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Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Form P. R. 567 END SHEET KINO OF MATERIAL OR NUMBER 333*-b-l name o r s u b je c t Open Market Investment Committee Open Market Operations DATES ( I n c l u s i v e ) 192i* - 1925 PART NUMBER Part 2 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 1*B V FILES SEC9I0I r £ B -11944 Botes oa Beooameadations of tbe 0. M. iITfT BCte Is 1/5/25 Deoiaion to aell secur It lei to prevent undue eaae In money conditions aa far aa coaid be dona without disorganising the market by commuiloatlon with member* of tha Ooraslttee. (p.27) Hote Is 1/9/25 Coamlttee voted to atand ready to aate further aalea aa aenned neoeaaary to prevent andosTease iiTthe market. (p.27) Sote 2* Z/Zb/ZB Eote 3$ 4/6/26 Committee voted, "under authority now vested la It",* to Inoreaae It a holdlnra m? to gpTymrlmately §300,000,000 aa aad when the maricet conditions warrant la view of gold movement a. lote 4s 5/21/25 the minute a of the April 30th meeting of the 0. M* I* 0. (at which ««ly readjusting apportionments is the account waa conaidered) ware submitted to Board, who voted that tte Committee be advised that (1) it waa noted that (ggZlmrchaees had been made aa propoaed oa 4/6/25, aad (2) that l*Wre making parohaaea to increase tha aggregate of tha aeoonat the proposal be submitted for Board oonaider*t ion. Bote 5s lote 0* M* 1* 0* in Joint meeting with Board aaggested aelllng aecuritiea to bring tba S. I. aooount down to .^OO ,000,000 in or der to prevent undue eaae la oaae of continued flow of funda to H* T* Anticipated heavy spring demand a for foads aad probable large gold exports seemed to Indicate the neoeaaity of an early review of tha aitu&tlon. fha Board todc no aotloa oa the proposed program but the ex* pressed views of individual members wave not contrary• 5/29/25 Tha Board voted to approve request of 0. H. I* c. to mtika parohaaea replacing 115,000,000 of §31*000,000 held ia the account maturing Jane 15, 1925, the remalaiag £16,000,000 to be porohaaed after that date. 6s 6/24/25 fha 0. M. I* C. voted to (1) authorize aale to Bank of England of Treasury oertifloatea maturing Sept* 15, 1925 in amount of $2,000,000, aad further aalea up to the total holdiaga of this maturity amounting to $5,000,000, the porpoae being to prevent employment la tha I* T. maitot of a balance obtained by tie Bank of England through purohaae of gold from another foreign bank, and to prevent employment of any farther balance that the bank might aoqairej (2} to aell #10,000,000 of fhlrd Liberty Loan --- ---- bond a to tha Treasury.________________________ ____ _____________ * >e Bote 8, 11/12/24 (2J. V L- Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -2- Hote 7s 9/22/25 The Couiaittoe report, which made reoomnendations regarding the distribution of acceptance and security holdings, suggested that tho situation called for a careful consideration of t e dis t) count rate position rather than open market operations* At a meeting of tho Board, Sept* 29, 1929, the desirability of unking* sales from the 3* I* aooount to be followed by an inorease in the U* T* discount rate n a discussed* It appeared that most of those present were not in agreement with this proposed aetion* Kote 8s II/2 /2 6 The Coranitteefs report to the Governors Confersnoe re 00 mmended that the aooount bo maintained at its present size In or der to be prepared to deal with any emergency situation, and sue** gested that the next step should consist of changes in discount rates rather than open-uiartoet holdings* II/2 3 /2 5 fhe Board approved in general the report of 11/2/25 but advised that it desired an immediate meeting "to consider whether changed conditions did not moke a change in the open xnaifeet policy *** desirable”* It also voted that the question of allowing Dec* 15 maturities of Government securities to run off without replacement be referred to the Comaittee* l f t 9t ite 12/1/25 At a Joint Meeting of the Board and 0* M* I* C* it was de cided that the $36*000,000 of Treasury certificates maturing Dec* 15 should be replaced by other maturities* A discussion of the credit situation followed at which it was the concensus of opinion that the turn of the year should be awaited before advancing the 1* T* discount rate, and which inirht prove the appropriate time for sale of some of the 0* H« 1* 3* holdings* This reooraaend&tlon was approved by the Board 12/2/25* Bote 10s 12/21/25 The Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Hew York (Chairman of the 0* B* I* C*} advised that he was authorised by the directors of his baafe to purchase *50,000,000 of securities, and that when the purchases were made they would be for the S* 1* account, the approval of Ooe<tee members having been obtained* On 1 2 /2 2 /2 5 Chairman of the Comittee advised the Board that £16,000,000 had been contracted for which would be carried in the Hew YoUc Bank portfolio if the Board disapproved the Canmittee9s recommendation* After a discussion of the matter the Board ap proved the Coesnlttee*8 purchase of from' -25,000,000 to $50,000,000 of securities* r-” ■ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives */ ■— 1 $ 3 Resolved, That the B o a M approve* in its general f e a t u t e a r e p o r t of the Open Market Investment Cammittee as a report in relation to conditions on November 2nd,) Since that time, however, the B oargjaaf ft approved increases in the discount rates of four of the Federal Reserve bank® and now believes that the time has come for a further meeting in the near future of the Open Market, Investment Committee to consider whether government securities maturing on December 15th should not be allowed to run off without being replaced or their maturity anticipated by the saj^e of <small amounts frcm ..eek to week so far as possible* V Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives "3 *5 It R ep ort o f th e Chairman o f th e Open Market Investm ent Committee t o the Governors Conference^ November 2, 1 9 2 5 . S in ce the l a s t governors c o n fe re n c e the S p e c i a l Investm ent A ccou n t of the system has been reduced by 35 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s , from 245 m i l l i o n to 210 m illio n . T h is re d u c tio n has ta k e n p la c e g r a d u a lly i n co n n e ctio n w ith th e r e demption o f m aturing i s s u e s a t q u a r t e r l y t a x days, o c c a s i o n a l s a l e s to th e T re a s u ry fo r t h e i r accommodation, and a s a l e to the Bank o f England amounting to 4 m illio n d o lla r s . The gradu al r e d u c t io n in th e p o r t f o l i o has been in keep in g with th e p o l i c y o f m a in ta in in g th e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f th e d is c o u n t r a t e s o f ^ th e R eserve Banks by i n s u r in g a round amount o f borrowing by member banks in / p rin cip a l c i t i e s . C r e d it C ond ition s The changes in b u s in e s s and c r e d i t c o n d it io n s s in c e l a s t s p rin g have c re a te d a s i t u a t i o n which i s most unusual and most p e r p le x in g fo r th e d e te rm in a t i o n o f Feder a l Reserve p o l i c y . When we met in A p r il dom estic b u s in e s s was e x p e r ie n c in g some s l i g h t r e c e s s io n from the g r e a t a c t i v i t y o f th e e a r l y s p r in g . T h is was more t r u e in c e r t a i n ty p e s o f i n d u s t r i a l a c t i v i t y than in the g e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n o f goods. The r e c e s s i o n did n o t prove to be s e r io u s and in the p a s t two months t h e r e have been i n d i c a t i o n s o f an i n c r e a s e in a c t i v i t y and g r e a t e r b u s in e s s optim ism . V ario u s in d exes o f the t o t a l volume o f b u s in e s s i n d i c a t e t h a t b u s in e s s has been above what we may c a l l norm al, o r average, c o n d itio n s fo r th e e n t i r e year* The con s t r u c t i o n i n d u s tr y and the autom obile i n d u s tr y have been p a r t i c u l a r l y a c t i v e . B u s in e s s appears g e n e r a l l y to be in h e a l t h y c o n d it io n . buying has in c r e a s e d somewhat l a t e l y i t While forward c o n tin u e s to be g e n e r a l l y c o n s e r v a t i v e . Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Commodity prices are firm but there are as yet no considerable price increases* Looking into the future the features in the business situation which offer possibility of later disturbance appear to be: 1* The automobile industry evidently now has a capacity and annual rate of production which is greater than the growth in the population or the increase in the domestic demand for cars can support for any extended period* We are approaching a ^saturation _point in that industry, unless exportfs"ihcrease with great rapidity. 2. The building industry is now operating at a pace which cannot be continued indefinitely* The war years left us with a shortage in homesIt is clear that most of that short age has now been made up and that sometime, perhaps within the next year or two, there will of necessity be a diminution in new building construction and in the activity of the industries which are concerned with new building. This will naturally be accompanied by a slowing up in real estate speculation, which is now active in many places. 3. There has been for some years past a steady increase in installmea;L_buying. involving the •nledge of future income and the building up of what we may call, consumer inventories. It is clear that this has created a situation in which any extended period of unemployment or any change in psychology might lead to a considerable diminution of activity in those industries serv ing the consumer directly. In none of these three directions is there any evidence of an immediate change in the situation. The prospect is for sound substantial business at a high level for some months to come, but it is equally clear that the presence of these uncertain factors makes the continuance of a conservative temper in busi ness most desirable. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 Stock Market The stock market appears to offer a fourth element of possible inP*'— — stability in the b u s i n e s s .situation . for stock market movements have a wide spread psychological influence. The most serious element about the recent stock market movement is the possibility of a later recession in prices which might add impetus toward business reaction. There are a number of indications that a part of the recent increase in stock market prices is due to fundamental changes in values, but it is also possible that the swing of prices may now have gone beyond a level which can be maintained permanently. Credit Requirements Hie growth in business activity has been accompanied by an increase of currency circulation of 100 million dollars since the end of April and by an in crease of about 300 million dollars in commercial loans of banks- This is larger than the usual seasonal increase and has come somewhat earlier in the year than usual . In addition, loans on stocks and bonds show an increase of 300 million, which represents largely the placing of additional money market. funds into the stock exchange The net result is an increase of 600 million dollars in total bank credit advanced by weekly reporting member banks, outside of an increase which may have occurred in other banks. This increase has been made possible by an increase of about 250 million dollars in borrowings from the Federal Reserve Banks. At the same time the non-reporting banks in smaller cities have decreased their b orrowings slightly. Accompanying this additional borrowing at the Federal Reserve Banks there has been an increase since April of about l/2 of 1 per cent or more in the various open market mo»ey rates • The figures are shown in the accompanying table and in the two diagrams in the appendix: Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 4 Credit Changes Since knril , 192 5 (dollar figures in millions) Apr *29 Bills (90 day) Commercial Paper ( 4 - 6 mos.) C/I’s (3 moe.) (6 mos • ) Oct >14 Chan ge ♦ 3/8 + 1/2 + .84 + .79 3 l/8 4 2.71 2 .73 3 l/2 4 1/4-4 l/2 3.55 3 «52 $ 400 243 24 345 4 $ 644 255 32 314 22 ♦ 8 - 31 + 18 1.028 1.376 +248 8 *354 4.878 5.484 8.673 5.192 5.462 + 319 + 314 22 Total Loans and Investments 18.716 19.327 +611 47 2 „ 162, 155 22 ...291- +108 211 468 +257 189 176 - 13 Earning Assets Federal Reserve Ban kji Discounts and Advances "Bills Owned Bills Sales Contract U. S. Securities Owned U . S . Securities Sales Contract Total Bills and Securities Loans and Investments Weakly. RftB.er.ting. M.qmfrjar ffanfca Commercial Loans Loans on Stocks and Bonds Investments Hes$r,ve, Banka, By weekly reporting member banks in: New Vork City Chicago Other principal cities Total principal cities By non-reporting banks outside principal cities (March l) Money in circulation 4.725 +244 + 12 + 20 +129 (O c t . l) 4.827 +102 Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 5 Gold Movement While money rates have been moving upward l/2 of 1 per cent or more in this country, they have moved lower in London by about 1 per cent and the Bank of England has reduced its rate one per cent from 5 to 4 per cent. weeks rsttres in London have become slightly firmer. In recent The result of higher rates here and lower rates in London has been that considerable American balances which had been placed in London have returned to this country, and there has been a gold movement from London to New York of about 40 million dollars, partially off set by a movement of 21 million dollars from this country to Canada* The movement from London is slightly larger in amount than was customary in the fall in the years before the establishment of the Federal Reserve System. It is clear that the relative level of interest rates in this and in foreign countries is an important influence on gold movements. If our interest rates reach higher levels without a corresponding increase in London, a larger gold movement to this country may be stimulated. European Situation ' ' e general recovery in European business and credit conditions is, under fh present circumstances, facilitated by low money rates in this country. V/ith industry abroad below normal activity and struggling against high taxes and the necessity for many readjustments, the actual cost of money is an important factor in England and the European countries. In many of these countries, moreover, the s u n p ly of working capital is insufficient. As long as our extension of credit abroad either in the form of short-term or long-term credit is for productive pur poses