The San Francisco call., 1910-01-09
NEWHANDS
DIRECTING
THE HELM

tIOIldDlc MSlnUuS dIiu FOilSS
Department Is Scored
List of Places Given Where
Gambling FlOurishes in
Defiance OF Law
DoRNE on til the wings ,.5,. Of 5, storm n
H. ward Robson Taylor was swept
into the pages of municipal history at
noon yesterday and that of Mayor p.
H. Mccarthy begun. Lacking were
the social amenities. the platitudinal
farewells and formal welcominss
common to occasions of the transfer
ring of civic power; wanting the polite
nothings and digni6ed gimcracks,
The political knife was waved on high
and the victors exulting did meta
phoric war dance around the ruins OF
the vanquished. 3
Charges and CaustiC Comment
Charges, insinuations and causic
comment, supported by approving
laughter from his followers, inter
1arded the speech of the new mayor.
He revamped all the declarations of
the campaign stump. He grew elo-
quent over the use of automobiles by
civic officials He insinuated that
Henry Payot, former supervisor, had
employed questionable tactics in the
purchase of land by the city He
casually mentioned the contract work
on the old city hail. Nothing was for
gotten or missed Mccarthy started
talking about 1890 o'clock, and for
nearly two hours he proceeded to go
down the line. slashing right and left.
At times there was applause. but it was
perfunctOry.
Attack on PayOt
The greatest surprise came when he
fell upon PayOt. There was common
expectation that he would confine him
self to generalities and leave out
names. but the hope died with terrible
suddenness. His insinuatiOn was to the
effect that PayOt. as chairman of the
hospital and health committee of the
board of supervisors. had recommended
the purchase of a lot in North beach
for the incinerating plant. from his son
in law, Walter Fl. Linforth He de-
clared that the city bought the land
for $4,000 and this despite the fact
that it was assessed at less than
SIC, O0O Payot was not present for the
attack. but later explained the situa-
tion, saying that the city purchased the
lot through Linforth for obvious pur-
poses of secrecy.
Change of Power
The change of power took place in
the chambers of the board of super
visors. which had about as many floral
decorations as that attendant upon the
opening of a new saloon. The pro-
ceedings began at 1870 a. m. but the
new mayor did not put in an appear
ance until a few minutes after the
noon hour had struck. Despite his
absence the talkfest began. At first
it was confined TO the purring of the
members of the outgoing administra-
tion. each telling the rest how nice it
was to feel that every one had been
honest and careful
Mayor Taylor made farewell speech
and so did Supervisors d'Aneona and
Connolly. Everything was quiet and
happy. There were smiles and mods.
congratulations and disnifed whispers.
True. beyond the railing there were
banked u deep certain grinning ones
who Uttered when a floral decoration.
resembling a harp. was placed in a
conspicuous position. but they had no
actual part in the proceedings.
Behan's Resignation Accepted
The obsequies commenced imme-
diately. John E. Behan. clerk of the
supervisors. firmly strobe forth TO the
political guiIlotine Knowing he was
doomed he offered his head The de-
capitation was made as painless as pos
sible. but it was none the less COM
plete. His resignation was accepted
by standing vote. Numerous speeches
in commentator of his ability were
made and there was a note Of sincere
regret in the words of his friends who
saw in him a victim Of the inexorable
laws of the game William p. Hag-
erty was appointed in his place. While
yet the echoes of the swan song were
futtering around the chambers there
broke yell Of delight from the crowd