View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

Tile Papers of Eugene Nleyer(mss52019)
117_07_001-




Subject File, Federal Reserve Board, General Correspondence, 1933




January 16, 1933.

Mr. 4. S. Griffin,
Greenville, South Carolina
Dear Mr. Griffin:
I have been out of the city for a few days, and this is the first
opportunity I have had to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January
9, 1033.
I have read with interest the memorandum which accompanied your
letter and appreciate your thought in sending it to me. .Ls you indicate,
the plan you present would require legislation by the States, and I do not
feel that I could underta.e to express any opinion concerning it.
7nder. Section 14 of the Federal Peserve ict, the Federal reserve
banks are authorized to purchase warrants issued "in anticipation of the
collection of taxes, or in anticipation of the receipt of assured revenues,
by any State, county, political subdivision, or municipality in the continental United States", but it does not appear from your statement that the
warrants Which you propose would come within the terms of this authorization.
I enclose for your 1nfor7lation in this connection a copy of 2egu1ation I of
the Federal Reserve Eoard regarding the purchase of warrants.
So far as the

econstruction Finance Corporation is concerned,

I assume that Mr. Couch has already advised you as to whether there is any
provision in the Act under '4nich that Corporation is operating which wpuld
enable it to make advances against warrants of the kind you propose.




Very truly yours,

W_ S_ GRIFFIN
GREENVILLE,SOUTH CAROLINA

Xanuary (J,

Mr. Eugene Meyer, Chairman,
Federal neserve Board,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. :Teyer:
While in Washington recently I
discussed briefly with Mr. Harvey Couch
plan for the issuance of "Warrants" or
"Certificates" against cotton stored in
this State alon(r, the lines of the enclosed
memorandum.
Mr. Couch appeared to think
the idea good and asked if I had discussed
the matter with you. Finding I had not he
called you on the phone and found that you
were absent. I waited over a day hoping
to see you but you were still away.
I will appreciate your criticism
of this plun and if favorable would like
to know if these "Uurrunts" could find loacinc
with the Federal - eserve or the ieconstruction
Finance Corporation in the event any Bunk
accepting them should desire to so use them,
assuming, of course, that the legality of
the "Wurrants" is established to the
satisfaction of the Federal Reserve and or
the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
With kind regards,
Very truly yours,
V S GI b







wrilaliumm OF PLAN FOR ASSISTING COTTON FiiRLIERS OF STATE
AND FOR THE WELP OF GENERAL BUSINESS IN THE STATE.
The farmers of this State are now holding an the furm
several hundred thousanu bales of cotton, some of it
carried over from previous crops and a good deal of it
The major portion of this cotton
from this year's crop.
is uninsured and a good deal of it is exposed to weather,
At present it is just so much dead capital.
Due to the fact that we have lost about seventy five
per cent0 of our bunks in the past four years a great
many sections are without banidng facilities. During the
past fifteen months in many cases the farmers could not
borrow from any of the bans against their cotton and now
where loans are obtainable they are having to pay seven to
eight per cent, interest and from twenty five to fifty
cents per bale for storage and insurance per month*
By the passage of an act of the Legislature authorizing
the State of South Carolina to accept cotton in approved
warehouses and the appointment or a commission of say
three men experienced in the handling of cotton and in
wham the people have confidence, cotton to be received
on the basis of five cents per pound for middling and
storage and insurance arranged for at fifteen to twenty
cents per month, these warehouse receipts to be lodged
vdith the State s either in the hands of the commission
or in the hands of the State Treasurer, the State to
issue therefor "Warrants" or "Certificates" in
denominations like money from .A3.00 up, these "Warrants"
or "Certificates" to bear 4;; interest, retirable at the
option of the State within two years, u charge of fifty
cents per bale to be paid by the owner of cotton at time
it is placed in store to cover costs to State of handlin
It could be arranged
and supervising operation of plan.
so that they would DUSS current in trade with merchants,
with state 6i:inks and with National Banks; an outlet, where
it is needed, to be arranged either with the iZeconstruction
Finance Corporation or the 7ederal deserve Bank for South
Carolina Bans to secure credit against their 'Warrants."
my opinion that investors would take them since
practically cull money at 4;; with the State behind
are
they
ay middling cotton at five cents per pound*
secured
and
them
stronger than any State, County or
much
be
They would
The extreme liability to the State of
Municipal Bonds,
South Carolina would be cotton basis middling at five cents
Jotton
per pound plus carrying charges above mentioned.
one
in
times
four
/pound
per
cents
has only sold at five
1898
in
once
1850,
and
1840
hundred years; twice between
and one in 1931.
It is

This plan would enable the farmer to secure the handling of
his cotton at about one-half the cost of present facilities.




#2.

This plan is not confined to farmers. lierchunts or
or any owner of cotton would have access to the plan. ri7he
farmer would now be feceiving in the equivalent of money
a sum equal to within one cent per pound of what he could
now sell his cotton for and permit him to discharge any
obligations he may now have on which he is paying a higher
rate of interest and at the same time leave him in control
of the time in which to sell, whether it be three months,
six months, twelve months or two years. If the holders
of cotton in the State only took advantage of this plan
to the extent of two hundred tAousand bales it would mean
the equivalent of five million dollars or fifty million
dollars of credit and should be very helpful to the owners
of cotton since all oi them are desirous of holding their
cotton at the present low price lemel, in when they are
fully warranted, and at the same time would greatly
stimulate business within the state and it is my opinion
that if this plan is put through in this State it will be
followed by similar action in other cotton states.
While there is not the same stringeney of currency that
existed in 1907 at WhiCA time Cbearing House certificates
were generally issued, which were not so good as the
issuance of "Warrants" by the State against middling Cotton
at five cents per pound, there exists today Et great stringency
of credit and an absolute need for a more flexible
currency.
In this case the State of South Carolina
would be icsuing "Warrants" which would pass as money
against cotton at five cents per pound whereat the
Federal 3-overnment issues currency against gold bullion
and 2
- ederal Reserve notes through trade acceptances for
commodities and other eligibles.
This plan is favorably looked upon by some of the best
minds and bunks in this state as well us in Washington.
This memorandum is u rough draft of the salient features,details to be worked out carefully in framing the bill.
Very respectfully,

,•

OA L 14--6-/tAx



_

tsrlkie L:.,r/tA-vf.

(
1,

-L
W_ S_ GRIFFIN
GREENVILLE,SOUTH CAROLINA

January 16, 1933.

Mr. Eugene Meyer, Chairman,
Federal Reserve Board,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Meyer:
Referring to my letter of the
9th. inst.
Being desirous of discussing
this plan with the State Legislature
I would appreciate a reply to this letter
from you as soon as you can conveniently
favor me with it.
Yours very truly,
WSG/b




JAN 17 19s3

PETER NORBECK, S. DAK., CHAIRMAN
SMITH W.BROOKHART,IOWA
PHILLIPS LEE GOLDSBOROUGH, MD.
JOHN G.TOWNSEND,JR., DEL.
FREDERIC C. WALCOTT,CONN.
JOHN J. BLAINE, WIS.
ROBERT D. CAREY, WYO.
JAMES E. WATSON,IND.
JAMES COUZENS, MICH.
FREDERICK STEIWER, OREG.

DUNCAN U. FLETCHER, FLA.
CARTER GLAS S, VA.
ROBERT F. WAGNER, N. Y.
ALBEN W.BARKLEY, KY.
ROBERT J. BULKLEY, OHIO
THOMAS P.GORE. OKLA.
EDWARD P. COS1 IGAN, COLO.
CORDELL HULL,TENN.
ROBERT R. REYNOLDS, N. C.

'11Cniteti Ztctie „Senate
COM M ITTEE ON
BANK ING AND CURRENCY

JULIAN W. BLOUNT, CLERK

January le, 1933.

Hon. Eugene Meyer, Governor,
Federal Reserve Board,
Treasury Department,
Washington, D.C.

ke,rA

My dear Governor:
A sub-committee of the Senate Committee on Banking
and Currency will give a hearing on Senate 4550, "A bill
to amend section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act by making
notes of finance and credit companies subject to discount,"
introduced by Senator Sheppard of Texas, on Wednesday,January
18th.at eleven o'clock A.M., in the Banking and Currency
Committee room, Senate Office Building.
This hearing is being given at the request of
Senator Sheppard.
I have before me a letter which you addressed to
Senator Norbeck, Chairman of the Committee on Banking and
Currency, under date of June 28, 1932, making an adverse
report on Senate 4550.
I assume there will be present at this hearing
witnesses favoring the passage of this proposed legislation,
and it is thought that possibly you might wish to have the
Department represented in order that its views on the bill
might also be presented.