a considerable flow will be beneficial to the recovery of Europe and will re act favorably upon our own trade. This flow is encouraged by low money rates. '.Tith Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 6 the finances of Europe in unstable condition email changes in credit conditions may have large results one way or another, and it is clear that this country has a definite responsibility to determine its monetary policy with some regard * o b the effects of such policy outside of our own borders. Recommendati ons these are the outstanding facts in the broad credit situation* doCgcrfo seem to indicate the need for any change in our open market policy« They Mith the member banks in principal cities substantially in debt at the Reserve Banks there is little to be gained in the sale of securities for the purpose of making discount rates more effective. The influence of our rates is now felt on a considerable body of borrowing and if it appears desirable the next step should possibly consist in changes in discount rates, rather than changes in open market holdings.. It also seems desirable to maintain the present account at at least its present size that we may be prepared to deal with any emergency situation* The committee, therefore, is not prepared to recommend at present any change in our holdings of securities* Quarterly Tax Day Operations The June and September tax days furnished additional opportunity for studying the need for special operations with the investment account to prevent any unusual and temporary ease in money, nt the June tax date sales of 51 mil lion dollars were made early in the tax day period, with the very satisfactory re suit that money rates remained at a constant level throughout the entire period, the September period sales to the market did not appear to be necessary because of unusually large receipts relative %o disbursements by the government and a considerable volume of rediscounts* No sales were therefore made and there was At r Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 7 some easing in money rates for a few days. The experience of these two tax days would appear to indicate* that it is usually desirable to make temporary sales to the market early in the tax day period. Turn of the Year Last January it was.found desirable to make sales of about 150 million dollars of securities to take up the seasonal slack in credit resulting from tne return of Christmas currency-and the usual seasonal flow of funds to money centers This coming yearend it appears likely that city banks will be so largely in debt at the Reserve Banks that slack will be mostly taken up by the liquidation of dis~ counts. Such liquidation is frequently a little slow, however, and if credit con ditions remain as at present it would be undesirable to have the banks out of debt. It will, therefore, be well to consider some temporary purchase of securities at the time of the Christmas currency demand to be sold in January. The wisdom of such a policy cannot be determined far in advance. Method of Apportionment During the past few months further study has been made of the methods of apportioning purchases of bankers acceptances in the light of current earnings and expenses. banks, The principle has been adopted of apportioning acceptances among the on basis of estimated expens®s and dividends of the banks; and second, after these have- been provided for, to apportion the remainder on the basis ^ ' of required earnings to meet losses and ordinary chargeoffs as far as possible. The present estimate appears to indicate that.the earnings of the banks for the year will be sufficient to cover all expenses and dividends and to cover the major part of chargeoffs as well. Included in exhibits attached are tables reflecting Government security and bill transactions and distributions by the Committee during the year. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 8 INDEX OF EXHIBITS A. Statement Showing Transactions in the System Special Investment Account Since Last Governors Conference in April 1925. B. Statement Showing System Purchase! of Bankers Acceptances from January 2, 1925, to October 21# 1925, and their Allotment to Participating Banks. C. Chart of Earning Assets of All Federal Reserve Banks Showing Discounts for Banks in Principal Cities and Outside of Principal Cities. D. Chart of Money Hates in New York. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives EXHIBIT "A* STATEMENT SHOWING TRANSACTIONS IN THE SYSTEM SPECIAL INVEST!-!ENT ACCOUNT SINCE LAST GOVERNORS’ CONFERENCE IN APRIL 1925 Holdings March 31, 1925 Purchases: April 14 Tl 15 n May 11 June 11 H 21 4 4 10 12 12 Market Portfolio ) F.R.B,Chicago) Market $245,203,500 3/8$ T/N duo Doc, 15/25 4 4 4 4 4 i« ti it 11 11 15 15 Forei gn Ace*t 26 Market Sept, 10 I 15 b ' » July Aug, n 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 4 3/8$ T/N 3/4$ T/N 1/2$ T/N 3/4/o T/N 3/4$ T/N 3/4$ T/N 1/4/c T/N 3/4/o T/N 3/4$ T/N 3/4$ C/I C/I 3/ < ” 3 /4 % c/i " $ 4 ,000,000 " " Mar* 15/26 June 15/25 Mar, 15/26 Mar. 15/27 Mar, 15/26 Sepi,15/26 Mar, 15/26 Mar, 15/26 Sept,15/25 693,100 1,063,400 5,200,000 15,000,000 5 ,000,000 5.000.000 3,500,000 1.000.000 2,000,000 350,000 375,500 11,965,700 Mar, 15/26 Total purchases - - - - - - - - 60.147,700 ;305,351,200 S 3I! April 15 « 21 May June i f 4 15 24 " 24 & 29 July 15 Aug, 11 Sept* 10 1 15 1 Market C/I C/I n TAJ Treas«~Redemp* T/N Foreign Acc't C/I Treas, a/c APC 4 1 /4 ; 3rd Market T/N c/x Foreign Acc*t Treas,-Redemp. C/I Treas*-Sink,Fd* 4 1/4*5? 3rd 1 1 $ Dec. 15/25 Sept,.15/25 Dec. 15/25 June 15/25 Sept.15/25 L,L • due Dec. 15/25 t Sept ,15/25 i i t 1 15/25 1 L.L # due » * « i f » 918,500 5,200,000 20,000,000 31,132,700 2,000,000 15,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 1 5 „100TQ00 95,351,200 Total Sales ■ ! Balance Holdings October 21, 1 9 2 5 - - - - - _ _ - - - - - - - - - - 5210,000,000 (Net Profit on sales amounted to $128,117,25) PARTICIPATION AND MATURITIES OF SYSTEM HOLDINGS CLOSE OF BUSINESS OCTOBER 21,1925 Participation Boston $ 1,985,000 51,427,000 Nev/ York Philadelphia 1,565,000 Cleveland 11,651,500 Ri chmond 4,102,500 12,097,000 Atlanta Chicago 22,010,500 St, Louis 13,872,500 Minneapolis 9,020,000 Kansas City 20,844,000 Dallas 22,143,500 San Francisco 34.281.500 1210 , 000,000 Maturities Ratio 0,9$ 24,5$ 0,$ 8 5.5$ 2 . 0$ Dec, March Sept, March Dec, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 1925 1926 1926 1927 1927 4 4 4 4 4 3/ 8$ T/N 3/4$ 1/4$ 3/4^ 1/2$ T/N T/N T/N T/N $ 38,160,100 75,266,700 40,401,000 23,875,900 32,296,300 5.8$ 10,5$ 9.0$ 4.3$ 9.9$ 10.5^ 16.3?, 100$ $210 ,000,0 00 Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives EXHIBIT ”B! f S'TWT'FKW1 SHOEING S Y S T M PURCHASES OF BANKERS ACCEPTANCES FROM JANUARY 2, 1925 ’ . _____ TO OCTOBER 21, 1925 AND THEIR ALLOTMENT TO PARTICIPATING BANKS________ _ _ Purchases 0 Boston 157,089,000 Participations 0 173,804,000 New York 866.314.000 173.320.000 Philadelphia 107.778.000 107.778.000 Cleveland 28.697.000 108,924, COO Richmond 14.588.000 44.593.000 68.868.000 * Atlanta 9.219.000 Chicago 54.739.000 166.482.000 111,000 76.220.000 St. Louis Minneapolis 0 81.807.000 * Kansas City 0 91, 557,000 * 1.278.000 Dallas San Francisco Totals * Does not include sales from i t » » » » m » ♦ m » • « h m « M « » M u » « « « » 63.730.000 * 41.886.000 124.596.000 01,281,699,000 ( 1 281, 699,000 ;, New York portfolio to Atlanta « » * » « » jKansas City » » « * » Dallas St. Louis " ” Minneapolis » t * ♦ » * » Dallas « of 013,183,000 ” 5.021.000 5,000,000 H 3.271.000 1 1 ’ * 3.192.000 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives EXHIBIT "C M MILLIONS 19 2.4 • 19R.5 , Total ISurnint; ^sset.-*; Bills Discounted ior Bunks in Principal Citioo ana Outside Principal Cities by tho Foderal Reserve Bunks • rfrStn the U n e llW c l / D lW ifie d Holdings of m EXHIBIT W D" 19£2, 192-3 Money Butea in the Hew 19 2.4 Y o r k ik la r k e t 1925 T «vb rn An* QF PISTRIBUTIQN OF BILLS AND INVESTMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS SINGE LAST GOVERNORS1 CONFERENCE. APRIL 1925 t X (1) March 3 1 , 1925 Estimated Expenses & Dividends 1925 ■ Boston New York Philadelphia Cleveland $2 , 5 0 , 0 0 0 5 Estimated Earnings for Year "Over or Shofrt" of Estimated Expenses i Dividends 996,394 NOTE: (2) October 31, 1925 Estimated Expenses & Dividends 1925 Estimated Earnings for year in Excess of Estimated Expenses and Dividends $8 ,6 9 2 , 0 0 0 $2 ,7 6 9, 000 $3,529,000 971,192 405,309 424,300 Richmond . Atlanta Chicago St, Louis Minneapolis Kansas City $1,896,000 $1,549,000 $4,756,000 $1,953,000 $1 , 3 2 , 0 0 0 4 23*000 301,070 656,364 633,390 Dallas San Francisco $2 , 7 , 0 0 0 17 $1 , 1 8 , 0 0 0 5 $3 , 319,000 * 36,137,000 333,176 289,767 290,000 1 ,327,687 Net 255,469 Total This estimate shows but 5 banks meeting all estimated expenses and dividends (excluding charge-offs) while 7 banks are deficient. 2,578,000 8 , 00,000 6 2,856,000 3 , 6 4 ,0 00 5 1,920,000 531,550 1 ,684,883 3 19, 12 0 488,813 338,581 1,247,000 404,567 4 , 9 2 ,0 00 6 1,884,000 1 , 68,000 3 2,240,000 1,466,000 3 , 9 2 ,0 00 1 35,607,000 49 9, 56 5 252,494 174,166 179,197 23 3, 55 6 544,986 5, 651,478 184,986 1,361,993 1^.289^481 NOTE: This estimate shows all twelve banks meeting all estimated expenses and dividends (excluding charge-offs). (3) 72,572 246^48 120,6 13 Total $ 531,550 *1,684,883 -2.J.. 17,M7 404,503 Estimated Charge-offs 1925 Estimated Earnings "Over or Short” of Estimated Charge-offs$ 28,666 145,500 128.960 96,522 137.034 — 160^000 * 252,494 * 174,166 * 179,197 t 233,556 * 54 4, 9 86 * 5, 651,478 123,300 139,972 542,520 714,000 5.850.272 # 169,014 * 1,817,991 Charge-offs not covered 246,826 197,794 333.756 ._1JZ&*SBL of Year Net Earnings October 31, 1925 2,016,785 368.200 24,581 314.000 184,294 - 220JJ X 401.616 | 319,120 * 488,813 * 338,581 $ 404,567 * 499,565 853.000 2 8. 00 0 192.000 235.000 885.236 600.197 1,210,000 $ 831,883 * 291,120 96,813 * 103,581 *100,632 **957,506 * $480,669 97,949 56,953 195.541 * 50,866 50,237 * 39,225 **308,964 x Due to reserve position Dallas is not at present participating in bills and St. Louis ia only participating to the extent of 5%. Reproduced fro th Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of th National Archives m e e ^ U Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 7 ^ fcxeetrtive f o hter Date,; ■■ “ r %.. f w w ^ iu.Jnfw»» c a s w i hU b m i 'j Qotober 9f 1926. My dear Mr, Mftttesoa* Wxl* will Aoknovladgft reoeipt of yoar of statement •ho»lag tht yiUoi of distribution of System open market parohases. Viijr traly yoars,^ ( « * » • * ) D. D« &• Crissla^ir , aavwaojr. Mar* W. B« Mattesoaf Secretary, Opan Market Investment Ooamittee, federal fieterve Bunk, lew York, I , I , If Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL OF RESERVE NEW OCT 9 ,1925 BANK J V VORK October 5 OJrFiGM O . X' * jLjJW O B ? 1925 , S i r : For your inform ation. I am en closin g aj copyii^jI |y — ’ ■I» l< . iI i I llW W iof h W ¥ leiter\ w h ich i s being sent to-day to the governors o f a l l the Federal re se rv e banks, to g e th e r with statem ent re fe rre d to th e re in showing the r a t i o s of d is trib u tio n of System open market purchases based on figures rep o rted to th e Comaittee as of September 3 0 , 1925* S e c re ta ry , Open Iferket Investment Committee Honorable D* H« C rissin g e r, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. E n c l. (2 ) STATEW T SH W G DISTRIBUTION O SYSTEk O SN O IN F PEN kARKET PURCHASES (AFTER PROVIDING FOR EXPENSE A D DIVIDEND REQ N UIREi>nEN T3) _______________ PRO-RATED A RD G TO CHARGE-OFF REQUIREM CCO IN ENTS. BASED O FIGURES REPORTED SEPTEM N BER 30, 1925 ........................ (2) (3) Average Earning Assets Held Four V«eeks Ending Seot. 30/25 D istribution of Earning Assets Held i f Amount in Excess of Re quirements for Expenses and Dividends Were Pro-rated to Charge-of fs (I) Estimated Charge-offs 1925 Boston N York ew Philadelphia Cleveland Richmond A tlanta Chicago St. Louis Minneapo3.is Kansas City Dallas San Francisco Totals 127,047 853,000 28,000 392,000 235,000 885,236 600,197 1 ,210,000 123,300 326,772 542,520 708,000 $6,031,072 $ 76,679.000 296,761,000 89,442,000 111 , 916,000 6 4,1 0 3 ,0 0 0 5 9,682,000 123,917,000 64,675,000 47,209,000 6 1,322,000 50 , 251,000 119.643.000 # 1,165,600,000 $ 60, 802,000 187.971.000 64.410.000 94.031.000 44.693.000 93 . 803.000 152.753.000 1 44.798.000 M Proportionate Excess of Average Earn ing Assets (Column 2 Less Column 3) * 15,877,000 108,790,000 25 , 032,0 00 17,885,000 19.410.000 84*637,000 78,936,000 122.878.000 0 0 0 11.321.000 0 0 __________0 ^1,165,600,000 #198 , 315,000 35,888,000 (6) (5) Proportionate Deficiency of Average Earn ing Assets (Column 3 Less Column 2)___ 4 Ratios for^ Current D istribution to Banks Showing Deficiencies. 0 0 0 0 0 34 . 121.000 28. 836.000 17/o 80.123.000 41$ 14$ 0 23 . 315.000 12$ 28.685.000 14$ 3.23«^0Qft _______ 2 2 s #198,315,000 100$ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Ooj>y of this letter tent to the Governor of each book '......, - A October 6 , 19SJ5 Hr. W P. a. Harding, . Governor, Federal Reeerve Bonk of Boston, Boston, &fcse. Door Governor Hording: la 11*0 with tho notion taken at tho l*st tatoting of tho O pon &rket Inveetaent Cocusittoo to oftke distribution of opon o&rket purchases to «oW , firs t, expenees and dividends, and second, to provide thereafterfor ostltaatod chargo-offs ae ootaplately a« possible, tho aocotspanying itntooost hoc boon pre pared for tho purpose of 0hawing in principle how tho distribution will bo offootod. Kernings of e ll reserve bonks to September 30, 19^5, have exceeded the aootntt required to cover ourrent oxponooo and dividends to that dr.to . According to present indications, inootse for this year for the twelve banks will be approx imately 13,000,000 nore than tho amount required for expenses and dividends, or an anount sufficient to oover approxlnately one-half of the estiaated charge-offs. It is proposed, therefore, to distribute future pttrohaoee of bills in such a w ay as to reeult is a pro rota dietrlbation of tho oxoooo earnings as nearly ao pos sible in aooord with tho ootlwtod oharge-offs. It will bo noted that the present schedule provides for tho allotment of billo to but six banks. Inasauch, however, as tho oix banks that will be currently participating will have O taring b ills, i t b is expected the eituetlon will quite rapidly correct itse lf, 00 that i t will be neooosary to ooke ebongee froo tine to tine in tho ratio of distribution. A heretofore, you will be advised daily of such allotments as are c*de o to you. j- , J o .. / - 2 4 l gn0X_ (x) Very truly youre, W B. ihttoMB . Secretary. 