It was Mr.Forbes's idea, and mine as well, that members of the commission ought to set the example by building at Baguio.

I followed his example to the extent of buying a lot and constructing on it a simple and inexpensive house, thus obtaining the first and only home that I have ever owned.
Ultimately Mr.Forbes formulated a plan for the construction of a group of government buildings, a mess hall and a large number of small and inexpensive cottages for rental to government officers and employees so that the executive offices of the government might be transferred to Baguio during the heated term and it might become the true summer capital of the Philippines.

This plan was adopted in substance, and it was decided to transfer the bureaus of the government to Baguio for the coming hot season, so far as practicable.
Funds were appropriated for the carrying out of Mr.Forbes's plan, but before the construction work had fairly begun there occurred, on October 17, 1909, a destructive typhoon.

Eighteen inches of rain fell in nine hours, and twenty-six inches in twenty-four hours.

The Bued River quickly rose fifty feet, carrying away trees and rocks which obstructed its course, and seriously injuring the road for miles.