Very truly yours,

P. L.
Chairman of

OROUGH,
ub-committee.

G-M/g
1/17/33
Phoned Sen. G's secretary
that Gov. Meyer, and one or
two men from the Board's staff
would attend the hearing.




JAM 17 1933
0-_

:D




january 27, 1933.

Henry Green, Esq.,
1350 bmadway,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Green:
Thank you for your letter of Yanuary 26
enclosing a copy of e letter to you dated ,Tanu.ary 13
from the Honorable Henry T. Rainey.
The matter referred to in the rorrespondence
is one that is not within the province of the Federal
reserve system, and, in the circumtences, 1 do not
feel that I can undertake to comment on or express any
opinion concerning it.
Very truly yours,

over. or

Perso7a1 CorrePondence




Phone CHickering 4-0916-0817

HENRY GREEN
1350 BROADWAY
NEW YORK

January 26th, 133.

Hon. Eugene Meyer
U. S. Treasury
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Meyer:
I am herewith enclosing a copy of
from my distinguished friend, the
the Majority leader of the House,
oe the next speaKer, which seas

letter received
Hon. Henry T. Rainey,
and no douot wao will
for itseif.

I would greatly appreciate your wisdom and
weil.

dvice as

Hoping to hear from you and with Lindest personal
regards, I 4Lia

HG:AR
ENCL.

JAN 2' 1933

Personal Correspondence'




Phone CHickering 4-0816-0817

HENRY GREEN
1350 BROADWAY
NEW YORK

January 13th, lv33.

0

Mr. Henry Green
25 Broad St.
New Yurk City
My dear Lix. Green:Than, you for your letter. I will ue very giad
indeed to cooperate with you in every possible way
in the matter of recognizing Russia and trading with
her. What we need is just SUCh an organization a8
you suggest.
I know of no one who can handle the proposition as weil
as you in this matter and I will be glad to cooperate
and I hope I may have the pleasure of personally meeting
you the next time you come to Washington to discuss the
matter. Whenever you come please let me KhOW you are in
town and I will look you up.

Very truly yours,
Henry T4 Rainey, The Majority
leader of the
House of Congress.




Mr. P. 7. Oroorne,
60 Beaver Street,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Croome:
Upon my return to the office after a few dayst
absence, your letter and the accompenyine rnemorand.um were
brought to my attention.
I appreciate your thought in sendine ze the
memorandum, and I have read it with interert.

Is you

indicate, however, the !ratter is one thpt does not f'all
within the province of the Federal Reserve Board,

and I.

(lo not feel, in tie cireuniBtsicers, that I can undertcle
to comment on or express any opinion concernirc it.
Vex", truly yours,

Governor

Fri

P. F. GROOME
60 BEAVER STREET
NEW YORK CITY

TELEPHONE

CABLE ADDRESS:

BOWLING GREEN 8847

GROOME- NEW YORK

PRRSO7AL
Honorable Ethzene Yeyer,
Federal Reserve '3ank,
Washington, D. C.
Re:

17.P.7,7 717LIEF

I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject
of mutual end national interest. Recalling very vividly a
conference we had some years ago on this subject in the office
of Yr. Griscom, 7ankers Trust company 7uilding, rew York,
when you were Chairman of the War Trade Finance Corporation,
at which time our minds were working along the same line.
I have studied very carefully all the soed
Farm Relief schemes set forth by prolific econonic ws and
farmer politicians end my reason for being skepticalhat,
ronot one of these schemes so far proposed contains a
ts
new
or
moting distribution, consumption, new usages
for cotton and/or wheat. Every one of these proposens
III
will actually decrease consumption and add to our pr
unwieldy surpluses. Furthermore, in order to put
action they require a huge administretion staff.
I an enclosing a synopsis of a plan I have worked
I have with"-held owing to the activities of the
which
out, (and
Farm Board). If your reection is fevorable I would appreciate
an interview so that I might explain it more fully.
I realize that farm relief is foreign to your
present office, but the farmers buying power is so closely
interwoven with our national financial structure that they
must be considered together.




Yours very truly,

EMERGENCY FARM RELIEF

The theory underlying my proposed plan, boiled down, is
simply this:
In 1929, the cotton and wheat marketing machinery was
stopped on deed -center causing stoppage of all traffic while
carrying huge unliquidated surplus stocks. This stoppage on
dead-center was caused by artificial government interference
(Federal Farm Boards' noble experiment of price-fixing and stabilization). In order to get this delicate tiece of marketing
machinery off dead-center and moving again in a normal way, it will
be necessary to restore trade confidence without graft or setting
up governmental machinery.
Leverage in the way of Federal credit must be applied
technically at the critical points to pry loose these two major
commodities, cotton and wheat, move them right through the usual
chain into consumption wherever there is a potential consumer by
extending long-term commodity credits to the domestic and foreign
processor. This plan is not in any sense an experiment. It is
simply e credit resk which will be safeguarded with the usual trade
conditions.
As soon as the pressure has been removed from surplus stocks
and wheat by pesFing same into consumption, frozen
cotton
of
commodity capital will be released, people will be put to gainful
\,ork, and other farm products as well as the security markets will
quickly reflect.
This plan purposely does not suggest any control of acreage
or products to be produced, because no business can succeed on a
constantly shrinking and entrenching policy. Progress means growth
and growth means expansion.







January 31, 1933.

Mr. P. P. Groome,
60 heaver Stret,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Groome:
In the absence of Governor Meyer, pernit
to acknoivledge the receipt of your letter of January 30,
which I shall bring to the Governor's attentIon upon his
return to the office.
-,lery truly yours,

secretary to the Governor

C

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
OF NEWYORK

March 15, 1933.

Dear Governor Meyer:
We take pleasure in enclosing herewith for your information copy of a wire which we have sent to the Governors
of the other Federal reserve banks today regarding steps which
we have taken to carry out the control of foreign exchange
transactions in this district as contemplated by the Executive
Order of March 10, 1933.
Very truly yours,

E. Crane,
puty Governor.

Honorable Eugene Meyer,
Governor, Federal Reserve Board,
Washington, D. C.
Copy to: Mr. Miller, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. James
Mr. Morrill, Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Smead
Enc. Mr. Goldenweiser




MAR 16 1933

Ekrelt 15, 19:v4'.
TO GOVESNORS OF THE OTHER FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS
Referring to our wire of March 12 regarding the control of foreign
exchange transactions we are now receiving daily reports from the
banks and bankers, stock exchange house

end exporters in this

district who carry their own accounts abroad or who carry accounts
here on their books for foreigners. These reports when received
Ere divided into three main grou?s: (I) benkb eid banxers, (2)
stock exchange houses, and (Z) exporters. Thb figures on the individual reports in each group are being consolidated deily upon
the same five forms uhlen ere used for indivitival reports end or
which we

have

sent you copies.

The figures from the

three 4ain

Froups tre in turn consolidated upon the same five forTe. to show
eggregates of all reports received.

Vie shall send 4elly to the

Secretary of the ireasury and the Federel Reserve Lord copies of
consolldated reports both for groups and totels of groupa.

60

are sending you by mail samples of the loose leaf ledger slleets
which we use to consolidate the figures,
s procedure similar to the on

If IOU decide to follow

outlined in this wire we should ap-

preciate it if you would send us copies of the reports which you
send to Washington.

In addition to the cons•olidtion of the fig-

ures from individual reports as described above we are arranging
to have the individual reports examined sr they come in by men experienced in foreign exchange with a view to checking up the operations described in the reports.

That is one of the steps which we

are taking to keep currently informed of transactions in foreign
exchange in this district in order that we may report to the
Secretery of the Troaeury and the iederal Reserve Board any




r
trtnsaetions in foreign exchange which Lre prohibited.

