county clerk was conveniently near and promptly administered the oath and certified the commission.  The old member slunk or swaggered out and the new member took his place.  So the dramatic scene continued until the transformation was accomplished and a new era dawned.  The atmosphere was changed, but was very serious and determined.  Everyone felt the gravity of the situation and that we had no easy task ahead.  Solemnity marked the undertaking and full realization that hard work alone could overcome obstacles and restore endurable conditions.

Many of the men selected by Dr. Taylor had enjoyed experience and all were anxious to do their best.  With firm grasp and resolute procedure, quick results followed.  There was to be an election in November.  Some of the strongest members had accepted service as an emergency call and could not serve longer; but an incredible amount of planning was accomplished and a great deal disposed of, so that though ten of the appointed board served but six months they had rendered a great service and fortunately were succeeded by other men of character, and the good work went steadily on.  In looking back to the problems that confronted the appointed board and the first elected board, also headed by Dr. Taylor, they seem insurmountable.

It is hard now to appreciate the physical conditions of the city.  It was estimated that not less than five million dollars would be required to put the streets into any decent condition.  It was at first proposed to include this, sum in the bond issue that could not be escaped, but reflection assured us that so temporary a purpose was not a proper use of bond money, and we met the expenditure from the annual tax levy.  We found the smallest amount required for urgent expenditure in excess of the tax levy was $18,200,000, and at a special election held early in 1908 the voters endorsed the proposed issue by a vote of over 21,000 to 1800.  The three largest expenditures were for an auxiliary water system for fire protection ($5,200,000), for school buildings ($5,000,000), and for sewers ($4,000,000).

I cannot follow the various steps by which order was brought out of chaos, nor can I give special acknowledgment where it is manifestly due; but I can bear testimony to the unselfishness and faithfulness of a remarkable body of public officials and to a few of the things accomplished.  To correct gross evils and restore good conditions is no slight task; but to substitute the best for the worst is a great achievement.  This San Francisco has done in several marked instances.

There was a time when about the only thing we could boast was that we spent a less sum per capita than any city in the Union for the care of hospital patients.  I remember hearing that fine citizen, Frederick Dohrmann, once say, “Every supervisor who has gone out of public service leaving our old County Hospital standing is guilty of a municipal crime.”  It was a disgrace of which we were ashamed.  The fire had spared the building, but the new supervisors did not.  We now have one of the best hospitals in the country, admirably conducted.