0p«* ifrrket Investaeni Cot-utities Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives VE NEW BANK OFFICE OF THE 0-OVEENOR VORK ". k September 1 0 , 1925. Dea^ Governor C rissin g er: For your inform ation, 1 m i s being sent enclosing copy of l e t t e r which to-day to the governors of a ll the Federal reserve banks together with statement referred to therein showing the earning position o f the d iffe re n t banks a t th e d o s e of business August 51, 1925, as r e •i nf i i --m - n -r-iiU i mi ~ f n nr T nr|TT ported to th e Open Market Investment Committee. yours, T J . H. Case Acting Chairman, Open Market Investment Committee Ends. (2) Honorable D. R. C ris singer, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives September 10, 1926 • Dear G o v e r n o r ----------- : fijel©©ed y m will find statement showing the condition of the Federal rwserve beaks as regards at the end of August and estim ates of e<*r&iria 6 and expenses for the b&leuoe o f the year, from which you *111 note th et the estimated darning8 over sad above c o rre c t expeaaee (exclusive of ch arge-offs) show a net excess of over ♦* ,800,000. You w ill aloe not© th at the to ta l of the estia&ted charge-offs is approx imately $5,800,000, salting en estimated net shortage, taking the ch arge-offs into con sideration, of about 5 B illio n doll ere. The federal Reserve sank of St. Louie - due to its r e la tiv e ly low reserve position - ig ]5 o^ a t present particip a tin g in the System prAifes. Fro* the statement you will observe that the regular expenses and dividends appear to be amply provided for and with the alaoet assured prospects of increased earnings for the balance of the year it seesis aot unreasonable to believe that System earnings will be adequate to provide for all expenses including the estiaated charge-offs. In line with the established procedure of the Ooaalttee it is proposed, be- ginning October first, to revise the percentage ratios for the distribution of open market investments during the last three aonthe of the year in such a Banner as to provide for the estimated charge-offs. Very truly yours, J. S. Case Acting Chaim an, Open ■arket Investment Committee STATEfiuENT SHOVING ESTIMATED EARNINGS, EXPENSES AND CHARGE-OFFS OF ALL FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS AT THE CLOSE '(& BUSINESS AUGUST 31, 1925 ___________________________________________ AS REPORTED TO THE OPEN kARKET INVESTMENT C Q i U v - I T T E E _________ _______________ (1) N«t Earnings in Excess of Ex penses and Dividends Jan..l-A up,.il/22 Boston New York Philadelphia Cleveland Richmond A tlan ta Chicago Minneapolis Kansas City B ellas Sa^ Francisco S v 193,043 1 ,060,412 134,333 279*000 186,000 49,877 262,213 73.163 7,003 49,911 (2 ) Estimated Expenses and Dividends Sept.1-D ec. 31/25 (Excluding Charee-offs) v 876,437 3 ,0 3 8 ,0 0 0 946,000 1 ,1 1 7 ,0 0 0 640,000 486,215 1*572,335 474,000 704,773 488,361 (3) Net Requirements Balance of Year (Excluding Charge-offs (C o l.2 Less C o l.l) » 683,394 1 ,9 7 7 .5 8 8 811,667 838,000 454,000 436,338 1 ,3 1 0 ,1 2 2 400,837 697,770 4 3 8 ,450 ___ 9,01,000 * 166*000 .. „ i . m . o p p T otals Louis ^ 2,460,955 vl1,416,121 -,J4 J64. 684.000 <#8.955,166 ..... M M k Grand T otal *>2,535*319 *12,100,121 v9 , 564,802 NOTE: (4) Estimated Earn ings a l l Sources Sept. 1-D ec.31/25 (Based on F i r s t 8 l&os. Average) 819,591 2 ,8 8 9 ,2 5 5 918,468 1 ,1 7 5 ,0 9 0 697.373 613,685 1*528,596 432,860 684,101 611,552 (5) Estimated Net Earnings Over and Above Expenses (C o l.4 Less Col. 3) v 136,197 911,667 106,801 337,090 243,373 177,347 218,474 32,023 (Short 13,669) (6) Estimated Charge-Offs ...-,..-1121___ v 173,102 127,047 853,000 28,000 392,000 235*000 685,287 600,197 123,300 326,772 542,520 J&Looo ..... .168*682 . ^1 1 , 646,258 756.052 *2 ,6 9 1 ,0 9 2 (Net) 146.416 * 4 , 616,123 > 1 . 210.000 ^12,402,310 *2,837,508 (Net) *5 ,8 2 6 ,1 2 3 2 m2 L 5 M I L Figures for St- Louis are shown separately as they are not at present participating in open market purchases. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives C 0 p Copy of letter sent to the uovernor of each. Federal reserve bank Y July 13, 1925 My dear G o v e r n o r - -- We have received the estimates of all of the banks made up as of June 30 and covering their earnings and expenses for the balance of this year. With this data we have prepared a statement, copy of which is enclosed, with a view to carrying out the views of the Open Market Committee as expressed at its last meeting when the vote was taken as follows: "Future allotments of bills will be based upon earnings required to meet expenses and dividends (exclu sive of charge-offs) as shown by the new figures and if necessary such allotments will be made to the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas and Atlanta, so as to enable them to maintain continuously their needed portion of open market investments.” The attached statement shows in the first three columns the earning requirements for each of the banks for the balance of this year. The result in column 3 is arrived at by deducting from the estimated total of expenses and dividends for the second six months, the excess of earnings in the first six months, or adding the deficiency in earnings for the first six months, as the case may be. Column 4 shows the estimated earnings from all sources for each of the banks for the second half of the year. Column 5 shows a redistribution of these earnings in the ratio that the earning requirements of the relative banks, as shown in column 3, bear to the total of column 3. Column 6 shows the estimated earnings of each bank for the second half of this year from all sources other than earnings on bill purchases in order to determine the amount of earnings necessary to be made up from bill purchases, the distribution of which is con trollable by the Committee. Column 7 then shows the difference between column 5 and column 6, or the amount of earnings that each bank would have to receive from bills during the second half of the year in order to give it its proper proportion Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives - 2 - of the total eetimated system - earnings. Column 8 is the ratio that the figure for each bank in column 7 bears to the total of column 7 and, therefore, indicates the proportion of the total bill purchases that each bank should receive in order that it may have its proper proportion of the total system earnings. This plan has received the approval of all the members of the Open Market Investment Committee and will be put into effect immediately (with appropriate adjustment) as of July 1. Very truly yours, (Signed) W. B. Matteson Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee Encl. STATEM T SH W G PAkTICIPATION O FEDERAL RESERVE 8 ki\K3 IN SYSTEM O EN O IN F PEN kAKKET PURCHASES ........ .............. TO PROVIDE FOR EXPENSES A D DIVIDENDS (EXCLUDING CHARGE-OFFS} , N ________ <D Excess or D eficit in Earnings F ir s t Six Months (2) (3) Estimated Expenses and”Dividends Second' Six Months Earning require ments Balance of Year (Excluding Charge-offs) fC ol.2 Less Col«,l) (4) Estimated Earnings D istribution A ll Sources of Estimated Second Six Months Earnings Pro~ (Based on F i ‘ £ t r rated to EarftSix Months* Average) ing Requirements 165,868 v 1,31 5 ,0 0 0 ♦ 1 ,1 4 9 ,1 3 2 £ 1 ,2 1 2 ,6 4 9 « 1,282,475 892,968 4 ,33 6 ,0 0 0 3 ,4 4 3 ,0 3 2 4 ,3 5 1 ,0 0 6 90,335 1,4 1 0 ,0 0 0 1 ,3 1 9 ,6 6 5 Cleveland 240,000 1 ,6 3 9 ,0 0 0 Richmond 40,000 A 1 ant a -fc Chicago Bo n $ (6) (5) Estimated Earnings Exclusive of B ills Second Six Months ($*ased on F i r s t Six toonth a* Average) ( 8) (7) D istribution Ka|io Eafnings from B ills Distri* bution 0 jf. Eatimat ed » (Co I . T U fsj Cal,6) 597,993 $ 684,482 3,841,920 3,529,943 311,977 1 ,53 4 ,3 4 1 1,473,286 1,003,153 470,133 1 ,3 9 9 ,0 0 0 1,753,021 1,559,518 1 ,288,990 270, 528 973,000 933,000 989,060 1,040,291 862,732 177,559 77,938 742,248 a^O,186 888,587 915,529 657,290 258,239 215,763 2,362,713 2 ,146,950 2 267,756 , 2,396,155 1,710,772 685,383 15% S t•_ ju is 65,519 1 ,0 2 0 ,0 0 0 1 ,0 8 5 ,5 1 9 1,125,293 1, 210,920 904,277 306,643 1% &i- ^apolis 13,733 751,700 737,967 618, 626 823,793 459,720 364,073 8i Kansas City 24,167 1,0 6 3 ,8 5 9 1,088,026 1,057,490 1,214,590 805,912 408,678 9# Dallas 14,241 732,355 746,596 931,598 834,801 654,770 180,031 San Francisco a . 000 1,6.23.000 1 .5 7 2 .0 0 0 1.817.851 , m ; 0,20 ..JtJ&.’U M 429.852 #1 , 527,802 #17,968,875 $16,441,073 #18,347,278 *18,347,278 *13,799,700 4,547 ,578 New Y0 rk Philadelphia Tot als « \ ^ ^ 107. 4S / 101 . 100£ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Office Cor S u b je c ts ’ At the meeting of the Board this morning, there was ordered circulated among the members of the Board for their in format ion t h e . attached letter j 6 .¥" from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Ban!: Tew York with regard to the credit situation, in which he also reports on the progress being made in the reorganisation of the hank resulting from its recent removal to the new building Digitized•forN Nror a ri a Ol FRASERoro TKM srm f i T Governor Or 1 3 singer I r. Platt v' I'r. H a m l i n — J/r. I'illevL^' Ir. James Hr. Ouominghaic - * r I r. L clntosh &JUI Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Job * •, 1926. \ M doar Governor Strong* y I bog to aokaovlodgo roooipt of yoar lottor of Juno 4 / firing yoar Tlom on tho orodlt situation and also i&at yoa aro doing in tho way of oooaanioa la tho administration of your bank, a ll of ^iofe is rsry interesting. Tory traly yours, D B* Orlssingorf « Governor. Mr* BenJ. Strong* Sotomor# fodoral Boserre Bank« Von Tort, I# I# Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives \ Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e Ba n k o r N e w Yo r k June 4 , 1925* Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Attention - Honorable D. R. G rissinger Dear Governor C ris s i% e r : There has been so l i t t l e d&velopir*g in connection with the money market th a t I have had no occasion to write you p a rticu la rly on th is su b ject, nor to suggest a meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee. The only pending m atter requiring action is the maturity of some $31,000,000 of our Government holdings on June 15. While i t is understood th a t we w ill an ticip a te th is m aturity by purchasii^ about h alf of th a t amount of some other issu e, I do not y e t fe e l ce rta in th at the en tire amount should be repurchased, nor, in f a c t , whether i t may not l a t e r be necessary fo r us to consider the wisdom of slig h tly reducit\g the to ta l of the account. I t depends larg ely upon the way our money market develops. At the present time our member banks are owing us in New York City an average something under or something above $100,000,000 accordir^g to whether th ere i s a flow of funds to N York or away from New York; ew but, roughly speak in g, I should say th at about $100,000,000 i s the average amount of our c re d it now required by the New York market. Under these conditions, ana with a 3 - 1 /2$ discount r a te , i t i s reasonably to be expected th at there will be( 5jo':m a.torlaX decline in the general le v e l of N York r a te s , and th a t we w ill continue a ew f a ir ly la rg e p o rtfo lio of b i l l s so long as our buying ra te s are continued a t the present le v e l. It w ould probably be to our advantage i f we were now t o lo.se gold, as th e increased borrowing by our members resulting from such lo ss would Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK.. ......... „ GoV6I*nQr C ri SSlf F 6 .4 * 2 5 o ffse t the liquidation of our discounts which w an ticip ate will occur th is e summer. On the whole, I am inclined to think th at while jno\change i s necessary (oi^desirable in our discount ra te , i t may, a l i t t l e l a t e r , be desirable fo r us to make some aligh t advance in the ra te s a t which we buy b i l l s , especially i f there are evidences of any considerable speculative a c tiv ity on the stock exchange. For the immediate fu tu re , I should say th at w are in a waiting period but th at e within the next few weeks i t may be desirable to have a meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee and have another review of the money market situ ation as a whole. ^ I also want to send you something in regard to the progress of the reorganization of the bank resulting from moving into our new building. Our problem, as you know, was to work out a plan of economy of operation, which has been in course of development ever since 1921, lookir^ to the completion of our building, in such a way as to absorb the added co st of operating the building, including taxes. While the work i s s t i l l some v/ays from completion, the resu lts of i t we regard as s a tis fa c to ry . The salary li a b i l i t y of the bank on January 31, 1924 (a f t e r making the salary in creases in th at month) was $ 4 ,6 3 2 ,0 0 0 . O M 31, 1925 i t was $ 4 ,2 2 1 ,0 0 0 ., n ay a reduction of $411,000, of which $244,000 represents a reduction in the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year and does not include a further reduction of $95,000 which i s e ffe c tiv e within the next sixty days. The to ta l cost of operating the bank fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year was $ 2 ,7 2 8 ,2 9 3 .3 1 ; fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of l a s t year $ 2 ,7 5 3 ,9 8 9 .3 1 . The budget fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year was $ 2 ,8 1 1 ,5 4 9 .6 0 . In other words, the cost of operation for th e f i r s t fiv e months of 1925 was $25,696 le s s than the f i r s t fiv e months of l a s t y ear, and $83,256.29 le s s than th is y e a r's budget. But in order to get an accu rate p ictu re of operation, i t would be f a ir to Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF u NEW YORK........................ Governor C rissi ir 6 .4 .2 5 o ffs e t th is year*s operating costs by the amount of rents to be co lle cte d , which amounts to $ 4 7 ,5 8 5 .6 2 fo r the f i r s t fiv e months, and fo r th e f u ll year will be $140,700. The to ta l rental to be received from the Annex Building beginning M 1, ay 1926 w ill be $195,000 per annum, which may be fu rth er increased by perhaps as much as $25,000 per annum in 1929, when one of the present le a se s exp ires. The expenses of operating the Annex Building, including taxes and dep reciation , will amount to about $95,000 per annum, thus leaving a net p r o f it of about $100,000 per annum beginning in 1926. This represents a return of about 4 -2 /3 $ on the to ta l o rig in al cost of the property, and about 6 .2 $ upon i t s present book value. W have fin a lly succeeded in effectin g an adjustment of a ll questions e covering le a s e s in the Equitable Building, which will assure us a minimum net p r o f it of a l i t t l e more than $10,000 per annum fo r the next nine y ears, with a p o ssib ility th a t the p r o f its may be a l i t t l e more than $24,000 per annum. In other words, the leases will n o t, in any event, be an expense to the bank, and they may produce a considerable revenue. I t i s d i f f ic u lt to estim ate what fu rth er savings can be effected follow ing the completion of the various plans fo r economies which are now in prospect. But the introduction of the paper money counting machines may re su lt in savings of anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 a fte r the force of money counters i s fu lly train ed in th e ir use. Various other economies of operation are gradually being introduced which have the prospect of reducir^; our expenses by a fu rther $100,000 or $200,000. Considering th at the volume of business being handled by the bank for the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year i s roughly 8% g re a te r than the amount handled fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of l a s t y ear, and th a t the volume i s lik ely to continue gradually to in crease, I think i t i s safe to say th at by the end of th is year the operations of the bank will be reduced to a minimum p ossib le cost and th a t w e Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK.. Governor Grissinge 6.4.85 w ill then be enjoying th e fu ll benefit of the b e tte r f a c i l i t i e s of the new building. At th at time we are planning to reorganize the c a fe te ria serv ice so th at the e n tire s ta f f will get lunches fre e of c o s t; th e ir lunches in the building. but they will be required to have In the end, we believe th is will be an economy fo r the bank and a very g re a t b en efit to the employes. I beg to remain, Very truly yours, AT BO A Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Deer Mr. Out! thin will confirm m telearsa to you of this date, advising that ths Federal Reserve Board has approved the program of the to m Itortoy Cogsalttf* to replsoe the fSIf000T f 000 of June 15th iRtSiHwaito tEeSyaiSiU'apeoialacaount,, by the purohaae at the present time of $15,000,000 of securities and the purchase of the remaining $16,000,000 efter Jime 15th. Very truly yours, ( O- R* D. H. Grlssinger, Governor. Hr. J. H. Oase, Deputy Governor, Federal Reserve Bank, Hew York, ». I. ---Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m 148 A F E D E .^ A k R E S E R V E J B O A r*D LEASED WIRE SERVICE *7 , W A S H IN G T O N The telegram given below is hereby confirmed. ___ May 29, 1925* Case - New York Board approre. Op«n Market Committea r«pl*oing»Il,000,000 ®hioh will run off Jun* 15th by purohaM no* of *16,000,000 end puroh&se of |4»j0eO any tiaa aftor June 18. / /p ' o oo.; ' CBI3SXH0KR ^ / Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Fe d e r a l K e s e r v e Ba n k CEIVED of N e w Yo r k 6 1925 ' ceafFicE o f TH E GOVERN OR M 25, 1925 ay Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. A ttention: Honorable D. R. C rissin ger. Dear Governor C rissin ger: I am th is morning in receip t of your favor of May 21, in regard to the authorization to increase the Open Market In v estment Account in Government s e c u ritie s by a possible fu rth er purchase of approximately $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . I t has seemed to me th a t the recent red istrib u tio n of investments, togeth er with the situ a tio n in the money market, make i t unnecessary a t the present time to consider exercisin g the authori zation, and I c e rta in ly would not fe e l w illing to do so now without fu rth er consultation with the Committee and the Board. I t may possibly be desirable to have a Committee meeting early next month, and I hope th at you w ill be able to attend, and we may then have a f u ll exchange of views. I beg to remain, Very tru ly yours, ____ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives May 22* 1926* Vf'- Dear l f Case: it I acknowledge receipt of and shall bring to th# attention of the other members of the Board ygiir Xetteg. of_t 21st Iinstant. concern _ he ing thi flnal adjustment effected May 21, 1925 of the amount of Ocrrensaent securities in the System aooount* Very truly yours. (Signed) D. R„ C rta tfn * * Owen s o r * 1 r 4* H. Case, Deputy Governor, 6* Federal Reaerve Bank, Hew Y0rk, H*Y# Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives R E C EIV ED MAY 2 Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e o f 2 1925 OFFICE OF i THE GOVER N O R Ba n k Ne w Y o rk Open market Investment Committee for the Federal Reserve System May 21, 1925, Dear Governor Crissinger: Referring t l 6 l i a v e mac*e the final ad % o justment to-day of $23,149,500 Government securities in the System Account, the details of which are shown on the statement attached hereto. This together v»ith the two previous adjustments of $28,000,000 each brings the total to $79,149,500* The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City advised the Committee that the taking of their full ailolikent of Government securities v^ould leave them insufficient collateral to secure their note issue and requested that $4,000,000 of their adjustment be in bills rather than Government securities. Therefore they have received additional bills amounting to $4,000,000 with a corresponding reduction in their partic ipation of Government securities, Which lias been offset in the allotment by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. This caange reduces the total System readjustment from $83,149,500 to *79,149,500* Very truly yours, . Case . Deputy Governor Honorable D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Enel. 'h 'vjv s ' t/ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m J N o . 131 FEDERAL RESERVE OARD Office Cor \ ■ ___ia_9jj^2;5. Subject:. T ny^ll Edd; 'At the meeting of the 3oard this morning, there was ordered circulated among the members of the Board for their information t h e .attached letter ) & from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Hew York with regard to the credit situation, in which he also reports on the progress "being made in the reorganisation of the "bank resulting from its recent retnoval to the ------------------^ --------------new buildinr Governor Oripsinger tS' IT. Platt n / I - # Hamlin— .r I‘ T U l e v t ^ ^ .r. T ' , J arises .r Hr. Ommingharc -h I'r# lieInto sh yj ••▼•bmmkt r t r a oo r c forr n i t A / • Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Juna ®* &9B6, M door aorornor Strongs y I tog to aaknoslodgo rooolpt of your lotto? of Juno 4 j giving yoar vlovs on tho orodit situation «nd also *hat yon are doing in tho way of oooncnlos In tho administration of your bask, all of ifeloh lo w y l&torostlng* Tory truly yours* & R Qrlsslngor* • # 0ovomer. Hr* BenJ. Strong* dovoraor* Fodoral Bosorvo Bank, V lark, ft* I* ow Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives \ \ Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e Ba n k o r N e w Yo r k June 4 , 1925, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. G. Attention - Honorable D. R. C rissinger Dear Governor Crissii\7er: There has been so l i t t l e d&velopir\g in connection with the money market th a t I have had no occasion to w rite you p a rticu la rly on th is su b ject, nor to suggest a meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee, The only pending m atter requiring action is the maturity of some $31,000,000 of our Government holdings on June 15. While i t i s understood th at we will an ticip a te th is maturity by purchasir^ about h alf of th a t amount of some other issu e, I do not y et fe e l ce rta in that the en tire amount should be repurchased, nor, in f a c t , whether i t may not l a t e r be necessary fo r us to consider the wisdom of slig h tly reducit^ the to ta l of the account. I t depends larg ely upon the way our money market develops. At the present time our member banks are owing us in New York City an average something under or something above $100,000,000 according to whether th ere i s a flow of funds to N York or away from New York; ew but, roughly speak in g, I should say th at about $100,000,000 i s the average amount of our cre d it now required by the New York market. Under these conditions, and with a 3-1/<# discount r a te , i t i s reasonably to be expected th at there will be(jjiojmateriaX decline in the general le v e l of N York r a te s , and th a t we w ill continue a ew f a ir ly la rg e p o rtfo lio of b i l l s so long as our buying ra te s are continued a t the present le v e l. It w ould probably be to our advantage i f we were now to lo se gold, as the increased borrowing by our members resulting from such lo ss would Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF Governor Crissir NEW YORK.. 6 .4 .2 5 r o ffs e t the liquidation of our discounts which w a n ticip a te will occur th is e summer. On the whole, I am inclined to thinlc th at while qge i s necessary d esirab le in our discount ra te , i t may, a l i t t l e l a t e r , be desirable fo r ue to make some slig h t advance in the ra te s a t which we buy b i l l s , especially i f there are evidences of any considerable speculative a c tiv ity on the stock exchange. For the immediate fu tu re , I should say th a t we are in a w aitii^ period but th at within the next few weeks i t may be desirable to have a meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee and have another review of the money market situ ation as a whole. I also want to send you something in regard to the progress of the reorganization of the bank resu ltin g from moving into our new building. Our problem, as you know, was to work out a plan of economy of operation, which has been in course of development ever since 1921, lookir^ to the completion of our building, in such a way as to absorb the added co st of operating the building, including ta x e s. While the work i s s t i l l some ways from completion, the re su lts of i t we regard as s a tis fa c to ry . The salary l i a b i l i t y of the bank on January 31, 1924 ( a f t e r making the salary in creases in th a t month) was $ 4 ,6 5 2 ,0 0 0 . O M 31, 1925 i t was $ 4 ,2 2 1 ,0 0 0 . n ay a reduction of $ 4 1 1,000, of which $244,000 represents a reduction in the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year and does not include a fu rth er reduction of $95,000 which i s e f fe c tiv e within the next sixty days. The to ta l cost of operating the bank fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year was $ 2 ,7 2 8 ,2 9 3 .3 1 ; fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of l a s t year $ 2 ,7 5 3 ,9 8 9 .3 1 . The budget fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year was $ 2 ,8 1 1 ,5 4 9 .6 0 . In other words, the cost of operation fo r th e f i r s t fiv e months of 1925 was $25,696 le s s than the f i r s t fiv e months of l a s t y e a r, and $83,2.56.29 le s s than th is y e a r's budget. But in order to get an accu rate p ictu re of operation, i t would be f a i r to Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YO RK....................... Governor Griasi rr 6*4.215 o ffs e t th is year*s operating costs by the amount of rents to be co lle cte d , which amounts to $ 4 7 ,5 2 5 .6 2 fo r the f i r s t fiv e months, and fo r th e f u ll year will be $140,700. The to ta l rental to be received from the Annex Building beginning M 1, ay 1926 w ill be $195,000 per annum, which may be fu rth er increased by perhaps as much as $25,000 per annum in 1929, when one of the present le a se s exp ires. The expenses of operating the Annex Building, including taxes and dep reciation , will amount to about $95,000 per annum, thus leaving a net p r o f it of about $100,000 per annum beginning in 1926. This represents a return of about 4 -2 /3 $ on the to ta l o rig in al cost of the property, and about 6 .2 $ upon i t s present book value. W have fin a lly succeeded in effectin g an adjustment of a ll questions e covering le a s e s in the Equitable Building, which m il assure us a minimum net p r o f it of a l i t t l e more than $10,000 per annum fo r the next nine y ears, with a p o ssib ility th a t the p r o f its may be a l i t t l e more than $24,000 per annum. In other words, the leases id.ll n o t, in any event, be an expense to the bank, and they may produce a considerable revenue. I t i s d i f f ic u lt to estim ate what fu rth er savings can be effected follow ing the completion of the various plans fo r economies which are now in prospect. But the introduction of the paper money counting machines may re su lt in savings of anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 a fte r the force of money counters i s fu lly train ed in th e ir use. Various other economies of operation are gradually being introduced which have the prospect of reducing our expenses by a fu rther $100,000 or $200,000. Considering th at the volume of business being handled by the bank fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of th is year i s roughly 8% g re a te r than the amount handled fo r the f i r s t fiv e months of l a s t year, and th a t the volume i s lik ely to continue gradually to in crease, I think i t i s safe to say th at by the end of th is year the operations of the bank will be reduced to a minimum possib le cost and th a t w e Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK.. Governor Crissinge 6.4.25 w ill then be enjoying the fu ll benefit of the b e tte r f a c i l i t i e s of the new building. At th at time we are planning to reorganize the c a fe te ria serv ice so th at the e n tire s ta f f will get lunches fre e of c o s t; th e ir lunches in the building. but they will be required to have In the end, we believe th is will be an economy fo r the bank and a very g re a t b en efit to the employes. I beg to remain, Very truly yours, AT BO ar t Reproduced from the Unclassified Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 0 ^ my 29, 1925 v Dear Mr. Oeeei this will oonfim m te leg rsato you of thie d«te# advising tkmt the Federal Reierve Board fees approved of the O pen Ifcrtot Xrvvtitaint CoiWittejU^^ the Systei's Ipeoisl account, by tho puroheee * t the present tine of $15,000,000 of securities and the purchase of the remaining fl0,000*000 Sfber June 15th. Very truly youre, D R Crt*in*er. - * D. R. Crissinger, Governor. Ik*. J . H. Case, Deputy Oovernor* Federal Reeerve Bank, H York, IV Y. ew * ir" ------ --- 1 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m 148 A f e d e r a l r e s e r v e : b o a ^ d LEASED WIRE SERVICE W A S H IN G TO N The telegram given below is hereby confirmed. 