Another

step *Lich we have taken to carry out the instructioati in ae Executive Order of rarth 10, 19a is the formation of a caamittec roprerentinE the principal bank

znd biinkers in Neu York, thi's; e'orxittee

totinc au ts poiLL of contact with tat; 1.41d a cloaring houao ror the
exchznge of infortfition between thl.s hank and the princii4.1 dealers
in fcrein exchtInge.




CRANE

i)Aolf13

AIX.
15 Broad atreet
Mew York
L.!Irch 17, 1933.

UrragAlLe
*leiter Ayatt, Log.,
iieneral ,;Pouneel,
Federal :r.enerve Lioard,
Washineton$ -)* j•
agar *alter:
The

iederal

eserve Bank has advised tie that there are

a number of foreiGn obltgations shortly fallinc due in New York
(;ht and fineness. ibreign
payable in :.;old dollars of the uaual wei
necobligors are preareti to import or release from earmark the
/
gnated
essary cold, but under the present liegulktions any ban .desi
While a foreign

as payilk, agent is unuble to pGy out such

any fliejlt
ex.e“ii..ue;e tranaaction, nevertheless, it ic the reveres of
could be readily
of capital. 4o I replied, saying that the situation
r. losionated bank

handled by the ri'reasury liCer1rt

oat such cold

as payint; a6ent.
..*ut the question raises a much more fundamental problem
and one waich will become acute silortly.
in

There are about to mature

of aomestic
71 York and elsewhere throuchaut tile country a umber

usual u:old
obli ations, individual and corporate, watch contain the
clause. rf:

oblima from the requireNent of




r 1.0r1q.

tl
7

'ad.

•

1111 rolieve the
,

deral
n here that any Ve
io
in
op
ed
er
id
It id the cons
ich unry :iegulation, wh
su
ea
Tr
y
an
gW
d certai
legislation, so
e obligation by
to discharge th
r
go
li
ob
an
it
rm
dertakes to pe
omve,
uld present very
wo
ld
go
of
eu
ul money in li
parment of lawf
, and I feel
al difficulties
on
ti
to
ti
ne
3o
tabib,
if not insur.ekin
ch is
from this approa
m
le
ob
pr
e
th
e
t to solv
that an atLamp
dpoint
ed from the stan
er
id
ns
co
is
m
the proble
futile. But if
the
ght, we believe
ri
e
th
om
fr
d
as distinguishe
of the remedy
t.
successfully me
problem can be
ced in drawaury is now enea
ea
Tr
e
th
at
th
rou tell me
my herenow poseessea or
ho
le
ne
yo
er
ev
s requiring
ing Legulation
serve
to the Federal Re
ld
go
ch
su
in
gold to turn
after receive
an equiv.
ul currency in
wf
la
or
ef
er
th
e
ive in echang
Banks and rece
thorised under
oulitedly are au
ri
nn
c
on
ti
la
gu
such Ac
which
alent amount.
th tae problem
wi
n
aw
dr
If
ation.
ergency legisl
the present em
s will, I being Regulation
rd
oa
-h
ti
an
e
in mind, thes
I have raised
e problem.
h J5th.
lieve, solve th
s due on garc
ll
fa
ld
go
in
e
ligation payabl
'Suppose an ob
, in which
gee nay accept
li
ob
e
Th
y.
ne
nders lawful mo
The obligor te
ing in
ject as not be
re
,/
DA
he
or
,
the gold clans.
event he imives
his remedy
hitter occurs,
e
th
If
.
ct
the contra
conformity with
such °imam..
eve that under
li
be
t
no
to
action. te
lies in Court
account
performance on
ic
if
ec
sp
r
fo
suein .quit,
stances he may
sort to
ha must have re
e,
or
ef
er
Tu
.
of the contract
the
of the =Au:0
if any, will be
s,
ge
ma
da
s
hi
as and
law for damae:
en action at




I




difference between the current value of the gold called for
and the currency tanaered.

Let us assume that the currency

is at a discount abroad in terms of gold.

We do not believe

that the defense of impossibility of performance will necessarily stand, for it is still possible to obtain gold, such
as, for instance, thxoujh a legitimate export transaction followed by tae iLiportation of the proceeds in gold. But on the
score of damages, with the Treasury hegulations in contempla.
tion in effect. If the obligor had tendered gold in full compliance with the contract, the obligee on the receipt of such
gold would unuer the Regulations be required immediately to
turn it into the Federal heserve Bank and would under such Regulations have received in payment therefor precisely that which
the obligor tendered on maturity.

Under these circumstances,

the obligee has sustained no damage and the infraction of the
contract is damnum absaue inSuria.
The ‘;ourta, we believe, will be very friendly under
the emergency existing.

Given any opportunity, they will strive

to reach a result obviously in accord with national needs.

On'.

der the plan suggested we Believe that there is little or no
doubt that the

aurts would find no damages sustained.

I have

discussed the matter with Kr. vavis and 47 other partners and
all concur.

But the Treasury

fly with a view

of t)-

-1.1ations *haul.
Mr. Crane tells ms that

nssiber of foreiga banks legitimattety carry on deposit here
in New To* sisals amounts of gold which wen-e not earmarked
prior to Malik $tk, sad that some provision met be made in the
Regulations for the retention of gad for legitimate :mods under
Iniessry lissmss•

Thaa, of course, there is the question of gold

needed in the arts, wkt, presamably, will be covered by license.
int if a vistas et UMW,is 40:110d, the tegt.tlations, it seems
to.., must sestets a satessrisal provision that no license will
be issued whore the jam imptinment for the gold &
maturing obligation.

ornet r, current

Otherwise$ a "'localcitrnnt obligee bring-

Lag suit might asseat that if tendered the gold he might
comtinme to hold it under lice%se or even ex2ort it under license. thee undermining the obligor's defense dt no dnrAge.

The

success f the plans turns directly uponimposing an unquaifiod
and unquall.fietble obligation upon the creditor forthwith to deliver any gold on receipt 10 the Federal as:serve Banks.
The details are, of course, a mi:tter for you and the
Treasury to week out. I only raise the point in oyder to urge you
to consider the pendincT*7.0JAlons from the stAldpoint of our problem as yell as from the stanct:,oint of the ant.i-hoarding needs.

The

problem id nationwide, fal. obligtiona of all kinds and varieties
payable in gold will come due dw.ing the pericAi of the energency.




Unless a plra is devised to meet the ',usable= before it becomes
acute, grent confus,on Is boun
Gow,rnor

Harri15021

to result.

hns considered uad approves the

plan.
Very truly yours,

(signed) Montgomery B. Angell,

•




( 3'3
0-•2,1

•
1,.

7/6(1 7144
-e
•
t
„p
llaebtegton, D. C., Iamb

., 1933.

:TAIL ' 1015 GOTXMIMID =SW ZAMA= TRA11140.10311;

hverceut:aority contrined brake 3110elaistien of the President
dated 'larch

r:3 extended Vey ft* Proximate* dated Om* V,

1933, and the authority contnine6 in the Ilincutive Order of March 10,
1933. the Seeretere at the Tressury, with the approvri of the i'roriidont,
issues the following regoistiens coverall/It tralluestims La foreign *xichance.
1. All traumatism la foreign sixibence, trnnefors of credit
tem (other than eredits relating seta, to transLctions. to be

ta

eneontallimay ratan the United. Steles) end titansfers of evidences
of inaebteiMese beta** the United States

any foreign country tire

hereby prohibited, eneept en* trnnecctions or trnIer a/soy be
undertaken (a)

or lecitissate ond. normal business requirements:
or reasonable traveling mnd nersonal requirements: and

(0) For the fulfillment of contracts entere. into .2rior
to NerCh 6, 1933.
2. ",;olsilltierel reserve bank is hereby cuthorized to roculNLe,
supervise and control all foreim exchnik:e transactions Athin its district.

In carrying out such regU11.144on and supervision. each Yederal

reeerve bolt ahall telpnmaTmd by

tOIC

rfx;u1ration3 rm0, tha rurlym, of

3,lattatiene Irgommelt shoo, upon Co...01011 (Me-W.113CM trn.nsctions.




t-

3.

The several Fed ral Reserve Banks shall establish an a7_0ro.

7riate procedure for the 7yurpose of accomplishing subst ntial uniformity
in carrying out these regulations.
4.

Mach Federal reserve bank may require regular or special

reports from any or all dealers in foreign exChrzge carrying un foreign
exchange transactions within its district, which reports shall show
the position of each dealer at any given time.
5.

