New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-30
TO FINISH TERMINAL.
ORourke Out, but Central Viii
Continue Work.

The work OF completing the terminal OF the
New York Central lines will go right on. although
the O'Rourke Engineering and Construction Com
pany, becoming dissatisfied with the conditions I'M
der which the work had TO be pursued, has thrown
up the job. The contracting company took the
initiative IN terminating the arrangement with the
railroad company. when. after repeated objections
from the ORourke people TO the railroad COM
pany's failure 10 make steady work possible, the
Central admitted its inability 10 promise better
conditions in the future For the present at least
Fice-President ". J. Wilgus who is in charge OF
the construction work Of the Centras systems will
take up the work where the ORourke people
dropped II. Five thousand men Will be kept on
hand day and night to work IN eight hour shifts
whenever opportunity is afforded.
The O'Rourke people had full quota Of men
signed TO the work in accordance with the terms
OF their contract. Frequently, however, the Cen
trail could not shift Its in time to give over
sections of the work TO the contractors. and as
result large gangs Of men kept idle for ex-
tended periods. II was the frequent recurrence of
these delays that led the termination Of the
contract.
AT both the Grand Central Station and the offices
OF the O'Rourke company II said yesterday that
the agreement to disagree was an entirely amicabe
one. The attorneys for the Central and for the
contracting company got together yesterday and
drew up papers in which arrangements were made
for the payment Of ell claims which the O'Rcurte
company had outstanding against the Central. The
sum agreed upon is said to be a large one, as Of
terday that the work they had already done the
terminal represents outlay Of between 100000
and 100000. The greater part OF this sum has
been paid over 20 the contracting company accord
ing TO Of it's officials. The Central agrees 10
take over the plant installed by the contracting
company. which cost about 10000
Tho withdrawal of the O'Rourke company caused
no great surprise TO the railroad people. who ad-
nitted yesterday that. owing the congested CON
dtion OF traffic in the Grand Central Station they
could not give the contractors the assistance
Bery In carrying the work At present 1023
trains enter leave the station every day and the
Central has to have tracks to operate these trains
and also storage room for An official Of the
he denied that the New York. New Haven * Hart
ford Railroad Company, which also makes use Of
the terminal. had stood in the way of completing
the work.
For the present the Central will do the best Il
in Fastening the work. under the supervision Of
its engineers, with George A. IIarwood in per
sonal charge. With its ability draw II It's own
cleared for further operations. unavoidable delays
Will not cost the company so much as II a private
contractor had the Job. II contract is made
hereafter, possible outcome, II said
existing conditions will be taken into consideration
Under It's contract the ORourke company was 10
receive IS 10000 for clearing the tract between
ington and Park avenues and from 57th street
the construction OF the terminal The plans for
the new terminal were drawn in 1903 The o Rourke
company has been at work on the Job for more
than three years.