in march 1890 the predecessor of werkspoor asked for an automatic stay. after many years of heavy losses the financial world lacked confidence in this predecessor, the koninklijke fabriek van stoom- en andere werktuigen. what was needed was a radical restructuring and new leadership. because of the national and city interest, authorities intervened to bring this about. the mayor of amsterdam g. van tienhoven succeeded in engaging c.t. stork (owner of the machine factory stork) in the operation and to provide a good manager.