2- ,adh Federal reserve bank ahn31 assemble all such reports

received from dealers in foreign exchange within its district and
shall tr:Insmit such reports to the Federcl Reserve Bank of New YoVic„
which bank shall tabulate such reports and submit such tabulaiions
to the Zocretary of the Trensury.
6. If any violation of the requirements of the executive
order of larch 10, 1933, in respect of foreign exchange transactions,
or of these regulations, Shall came to the attention of any Federal
reserve bank, such Federal reoerve bank may notify the dealer involved
of the alleged violation and shall immediately make a report
of such violation to the Secretary of the Treasury,
forwarding

each information and suggestions as it may deem

advisable, and Shall in addition make a formal recommendation




.3..

to whether or not such dealer in foreign exchange shall be permitted
to engage in any further foreign exchange transactions.

Upon the re-

ceipt of such report, the Secretary of the Iseasury shall consider the
alleged violation, and, depending upon the nature of the violation, the
5ecretary of the Treasury may, within his discretion, (1) prohibit the
dealer from engaging is any further foreign exchange transactions,
(2) require that the dea.ler shall not thereafter engage in any foreign
exchange transaction unless in each instance he shall have first informed the Peiteral reserve bank of the nature of the transaction and
shall him received the approval of such Yolawel reserve bank, or (3)
otherwise limit transactions in foreign exdleftle by such dealer.
7.

The loederal Reserve Bank of New York shall transmit to the

Federal Reserve Board for its information copies of all tabulations of
reports submitted to the secretary of the Treasury pursuant to the requirements of paragraph 5 of these regulations: and each Federal reserve
bank shall transmit to the Federal Reserve hoard for its information
copies of all reports made by such bank to the Secretary of the Treasury
pursuant to the requirements of paragraph 6 of these regulations.
R.

The word "person" in these regulations means any individual,

purtnershipli association or corporation; a 'dealer in foreign exchange"
means any person engaged primarily or indidentally in the business (1)
of buying, selling or dealing in foreign exchange, or (2) or buying,
selling or dealing in securities fa or throu4a foreign correspondents,




011411111,

or (3) any person who carries accounts or securities
Ata or L'a
foreign correspondents; and the term "foreign excha
nge" means cheeks,
drafts, bills of exchange, cable transfers, or any form
of negotiable
or assignable instrument, or order used (a) to transfer
credit or to
order the payment of funds in any foreign country, or
(b) to transfer
credit or to order the payment of funds within the Unite
d States for
foreign account.
9. Whoever willfully violate* any provision of these
reguhltions
is subject, upon conviction, to a fine of not uore than
$10,000, or, if
a natural person, may be imprisoned for not more than
ten years, or both;
and any officer, director or agent of any corporation
who knowingly
participates in such violation meg be punished by a like
fine, imprisonment, or both.

W. H. Woodin
Secretary of the Treasury
Approved:




President of the United States.

it

/€333

')(
**Wary Department
lisehineton, D.C., marea

ILATI

S GOViatil nal

, 1933.

YOtt,"*Igil ihro.CHANG`t, TRANSAJTI01,4.

Uader authority uontained in the Woelamation ef the ?resident

dated *wok 6, 1934, as extended by the ivoolamation dated March 9,
193i, and the authority contained in the Xneentive Order of Nurch 10,
1963, the 4eoretGri of the TreLordry, vith the approval of tne President,

issues the followirm% regulations overaia( transactions in foreign ex-

ebesoo.
1. All transactions in foreign exchange, transfers of credit
Is oar fere (otaur taken credits relatimg solely to transaction

to be

emeeuted "holly eituin the United States) and transfers of evidences
WI indebtedness oetwoen the United Amite* and any forei&n country are
hereby prohibited, except such transactions er transfers as nay be

vmdertaimis
(a)
04

or legitimate and normal business requirements;
iliar

reasonable traveling and personal requirements; and

(8) Per the fulfillment of contracts entered into prior
harca 6, 1933.
a. "soh Federal reserve %sok is bartiby authorised to rogoloto,

supervise ant control all foreign exehmego lireasestiess within its district.

In oarryiu6 out such regulation and supervision, sash Yederal

Ift$4rY0

bank *hall be governed by these regelotisms Mk the purpose of

te limitp.tions imposed above upon foreign exchaues treasestitese.




•

3.'he ssweral Podaral Reserve banks *ball ostabllift am appropriate
prosody's tor the purpose et ascompliakiag elbstaatial uniformity in
tarrying set these Wommlationa.
44 11461 Mond reserve bank aor require 'solar or special
reports fro* turit Fa all dealers in tort

endonse airrsai en foreign

umbasigs transastisso within its district, whisk "sport Shall show the
position of each dealer at mar OMSK UMW.
5, Amit Void/Ara reserve bulk Shall asemAblo all wadi reports
"sdeived from dialers in foreign =Ow. within its 4istriot sed Shell
reports to the Federal Meson* Monk of Mew Tooke Alla Usk

timmit

shall tiboilate ma 'Oporto and eibMit nu& tabulations to the Mora
Isom, Beard is Ihkahindtea.

(10

It any viia&tion of the requirements of the emsoutivo

order of Varak 10, 1933, is raspiest of rondos exanamge tronosoottons„
of ompriUdesal
or of these 14040AtIons, shall cone to the attontion
reserve hook, 'sift radoral reserve hank motif, the dealer involved
of the allowed violation, wed uhall immediatal, make • report
in wftehimelano
of eadk violation to the reitifirallatitarve Mord
ferarrilas walk information ant smossatioaa as it Mr Um
formal rseemmemdation
advisable, mad Shall in addition asks 6,







be
ler in foreign exehanre shall
mis to whether or net soda ins
ons.
*Iran' foreign exchange transacti
remitted to freelto,in
shall
the Federal Reserve Board
Upen the receipt of such reports
ure
s and, tepeating upon the nat
consider ths alleged violation
roval
in Its dissretisa, wiA the app
ith
any
it
,
ion
lat
vio
the
of
prohibit the dealer froa enof the Searetery of the TreasurY•
may
homgm temmometions, Jr it
issay farther foreign ems
eign
not thereafter taws in any for
require that the dealer shall
st
e
each instance he shall hav fir
exchanee transaction odess in
transaction
e bank of the nftture of the
informed the 7ederkl reserv
erve bank.
rowsa of such Poderal res
and shall have received the app
the$e regulations means any
P. The word °person ea
es in
ion or corporation *Ideat
ght
sei
ase
ip,
rsh
tne
par
l1
dua
indivi
ntally
engaged primarily or incide
s.s
per
any
ns
mea
ge"
han
foreign exc
ge,
dealing in foreign exchan
or
t*
li
**
.
ing
buy
of
)
in the business (1

or Amnia.

fa
or dealing insecurities
or (2) or buries, selAng
&cclounts or
any pima Ato sorties
)
(3
or
ts.
den
pon
res
cor
foreign
tern "foreign
serrempesimatal mai the
n
eig
for
la
or
l
securities ga
transfer*, or
of milhanese able
ls
bil
,
ft*
dra
,
cks
**ohmage* means che
d (a)
trurnent, or order use
ins
e
abl
ign
ass
er
dor femm of aejetieble
eign
of Aulde in any for
t
men
pay
the
isr
*Sd
or to
to transfer Siedit
payment of funds
t or to order the
al
=s
er
nsf
tra
*Gentry, or (1b) to
t.
States for foreign &accen
within the Viited

8. ihoevor
to mull*bet,

ivialMos emy provision of this regulation
amidation, to a fine of not

NW*

them $10,000„ or,

if a esissral puma, say be imprisoned for not
more than ten years,
or both; end sq
director or agent of we eerporation Mho
bifirdagly partinipateS in such iiolatie
s nay be piimidied by a like
gime, lovasommont, or both.
I. N. boa*
ileePotarr of the Treasury
Appremods




President of the United, SWIM

TitANSAOT IONS.

