lls were left standing in good condition. President
Roosevelt also sent a message to Congress asking that $300,000 be at
once appropriated to finish the Mare Island Navy Yard, in order that
employment might be given to the many workmen who were in extreme need
of money for the necessities of life.

It was a most fortunate circumstance that the property records in the
Hall of Records were unharmed either by earthquake or fire. Endless
disputes and litigation over the questions of ownerships would
undoubtedly have otherwise impeded the work of those sincerely
anxious to repair their shattered fortunes and opened the way for the
unscrupulous to take unfair advantage of the general chaos.

But the temper of the people was such that only the boldest would have
dared to use trickery for his own ends. Every man stood at the side of
his neighbor working for himself and for the good of all. Before the
embers were cool the owners of some of the damaged skyscrapers gave
commands to proceed instantly with their reconstruction. The Spreckels
Building, the Hayward Building, the St. Francis Hotel, the Merchants'
Exchange and structures that permitted it were ordered rushed into shape
as quickly as possible. And already contracts had been drawn up
for other steel-frame buildings to be erected with all speed. Many
substantial business men and property owners of San Francisco were in
consultation with the architects within a few days. While the work of
clearing away the debris went forward, a corps of draughtsmen was busily
occupied preparing plans for the new buildings to adorn the city.

Mayor Schmitz telegraphed to the Mayors of all leading cities, inquiring
how many architects or architectural draughtsmen could be induced to
leave for San Francisco at once, and hundreds of young men immediately
responded to the call. Experts of the several great contracting
companies hurried to the scene and were ready to deposit material and
labor on the ground for the work of restoration. Daniel H. Burnham,
a leading architect of Chicago, who had previously drawn plans for
beautifying the city, was summoned to superintend the work.

All the horses, mules and wagons obtainable were immediately pressed
into service to remove the debris and clear the streets so that traffic
could be resumed. Within a week after the first earthquake shock trolley
cars were running in the principal streets, telephone communication had
been re-established in the most