New-York tribune., 1903-01-09
SH4KES HAND 1T CIRCUIT
MDonaId -4ngry OUe,- Nom Pay
ment Of .Subzcoy Claims.



The Rapid Transit Commissioners had long
and lively meeting yesterday It lasted five
hours. and in its course John B. Mcdonald and
Controller Grout had verbal tilt over the
payment of subway expenses. 1t was finally de-
cided to have the One hundred -and- -fourth-st.
station. which the Rapid Transit Subway Con-
struction Company has said was not feasible.
built though the board. after thus making up
its mind nearly decided to reconsider and vote
the other way.
The clash between Mr.. Mcdonald and Con-
troller Grout was brought by letter from
August Belmont. in part follows:
The Controller has held up on account Of the
question Of ducts. not only the vouchers that
nave been made since his term of office began.
| but also has deducted from general vouch-
ers the whole amount of the cost which
paid under his predecessor so that we are out
OF pocket on that question about 100000. add
ed to which we have expended about $4,000
ing total of about $4,000 Besides this the
Controller has held out and owes us for extra
'8i 10 Why, really do not know. This makes
grand total of about S1,42O.0o0.
Then the discussion began.
''If I did not have capitalist behind me as
good as the Bank Of England this work would
have been stopped long ago" said Mr.. McDon-
aid.
We pay these subway claims more promptly
than any other claims They are specially IA
vored. Controller Grout interposed.
1T is not what we get that we object TO, but
what we don't get replied Mr.. Mcdonald heat
edly. "A million and a half dollars due us
now for extra work"
Hadn't better let the courts decide the
question:" asked the Controller.
IN that case answered Mcdonald, shaking g
his finger at the Controller. the contractor had
better stop the extra work till it is decided
But the contractor has to go on with the
work." said the Controller.
1t finally decided that Mr. Parsons should
meet with the engineers of the Controller and
agree on basis of payment.
Another letter from Mr. Belmont enumerated
points of delay to the subway work. 1t stated
that the Hall Of Records and the engine house
In City Hall Park, although condemned by the
Supreme Court. were still standing; that the
right Of way under private property at Worth
st. for the station at that point has not been
obtained; that plans had been furnished for
the east wing of the Brooklyn Bridge station
and approaches. making It impossible to order
steel; that the location of sewers on the west
side of the Sprng-st. station had not been def
initely fixed: that plans whatever had been
furnished for section No. To- and no steel could
be ordered, and, among other points, that the
right of way for the construction of the road
from One-hundred and -forty-third-st. north
through Lenox-ave has not been obtained.
Regarding the engine house. Mr. Mcdonald
complained that his being prevented from tear
ing it down delayed the work, and he requested
that the city find quarters. The Mavor
ind Controller said that new quarters cou!d nov
l. found Mayor Low suggested that a wall De
built diagonally through the building TO take
the place of the corner overhangtng the SUD
way. and that the corner be torn down. II Is tIils
were done Mr. Mcdonald said that ne "oulH
begin the ork in two days and a resoiuuon 9i
dering the construction of the wall was passed
At the opening of the session a committee rep
resentine nropertv owners at and around one
hundred a nd -fourth-st. appeared 10 ProIeSt
against giving up the station there. Sanuel -
Green assured the board that Mr. Hopper VINO
has the sub-contract for the work at that POM. point
is willing to give bonds to complete tne eACLss
excavation made necessary by the puiluIns -, "a
a station in six months. and that ne lliAS liz
can finish it in three months. ,,,
The board then passed the measure proVIalhs
for the station and took up other business, @
When nearly all else had been disposed OF the
station was again brought up by the reaQlns OF
the adverse report of Chief Engineer Parsons
The board seemed about TO act on the recon-
nendation Of MI. Parsons against pullQll!s @ tne
station when Mr.. Green sent note 10 n!aSoi
Low calling his attention to the oHer OF MI
Hopper The Mayor read the note TO the ooaIu'
and said that If seemed important that the sta
ton should be built After the Notl1g ldQ W
gun and some of the members showed tIletii-
selves opposed TO the station, because OF the
engineers report. The vote was reConSldereQ o'l
n suggestion by Controller Grout, Whlch led u
the presenting Of the resolution thit passJu, SL
and in which embodied a clause tRat IL IN
STA +ton should have to be abandoned Tor lack OF
completion the expense of the work done ShouI"
he horne hV the city and not by the contractor
r.go,ution was submitted by Mayor Low.
and adopted requesting that the chlef erlgl-
neer investigate and report 70 tle poaru oil i1I '
advisa bility of constructing freight ral,rofiu
along the pier line of the city lie t thousnl !.
likely that it might be found desirable 10 gram
a franchise for such road, and under cohal-
tions that would make 1t prohtahle 10 the Ci'S-