ent
in the proclamation of the Presid
Under autnority contained
March 9,
ded by the proclamation dated
anted :arch 6, 1933, as edcten
er of Marca
tained in the executive ord
1963, and the autnority con
roval of the
of tne Treasur„ with the app
10. 1933, the ,;ecretari
nsactions
ing regulations governing tra
President, issues tae follkw
in foreign exchange.
of
eign exchange, the transfers
1. All transactions in for
to transactions
n cedits relating solely
tha
4er
(ot
m
for
any
in
dit
cre
transfers
hin the United :states) and
to be executed wholly wit
and any
between the United Jtates
of evidences of indebtedness
ctions in transfers
prohibited, except transa
eby
her
are
y
ntr
cou
n
eig
for
with tl'lese regulations.
conducted in conformity
be
in foreign excaange may
The following transactions
legitimate
with and undertaken for
n
tio
nec
con
in
n
Whe
)
euaged in: (2
able traveling and
uirements; (b) for reason
req
ss
ine
bus
mal
nor
or
ment of contracts
, and (c) for the fulfil
nts
eme
uir
req
al
son
other per
141rch 6, 1933.
entered into prior to

d to regulate,
k is hereby authorize
ban
e
erv
res
l
era
Fed
3. Lach
ctions within its reforeign exclitukm transa
all
l
tro
con
and
ise
superv
n and supervision,
ng out such regulatio
ryi
car
In
ct.
tri
dis
spective
itations imposed
be governed by the lim
ll
sha
k
ban
e
erv
res
each eederal




above

transactions.
upon foreign e,change

4.

In case any Federal reserve bank shall be in doubt as

to whether a particular transaction comas within the rules so prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, such Federal reserve bank
shall advise am consult with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
with a view of accomplishing substantial uniformity in carrying
out these regulations.
5. Each Federal reserve bank shall obtain daily (or weekly)
written reports from all dealers in foreign exchange carrying on
foreign exchange transactions within its district, which report shall
show the condition of such dealer at any given time..
6. Each Federal reserve bank shall assemble all such reports
received from dealers in foreign exchange within its district and
shall transmit such reports to the Federal Reserve Bank of New 'York,
which bank Shall tabulate tbeh reports and submit such tabulation
to the Federal Reserve Board in Washington.
7.

If any violation of the executive order of March 10.

1933 or of these regulations Shall come to the attention of any
Federal reserve bank, such Federal reserve bank shall immediately
notify the dealer involved of the alleged violation and shall immediate4 make a report of such violation to the Federal Reserve Board in
lashington, together with such information and suggestions as it may
dam advisable and shall in adaitien, mike a formal recommendation




as to whetner or Lot such dealer in foreign exchange shall be permitted
to engage in any further foreign exchange transactions.

Upon the re,-

ueipt of such report, the iederal iteserve 3oard siall consider the
alleged violation, and, depending upon the nature of the violation,
it may *Man its discretion, with the approval of the secretary of
the Treasury, pronibit the dealers from engaging in any further
foreign excaange transactions or it may require tnat the dealer shall,
before enj,cin6 in any foreign exchange transactions, first obtain
from the federal lieserve -Joard a license so to do, or it may require that the dealer shall not taereafter engage in any foreign ex..
&Lange transaction unless he shall Jnave first submitted the nature
of the transaction to the federal reserve bank and shall have received
the

oi such i:ederal reserve bank.

8. ;i4ere, followin

a violation a license is refused,

the dealer involved shall not thereafter en4age in any foreign exchange transactions.

Where a license is issued the Federal ,:eserve

Board, with the approval of the Secretar/ of the Treasury, may make
it a condition of the license that the dealer involved may engage
in foreicx excnan4e only on the condition that in each instance
as shall Dave first submitted the nature of the transaction to the
apl'ederal reserve bank in his district and shall have received tne
proval of such bank.




9. The word "persona in these regulations means
any
inaividual, partnership, association or corporatio
n; I °dealer
in foreign exchange" means any person engaged prima
rily or
incidentally in the business (1) of buying, selli
ng or dealing
in foreign exchange, or (2) of buying, selling or
dealing in
securities for or throw41 foreign correspondents,
or (3) any person who carries accounts or securities with or for
foreign corres;,ondents; and the term Voreign exchange" 1.-eanzi check
s, drafts, bills
of exchange, cable trannfers, or any form of
negotiable or assignable instruLent, or order used (a) to transfer credi
t or to order
t.le payment of funas in any foreign country, or (b)
to transfer credit
or to order the payment of funds within the Unite
d States for foreign
account,




r
(Centpientlea.sk listatiwe draft as virvised by Treasury Department, Mora 17.

.

tremor, Departmort
%Whine**. 14 Ca

cam

itif401440 itatiR1 OF' GOLD

Penitent to the power sonterrsd upon Iseby saboestion (a) et
Sootiest 11 of ths Amhara iloserwo hat, as sasondodby &motion 3 at
lite Act 'lie pramide relief in NW misting aatiesal otorlionoy tn
Making, and tor ether purpeonsw,approved Maroh 0, 1933, ead
finding this motion neoesosty to protest the *errancy gusted of
bk. tistited .Aates,

;Ittedist, Sserotesy at the Irsassry, do

hwroby require all iadtvta.1a0 portnovoldtpoo oottoolations and
oorporations craning stay gild soils* old hallo* or gold aortitleates,
hold within the ihtited States at i!".terioa, inelnding it. territories
sad insular poitteso.olons, tortiositit to pay and dolloor to the Treasarsr
of the 1:7nited Stntlii, Or to * roderol roloorve bank as fitted agent
at the uatioe /Wyss. $11, such Isld omin, gold bullion and gold
oortltioates• Upon read$

or

suith eid bola. 3pld Wilton or geld

sertifisatos, the $oorotsirs or the Treseut7, or such Fedora resent
hank, will. pay therefor on ',dottiest etwunt of any other torn at
*Pia or surreally waned sr loosed mew the lose Or the United States.
The payment ant delivery at and' opld ooln, git44 bullion oat
gold oortifloates any

offeeted cothor than by ninher beaks of

tira 7edoral iiseorve ikysten) by delivery thereof to a. bank uhieh is
a srahor at the federal Rssorwo ;.;ystoms Sul/A bank shall PINY
therlstor
an equivalent mount of any ether tors at eoin or Gamow seined or




,rilift cif

Arch 17. 1X3

"2 is
lueued unxier thn leve of thP

iitod,Aateci nnd ohall tiv:Teuon

deliver 'Imola ,..;old coins -:ole bullion nnd

o1i oerttfiontos

Zreaeurer or the nttet states or to the Federal reoerro ban:: in
ito dixtriot and reonive credit. or payment thc.raror.
uny ?ass vhere the location or eneh ,vld coin, -eld bullion
or tole, cortifloatec le eucii thtt delivery thoreof to the nrcazurer
of the 7::nited
ic a

tatoc or to

ioi.loral reserve baLit or to n

of thri ilodorni :oserve ;;;ster, cannot reawntblw be rime.

- ithin the tine opocificd helm, delivery tvw be node to a 7nitee
4
:Autos Wcto-1 tTlae or /lot -leioe. ,uoh
riffles

urtovl rilee or 'inrt

.ray thvrefor.sn equivalent um:runt

nny otiv-r fort of

aoin or currerok colnee or teuudd under tlle Inwei of the t:nited . 4„ntori,
ane bLall tewroupm. Coliver euo:i gold coin, co10 bnllton and
oertificatet to the ,J.eavurer of thy, Lnited

ilittec or tc a :Ettlern1

beck end reoolve ;Ja,riez-tt tliorolor.
':.enber

&loll deliver all Jp10 ooln, Told ;x1111,r-A nnd

oortificatou oonod t7:,- them to the "irennuror of the liited .J.atee
or to the ipderel resorve *Donk in their respective eietriote and
noosive credit or foment tteretor.
The Seereltery of the Treasury will .1o,y 011 reacrinable vests et

4

trenerorteti-m ot euel aold vd., o1u buUlen or vari oortifloPteso
Inaludl
;vete

the ()op% ov tnenrance, proteeti:Aa, zknd fuel; other incidental.
t7iay „ic reco(nlably neoecfArs up- n productim

evidence of

o: ;o.

orms or vcriohor for this wrpose riny be

proourod tror. edera) rr,;..3crve benkes




eatienotory

1•

tratt of Marsh 1To 19SS
I P. 44

Any individual* p*rtnorship* essoolation or serperatiam motes
cueh jold °min* ;104 bullion or i:old eertitlembse pri;a. to Marlb
147,, ond tell
3