29* 1926* C«a« - Hew Tork Beard appror*i Opm Coanittro r«pl»olne »S1.000.000 ihloh will run off Jun. 18th by purefcM. now of ♦16,000,000 and puroh*». of IWjeeO M y tia. «ft»r Jun. IB. / /& Ooo o V0& ' ' 08I83XHOH® 4 Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e of Ba n k N e w Yo r k 6 1925 pICE OF THE feoVEBNOR "ar M ^5, 1925. ay Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. A ttention: Honorable D. R. C rissin ger. Dear Governor C rissin ger: I am th is morning in receip t of your favor of May 2 1 ,( in regard to the authorization to increase the Open Market In v estment Account in Government s e c u ritie s by a possible fu rth er jw rch §^ . of approximately $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . __________ I t has seemed to me th a t the recent red istrib u tio n of investments, togeth er with the situ a tio n in the money market, make i t unnecessary a t the present time to consider exercisin g the authori zation , and I ce rta in ly would not fe e l w illin g to do so now without fu rth er consultation with the Committee and the Board. I t may possibly be desirable to have a Committee meeting early next month, and I hope th a t you w ill be able to atten d , and we may then have a f u ll exchange of views. v I beg to remain, Very tru ly yours, BENJ. STRO G* N Governor. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives May 22, 1926* Dear lif t Case: I acknowledge reoeipt of and sh&ll bring to the attention of the other members of the Bo«rd ymir letter of the 21etfln*tant. coneem the final adjuatiaent effected May 21, 1928 of the Amount of Government eeeuritie® in the Syatea account. Very truly yours, (Signed) D. R. Cris« ng«, Ctavernor* W * J* H* Case, Deputy Governor, De Federal Seeorro Bank, e Hew T|Tim 1 * ptt 7 Y« Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives R E C EIV ED MAY Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e of 2 2 1925 OFFICE OF THE G O V E R N O R Ba n k N ew York Open market Investment Committee fbr tLe Federal Reserve System May 21, 1925- Dear Governor Grissinger: Referring t o v e ~ av’ i " n e nac*e the final ad - justment to-day of $23,149,500 Government securities in the System Account, the details of which are shown on the statement attached hereto. This together with the two previous adjustments of $28,000,000 each brings the total to $79,149,£00. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City advised the Committee that the taking of their full ailota*ent of Governme :;urities v«/ould leave them insufficient collateral to secure their note issue and requested that $4,000,000 of their adjustment be in bills rather' than Government securities. Therefore they' have received additional- bills amounting to &4,000,000 with a corresponding reduction in their partic ipation of Government securities, which has been offset in the allotment by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. This caange reduces the total System readjustment from $83,149,500 to $79,149,500* Honorable D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Enel. t/ T Reproduced fro th Unclassified m e 3TATEW 1NT SH W G FINAL INSTALkENT (^ 23,149,500) IN READJUSTM O IN ENT O G V N EN SECURITIES IN THE K O ER M T SYSJEh A U T EFfECTED faA 21 U D PLAN OUTLINED IN LETTER D TED kAY 6 , 1925 . CCO N Y N ER A Issue 1925 1925 1925 1926 1926 1927 1927 1928 4 \/lf T/N 2 3/4^ C/I 4 3/8/° T/N 4 3 /4 /, T/N 4 \/\% T/N 4 3 / 4/ T/N 4 X/2% T/N 4 1/45? 3rd L/L $ 2,8 8 2 ,0 0 0 488,000 3 .7 1 8 .5 0 0 5 . 120.000 2 .9 5 3 .0 0 0 2 . 210.500 2 . 990.500 2.7 8 7 .0 0 0 IOO.O8969 99*99806 100.56655 101 . 02735 Selling Value Cost Value Selling P rice 100,08969 99.99806 100.6875 101,15625 101.03125 102.000 101.96875 101.90625 101.63795 101.84294 101.42965 4 2,884*584.99 487,990,58 3 ,7 4 4 ,0 6 4 .6 9 5 .1 7 9 .2 0 0 .0 0 2 ,9 8 3 ,4 5 2 .8 1 2 .2 5 4 .7 1 0 .0 0 3 ,0 4 9 3 7 5 -4 7 2 . 84Q a 21 . 1i 4,4 9 7 .4 9 6 ,5 9 9 .6 8 4 ,1 4 8 .2 2 8 ,0 0 3 .0 9 3 , 762.11 1 3 .2 8 2 ,6 1 $ 2 3 ,3 8 3 , 212-12 100.89077 4 2 ,8 8 4 ,5 8 4 .9 9 487,990.58 3 ,7 3 9 ,5 6 7 -2 0 5 ,1 7 2 ,6 0 0 .3 2 2 ,9 7 9 ,3 0 4 .5 9 2 ,2 4 6 ,7 0 6 .9 1 3 ,0 4 5 ,6 1 3 .3 6 2 ,826 ,'844*51 123,149.500 *23 ,422*505.02. * 4 0 .2 9 3 .2 0 PARTICIPATION IN READJUSTM ENT F in a l Instalment ($2 3 ,1 4 9 .5 0 0 ) P a rticip a tio n in P ro fit Purchase Sale Boston New York Philadelphia Cleveland Hi chmond A tlanta Chicago S t. Louis xklnneapoiis xxKansas City Dallas San Francisco 11,000,000 2 ,8 4 0 ,0 0 0 1 2.90 3 .5 0 0 927 ,000 4 .2 1 3 .5 0 0 898,000 | $>17,241,000 3 1 ,8 4 6 ,0 0 0 6 ,7 7 3 ,0 0 0 12,28 9 ,5 0 0 1 ,5 6 3 -0 2 4 ,0 1 2 ,5 0 0 ; R ecapitulation T otal Readjustment i^79»149J_5CK)I P a rticip a tio n in P ro fit Purchase Sale 4 9 ,7 9 7 -6 4 1 8 ,098.39 3 ,8 5 0 .1 3 6 ,9 8 4 .0 2 5,629,000 10,398,000 2,212,000 P ro fit $ 32,066*65 59 , 231.65 12 , 598.34 22, 857.55 20 , 937.47 8 .4 0 8 .5 0 0 2 5.751.500 835,500 4 .0 8 3 .0 0 0 4 .6 8 2 .0 0 0 10.808.500 12,506,000 to *. 149. T O 4 2 3 ,149.500 O 1 4 .3 4 0 ,0 0 0 j.40,293-20 #79.149,500 <879.149.500 ^147.691.66 XJt©deral Beserve Bank of Minneapolis has received additional allotment of b i l l s . xxFederal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has received additional allotment of b i lls amounting to #4,000,000 in lieu of lik e am#unt of Government s e cu ritie s , Holdings of th National Archives e June 15, Sept .1 5 , Dec. 15, Mar. 15, Sept .1 5 , Mar. 15, Dec. 15, Sept .1 5 , Book Value (P rice) I Declassified Amount Sold Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Dear downer Strong* At the noting of the Board thia morning, Attention was called to the feet that<@jLB*£~ abases have been made by the Open Sferlcg£ Invest ment C 1*sti on f£L_lnorg*ec c the~Ioeount bypuraftaeing 150^000,000 of (torero* ment securities firoa time tcTMme. She Board, upon review of existing conditions, feels that before any purchases to increase the aggregate of the Special Barestraent Account are made, they should be submitted to the Board for considerstlQn* Very truly yours, ^ Crissing^ dovernor Hr. Benjamin Strong, Governor, Federal Reserve Bank, Hew York, 9*1. . 1/ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Ite&r Mr* Oasts 1* latfr of M«r l£^Wel*«ing " t* #f m m . It JUMP* ..“ “ to |BO,Q O O , o d « th« pla* ttrtllatd *7 O .O O tha <*•» «K k*t tar—tmmX CtaatttM a t lt« Mating o» iprll »tfc. Itew Uttosr ha» town fcwraght to «*• »tt«ntl*n of th« M t m •* th« tMltf* f«7 truly jw i i r\ 'Walter D. I d d y Wml%*T Zm SAdyg 3«®retaiy, H r# S» Oilf« M o r a 1 Bt«er?* tafc* Tor*, V. T* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives RECEIVED Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e of Ba n k New York 333 M AY 1 G 1925 | ■ 1o f f : THE G -C Open Market Investment Committee for the Federal Reserve System Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D C» * A ttention; Honorable D R. C rissinger « Dear Governor C rissin g er: For your information, we are making a further read ju st ment to-day amounting to # 28,000,000 of Government s e c u ritie s in the System Account under the plan outlined by the Committee at i t s meeting held April 30 an.d we are attach in g hereto a statement showing complete d e ta ils . This, togeth er with the red istrib u tio n of # 28,000,000 on M 13, brings the to t a l to date to $56,000,000, ay The to ta l red istrib u tio n w ill be completed through the fin a l installm ent to be made on M 21, 1925, ay Very tru ly yours, . I*** *" ' E n cl. ( l ) , / s - ' flM.. Asm V’t '/V ^ -7V / / ^ I j OR I Amount Sold Issue Book Value (Price) Selling Price Cost V alue Selling V alue 3,490,377.69 Profit June 15, 1925 4 1/2/ T/N £ 3,486,500 100.11122 100.11122 v 3,490,377.69 Sept.15, 1925 2 3/4/c C/I 591,000 99,99796 99.99796 590^988.00 590,988.00 ^ec. 15, 1925 4 3/8/o T/N 4,497,000 100*58289 100.75 4,523,212.74 4,530,727.50 7*514.76 Mar. 15, 1926 4 3/4/ T/N 6,192,500 101.04803 101.21875 6,257,399.51 6 ,267,971.09 10,571*56 Sept.15, 1926 4 1/4/ T/N 3,572,500 100.90186 101.0625 3,604,719-09 3,610,457.81 5,738.72 Mar. 15, 1927 4 3/4/ T/N 2,673,500 101.65277 102.0625 2,717,686.91 2,728,640.94 io,954*c3 Dec. 15, 1927 4 l/2/o T/N 3,616,500 101.85473 102.000 3,683,576.56 3 ,688,830.00 5,253.44 Sept. 15, 1928 4 I/ 4 0 3rd L/L / 3*370,500 101.43673 101.84375 3*418,924.98 3.432,643.59 13,718.61 *=28,286,885*48 428,340,636.62 *53,751*14 ^ 28,000,000 > PARTICIPATION IN READJUSTMENT Sale Boston New York Philadelphia Cleveland Richmond At 1 ant a Chi cago St. Louis x Minneapolis .Kansas City Dallas San Francisco 4 5,806,000 10,724,000 2,280,500 4,138,500 5 ,051,000 - #28 , 000,000 Purch ase — - 956,500 4,345,000 8,671,500 - 4,986,500 4,211,500 4.829.000 * 28 , 000,000 Participation in Profit *11,145-27 20,586.51 4,378.33 7 , 944.44 9,696.59 - *53,751-14 x Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has received additional allotment of bills. * - - Reproduced fro th Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of th National Archives m e e STATEMENT SHOWING SECOND INSTALLMENT ($28,OOO,OOO) IN READJUSTMENT OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES IN THE SYSTEM ACCOUNT ________________________ EFFECTED MAY 15 UNDER PLAN OUT-LINED IN j UETTER DATED MAY 6, 1925___________________________ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 3 3A Sfejr 14, 192S. I Ur* i ? In aooordanoo wltk oaoloolag l«r«vitli * copy of oaralag* aaA M9 »»M of tbo baaka for tbo month of April jour roqaott I aa our »tat<M»at of Fodornl m i m %$M« I uadorstoad i l i l oort»ia diatribatloa of Ualtod 3taton *o<reri*gr*fcoldlago w illoliortljr bo *ado MNttg tho wioma f ta***l i w w i bwa* airi if ;jour baak baa *»y aafcodalo proporod • to ilai tho diatribaUoa mi i t w ill tako plaao, 1 should bo n r y glad to roooiTo * oopy thoroof. It w ill »U e bo apgroolatod If you will bo kind oaoagfe to aond a» oopioo of any faturo atato»oat* ootcrlas rodiatribaiioa of oooarlty or aoooptaaoo holding* botwooa tlkt books* Tory truly y w s * (gitmed} B. L. Sraead S* X* Snood* Cblof§ aivtsloa of Saak Operatic**. Hr. L. 1* Bound** Controller of Aoooaats* Fodorml Bosorvo Bonk* Sow York* I* Y* Saoloouro. ^ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives M 7» i r a » ay M doar ttovaraort y 2bi« will aGtaiowladg® your lottor or M 6 onay closing alnute* of tho mooting of t e Open Market Inregtf* ®«nt Committee* copy of let U r to i*ove«Mir jfeaaher and a t at anant siiowiac rediatrltoutioa of government aaooritlea. Tory truly youra 9 I). H. Oriesinger* Governor. Mr. BenJ* Strong, tioreraor, MMeral Heaenre SaaJc9 York, H Y, « Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e of Ba n k N ew York May 6, 1925 Dear Governor Crissinger: liith this I am enclos ^ of the minutes of the meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on April 50, 1925. For your information I am also enclosing copy of letter,.with accompanying data, which is being sent to-day to the governors of all the Federal reserve banks. Very truly yours, BENJ. STROKOT Chairman, Open Market Investment Committee Honorable D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Ends. (4) Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ^ _____..... ....... .... Ift,, l.r*: OV f Copy of this letter e f t to -governor of oach Federal reserve b s s sc ai; j f \. — . ..' ... -.. ...... ~..... la y et 192S. Dear Governor teacheri Pursuant to the direction of the conference held in f&eMagton in April, I submitted to the mambers of ths Opsn »&rket Investment Committee alternative fro* posals for & redistribution of tho short-term Qoveiment securities now hsld in tho Syetem Account, bat found that motion by the Cossmitte® could not be had without a meeting, which was accordingly held at this office on April 30. . A l . t e meabers .l..h of the Committee were present, as well a* Qovernor Crissinger *®d Dr* Stewart, the minutes of the meeting of the Coesmittee are enclosed herewith* Yarioue plane for effecting the re&dju stment were aubmit' ed end discussed, end it wee finally unanimously agreed by the Committee* 1. that the distribution could[not]be satisfactorily effected ufon the basis of earning requirements which woulcTISclud© estimated amounts to be charged off against hulldings or losses. fhat some of the other reserve banks had, during the past year, made heavy charges against surplus on account of those itsms and the estimate of earning requirements should therefore e*clud# the* from the calculation. 2* that the estimated #81.000,000 of securities to be sold by those r»~ smrve banka, to wit, Boston, Jiew Torki Philadelphia, Cleveland lyrnTlihicago, ahould be transferred to those reserve banks shioh wake the purchases at the a&rket values at which transactions can actually be wade on the day the transfer is effected* 5* thatjnOj allotment ahould be made to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis for the reasons explained at the laahington Conference, hut that bills purchased for the Coa*itteets account by the Federal Reserve Bank of Hew fork ahould be allotted to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis until the equivalent of their allotment of Oovernment securities was made up in their portfolio of bille* The plan of distribution finally adopted is described in the enclosed schedule % • ^lioh a so shows the results to each reserve bank of such redistribu tion* The figures vary slightly from the schedule preeented at the meeting of the •samittem as the la tte r was msde up on the basis of total holdings of $£45,205,600 ce rom e Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives - I - ahlot wore later lnoreaeed to $280,041,600. There ie alto aneloeed * et&teaent marked *B* showing the to td oaount of eeourltiee to bo eold, tho book value, A an approxloation of tho •oiling value, nd with tho reeulting profit to tho eelling bank* which figure, however, lo not final oo pricea soy change boforo tho aotual tranafer la offeoted. Ifcore la alao ehoan on etatettect *C* enoloeed tho dot all a of eatiaated earninge and expeneee and of the ratio of dletrlbutlon reeulting froai tho plan adopted by tho Oomlttoo. 