New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-08
!. B. M'DONALD RESIGNS
PARTS FROM BELMONT.
Not Due to Friction, He SGys-Iatk
of His Building ". S. II. S"o1ody.

John r. Mcdonald the bidder and contractor
for the subway, yesterday resigned as u"eelor
an the Rand Transit Subway CONSTRUCTION COM
many and as director in the Interboroush ftapiu
Transit Company. He denied that mas retiIe-
,,oe,, from the two companies was due to frc-
ton with August Belmont. and ne deci1heo 10
talk about q report that he would be asso-
o;s,ed with the METROPOLITAN interests in the
construction OF a new subway in case those
Interests were successful in the application 10
the Rapid Transit Commission for an indie
pendent subway route.
Il have retired from all connection with the
Belmont syndicates," Mr.. Mcdonald said yes
terday afternoon to 4 Tribune reporter. be
cause my work the subway is practically
completed ard the trains running in the
greater part of II. While there may have
been friction. as there is bound to be in work
Of such magnitude. that had nothing to do with
my retirement, and ] have only the friendliest
feelings for the companies and wish them every
success in their undertakings. The subway
has already shown that il IS a success. why
the other day. when there was a snowstorm'
the roa carried three hundred thousand passen-
gers. Think Of all that number Of people being
carried in "A single day by road which has
no cornplete terminals vet and is running trains
on only part of its lines
as IT true as reported that you will be asso-
struction of a new subway" he was asked,
Z can't talk about that" he replied, "anj
although / have some plans for the future, |
cannot speak of them now. There unGcubted-
ly will be more suhways in the city
IL has been reported that you have declared
that you never would be connected with any
work in future in which Mr.. Belmont was In
terested." was suggested.
THAT is q mistake I never made such
statement"
Does your retirement sever all connection
with your sub-contractors?'
NO. but for the present subway our work is
finished. / was not personally interested in the
Brooklyn extension Of the subway. although 1
had supervision Of II until to-day. The con-
tract for that extension made directly by
the Subway Construction Company. If I were
TO have anything to do in new subway. could
depend on my old sub-constructors, and we
could feel confident OF making good Job of #
with the experience we have had"
Mr. Mcdonald declined TO talk about his per-
sonai profit in the subway contract. There has
been a report THAI he received $4,000 for as
signing the contract to the subway construction
company. It is understood that Mr.. Mcdonald
viii continue TO hold scme shares of stock in
both the Belmont companies. It was necessary
for him TO hold interest in the companies TO
enable him 10 qualify a director and now
that he has resigned it is understood that he
viii not relinquish his holdings in the COM
panies.
Mr. Belmont when asked respecting the res
ignation of Mr. Mcdonald said
Il am sorry for personal reasons. but from
The point of view of the interests of our COM
pany. the organization is so complete in every
department. with our chief engineer. resident
engineers and sub-contractors, that the work
viii be in no affected
The work on the contract made in M Nc
Donaid's name with the exception Of the Har-
lem Ship Canal Brio r. is almost completed and
The work remaining o be done is being prose-
cuted so closely under Mr.. Parsonss supervision
and that Of his division engineers that no nos
slbie detTlment can he occasioned by Mr. Nc
Donald's retirement Mr.. Mcdonald has never
had anything 10 Go with either the equipment or
finish work in the subway.
The work the BROOKLYN extension has
been sublet in complete sections and is being
carried on by the sub-cOntractors most salts
factorily, under the supervision Of the engineers
Of the Rapid Transit board and the Germany
Mr.. Mcdonald is entitled TO a relief from his
duties, and his resignation has been ,1nani-
lrously accepted by the board"
James H. Hyde. president Of the Fouita-
bic Life Assurance Society, was elected yester-
day director Of the Rapid Transit Subway
construction Company, and the marlborough
Rapid Transit Company To fill the vacancies
caused by Mr. McDonald's resignation Mr.
Hyde has had large interests In both compa-
MES
II was said by one connected with the Metro
polltan interests last evening that there had
neen no understanding with Mr.. Mcdonald TO
income contractor for a subway The
metropolitan people recently made apnIicati on
u the Rapid Transit Commission to have dess-
mated route for an Independent subway svs-
ZEN WIN the understanding that they would
F. bld Tor The contract and offer transfers to the
SURFACE lines az one Of the Inducements Such
q subway, advocates Of the plan have declared
mooic draw much traffic from the present SUBJ