Report of Playground Commission Hon. Edward R. Taylor, Mayor, City and County of San Francisco. Sir: In behalf of the Playground Commission of the City and County of San Francisco we have the honor of presenting for your consideration report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909. From the inception of the Playground Commission active service has been performed; meetings have been held regularly as provided by the charter, and several special meetings have taken place as the growing and important work of the commission made necessary. The appropriation of $20,000 was made; this amount was $30,000 less than the sum asked for, yet in view of the urgent demands of the various municipal departments the commission feels grateful that even this amount was provided for its work. The late Mr. Newton J. Tharp, City Architect, rendered valuable service to the commission in making drawings and plans for fitting up the grounds and erection of buildings. By courtesy of the Board of Education the Playground Commission has had the free use of its offices, corner of Pine and Larkin Streets, for headquarters in the transaction of business. For a few months in the early part of the work of the Commission Mr. E. C. Leffingwell of the Board of Education performed the office of Secretary of the Commission. Mr. Horace G. White was elected Secretary, August 13, 1908, and gave promise of a most competent and efficient officer. His very sudden death soon after election, however, seriously affected the work of the Commission. Mr. John W. Sweeney was elected to succeed Mr. White December 1, 1908. The two Playgrounds acquired by the City passed into control of the Commission at its appointment. The North Beach Playground, a plot of land bounded by Greenwich, Powell, Lombard and Mason Streets, was given first attention, and a contract was entered into with Mr. Jno. Spargo for $10,450 to excavate, grade and construct a concrete wall around the east half of the block referred to. The work was delayed to unusual length by inclement weather, thus holding the Commission back from pushing other work that must necessarily wait upon the first contract being completed. The wall was finally finished in April, 1909, and the Commission, together with the City Architect, prepared plans for dressing rooms, shower baths and toilets. The very best of designs and practical ideas were put into service. The contracts for these improvements were awarded Mr. E. W. Elliot at a cost of $5,482. It was soon discovered that the plans for the toilets would have to be changed, as the sewer on the Greenwich Street side was not deep enough, owing to a former administration failing to sink the main sewer to the proper depth. New plans were secured and a trench, across the full length of the grounds, was laid out, in order to connect with the Lombard Street sewer. This work was awarded the Ahlbach and Mayer Company for $350 and is now nearly completed. From all sections of the city petitions for playgrounds have been presented, but limited resources prevented the Commission from undertaking much of any thing in the line of providing extra playgrounds, glad as they would have been to do so. The Commission secured free use of vacant land on the corner of Nineteenth and Pennsylvania Streets in the Potrero District, and, assisted by the Nurses' Settlement and the Potrero Boys' Club, put the ground into shape at a modest cost to the city. The second Playground under control of the Commission, located at the corner of Harrison and Seventh Streets, has been graded and trees planted around the entire area. When we realize that this lot was littered with broken glass and every thing imaginable in the way of debris, the work accomplished is most satisfactory. The improved space covers a plot 275 feet by 400 feet, and, until we can secure the adjoining strip on Harriett Street, 550 feet by 75 feet, the Playground must be limited to the above area. The Commission has recommended that all rentals from the leased holdings on playground plots be set aside to purchase the Harriett Street property. The City and County Attorney is now looking into the question of legality in the hope that the same can be accomplished, as the small amount left over from the bond issue will not be sufficient to purchase the property in question. When this land is secured there will be in possession of the City one of the largest and finest Playgrounds in the United States. The Commission appreciates the valuable services rendered by Commissioner John McLaren in the way of many timely helps and suggestions in the fitting up and laying out of these Playgrounds. In May, 1909, Mr. S. S. Peixotto resigned from the Commission, as he contemplated many months' absence in foreign countries. Mr. George A. Schlitter was appointed his successor. In January of 1909, Mr. Jos. O'Connor succeeded Mr. Thos. F. Boyle as a member of the commission. It must be borne in mind that the Playground Commissioners are performing their work without compensation. Every member of the Commission is busy with their own large, personal affairs, but willingly and gladly give their services for the furtherance of this splendid work among the hosts of children in our great City, and only hope that means that may be at their disposal, either by appropriation by our City Fathers or acquired by gifts or bequests, will enable them to carry out the extensive plans they have in contemplation in providing throughout the City beautifully adorned and equipped Playgrounds and recreation centers. The west half of the North Beach Playground will be put into condition with all possible haste and Commissioners McCoy and Astredo will soon have the preliminary work for the construction of a shallow swimming pool at this point. The City Engineer has already prepared plans which he will soon put into effect and the pool will serve the double purpose-for bathing and as an auxiliary to the fire system. The Commission contemplates the propriety of erecting a gymnasium over the pool and use the building as a meeting hall for the settlement work and the other departments of work to be undertaken. Our children are the City's greatest asset and no expenditure can be considered too great to provide for their social, moral and physical development, for we must all admit that play properly directed is both educational and beneficial. Respectfully submitted, PLAYGROUND COMMISSION OF SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. H. J. McCoy, President. Jno. W. Sweeney, Secretary. Department of Elections' Report San Francisco, June 30, 1909. Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco. To the Honorable, Edward Robeson Taylor, Sir: In accordance with Article XVI, Section 9, of the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco, the Board of Election Commissioners herewith present their annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909. Five elections were held during the past fiscal year, as follows: Primary Election, August 11, 1908; General Election, November 3, 1908; Bond Election, to incur bonded debt, viz: "Water Supply, etc.," November 12, 1908; Bond Electon, to incur bonded debt, "Civic Center, etc., , June 22, 1909; Bond Election, to incur a bonded debt, "Municipal Street Railway, June 24, 1909. The Legislature of 1909 adopted "An Act to Provide for and Regulate Primary Elections, etc.,'' which was approved March 24, 1909, and took effect June 1. 1909. The Board of Election Commissioners, immediately after the approval of said Act, made preparations to comply with its provisions. About five thousand dollars was expended in printing and clerical assistance necessary under such Primary Law, to June 30, 1909. The same was taken from the annual appropriation for this Department, the Board of Supervisors not having made any special appropriation for said purpose. The report also includes the financial statement of this Department, together with a table showing dates of elections, number of precincts, the total registration and vote cast at each election since June 19, 1878; also a statement showing the nativity of all voters registered during the fiscal year 1908-1909; also a summary of the vote cast at the Primary election held August 11, 1908, and a complete statement of votes cast for and against each person voted for at the General Election held November 3, 1908, together with the vote cast for and against each Constitutional Amendment and proposition voted upon at said election; also a summary of the votes cast at the Bond elections held November 12, 1908, and June 22 and 24, 1909. Respectfully, THOMAS V. CATOR, GEORGE UHL, CHARLES GILDEA, HUGH J. McISAAC, NICHOLAS C. WEINHOLZ, Commissioners. J. H. ZEMANSKY, Registrar of Voters and Secretary of the |