9111 you not, *9 aoon ao poeelble aftor tha receipt of thla latter* tele graph *e another the plan la approved or not, and If for an/ reason I t la not ap proved, will you bo good enough to at&te tho reoeone In the telegrao, eo that tho Oomlttoo say give prompt eonaideratlon to any ojbjeotlona. tho plan herewith eubaitted, t&loh oalla for * aale of pproxinately $85,000,000 of Qovesimant eeourltiee by five banka to eix of the other reoorro banka lo propoaod upon thla boala with the thought that thoae banka whose partloore to bo lnoroaood will got the benefit of the lnoreaeed earn Inge In* sedlattly and without awaiting the poaalble purohaeo of the additional $60,0)0,000 or thereabout a aa w e authorised by the conference in Vaehtngton, & there lo eooo uncertainty aa to whether theee purohaaea will bo Bade, and i f eo, how toonf eo that the Gowaittee undertook to tike the distribution at thla ti»e with tho undei^etandlng that If additional purchasea are made under the exletlng authority, the allotweate will bo aade eo aa to reetore to the banka now celling the equivalent ratio of what they hare eold. In Making thle distribution of Govern*cut aeourl- tieo i t haa been de«aed deair able to extend the time over a period of e& from y two to three w eefee* f i l l you be good enough to bear In wind that thla account la an ex ceedingly coaplloated one to conduot, and that the project now aubait ted aeeaa Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ~ 8 - to tho Ooaalttoo to bo oquitnblo and to »«ot tho oltu&tion m noarly f e e«a be doao, e •ad to obrlftto trwioaotiono io the »urk«t which oight not to b« in oocforolty ®ith tho Board* • rooolutlon doflaing tho pur^oaoo for s&loh tho a* operation* wro conduotod. I bog to reuadn, Vary tr u ly your a, 3m . STH0BG Ch&iniDi O pon N&xtot XHT08t»«Q t COKlIlittOO Ends. (4) Hr. I. R faoohar, » O o raro o r, Fadaral ftooorvo OLereluid, Ohio B^alc o f C levelan d , Federal Heserve Board, Washington, D. 0. r Gentlemen: At Mr. Talley’s suggestion I am addressing the Board with refer ence to its telegram to M m under date of March 261 in which attention is called to the resolution adopted hy our "board at it's last meeting author izing our officers to purchase for our own account government securities up.to <$10,000,000, and directing us to suspend further purchases until otherwise advised by the Federal Reserve Board. I assume that Mr. Talley has given ample assurance, to which I need not add, that neither our officers nor directors in talcing the action referred to had the remotest thought of overstepping their authority or in any way disregarding the regulations and wishes of the Federal Heserve 3oard. TTot only have the exigencies of "our situation required that we seek every proper outlet for our funds consistent with system policies, hut numerous events had transpired in connection wl th our own investment program to give what seemed to us every reasonable assurance that the policy embodied in our recent independent purchases of Govern ment securities was not only one quite familiar to both the Federal Beserve Board and the Open Market Committee, but one which met with their approval. As is well known to the Board we have been confronted with no more serious problem in the operation of this bank; than the provision of sufficient earnings with which to absorb losses growing out of the unusual number of failed member barites in this district. In the Fall of 1925 these losses^began to develop in more or less determinable amounts, and with the steadily decreasing demands from our member banks we faced a situation which, in the absence of sufficient earning assets, promised a substantial encroachment upon our surplus and the decidedly unwholesome effect in this district, as well as elsewhere, that this circumstance would undoubtedly create. With an idea of precluding this possibility I took occasion when in Washington the latter part; of September of that year to request per mission of the Boar<T to buy independent of the Open jwarket Committee’s operations $10,000,000 of Government securities, having previously ob tained the acquiescence of the Open Market Committee in that proposed . action. TJoon mv return to Dallas Mr. Platt wired the Board’s approval. /A of my request and w e promptly initiated apurchasing program in keeping with that authority. These purchases continued through the Spring of 1924 and by the first of June we had acquired, aside from approximately §1,200,000 of three per cent Gold Conversion Bonds (which we had held for several years) about $6,500,000 of these securities. During the latter part of June, as our advances to member banks were increasing and we were able to make satisfactory exchanges for bankers acceptances, we made disposition of all the government securities acquired under the Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives r Federal Reserve Board, -n authority mentioned above, T ,7itli the running off of our rediscounts in the Fall of 1924, however, we were confronted with somewhat the identical situation which occasioned our original request for permission to make individual purchases of govern ments for our own account. In discussing the matter with Mr. James of the Federal Reserve Board on the occasion of my visit to Washington in October, , 1924, I told him that we estimated it woulTTnTnecessary for us to" set up' reserves of about $1,000,000 with which to absorb fairly well determined losses growing out of indebtedness to us of failed banks* Mr. James ex pressed considerable interest in our situation and advi sed me that at least twn rf fnp Federal Reserve Banks were buying long time government securities independent of the ope^ yiarket committee7" a c t i v i t i e s . W h i l e I cannot say that Mr. James definitely recommended that we follow the same course, it was my impression that he felt there would be no impropriety in our doing so, particularly as the authority previously granted us had^yfeve^been revoked. CM October 24 the State Treasurer of Texas offered us $1,000,000 of Treasury notes maturing in March, 1926. It was our disposition to buy these securities for our own account, but we were so anxious to take no step at variance with the policies of the Open Market Committee that notwithstanding our previous activities on our own account and the conversation I had with Mr. James, I wired Mr. Matteson under date of October 24 of our contemplated action. Mr. Case replied with a recommendation that we consult with the committee before embarking on an independent program. I thereupon advised him of my conversation with Mr. James, as well as our understanding of the activities of other reserve banks along the line of independent purchases, assuring him at the same time of our desire to thoroughly conform our own operations to those of the Open Market Committee. Mr. Case* reply confirmed our understanding with reference to the individual purchases of some of the other reserve banks and stated in that connection that we would have to ex ercise our own judgment. He rather urged us, however, in the interest of preserving the unity of the system policy to hold up any contemplated pur chases until that phase of the matter could be discussed at the Governors’ Conference in November. I replied by assuring Mr. Case that we were entirely amenable to and would abide by his suggestion. On the occasion of the Governors’ Conference referred to I had a discussion of the matter with Governor Strong. I explained to him our ur gent need for earning assets and advised him of the conversation I had had with Mr. James in October. He indicated that there would be no objection on the part of the committee to our purchasing for our own account a rea sonable amount of long time government securities. A little later, Mr. Talley and I had a talk with Governor McDougal, and, I think, Governor Young of the Minneapolis bank was present. Governor McDougal stated that the Open Market Committee was confining its operations to short term governments and ex pressed the opinion that the Committee would not look with disfavor upon the carrying out of our plan to acquire a reasonable amount of long term government obligations. Subsequent to the adjournment of the Governors’ and Agents’ Conference Mr. Talley and I also had a discussion of our in vestment needs with several members of the Federal Reserve Board. Federal Reserve Boahr^ #3 O With a background of these more or le ss re la te d circum stances, includ ing the various conversations and exchange of telegrams re fe rre d to , there was nothing to disturb my b e lie f th at reasonable purchases of long term govern ment s e cu ritie s f o r our own account were not only fu lly warranted by our urgent need f o r additional earning a s s e ts , but were not objected to by the Federal "Reserve Board or the Open Market Committee. M believe in th is connection was y sustained by the f a c t th at the Committee’ s weekly rep orts indicated that other JPgderal Reserve Banks, notably Chicago, purchased over a period of time fallowing the November Conference of Govern orsT substan tial amounts of govemmMT"^ecurrties_T o r th e ir own account— obviously, to me, with no objection on the p a rt of the Committee or the Federal Reserve Board. i f t e r my retu rn from Washington, we began to buy a t in terv als long time government ob ligation s, reporting weekly, of course, to the Open Market Committee the aggregate amount of such purchases. At the close of business February 28 we held to ta l govern ments, other than our p a rticip a tio n in the special system investment account, of § 3 ,6 0 9 ,3 5 0 ; about $1 ,2 5 0 ,0 0 0 of th is amount, however, represented Liberty bonds purchased in exchange f o r the three per cent G k>Id Conversion Bonds re ferred to above. Although I had abprevious meetings of the board informally discussed these purchases of government s e c u r itie s , i t occurred to me proper to give some d efin ite shape to our p o licy in that connection, both by recording our board* s acquiescence to the purchases heretofore made up to that time and having them estab lish some reasonable lim it beyond v/hich i t would be un wise to go. At any ra te the board based i t s actions upon my representations to them with resp ect to the p rop riety of these purchases in re la tio n to the system p o licy , and c e rta in ly they should be absolved from blame, i f any a tta ch e s, fo r th eir conclusions. Since re ce ip t of the board’ s telegram of March 26, we have made no fu r ther purchases of government s e c u ritie s , and of course w ill in everyway re spect and adhere to the Board’ s wishes and in stru ction s in th at connection. I f , however, the Board fe e ls th at i t could co n sisten tly give consideration to approving the resolu tion adopted a t the la s t meeting of our Board, i t is my feelin g that such action would not only be w ell warranted, but the amount of s e c u ritie s thus acquired would not have any appreciable e f fe c t upon the p o lic ie s of the Open Market Committee or upon-the money market gen erally. Our daily statements r e f le c t loans to member banks of only about &1.500.000 a t th is time, and there seems to be l i t t l e indication that our banks w ill c a l l upon us f o r much c r e d it accommodation during the present season, a l though of course la te r on there w ill be some l i t t l e a c t i v i t y . Our best judgment a t the present time, however, is th at our to ta l member bank red is counts w ill be r e la tiv e ly small a t the peak of the season, I fe e l th at the Open Market Committee w ill te s tif y to our hearty co operation with i t in times p a s t. W believe they have our in te re s ts a t h eart, e and yet i t should be remembered that we are quite removed from them and f r e quently i t is impossible f o r them to get an accu rate appraisal of our r e a l situ atio n h ere. Besides, the la rg e r reserve banks of the system enjoy in d ire ct ben efits from open market operations, sh iftin g of funds, such as the acq u isition o f paper and s e c u ritie s under re-purchase agreement, and like tran sactio n s, which are not availab le to u s. The f a c t th at i t was recen tly determined to disregard estim ated lo sses in making allotment of system pur chases affords an indication of the possible lack of thorough appreciation of the d if f ic u ltie s under whicM we labor in th is d i s t r i c t . W are very c e re Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Federal Heserve Board H tain that not the s lig h te s t discrim ination was intended against th is "bank and in fa irn e ss to the Committee I c a l l a tte n tio n to the f a c t th at i t s actio n in th is connection has "been rescinded. Nevertheless i t affords very s a tis f a c tory evidence th a t in.some measure a t le a s t we are compelled to s h ift fo r ourselves and take at le a s t some independent actio n ---- in so f a r as we properly can without doing violence to system p o lic ie s o r disregarding the authority of the Federal Reserve Board---- looking to the proper operation of th is tank as one of the u n its of the Federal "Reserve System* BAM m e Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK O F DALLAS R E C E IV E D March 31, 1925. v/ \j ■ L Y N N P. TALLEY C H A IRM A N O F T H E B O A R D 4 ^ 192 5 OF THE G O V E R N O R O F F IC E Mr. D* R. Gris sin g er, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. My dear Governor C rissinger: 7 c This l e t t e r follows ray te le g raphic acknowledgment^ of your telegram under date of Inarch 26,) in which you have ca lle d a tten tio n to what appears to the Board to have been negligence on my part in fa ilin g to sp ecif ic a lly c a l l atten tio n to the actio n of our Board of D irectors a t i t s meeting on March 10, authorizing the purchase of U. 3 . Government Bonds up to Ten Million D ollars. There was no intention on ray part to put the Federal Reserve Board in the position of being l e f t to obtain th is information from a perusal of a copy of the minutes of our Board meeting to ■which reference has been made, or to minimize in any way the importance of th is s te p . Without intending to offer any excuses in connection with the matter or in any way in dicate that I am not w illin g to take the fu ll re sp o n sib ility , even in the Board’ s view a t th is tin © , I may sta te in cid en tally th at I was ca lle d out of the Board meetirg before it s adjournment, by a message announcing the death of m w ife’ s step y mother, ani l e f t with her on the lj0 5 tra in fo r her fa th e r’ s home. I was unable to return u n til Friday morning following the Board meeting on Tuesday. The ju s tif ic a tio n for our actio n in the matter does not seem to m to l i e so much in the authorization of our Board of D irectors per se as i t e does in the view of Governor McKinney, the other senior o ffice rs of the bank and myself, feelin g th at our actio n in purchasing any Governments a t th is time was