The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-11-05
The Work of This Man Who Started In Life
With Nothing But His Brains, Pluck
and Sturdy Honesty.
Born in Ireland of Peasant Parents He Has
Struggled From Poverty to Wealth
and Reputation.

New York is ut present rejoicing In
the completion of her magnificent sub
way, the most modern means of rapid
transit through the great and growing
metropolis. At first the subway idea
contemplated a feeder from the docks
and water front to the Grand Central
station. The idea evoluted into Il rapid
transit system for the whole city, ell
failing an expenditure of S5O,OOO, 900.
1t was Il giant undertaking; more
than twenty miles of underground
ro,d. Who was to build It? The man
to take the contract must have practi-
cally unlimited capital; must have the
ability to handle men, thorough
knowledge of contract work in NIL it's
branches, IL personality with which the
Rapid Transit Commissioners and their
engineers would be in accord and a
reputation for big work we'll done.
Besides all that, it was necessary for
him to have the courage to risk all, fac
ing obstacles that had never before
confronted contractor and engineer.
John II. Mcdonald filled the bill.
The record of life showed him to be
the man for the job. He had not the
necessary capitalize contract spccifi-
cntions called for bond Of Si,OOO,OOO
but he had everything else. lie was
worth, perhaps, $5OO,OtO. but his rcpu-
tntion was priceless, and the Belmont
firm volunteered to back him.
Money and credit at their best are
but means. Mr.. Mcdonald was more
than Il success. He was IN actual
force. His energy. his skill and will
power tore down every obstacle and
dug and blnsted ana built, while the
men of theories and those who only
thought they knew talked and wrnn-
glcd AMI criticised. lie owes nothing
to chance. this contractor, Mcdonald.
He started with nothing but his own
brains and pluck and sturdy honesty
inherited from II long line of peasant
ancestry. On that foundation lie has
built up II reputation that is world
wide and has accumulated much mon
cy and many friends. by the way, lie
values his friends more than he values
his dollars, and keeps them longer.
Early in the ycar--.Innunry 10, to be
cxact-Presidcnt August Belmont Of
the IntcrlorOugli company, took Il par
ty of rnilron4l men and nnAncicrs repre-
srnting $4,OmmO,mO Of interests
through the nearly completed subway,
ana gave them n lunrl, at the Clare
mont Mr.. Mcdonald went along.
After lunch, Mr.. Belmont made Il long
speech. He spoke Of the projection Of
the subway ana Of the bond demanded
by the Rapid Transit Commission from
the contractor.
at was my knowledge of Mr.. McDon-
aid, and of Mr.. McDonnld's charnc-
ter Mr.. Belmont said. (which made
me risk my money and reputation and
the money ANA reputation of my firm
in the enterprise. The result has amp
ly justified my Judgment of Mr.. Me
Donald. Let's drink his health
The health was drunk, but Mr.. Nc
Donald would not reply to the speech.
This was another one Of those Occn-
sions on which he had nothing to
say Now, when all New York is
drinking his health, he has something
to say.
"Thcrc is nothing like the New York
subway in all the world" he said. II
am proud Of the work. | don't think |
would feel any proudcr if was prcsi-
dent of the United States. The work
has turned out even better than eX-
pcctcd. and but that we have had two
years Of labor conditions hitherto ul-
known in this country the subway
would have been finished more than Il
year ago"
John Bartholomew Mcdonald is just
| 60 years old. but he doesn't look it. He
is n trihc below the medium height.
with deep chest and broad shoulders
that stOOp slightly. His whole appear.
| nncc is one of strength and his every
| movement bctrays a catlike suppleness
and intensity Of purpose. His arms