$e.

to empty with the above requirements before

.4), tester* Standard Amos :Aare'. 31* MIN shall be subjeot is

a penalty equal to lei= the value of the gold twin* 'ell, bullion and
4ele /ortiriostes is realest of *deli sash tailor* oemurred.
Amy tedividnals partmershipp assoolation or earperatlin booming
the sumer at wq, snob geld seta.

g bullism'or geld sortitleates

de or otter Marsh OS. 11611, shell be =Wet to a like malty it
delivery ttierset is mob aide as above provided wet later them three
dire actor seek individuals pasitmership, asseolattas or sorperation
booms the —Sr thereat*
Is sae= vier, the delivery of geld (mime geld bullion or sold
oertitleates by the mows thereat *Uhl* the time set forth above
will involve extraordinary hardehtp, the Seerelsrly of the Treasury
may, is his dioeroties, extemd the time wiWds Aloft smOh delivery
met ho made. Appiimatiams tor =eh estemaleas mast be made in
roritiag =dor =Mho addressed to the Leorstory of the Treasury and
13.140 with sitWorsil Reserve Bank within the time set forth
above.
:Asnit applisatissis emit state the date to whisk the =tension is
..dssirede the ammat sod leoation or the geld coin. jold bullias
amd
geld ~Wiest= Is. reepeet of yid& =eh applioctiAn is mmde emd
the taste shamtmg extension to be assessor, to avoid extraerdimary
hftrdship6 the pomaltles above :;trovided shall net applr to emy
smear
of gold wino old bullion or zold sortifieatoo between the
ttme




4

Pratt at Marsh 17, 19$5
It P. M.
sr

at filing such an applieati= sue. three days atter sash comer
is
notified at the denial thereof, unless the Seeretary of
the Treasury
shall find that such applieation was net filed in geed
faith.
The prevision. at Ude order shall net apply to (1) gold
prior to renal.g eel steels at gold in ireeeons,61• oneunts tar
the
usual trade requirements at wears mining and refining such
olds
(2) geld twins having a reeognised special value to eolloetere
at
rare sod unusual mans; (I) mob asmost at geld as may be
reasonably required for legitimate sod quaternary use in
trade,
profeseion or arts (4) gold eplas and ma eertifieates in an
amount met exeeeding in the aggregate 0.0040
hamagift to air
one persons ($) gold authorised by the Seeretary of
the TressurY
be be exported from the Visited States; (6) geld between
mush time
as applioation for expert theme tram the United .tates is
filed
with the Seeretary of the ?Pessary and three days after
the
applisant is notified of the *OW st assilimpllestio
as (7) gold
imported late the United Stabile ter the paroles at
being retinal,
providad suah gold is exported or used in trade, profe
ssioa or art
within R rensNlabie time after the rennin there
at; or (4) geld
mans geld bullion or sold fortifies**s whiqk were owned
by
reeecnised foreign levernmemt er tondo eontral book prior
to
tareh 4, 101114
Thls esti*, shall soutinso tn ettoot until further
after by
the georetary of the Treasurys




Seeretary at the Treasnry•

March

al,

1933.

MIMORANDUM

Governor Clyde Herring of Iowa rang up from Des Moines about
six o'clock this evening and wanted to talk with Governor Meyer.

As

Covernor Meyer had just left the office, Governor herring, Whom I have
known for many years, talked with me.

The Governor said the people in

Des Moines would like to have a branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Chicago established there.

I told the Governor that I would tell Governor

Meyer and the Board about his call.




„

4

•

•

.....

••• •••

.

Ilene note
aid realm io GOYEaNOR.

L meeting of the Executive Committee of the Federal Reserve Board
was held in Washington on Thursday, March 30, 1933, at 10:30 a.m.
PRESENT:

Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.

Meyer, Governor
Hamlin
Miller
James

Ur.
Mr.
Er.
Mr.
Mr.
ALSO PRESENT:

Morrill, Secretary
McClelland, Assistant Secretary
Harrison, Assistant to the Governor
Wyatt, General Counsel
Paulger, Chief, Division of Examinations

Mr. C. R. McKay, Deputy Governor, Federal Reserve
Bank of Chicago

Governor Meyer stated that the Chairman of the Board had been advised
of this meeting, but that he was not expected to return to his office until
after 12:30 p.m.
He then referred to the investigation made by one of the Board's examiners in connection with certain irregularities in the Fiscal Agency Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

He requested Yr. McKay to

review, for the information of the members present, the history of his association with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and his present duties at the
bank, and to make a statement to the committee with regard to the subscriptions through the fiscal agency department to issues of Government securities
by officers, employees, and directors of the bank, the classification of such
subscriptions and th

allotment of securities thereunder.

L sempleto-yer-

lwatim stenographic reeertg-L McKay's statement, and the replies made by
him to questions asked by members of the Board and its staff, with regard to
various matters covered in the report of the investigation above referred to,
will be found in the Board's files.

At the conclusion of Mr. McKay's

testimony, it was stated that the transcript tkilitswe will be in the hands of
,
r"te--inAA,r,
the Board tomorrow morning, and he-wais-moviusa444-4e remain in Washington for




(
.-.0„,2 A•
cs:

‘,.."

A ic.e.v-2,...tA„

0,...t !
„ 0

L,

Aft

.• y•c

1.4.
2

r,
-•(t.

2u

3/30/33
tit& Purpose,of r..ck-uite!,

,a141

Before leaving the meeting, Yr. McKay stated that Mt. McDougal,
Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, is showing some improvement but is still too ill to be at the bank.
The Committee then considered and acted upon the following matters:
Letter to Er. Stevens, Federal Reserve itgent at Chicago, referring
to the Board's letter of January 13, 1933, in which the agent was advised
that the Board had no objection to his waiting an additional period of 60
days before submitting a recommendation for the appointnent of a receiver
for the City National Bank, Lansing, Michigan, which was absorbed by the
Capital National Bank of Lansing on December 26, 1931, and stating that as
It now appears that the Capital National Bank was placed in charge of a
conservator on March 23, 1933, and as the period of 60 days referred to
above has expired, it is suggested that the agent submit a further report
with respect to the probability of the City National Bank going into voluntary
liquidation in the near future, together with such recommendation as he may
desire to make as to the appointment of a receiver for the institution.
4proved.
Telegram to Mr. Stevens, Federal Reserve ;:gent at Chicago, replying
to Lssistant Federal Reserve Agent Young's letter of March 23, 1933, with
regard to the application of the St. Joseph Loan and Trust Company, South
Bend, Indiana, for permission to withdraw immediately from membership in
the Federal Reserve System. The reply stated that the Board waives the
usual requirement of six months' notice and that, accordingly, upon surrender of the Federal reserve bank stock issued to the trust company the
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is authorized to cancel such stock and make
a refund thereon.




Approved.

-8-

3/30/33

other provisions of the Federal Reserve .ct, and to the Act of March 24,
1933, providing for loans by Federal reserve banks to nonmember State
banks and trust companies on the security of eligible or ineligible
The reply further stated that the security accepted by the Re-

paper.

construction Finance Corporation for loans which it has made both to
member and nonnember banks has not been confined to paper which would
be eligible for discount by Federal reserve banks, and that the question whether the Federal Reserve ;,ct should be amended so that paper
eligible for discount may include finance company and other similar
paper is a matter of legislative policy for Congress to decide.
Approved.
Telegraphic reply to a telegram dated March 30, 1933, from Deputy
Governor Rounds of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, requesting authority to purchase from the First National Bank, Elmsford, New York,
$15,000 of tax notes of the Village of Elmsford.

The reply stated that

the Board authorizes the purchase with the understanding that the notes
meet all requirements of Regulation E except that the population of the
Issuing municipality is less than 10,000, the amount of the notes offered
exceeds 25% of the total outstanding warrants of the municipality, and
one of the potes offered, in the amount of 0,000, becomes due and payable

5

before t

tat-a.
date on which taxes can be paid without penalty.

