Francis Burton Harrison, Author at The Philippine Diary Project

Francis Burton Harrison

(December 18, 1873 — November 21, 1957) , former congressman, Governor-General of the Philippines, and adviser to Philippine presidents.

July 6, 1935

Shanghai. Went down on Harry Payne’s boat to meet Quezon on the Coolidge. Philippine Flag made for me by Mrs. Vicente Madrigal on the occasion of

September 27, 1935

Arrived at Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong, ill. Newspaper man told us that Quezon was in the hotel incognito, having arrived from Manila without its being

October 12, 1935

Arrived in Manila on Empress of Russia. Fleet of a dozen launches with flags, music, etc., accompanied the steamer to quarantine with terrific screeching of whistles.

October 13, 1935

Dined informally at Malacañan. Governor General Murphy and his sister very cordial and kind. The Palace much the same as when I left it but

October 25, 1935, 9 p.m. — October 29, 8 a.m.

October 29, 1935

My wife and I are on a trip to the Bicol Provinces as guests of Sr. A. Roces. Sr. Paez, head of the Manila Railroad

November 2, 1935

An hour and one-half’s conversation with Quezon in Pasay —he is still in bed but is better. Had him to myself as the others were

November 4, 1935

Visit from Rafael Palma —I asked him if Osmeña was friendly to me now—he said “yes— that Osmeña had forgotten the slight resentments of 1918-20.

November 11, 1935

Saw Jim Ross –full of vigour and life and apparently he has recuperated from his dreadful accident of last January in New York. He told

November 12, 1935

Saw Joe Cooley who is still living in Zamboanga —told me of his success down there with dessicated coconuts. Called at Malacañan on Vice-President Garner,

November 13, 1935

Called at Pasay. Quezon was closeted with General MacIntyre, General Creed Cox (Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs), Osmeña, Roxas, Paez and Carmona –I

November 15, 1935

Inauguration of Manuel L. Quezon as President of the Philippine Commonwealth. His inaugural address was his best speech. The Secretary of War also made an

November 19, 1935

4-5 p.m. University of the Philippines military review of students; folk dances with sixty five couples, all students; the men were in camisas de Chino and the

November 20, 1935

Last day of the Congressional visit. The hotel is in confusion and turmoil. Quezon came to say goodbye to the Vice-President and the Speaker &c.

November 24, 1935

General MacIntyre called to say good-bye. I asked him whether I should stay on here, and he expressed approval. Said they had gotten started so

November 26, 1935

Long talk with Rafferty in the morning re industrialization in the Philippines. Golf at Wack-Wack with Jim Rockwell in the afternoon. Appointment at 7 o’clock

November 27, 1935

Talk with Rafferty and McCreery, who is auditor and acting manager of the Philippine Railway. He said that the Iloilo line, is practically self-sustaining. Cebu

November 28, 1935

Received from Secretary Quirino and Paez papers on the proposed purchase from the English of the 4% bonds of the Manila RR. Co. Two and

November 29, 1935

Visit with City Engineer Artiaga to the new “South Cemetery” originally initiated by him with my co-operation; it was formerly a large tract of the

December 1, 1935

Sunday a.m. Malacañan Palace was thrown open to the public by the President’s orders—crowds of tao sightseers—Quezon’s about to leave on Banahao for Zamboanga with

December 2, 1935

An hour and a half with Foley (New York manager of the Philippine National Bank) over the Manila RR. bond purchase –his ideas and mine

December 3, 1935

7 a.m. with Colin Hoskins to look at McDonough’s house in Parañaque –the best for us of all those we have seen. Later went to

December 4, 1935

Moved into my office in Malacañan Executive Building. It is very cool, quiet and delightful. Put in my first morning at writing Christmas letters to

December 5, 1935

My office is beginning to fill up with people who want jobs or money, and with newspapermen. One young reporter wanted to know what my

December 6, 1935

John H. Pardee spent one hour in my office; told me he had been one of the originators of the idea of an elected Filipino

December 7, 1935

Motored with Doria and Rafael Palma to Los Baños to inspect the College of Agriculture. Excellent plant, interesting animal industry of cattle and pigs. Also

December 8, 1935

Quiet morning in the office; in p.m. went out to inspect McDonough’s house in Parañaque –very fine guest rooms but his own quarters are most

December 9, 1935

December 10, 1935

Quiet day—talk with Garfinkel, a.d.c. at office: he says Quezon is ill again from eating too much; that the President does not like to come

December 10, 1935

Long talk with A.D. Williams at Malacañan about the reorganization of the government. He gave me a chart showing a reduction in the number of

December 13, 1935

December 14, 1935

Interview with Charles Franks on reorganization. Talk with Colonel Garfinkel who pointed out how unused Quezon was to executive work. Said that today is the

December 14, 1935

Saturday –Quezon away at Canlubang, presumably staying with the Ehrmans. Garfinkel, Vargas and Nick are all dashing about trying to meet the President’s sudden decision