(1) Getting the Job

Daniel H. Burnham’s assignment in the Philippines was principally the result of his increasing renown as an architect and his long friendship with W. Cameron Forbes.

First, a bit about Forbes. The grandson of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Forbes came from an elite New England family. Forbes inherited and maintained the family fortune, acquired through the mercantile industry. It was the uncle of Cameron, Malcolm Forbes, who had been longtime friends with Daniel H. Burnham who introduced the two gentlemen.

In 1902, W. Cameron Forbes applied for a government job in Panama. His application included a letter of recommendation to President Theodore Roosevelt written by Burnham himself. Forbes did not receive the job, but he recognized Burnham’s assistance and gave him the biography of his grandfather Emerson as a token of appreciation.

Forbes did not go unnoticed, though, and he was appointed to the position of commissioner to the Philippines in 1904. “I have to do largely with the development and improvement of the Islands,” Forbes wrote to Burnham, “all corporations, railroads, transportation, etc. being in my hands, besides the Police which are now entrusted to the maintenance of the peace of the Archipelago. I am quite as well pleased with this as I should be with the Canal,” he wrote, “and think it is a field for the application of energy such as seldom comes to a young man…I want to thank you for the interest you have taken in my affairs and the help which you have given me which I feel had a great deal to do with my securing this appointment.”

Before Forbes left for the Philippines, he began the search for an architect who would accompany him in his travels and serve the function of drafting plans. The secretary of war, William Howard Taft, whose department was in charge of colonies, had originally suggested that Forbes hire a “landscape architect,” inspiring him to pursue Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.

Olmstead was, for various reasons, unable to accept the offer. Forbes then realized it was illogical consider only landscape architects, and broadened his search to include building architects. He failed, however, to think of Burnham during his pursuit for the right assistant. Forbes sent a letter on April 1 to his (and Burnham’s) friend Charles McKim stating:

“It is one of the projects of the Philippine government to build a new city 5000 feet above the sea, which will be to the Philippines much what Simla is to India. It is part of the plan for me to get some landscape architect to go out and try to lay out a new city, and in addition to make some plans for the development of Manila. I have been trying very hard to get F.L. Olmsted to go, but he feels that he cannot, and does not know who to recommend. Can you suggest anyone? Perhaps you would like a little trip to the Philippines yourself! If so I am starting about the middle of June and should be proud of your company.”

On the same day, he also wrote to Burnham in hopes of getting his suggestions for an architect. Burnham’s respond said  that he himself would be interested in the job. Somewhat embarrassed by his oversight, Forbes immediately informed Secretary Taft that he had found a candidate and arranged an interview between the two men. Taft was quickly convinced that Burnham was right for the job. McKim subsequently expressed interest in the position, and having to choose between the two candidates, Forbes wrote that “Personally I prefer Burnham…as he has the business ability to get things done and provides from his organization the artistic ability of the special kind wanted…” Burnham consequently received and accepted the formal offer of the job as developper for Manila (1).

(1) Hines 197-199