A
Approved.
Mr. Morrill stated that Under Secretary of the Treasury Ballantine
had advised him that he is very anxious to learn of the Board's views
with regard to the change submdtted by him at the meeting yesterday in the
proposed executive order prohibiting the hoarding of gold, and it was




3/30/33

-9-

suggested that a meeting be held this afternoon for the purpose of giving
further consideration to the order.
:ccordingly, the meeting recessed and reconvened at 3:00 p.m.,
there being present the appointive members of the Board, Messrs. Morrill,
McClelland, Harrison, Wyatt, 3mead and Goldenweiser of the Board's staff,
and Under Secretary of the Treasury Ballantine.
There was a resumption of the discussion with regard to the effect
of the substitution for paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) in Section 2 of the
form of executive order recommended by the Board on March 25, 1933 of
the paragraph suggested by the Attorney General and presented by Yr.
Ballantine at the meeting yesterday.

It was pointed out that the substi-

tute would require the issuance by the Secretary of the Treasury of
licenses for all transactions referred to therein, including the holding
under earmark of cold which was earmarked or held in trust prior to March
6, 1933, the date on which the Proclamation of the President of the
United States, declaring a bank holiday, was issued, whereas-theHform-ef
4,rwil4I-a4.t—requtzta-such licenses. During the
ord-dr---approve&course of the discussion, Er. Miller suggested that the purposes sought
to be acccmplished by the chance proposed by the .Lttorney General might
be achieved in a more satisfactory manner by eliminating paragraph 2(e)
from the form of order as recommended by the Board; by transposing paragraphs 2(d) and 2(c); and at the same time changing the latter to read
as follows:




"Gold coin and bullion licensed for other legitimate
transactions (not involving hoarding) including gold coin
and bullion imported for reexport or held pending action on
applications for export licenses"

3/30/33

-10-

with a corresponding change in section 8 of the order, so as to contain
a reference to paragraphs (a), (c) and (d) of Section 2.

It was pointed

out by Mt. Miller that this change would make available gold coin and
bullion for legitimate transactions, both foreign and domestic, and would
exempt from the requirement of a license earmarked gold coin and bullion
held in this country on March 6, 1933, for recognized foreign governments,
foreign central banks, or the Bank for International Settlements.

During

the discussion Mt. Ballantine left the room to talk over the telephone
with Deputy Governor Burgess of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and
upon his return stated that Mr. Burgess had advised him that while the
New York bank prefers the form of order as approved by the Board, it
feels that the change suggested by the ,ttorney General is workable and
would permit the delivery of gold to meet obligations payable in gold;
also, that there is no strong objection to requiring a license covering
gold now held under earmark in this country.
Mt. Ballantine also stated that the Attorney General feels that
/- s,-,
-..)AW ' 41-0
4-,---4. "e"...,..- 4
,N
In* woulepermIt
-r•. a form of order which
t -4r-ellIrj

iinetperrpft would be acceptable to him; that the Secretary of the
easury is of the opinion that the President would accept the order in
such form, end he agreed that while Mr. Miller's suggestion perhaps
meets these requirements in a better way than the change suggested by

em' the Lttorney General, the former nskes no change in substance except that
it does not require the licensing of gold held under earmark at the

0A1A #

present time, and that in view of the expression of opinion from the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York that this does not appear to be an
important factor, he would like to follow the Attorney General's suggestion.




t-if
`

3/30/33

-li-

lt was expressed as the opinion of the members of the Board present
that the exception from the requirement of licenses of gold now held under
earmark is a very important consideration as it clearly demonstrates that
it is the intention of the order to preserve the sanctity of obligations
entered into before the holiday and leaves no doubt as to the validity and
status of earmark transactions entered into before that date. It was the
concensus that the form of order suggested by Mr. Miller should be submitted to the Attorney General for his consideration.
Attention was called to the assurance that was given privately, by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New "York under authority of the Secretary of
the Treasury, shortly after the bank holiday was declared, to foreign
central banks having earmarked gold in this market, and the Bank for International Settlensate, that the export of such gold would be freely
licensed, and it was siombei that the executive order in the form suggested by LI.. Miller would amount to a public statement of that assurance,
which would not be the case should the order be approved in the form suggested by the Lttorney General.
In a discussion as to the licensing of gold earmarked in the future,
Er. Ballantine stated that he thought the President feels that such transactions should be licensed, but that after the license is once issued and
the gold earmarked, it should be at the unlimited disposal of the institution for whose account earmarked.
Mr. Ballantine also stated that Er. Burgess had suggested that in
the light of the proposed changes in section 2, section 3 does not make
clear that the licensing of gold in the hands of the payor does not permit
the retention of the gold in the hands of the payee.




The matter was

3/30/33

-12-

discussed briefly and Mr. Wyatt was requested to prepare a revision of
section 3 to cover the point.
At this point Mr. Ballantine left the meeting.
At the request of Mt. James, Ur. Goldenweiser stated for the
record that during conversations (previously reported to the members
of the Board by Mr. Morrill) in which he had participated with Deputy
Governor Burgess of the Federal Reserve Bank ar New York and Under
Secretary of the Treasury Ballantine, at one time, and Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury Douglas, at another, Er. Burgess had stated
that he and Governor Harrison feel strongly that no licenses should be
granted for the export of gold until some arrangement has been made
with the Bank of England as to the course of action which England will
pursue regarding the stabilization of the pound and that such an arrangement might possibly be made some time this week.

Mt. Goldenweiser

made it clear that the statement by Mr. Burgess was intended to apply
only to gold earmarked in the future and not to gold now held under earmark.

He stated that he had disagreed with Mr. Burgess' statement, and

he suggested that the Board consider the advisability of recommending
to the Secretary of the Treasury that licenses for the export of gold in
legitimate transactions be granted very freely.
Mr. James stated that, in his opinion, the injection of an international question, as suggested by Mr. Burgess, into an endeavor to stDp
the hoarding of gold in the United States, at least entitles the Board to
an explanation as to why the officers of the New York bank should assure
a.„./ a:MX.44e
the responsibility for such sobilea, especially before consulting the

P

Board with regard to the matter.




-13-

3/30/33

Mt. Goldenweiser stated that he feels strongly that the issuance
of the proposed order is an emergency matter, which has nothing to do
*with the international gold standard, and that this situation cannot
properly be used as a lever in connection with the international situation.
The members of the Board appeared to agree with Mr. Goldenweiser's
statement, and there was further discussion of the matter, but no action
was taken.
Mt. Morrill stated that Mt. Stevens, Federal Reserve Agent at
Chicago, had called him on the telephone today and advised that the conservators and attorneys of two Michigan banks, together with the Superintendent of Banks of Michigan, had presented to Moll plan for reorganizing
the two banks which apparently involves what appears to Vser-eitevena to be
an important question of future policy as to whether banks in Michigan
reorganized in accordance with the plan will be permitted to continue as
members of the Federal Reserve System; that the representatives of the
banks are considering coming to Washington to present the situation to
the Board; and that Mt. Stevens is writing the Board about the matter.
Mt. Morrill also stated that he had advised Mr. Stevens that he would
present the matter to the Board but that he did not think the Board
raf.„1-,
would want to commit itself in any way until

)
As

„..A.--i

0

,„„.„....."--t-..
.
.
. 1-,...s.,-- -t
,0

e -- ct.
a a.41„,.41.., t
,-,

if ...,,

,..- 1, $....i

/tem-git,

,........_ " e4.0.......

t

AA*? if discussion, it was decided that if the representatives of
the banks come to Washington, they should be received by Mr. Paulger,
Chief of the Division of Examinations, for a thorough discussion of the
.matter, followlmAwhiab. Mr. Paulger would iimemant=lee=tite-Beeod-rer-494iesepEgiewv.-4- ,
,, t%. ,....e,ve
-,.„....„,
i Jvelr-ii,A,e,,,
I
/
,Ammeared47 -




3/30/33

-14-

Mt. Snead referred to the action taken at the meeting of the Board
on Uarch 21, 1933, with regard to the printing program for Federal reserve
bank notes, stated that upon taking the matter up with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing it was found that the completion of work in process
will bring the total printings of such notes up to approximately600,000,000 and suggested that in view of the situation the Board authorize
the completion of the notes now in process.

