Full text of Statements and Speeches of Marriner S. Eccles : Statement on Title II of the Banking Act of 1935 as reported by the Banking And Currency Committee of the Senate.

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FEDERAL

RESERVE

BOARD

FOR THE PRESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement of Governor Eccles on Title II
of the Banking Act of 1935 as reported
by the Banking and Currency Committee of
the Senate.

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Title II of the Banking Bill of 1935 as recommended by the
Administration proposed to place responsibility for the exercise of three
existing, but badly set up, monetary powers in one body removed from the
pressures of partisan, political or private banker influences. Its fundamental purpose was to vest that body with full authority to use these
powers in fostering recovery and then in maintaining stability of business and employment* Furthermore, experience over a long period of years
had demonstrated the need for various administrative improvements and for
the removal of certain hampering restrictions.
As rewritten and reported by the Senate Committee on Banking
and Currency, Title II represents a significant and important recognition
of the fundamental principles and purposes of the banking bill as proposed, Therefore, I believe that in its most vital respects it is a distinct
advance in the direction of centralized responsibility and authority for
the exercise of monetary powers.
First, open market powers are concentrated in a central body
composed of the entire Federal Reserve Board together with five governors
of the reserve banks who must be representative of the various sections
of the country. Complete authority is given to this body to initiate and
enforce open market operations; whereas, at present the Board has no power
either to initiate or enforce, and only the negative power of veto.
Second, the Board is given a broad authority to change reserve
requirements of member banks. Under existing law, this power can only be
used after the declaration by the President of an emergency every time a
change is necessary, for all practical purposes an unworkable arrangement.




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- 2 Third, the power to determine and make effective discount rates
remains with the Board*
It is evident that this represents a substantial improvement
over the existing situation*

It would make it possible for the Board

and the open market committee to function in the national interest byusing these powers so far as they may be effective towards the achievement of stability in our economic system and the avoidance of disastrous
inflationary and deflationary cycles. This is a long step in the direction
of intelligent management of our monetary system*
Furthermore, the bill as reported by the Senate Committee recognizes the need for broadening and liberalizing the eligibility provisions of existing laxv which are entirely unsuited to meet present day
conditions*

Likewise, the real estate loan provisions of the national

banking act are substantially improved.
In addition, the Board which now has no voice in the selection
of the governors of the reserve banks is given the authority to approve
or disapprove of their appointment.
In less fundamental respects I believe that Title II, as reported by the Senate Committee, could and should be improved upon in
the interest of practical administration and greater efficiency*

As be-

tween the bill as enacted by the House and as proposed by the Senate Committee, I have every reason to believe that a reasonably satisfactory
measure will be worked out*