much surprised that such
a question should be asked. and answered:
How could I tell anything about such
thing? There be collusion between
thieves and there can be coIlusion between
7
that anybody who had made bids in conformity
with the necessary requirements would be in
colIusion with any one, and would not make the
bids in good faith. There might be earth
quake tonight. but I hope not. The contract
was awarded to Mcdonald because, in our 1udg-
ment, we considered it best for the city on the
conditions proposed. provided he complies with
the conditions and gives the necessary security
FIR IN CITY HALL TO THE BATTERY.
Chief Engineer Parsons is reported as saying
yesterday that he would begin at once to pre-
pare plans for an extension OF the road from
City Hall to the Battery. From this 1t would
seem that Mr.. Coler's plan for a tunnel from
Whitehall-st. to South Brooklyn is likely 10
be pushed.
John H. Starin, who is one OF the Rapid
Transit Commissioners lives at No West
Thirty eighth-st- When a Tribune reporter
called there last night it was said that Mr.
a
late hour. so his views upon the award could
not be ascertained
F. w Whitridge. of Cary & whitrfdge coun-
sci for Mr. Onderdonk; General Samuel Thomas
and others who were backing Mr.. Onderdonk.
said last night that opposition to the award
Of the bid to Mr.. Mcdonald would come from
Mr.. Onderdonk or the men behind him Mr.
Whitridge still refused to reveal their identity.
but said he felt pretty sure Mr. Onderdonk
NOT Ofr1
the contract. as they had done on the Jerome
Park Reservoir. The conviction grew yesterday
that behind Mr.. Onderdonk was Vanderbilt capi-
tai. but this could not be verified.
Tammany men generally last night denied that
Tammany as an organization or any OF the Dig
Tammany leaders were interested with Mr.. Nc
Donald in securing the contract They all said
that Mr.. Mcdonald was a contractor whose op-
eratiOns in the past indicated that he could
handle this work with his usual associates. but
they did not know who would assist him In H.
They denied that Mr.. Croker had any interest in
the undertaking.
MIR. MDONALD a NATIVE OF IRELAND
John B. Mcdonald is native OF Ireland and
a cousin of John WhaIen. the Corporation Coun-
sell He was born in County Cork ffty-six years
ago. and came to this country when he was If
teen years old. His education after he came 10
this city was continued in the public schools
his HrSJ occupation When ne began 10 work Tor
himself was that of timekeeper at the building
of the BOyd's Corner reservoir in Putnam
County. Later he was inspector OF masonry on
the building OF the tunnel in Fourth-ave
When he went into business as a contractor
he was successful from the start. The first
contracts he received were from Dillon. CLYDE
& Co. He was interested In the High Bridge
branch OF the New-Jersey Central Railroad the
Georgian Bay branch OF the Canadian Pacific
Railroad. the Boston and HOosic Tunnel ths
Buffalo extension OF the Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western Railroad. and also did extensive
work on the West Shore road. He constructed
the tunnel OF mile and half through BaIti-f
more Md. for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
which was a work or much magnitude. II was
the largest single undertaking ne accomplished
before he secured the contract for the Jerome
Park Reservoir several years ago. The work
the reservoir is stin far from completion.
Mr. McDonald's home IS in the Dakota apart
ments. at No West Seventy-s -second-st. He is
q member OF the Democratic Club and OF the
Tammany organization. and Is a warm personal
friend OF Richard Croker. the Tammany leader.
His acquaintance with prominent Tammany men
Is large and II Is believed by politicians that as
the contractor for the rapid transit tunnel he
will give employment to many labOrers who ara
recommended BY the leaders OF his organization.
The interest of Corporation Counsel Whalsn In
rapid transit has been suspected By politicians
to depend largely upon the expectation that Mr..