He also suggested that as

the Federal Reserve Park of Atlanta is in a position where, in the event
it is called upon to make a substantial additional amount of 10(b) loans,
it may be forced to issue Federal reserve bank notes, the Board approve
the printing of $19,200,000 additional of such notes for the /tlanta
4 30,000,000 and the total for
bank bringing the total for that bank up to 4
the System up to approximately $620,000,000.
After discussion, Mt. Smead's suggestions were approved.
Mr. Smead then referred to telephone advice which has been received
from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco that it might be called
upon at an early date to assist a large member bank in that district
through the extension of 10(b) loans, which are not eligible collateral
for Federal reserve notes. He stated that the member bank in question
may require this assistance because of transfers of funds which are being
made to other Federal reserve districts resulting in a loss of gold by
the Federal reserve bank through the gold settlement fund; that the Federal reserve bank is not able at the present time to substantially improve its position by rediscounting with other Federal reserve banks or
YY
the sale of Government securities; and that it may be fereel4wp lsue
Federal reserve bank notes and, also, request other Federal reserve banks
to rediscount notes representing advances to member banks under the




V

-15-

3/30/33

provisions of section 10(b). The c_uestion of the policy to be adopted
3
1 40.40,..t.(f.
in connection with the mime of Federal reserve bank notes, particularly
under circumstances such as those existing at the Federal reserve banks of
Atlanta and San Francisco, and the-fur4iwr-queo44sa efopeiwireAersii.me4Pr"g-

-serve• bnrk rediscounting See-amother. Federal reserve lank,notes representing 10(b) advances, were discussed but no action was taken.
Ur. Morrill then presented a letter dated March 28, 1933, from
Governor Black of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta stating that because of the limited banking facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Federal reserve bank is working on a plan whereby some of the larger notes
pledged as security for advances by the Federal reserve bank to the

East

Tennessee National Bank at Knoxville, which closed owing the Federal reserve bank approximately a,700,000, may be converted into direct loans
under the provisions of the last paragraph of section 13 of the Federal
Reserve ;ct as amended by the Act of March 9, 1933; that this action is
being contemplated for the purpose of aiding people in Knoxville who need
help now and for the purpose of keeping the notes alive instead of allowing them to become dormant; and that as the regulations of the Board do
not permit the use of the proceeds of such direct advances te pay off
indebtedness to other banking institutions without the approval of the
Board, it is requested that the Board permit the application of the plan
referred to to the Knoxville banks. In this connection Mr. James stated
that he had discussed Governor Black's suggestion with representatives of
the Knoxville bank, that they are contributing substantial sums in order
to effect a reorganization of the bank, and that he feels approval by the
Board of Governor Black's request would be of assistance in working out a
solution of the problems in Knoxville.




After discussion, the matter was referred to
Paulger for consideration and report to the Board.

Mr.




Posto.War Dekressions
Mr. Griswold:

02/33

Attached are charts showing business activity during
Post-Napoleonic War and Post-World 'iar periois.
The War of 1812 apparently terminated early in 1815#
the Napoleonic *;:tri: before mid-year* Aecordingly 1818 is used
in this chart as the beginning of the Post-Napoleonic period.
The World War terminated in November,1918, and 1919 io used as
the beginning of the :ost--Torld ::11r period.
The curves are thereforc appsrently not over uround
6 luonths from being strictly chronoloiically comparable.
You will note that when the depression began to lift
in 1929,business activity increased very rapidly aud was folloxed
by a long poriod prosperity. Precizely tho swno thing happened
in 1879.




1 t/

Wafri 3!fetaiir
lEttot arithirtti
7ativ Vorit

April 13, 19F3.

Mr. 7ugene Meyer,
Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y.
33 Liberty Street,
New York Cit,.
Dear Mr. Meyer:
I hope you will not consider it an
imposition for me to write you at this time, especially
in view of the fact that several years have passed since
I have been connected with your organization in Tall Street.
If some time in the near future you
should have an opportunity to place an office assistant,
may I ask that you keep me in mind?
Since the death of
my husband I have been the sole support of my two children,
and I am desirous of securing a position that will be sufficiently remunerative for three persons.
I should be glad to come see you, if I
may, to discuss the type of work which my qualifications
would cover.
Gratefully yours,
alL&74-

1

'•

APR 15 1933
mxtof

COTEBNOP '.;EYYPIPS PPSIGNiTION
l Feserve Act
It was not the intention of the framers of the Federa
each new Adminthat a new Covernor of the Reserve Board be appointed by
believed that
istration. On the contrary, it is hoped and, at the time,
on to the Federal
the Covernor should and could stand in much the sure relati
court. in theory, he
Covernment as does the Chief Justice of the Fupreme
ples as the Chief Justice
princi
ic
was to lead in the interpretation of econom
ples. Lest his
princi
legal
Is presumed to lead in the interpretatior of
of the politiranks
the
from
office beoore just another "job" to be filled
-appointed
other
the
of
that
cally elifible every tbur years, his term, like
ted
permit
l
remova
with
members of the eaerve Board, was set at ten years,
only for cause.
set up the
Nevertheless, despite the intention of the ConEress that
d out his duties with
'eserve :Istem and despite the fact that he has carrie
lugene 'Aeyer to resign
no thoueht of partisan politics, the decision of -r.
his policies have
gh
-1theu
wise.
seems
as Governor of the .eserve Neard
outspoken advocates
most
the
of
one
been
been far-sighted --tr. eyer has
ith his
vative.
a
conser
ially
essent
of a single banking system -- he is
inevitlmost
would
on
fricti
backrreund and with his natural sympallass,
on.
strati
Admini
new
ably have developed between ,r. Meyer and the
ics as
Had the ideal of a Federel eserve Eoard actinf toward econom
vative
conser
a
cal,
the Ouprene Court acts toward the law proved practi
progressive AdCovernor would perhaps have been a desirable balance to z.
Covernor bee
:i.nistration. But as the .eserve 'ystem bra developed, the
=2:or duties
become more and more of an administrative officer, one of whose
on. Thus to
Is to put into effect policies determined by the Administrati
the various rer. Meyer is due a considerable :le-azure of the credit for
devise them,
helped
He
n.
tratio
dLinis
flationary measures of tne hoover
was responsiblc
he
,
ertent
large
a
t.)
he fought for them before ConfresF, and,
for the way they operated.
or of the eserve
In the circunstarces, for him to /rave remained as Covern
whose financial
lt,
Koard would have been unwise and unjust to . resident ooseva
ersor. iietTillf helped
poli-ies are martedly different from those of his predec
to the Ld- inistrato place the Federal reserve foerd in a aceer relationship
duty of ,r. 'eyer
tion tn the sponsors of the yeti intended, it was the
in using that
desire
may
he
as
hand
a
free
to pernit President .00sevelt as
ized and
recogn
'eyer
r.
.,-hat
Sslationship to further his own policies.
sness that
entiou
consci
the
of
e
acted upon the situatlon is further evionc
.
public
the
has Parked his lonf end devoted service to
(From Hartford (coin.)




mrant, April 14, 1933)

Ur. t;rsne reoorts that two statmlante Nov clomp over the
tioker
la the nature of unofficial statortents resulting apparently
frog press
oonferenees filth the

resicionto

Me New York Vows Ivreau states that the Pissid
ein limo state

that

any attempts to vtabilise the 'aeries* dollar have
teat etaMieMed. Until
other nations with donotod ourrosoloo retura
to the laid standout, the
dollar will have to taloo ogre of Itself. No sore
gold will be exported

abroad *loop, that me oommorkod flir remiss govor
omato.




/1.7friy.
44rze
4k..4vh*d.

dsam
4/...t.„41-0,40644A.
Qt

%k4

444144.4.44.
4h44,444
tP

1*41 ik444n.

FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD
WASH I NGTON

Itat-e--7A




C#22-ea,t4A)64fr-•
Cc/b1,1_ 3/ /733

it/07,c, wt. Ec_014.
e ke_ i-ecLeAL.i.
ci
&-cc_ca_
1 1 1 ) a,t.t,
/

anAik

a. Jt.Ltic
(IIp_-0

ot,t4&_

cA.Ay

)

-

LtArtA-c-difdi,
kc-‘-u-e- 1442-c-a-

tr-L-

tA,t
LAcrvt-L4LjO

ia-&)Uth.0-1/4.Z

II

itd•
u
)
-0,cA




cdo-t-L'
c14--ie.t,7
-LX4A;)

cAta_
Le)

14A,u`-44x-

c9-4-c
-"L

L;lilI VLD

APR 28 1933
•.Rrlofit
• - --)JARD

•