a cont inuin^~poIlc.v""'s'ince O ctob er. a t periods in~ihich the same attendant " circumstances whicTTsurrounded the Federal Reserve Board’ s original au thority e x iste d . W can very well appreciate of course th at the Board would not expect e us to a c t in d efin itely upon some s p e cific authorization merely from any lack of revocation. Governor McKinney and I have trie d to avoid making the matter of earning asse ts one of paramount consideration without due regard for the broader e ffe c ts of any action on our part in making open market purchases. I have always been of the opinion and s t i l l clin g to th at conviction th at Federal Reserve banks should not bid for investments in the open market. You w ill observe th at we had already up to March 10 acquired some Three and threequarters Million Dollars of U. S. Government Bonds, mainly the Third 4-J’ s . This p a rticu la r acq u isition in the aggregate was based upon the conversation that Governor McKinney and I had with Mr. James when we were in Washington la s t November, at which time we forecasted , for the purpose of discussion, our probable position at th is time. I f I am not mistaken we also discussed the same situ atio n with Vice Governor P la tt and M Hamlin. Mr. James was rath er free ir. to commend our thought in the matter and s p e c if ic a lly called to our atte n tio n what was being done by the Minneapolis Bank and_the Chicago Bank in f illi n g up Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives their earning assets by the purchase of Governments* In the case of one of the banks mentioned we got some impression that the Open ilarket Committee felt it was not altogether receiving the cooperation that it felt should be extended, and moreover essential* I o purchases have been made by the Federal Reserve Bank of T Dallas without consulting the Open Market Committee in the matter of policy and as a matter of fact all purchases have been made either by the Open Market Committee for our account or the Open Market Committee has been promptly ad vised of any purchases which we made through any other channel. We were care ful to preserve this contact because we are so conscious of the effect of open market purchases by the individual banks upon the Open Market Committee’s policy* We certainly wanted to be careful that we were not making purchases in any way out of line with the Open Market Committee’s application of its own policy at the time. Ample opportunity, therefore, has been given in connection with these purchases for the Open L&rket Committee to take them into considera tion in connection with its own sales or purchases as a part of its policy. Governor McKinney and I did not regard the action of our Board of Directors at its last meeting as being so much in the light of an authori zation, following our recommendation, but more as setting a limit for our aggregate pirahasfts. The thought has occurred to me that you rnay or may not have read Governor McKinney’s monthly report to our Board of Directors, which was incorporated in the copy of our minutes which you received. I think that Governor McKinney covered the situation very fully in that rer)ort* He sent a copy of his report to the Board immediately after the meeting and showed me a copy of Vice Governor Platt’s letter of March 18, which you will observe ante dated the receipt of a copy of our minutes* It did not occur to me, therefore, to write the Board specifically, and in view of all the prior circumstances, Governor McKinney and I feel that we were not doing anything out of harmony with the views and policies of the Federal Reserve Board or the Open Market Committee in having authorized the purchase of an aggregate amount of $2,800,000 of Liberty and Treasury Bonds in the interim between March 10 and the present da I am inclined to agree with you that I should have made t Governor’s recommendation and the action of our Board a subject of specific correspondence if for no other reason than we ought to appreciate here that the Board, and particularly its different members, cannot always have in mind the details of our situation here. On the other hand, we have consulted so freely with the Open Market Committee and different members of the Board and have had such frequent occasion to shift our investments, that I saw no neces sity for writing the Board specially in this particular case, for which I am extremely sorry. I am enclosing herewith a letter from Governor McKinney i which he sets out more fully than I have in this letter, what underlies our conclusion that it is desirable to make the purchases under discussion and I want to join him in the recommendation that the Board permit us to proceed with the matter, but not beyond the point indicated. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives I am also enclosing herewith a list of our purchases, which includes special purchases since December 1, and wish to reiterate that vie felt perfectly comfortable in executing these orders in view of our having observed that the Chicago, Kansas City and Cleveland banks were following from week to week an almost identical policy in connection with which no other thought occurred to us but that the whole matter was well understood by both the Federal Reserve Board and the Open Llarket Committee. Awaiting the further expression of your wishes in the matter, I am Yours very truly, -------------- -------- -— — --------------------------------------------Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives LT ?T OP U .S . SSCUEI TIES■ HELI C .. TI JE33EBAL KESHRVE BANK OF T ^A3 JLUSI7E OF SPECIAL PARTICIPATION ACCOUNT AT THE CLOSE OP BUSINESS ilARCH 26 f 1925 .................................. P ate Purciiased D e sc rip tio n Amount B a s is Premium 2 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 * @ 102 3 /8 4 ,7 5 0 .0 0 2 2 ,8 1 2 .5 0 @ 102 9 /3 2 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 * 2 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 * § 101 2 9 /3 2 4 7 6 .5 6 i> it « tt tt 8 ,6 0 0 .0 0 * 1 5 8 .5 6 § 101 2 7 /3 2 it it tt tt 1 101 13 /3 2 2 3 0 .6 4 16 ,4 0 0 .0 0 tt *♦ tt ti « 1 ,9 9 2 .1 9 1 2 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 m 101 1 9 /3 2 ti tt M n it 1 ,9 9 2 .1 9 125 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 101 19/32 ----& Par 4% T reasu ry Bonds 1 9 4 4 -5 4 5 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 5 ,6 2 5 .0 0 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 3 101 4 /3 2 3 rd 4 Li be r t y Loan Bonds w tt n tt n $ 101 1 2 /3 2 3 ,4 3 7 .5 0 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt & 100 2 9 /3 2 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 2 ,2 6 5 .6 3 2nd tt 1 ,7 6 7 .1 9 1 9 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 3 100 2 9 /3 2 4 % T reasury Bonds 1 9 4 4 -5 4 8 .7 5 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 3 100 2 8 /3 2 2nd 4 Li be r t y Loan Bonds tt « tt n tt @ 100 3 0 /3 2 2 3 .4 4 2 ,5 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt 9 .2 2 5 0 0 .0 0 ® 101 2 7 /3 2 1 s t ii tt H tt tt 6 .8 7 <§ 101 12/32 5 0 0 .0 0 3 rd tt tt tt tt 1 8 .7 5 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 & 101 2 8 /3 2 4 th tt tt n 2 ,4 2 1 .8 8 S 100 3 1 /3 2 250 ,0 0 0 .0 0 2nd M tt tt ri II « 6 .5 6 @ 100 3 0 /3 2 7 0 0 .0 0 tt it n tt 2 .7 5 @ 101 12/32 2 0 0 .0 0 3 rd w tt n it tt 1 3 .7 5 @ 101 12/32 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt it 1 2 .1 9 @ 101. 2 8 /3 2 6 5 0 .0 0 4 th « tt it it VI 1 2 .1 9 @ 101 2 8 /3 2 6 5 0 .0 0 9 0 6 .2 5 & 100 2 9 /3 2 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 4$ T reasury Bonds 1 9 44-54 2 .0 6 § 101 12/32 1 5 0 .0 0 3 rd 4M> L ib e rty Loan 3onds tt tt tt it tt 101 11/32 6 ,7 1 8 .7 5 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt it tt 2 ,1 0 9 .3 8 9 100 2 7 /3 2 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 2nd tt tt tt tt 3 0 4 .6 9 2 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 • 101 7 /3 2 i 3rd tt tt tt tt » it 2 ,8 1 2 .5 0 Q 101 8 /3 2 2 2 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt 7 .8 1 # 100 2 5 /3 2 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 2nd t t it «i »i 8 .9 4 a 101 1 2 /3 2 6 5 0 .0 0 3rd tt »t tt t! 6 ,0 9 3 .7 5 @ 100 2 6 /3 2 7 5 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 2nd t» 7 9 6 .8 8 3 100 1 7 /3 2 1 5 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 4 $ T reasury Bonds 1 9 4 4 -5 4 8 .4 4 @ 101 22/32 5 0 0 .0 0 4 t h 4-M L ib e rty Loan Bonds it tt tt tt 8 ,9 0 6 .2 7 @ 101 2 5 /3 2 500 ,0 0 0 .0 0 m tt 11 tt ii 3 ,7 1 7 .1 9 8 101 2 9 /3 2 1 9 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 w tt t» it 3 ,2 5 0 .0 0 @ 101 20/32 2 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 1st tt tt tt it ** 1 6 8 .4 4 3 101 1 7 /3 2 1 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt tt w 1 5 6 .2 5 J 101 1 8 /3 2 1 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 « tt It tt » » 3 5 0 .6 3 S 101 1 9 /3 2 2 2 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt « 7 3 1 .2 5 <§ 101 20/32 4 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt it tt it »* 1 0 9 .3 7 & 101 1 8 /3 2 7 ,0 0 0 .0 0 *t tt tt tt M 1 6 2 .5 0 3 101 2 0 /3 2 1 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 tt tt tt tt 1 5 .9 4 @ 1 0 1 1 9 /3 2 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 3 rd tt tt tt tt 1 ,1 3 7 .5 0 0 101 20/32 7 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 1st it ft II 4 ,6 8 7 .5 0 0 101 3 0 /3 2 500 ,0 0 0 .0 0 2nd It «t tt It 9 5 .6 3 tt @ 1 0 1 1 9 /3 2 6 ,0 0 0 .0 0 3 rd n Ml 2 ,0 3 1 .2 5 It it It $ 101 20/32 1 2 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 » 7 ,1 4 9 .3 7 tt tt 101 3 0 /3 2 3 6 9 ,0 0 0 .0 0 4 th tt 9 .5 3 tl tt tt tt £ 101 2 9 /3 2 5 0 0 .0 0 *3',0 8 2 ,5 0 0 .0 0 T o ta l Premium p aid 1 0 0 ,4 9 2 .3 8 Totial - — - - — - _ ----------------6 6 9 .4 4 Brokerage p aid ♦Purchased in 1 0 1 ,1 6 1 .8 2 bonds replacement like amount Conversion Premium A ccount t in clu d in g B rok erage) a t c lo s e o f 3 - 2 6 -2 5 ,.Sfl,«gll»50 http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ A m ortized 2 ,8 5 0 .3 2 Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 1 0 -2 9 -2 4 1 1 -6 -2 4 1 1 -1 2 -2 4 1 1 -1 4 -2 4 1 1 -2 1 -2 4 1 2 - 2 -2 4 1 2 -4 -2 4 1 2 -1 7 -2 4 1 -2 -2 5 2 - 2 1 -2 5 2 - 2 1 -2 5 2 -2 4 -2 5 2 - 2 5 -2 5 2 -2 6 -2 5 2 -2 6 -2 5 2 -2 6 -2 5 2 - 2 6 -2 5 2 -2 7 -2 5 2 -2 7 -2 5 2 -2 7 -2 5 2 - 2 7 -2 5 2 -2 7 -2 5 2 -2 7 -2 5 2 -2 7 -2 5 2 - 2 8 -2 5 2 -2 8 -2 5 3 -3 -2 5 3 -3 -2 5 3 -3 -2 5 3 -9 -2 5 3 -1 2 -2 5 3 - 1 3 -2 5 3 -1 6 -2 5 3 - 1 4 -2 5 3 - 1 9 -2 5 3 - 2 0 -2 5 3 -2 0 -2 5 3 - 2 0 -2 5 3 -2 0 -2 5 3 - 2 0 -2 5 3 - 2 0 -2 5 3 - 2 1 -2 5 S, 3 - 2 1 -2 5 ^ 3 ^ 2 3 -2 5 3 -2 5 -2 5 3 - 2 5 -2 5 3 -2 5 -2 5 3 - 2 5 -2 5 3 - 2 5 -2 5 3 - 2 6 -2 5 3 r d 44^ L ib e rty Loan Bonds « tt tt « " n m tt *t n Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 3 (LEASED WIRE SERVICE) 3 R E C E IV E D A T W A S H IN G T O N , D . C ., 2 3 8 f je /f^ S D a l l a s 354pm M ar a t C r is s in g e r Washn A c k n o w le d g in g t e l e g r a m d a t e B o a rd , p r o v is io n s J th e re was no i n t e n t i o n o f p arag rap h B s e c tio n to ig n o r e 1 4 fe d e r a l R eserv e M t r* or In s tr u c tio n s l e t t e r m a t t e r w h ic h y o u c a l l e d d e s ir e th a n o th e r w is e . http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ 2 10 —181 MTV D M fW O T KMWO K1 W5 Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis X -3 6 8 9 A p r il 7 th 1 9 S 3 t o my a t t e n t i o n . in c o n n e c t i o n w it h We h a v e no o t h e r to r e s p e c t B o a r d ’ s w is h e s a s p r e s e n t l y L e tte r g iv in g f u l l d e t a i l s fo llo w s . ii‘a l l « y 444p /uut ex p ressed or Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 throb 2 6 , 19251’ Dear 16*. T alley: This w ill oonfi you today: m th s follow ing telegram saent t o • I t appeara from th e minutes o f th e meeting of your Board o f D ire cto rs held on Maroh 10 th a t th e Board o f th# D allas Bank au th o rised the o f f i o a rs to purchase up to $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 o f bonds. Board here l a su rp rised t h a t Im portant e a t ion o f th i s kind should n o t h aw been sp e ci f i c s l l y o a lle d t o I t a a t te n tio n . Beard f u r th e r more n otes th a t o f f i c e r s o f th a bonk have aoted upon t h i s a u th o risa tio n w ithout f i r s t r e fe r r in g m atter t o F ed eral Reserve Board, notw ithstanding p ro v ision s o f Paragraph (b ) of S ectio n 14 o f the A ct and the open market p rin cip le adopted by the Board pursuant th e re to ( L e tte r X~5689t A p ril ?* 192 3 } • You a re th e re fo re d ire c te d to suspend fu rth e r purchases under th is a u th o risa tio n u n til otherw ise a d v ised .* gvrmn oenet Very tr u ly y o u rs. D. R. C ris s in g e r, Governor. Mr. Igrnn P . T s lle y , Chairmen, Pederal Reserve Bank, D a lle s, Texes* w » Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives «n 4A 18 federal RE SERVE BOm RD LEASED WIRE SERVICE W A SH IN G TO N The telegram given below is hereby confirmed. W March 26* 1925 T a l l .y - D a lla . / j . , 7/ j , ^ I t apnear* from th a minutes o f tha jaeeting\of your Board o f D ire cto rs held on Mareh 10 t h a t th a Board of th e D allas Bank a u th o rised th e o f f i c e r s t o purohase tip to # 1 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 o f government bonds. Board here i s su rp rised t h a t im portant a c tio n o f t h i s jlcind should not have bean s p e c i f i c a l l y c a lle d to i t s a tte n tio n * Board furtherm ore n otes th a t o f f i c e r s o f th e bank have aoted uoon t h i s a u th o risa tio n w ithout f i r s t r e f e r r in g m atter to Federal le s e rv e Board, notw ithstanding p rovision s o f Paragraph (b) o f s e c tio n 14 o f th a Act and th e open Market p rin cip le adopted by th e Board pursuant th e r e to ( L e t t e r X -S689, A p ril 7 , 1 9 2 5 ). You a re th e re fo re d ire c te d to suspend fu r th e r purchases under t h i s a u th o risa tio n u n til otherw ise ad vised . * Crissinger ii Li /ut£ iui/a V S// > i - / Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD WASHINGTON O F F IC E O F G O V E R N O R I t ap p ears from th e m inutes o f th e m eeting o f you r Board o f D ir e c to r s held IaK bt fCJ i J t o n -------- -------th a t th e Board o f t h e D a lla s hank a u th o ris e d th e o f f i c e r s to p u rch ase up to $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 o f government feonds. B o a rd if^ sa u rp rise d th a t " i ----------- - ----------- -------- im portant a c ti o n o f th | s kind should not have been s p e c i f i c a l l y c a l l e d to i t s a tte n tio n * Board furth erm ore n o te s t h a t o f f i c e r s o f th e hank have a c te d upon t h i s a u t h o r i z a ti o n w ithout f i r s t Board :fo i— t .. t r e f e r r i n g m a tte r t o F e d e ra l R eserve 1 , n o tw ith stan d in g p ro v is io n s o f S ara graph (> ) o f S e c tio n 14, and ^ h e ffiogulatjfaag adopted by th e Board pursuant t h e r e to ( b e t t e r X -3 6 8 9 , A p ril 7 # 1 9 2 3 )* You a r e th e r e f o r e directed f u r t h e r p u rch ases under t h i s a u th o r iz a tio n uni 13^ ^ ^ to suspend Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. ice Correspor j& r 'e FEDERAL RESERVE T BOARD ate__L Gov e rn o r a Id d y . E a r l i e r in th e d sy I c a l l e d your a t te n t i o n t o th e a c tio n o f th e d i r e c t o r s o f th e D allas bank in a u th o riz in g th e o f f i c e r s o f th e bank to i n v e s t up t o $ 1 0 ,OCX), QOCLin Government s e c u r i t i e s * I am a tta c h in g h e re to r e p o r t f o f th e B o ard ’ s com m ittee which co n sid ered th e a c t i o n tak en by th e Governors and Agents w ith r e s p e c t t o th e a d v i s a b i li ty o f r e s e r v e banks in v e s tin g in Government bonds f o r earn in g p u rp o ses. 1 ^ . , , . ... Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives LYNN P. TALLEY C H A IRM A N O F T H E B O A R D Federal He serve Board ^ s h i n g t o n , D. C. Gentlemen: There is enclosed for the information and files of the Board a copy of the minutes of an adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors of this bank, held on larch 10, 1925. Tours v e r y truly, 2nd. Ma J i QjUL Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives J&EUTS3 OF ADJOUfflrSD M T IB G , BC& RD O DIESGfOHS* F M H H 1 0 t 1925 AC PafiPSWPi fD8&W c m & £ U £‘ W BAM 0? DALLAS Lynn ?* SaU ey* Chairman J * J * Culbertson J* H* F ro st Frank iie ll W H* P a tr ia e * 3# B« Perkins Howell £* Bsdth I r * W 1«* McGregort Member of the Fed eral Advisory Counoil, Governor MoKlzmoy, * iteputy Governor G ilb e rtf C ashier Coleman, A ssistan t C ashier Freemen, and General Auditor Foulks, were a l s o p resen t* The m lm tes of the re g u la r meetings o f February 7th and March 7 th were read and approved• The Chairman re fe rre d to th e a c tio n on m atters considered a t the February meet ing# mentioning th a t the Federal H serve Board had approved the s a l a r i e s of o ffio e rs of e th e bank: In the anounts p rev io u sly Indicated would be approver, i f reconmen&ed by the Beard of D ire cto rs} the re o rg a n isa tio n of the Insolvent Banks Department* and in creases of #300 each In the s a l a r i e s of Messrs* VMte and A lexander, re p re s e n ta tiv e s o f th a t De partments a ls o In cre a se o f #300 p e r annum In tha s a l a r y o f C* L . C h ild e rs, re p re se n ta tiv e of the Member Bank d elatio n s Department* m She Chairman presented th e jfederal Reserve Board *s l e t t e r e f J^broary 5 th (X -4263) su b je ct "iSsabershlp in th e American Acoeptanoe Council and Amerioan Bankers As* s e d a tio n * A fte r some d iscu ssio n i t was the unanimous judgment o f th e d ir e c to r s th a t the bank should continue i t s member ship in both o rg a n isa tio n s, and th a t the expense was ftelly j u s tif ie d * Upon motion of Mr* Culbertson i t was so voted* The Chairman presented the re p o rt of th e General Auditor covering a u d its o f departm ents and an alyses of g en eral ledger accounts during the month o f February, fhe rep o rt was noted with i n t e r e s t and ordered spread upon the minutes* w m m D esoription of Aooounts CASH jaBABOMST Month o f February - 1925 Date of H ff fflTlgtW - A»*ortiag T*llw flM 4 ££ezJ^usjsdl£ 1/ 6/20 F ed eral as serve Bank B otes Outstanding F* H* Kotes Fomurded f o r Hedea^tion F* B* B otes In t r a n s i t from Other F* 3* Banks Geld C e r t i f i c a t e s in T ran sit (Account Closed 2 /2 1 /2 5 ) 4 4 4 1/6/25 1/6/25 1/6/25 Aooount Closed Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives •2 a »£» Gold i a (Aooount T«»tor l o t * * In Traaslt 2/Z k/zB } (Aaooimt Cloadd Kmth of l aaiig,l,, l M 1 M l ,ll l ,I r F r t t i * ! %sorv« Koto# la Transit S m r t H t i M iiila a SecozitlM i Hold In m i nasara Afiss5f s m & m m s a F# a* floio* « i H aaad (Sot » tawvaX 1**%#* Amwwk} aoM witii l i t e m Ageat naoj& ajC o t s D M n w 4 1/6/26 1/6/26 1/6/26 l/fi/SB 1/6/25 1/6/26 1/6/25 24 l/lS/26 8 «t I £*do 101 'm&» S/26/84 9/S5/24 4 O otjqpQ Q R# B Jygpittftf’' AOOOBSt P o sU e* lito a X Agonay Bapayfcaoftt fvaxm ll Item* Jrodifc - Cter«nM»at % U* 3* ^ rtagarerH i Otsaavai Aooount S* 9aap«iso Aoootmt ** V * Vmm&H rurr Ifepoftltary B*Xa&o»« IH *»*» D w ia ita iy BaaJc# i» fe«alpta Outatsadii^ aws&rlti#* £*U*«r«& SMbao*itwra 3 eau rlti« s forwarded ? * o * « r y bqpartwmt £ Soou rltlas in ?au lt 3oou riti*o on Haaft w ith S eo u rltlo * Boooired from Sufcoorifcors 3«ouritio» aM0ir«A ftfoa f*«a«u*7 Xupartnaat Sufcaoriptlan Boceipto M tttaa& ij^ iM3(SUfWf aamS:':SBFA2 aiB»f CX&iiBO AatM PBt :%f f,*B < Saspoa&od flfttfC N ff xr fll OoXXatoraX H#id fr o a Suspaadod BaaSe® 1/6/26 1 /6 /6 6 ?#H«r Postage * Oaah I&fp&tMmt .flUtf !*• I itoo®iviag $*B «r B*« £ Sllv&jr Coin in fm atifc of 1/8/26 »t 4» * 'I* i t I* It m n It t l H « « i f I f ft If »t « I* *» w n . w 10/23/2* If Crodito • Aootost duapandod Baste ft Soferrod Gbnrg9a < F ir s t Hationai Bans, M m m * ia^on»« of C oll dating Papo* H#x& j r m Oaspoadod Basics « \yp6BM XZ/%/£%I M T S M Ji*fai**od rado* FomoXouttre Xntorost CoXl*<stod oa iodieoounts from ttaiXad Baaa* BXrldaod Aooouat, 0 i t 3 r I a t # fiaifc9 H Paso X X If (Jjjsnea 2 /2 / e j fB (C^tlMd 2 /XS/2 5 } (OptBtd 2/2?/s§) Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Date o f Month of f r t m r a - 1986 LOyi ABB DI3C0UH? HSPASTMHHT Mvaaoe Headttanoes Held - L, 4 D, Approve* O fferingsf C o lla tera l notes and Bsnfcorsf Aooeptanoes HeM fo r Aooount of lumber Santas B i l l s Bought in Qjpen Marfcet B i l l a Discounted fo r Sfeaber Banks ~ Secured by U* 8* Oovewussnt Obligations Other B i l l s Discounted C o lla tera l Held as S ecu rity ig aln et Timber Bancs Xnd« Documentary Stamps - L. & £• Offerings Held by Credit Department Paper Pledged with Federal Reserve Agmt Payneats Received on M d itlon al C o lla tera l S e c u ritie s m Haid and In Transit Unearned Discount - B i l l s Bought in Open MarJmt Unearned Disocunt - B ills Discounted Foreign Loans on Gold Pmilm Hot Made 1 / 28/25 « " 1/28/25 " ** " * 1 1 ” " » * « * 1 / 19/25 24 w 1/19/2B 1/19/28 lB T «»ta»n t t l T l a i o a Discount on U* s« S e c u r itie s Other tf* s# Bonds P a r tic ip a tio n i n S p e c ia l Jx re s ta e n ts U* 3« S e c u r itie s Pronina U* S* S e c u r itie s Treasury C e r t i f i c a t e s of Indebtedness Treasury B otes m U* 2* Bonds to Secure C irculation Unmatured Cottons S a o a ritiee Sold under Repurahaae Agreement from Special Investment Account " * * * " * * " " * 24 Aooount Closed l/l9/25 24 1/19/2S 26 12/si/24 aSRVICE DBPAHfMSSf Oolsine D ivision Cuisine Accounts Payable Quislne Colons Outstanding Oalslne serv ice Oalslne Stores t w r s i f DEPAHTCTTf Check* sod Other Gash I t sms P allas Clearing Boose Doe to Other fed era l Reserve B&nies - Collected Binds aacqjhange fo r Clearing House Xnoome and Excess P ro fit fax - Unadjusted Items tr a n s it Items Credit • fed eral Reserve Bunks Transit Items Credit * Member Basics tr a n s it Items Debit - Federal Reserve Banlcs Transit Items Debit - Due from Other R* Banics " " " Hot l&de * " n " * * w H * * » * l/ls/25 * « " " " " * » f Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Month o f Date of .Steanr - , 3-ggS . Transit Stasis Debit - Mwnbor and fton~l?ember Ban&e Vilt OB tLnl B ills and D raft* forwarded fo r C ollection VIS PXS&JJGS DKPAHTM* lo t Made Hot J&de £artH»» M 1 / 1 3 / 2 5 l/2ZlZb fta w a l L ed gf A aaw af Documentary 3tai^>s « W* F# Of ■ liaml igjasar fonaral lidlnffJUKHwaftji Additional C o lla te ra l B i l l s Rsoeivable « Form S C o lla te ra l to B ills Heooivable C o lla tera l to 3edisoounts funds Hold Fending Approval aefund Applioation t a n s Beoeived frow Treasurer U* 5# M soellsneous Items Held in Abeyance negotiable S ecu ritie s Held as Collateral Botes Itorwarded fo r C ollection Beoeipts Deposited with Treasurer U* 8* Bedisoounts MI 3CEXLAJ3EOU3 ACCOUNTS Abrasion • Ligfct Wei gilt Gold idvanoa Traveling ifispenses Appropriation fo r Mmoatioasl Purposes Bank Premises - Including Yaults Capital Paid in by Applicants fo r Membership cap ital Btoofc la id 1st Cashier’s CheoJcs C**tstanding Claims Recoverable D ifference Account ^qployees Suspense Account Expense Checks Outstanding .tixpense Current ^sponaes Paid in Mvanoe Expense ileooverable Fedezal Beservo ^ohange D rafts federal B c & e m Transfer Drafts Pivo Per Cent Fva& - Against P* B* Baltic Sotes F i? l Per Cent Jtaa& - Member Basics Hxed l&ahinery and Equipment Foreign Basics m rn itu re and Kquiposnt Gold Bede^tion t a d - fed eral tie serve flotes Mail Insurance Suspense Account timber Banks * Reserve Account *£lsoellaaeoua Eam is^s Eon-iiefiiber Clearing Aoocmnt Account Closed 11 t * H n n 12 /5 /2 4 ft » n n ft 1/15/25 1/10/26 14 10 14 14 28 23 26 28 28 14 12 /3 1 /2 4 12 /3 1 /2 4 12 /3 1 /2 4 12 /3 1 /2 4 1 /2 6 /2 5 l/ r a /26 1/31/25 1/15/25 14 x/z& fzn 1/31/25 1/15/25 28 l/3 l/2 E 2 6 26 26 26 l/26^5 Account Closed 12 /1 7 /2 4 j (Account Closed 14 14 14 AS Of l/31 12 /1 5 /2 4 12 /3 1 /2 4 ,1* of 12/"l/24 Account Clossd 28 23 28 1/31/26 1/31/25 l/Kl/25 r Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -6 - Month o f t a t s of iferuary - 1926 Prevl ou J M 1 /3 1 /2 5 O verdrafts Barniw 29 1/26/25 Pay S o il OJaeoks Outstanding 2i l / l to l / 3 l 1 2 /1 /2 4 to I S /3 1 /2 4 P e n a ltie s on D efloien t Reserves l /3 l /S S P r o f it and Loss 23 1 /3 1 /2 5 Heal S s ta te Mortgage 28 1 2 /3 1 /2 4 R serve fo r D epreciation on Baaic Premises# Including Vault s«fllet i&d® « serve f o r D ep reciatio n o® fix e d and Ssiiipiaent 1 1 * » Reserve fo r Depr e o la tio n on 0# 3# S e c u ritie s " 1 / 15/25 Reserve f o r Losses 1*1<|»idating Basuc Loan* 14 12 / 31/24 Surplus itand Kot i&ide 1 / 15/25 M iscellaneous Suspense Aooount 14 Opassd 12/17/24 Unadjusted L if e I s s o m M 14 I&quity o f P* A M S ta te Benle* Hearae* f@ xasf in Beal . i 1/31/25 Sstafce llortgage (50, ) 28 AOCOIHP3 O S-JK D OS H K DAllf Aoorued Dividends Unpaid Accrued 3aadry Expenses Unpaid Aoorued 'Taxes Unpaid M ju stsu n t - f ran s i t Items Cash Depart®en* * Suspense Discount Wanted on B i l l s Bough* in Open M rk e t DiBoount Earned B ill# Discounted Dividends Aoorued Gold Settlement fand (Daily wire) mb? mw lutm .ln m Interest Interest interest Interest Aoorued on Beal Estate l&rtgage Aoorued o . 0* 3* Securities n lamed but lot Oolleoted JSamed on Sp ecial Investment s § 0* St S e c u ritie s iSamings on U* 3* S e c u ritie s - Transit Item* Defcit • i# 0* 0# S# laiics i fellers Account T ran sit Suspense Interest Aoorued on Foreign Loans Interest iiaraed on foreign Loans iHSmOiAKMaUS AUDI' 3 AID JJUXX9S3 2 n w m ® M ® m » L^DasH ucsraaoL Insurance Policies and Bonds notary fwd Pay Off i£a$leyeee Postage - Hailing Deprtomt transit Hold-Orer Item® Vault Confcinations and Controls Inventory 3toofc loom BBAHCH1S3 11 Paso Houston lot Bade 2® lot lade 6 13-2$ S@t IM® IT Hot Hide * l /3 l/2 6 l /? l /2 6 12/31/24 I/I/2 5 1/ I2 /25 -I/2 9 /2 6 12/31/24 4 /8 /2 4 1 1 / 4/24 1 0 / 4 /;;4 » Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Governor MoKlnney submitted & report co v erin g the o p e ra tio n s of the bank during the wmth of February, irtsdoh was noted with in te r © e t and ordered spread upon the minutest "JJa ra h 1 0 , 1 9 2 6 Board of B i r e o t o r s F ed eral a®serve Bank o f D allas Balias* ferns Gentlemen; Business conditions l a the d i s t r i c t , on th e w hole, continued d u rin g th e month o f February to r e f le c t a v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y s i t u a t i o n and o u tlo o k , alth o u gh th e e ffe c ts of th e continued w in te r drouth were th e s u b je c t of w idespread c o m p la in ts , p a r t i c u l a r l y in the g r a in b e l t and ran g e oou ntry where laok o f seaso n al m o istu re has oaused oonsider& blo d e t e r i o r a t i o n in w in te r g r a in c r o p s , ran ges and l i v e s t o c k , from a l l seotions of th e d is t r ic t eon® r e p o r ts th a t th e farm ers a r e w ell up w ith th e work of preparing th e s o i l f o r the new orop s, and th a t w ith n on sal weather oowiltions dur** in g the growing season the outlook; is- fa v o ra b le f o r a n o th e r s u c c e s s f u l y e a r from .the stan d p o in t o f produoti on* Our in f o n aatio n i s th a t th e re w il l be no s u b s ta n tia l change in th e d i s t r i o t *s ootton aorea^e. m i l e t h e r e s a y be a s l i g h t in c re a s e in est Texas a s th a r e s u l t of a s m a lle r sioreage devoted to sm all g r a i n s , i t ap p ears t o be o f f s e t by th e p ro s p e o tiv e reduction in the o o tto n ao reag e of l a s t Texas, wtier* an e f f o r t w il l be nade to overcome the ao u te s h o rta g e in the feed supply o f th a t s e o tio n by d ev o tin g a l a r g e r aoreage t h i s year to feed s t u f f s . Oar d a ily statements oontinue to re fle o t a v e r y lim ite d demand f o r rediscount aoooiaaodation* In faot during the f i r s t few days of February oar loans to member banks showed farth er declines f re a c h in g on th e 10th of th e month a new low point since 1917 o f $1,809,000. ftoat date marked th e turning p o in t, however, and w hile th e applications are s t i l l ooapiratively lig h t oar loans to maaber banks on the l a s t day of February, leaving out of consideration the borrowii*** o f the same two large o ity baaOts r e f e r r e d t o in s*y la s t report* show as e x c e s s over the la s t day of Jam ary* In other w ords, although your report of our operations fo r the month J u s t ended indioates a r e d u c tio n in these leans of a l i t t l e s w 1100,000, an an aly sis of the acoount shows that out of a to ta l of 54 borrowing banks m th e 28th day of F e b ru a ry , 52 o f them were owing us ^1,116,817, a sum s lig h tly over a h a lf m illio n d o llars in exo ess o f our advances t o only 36 meafeer banits on Ja n u a ry 31* She demand fo r new advances during F eb ru ary oarae o h iefly from banks looatsd in the sheep sad goat r a i s i n g s e o tio n s o f the d is t r ic t in an ticip atio n o f shearing o p e r a tio n s , which w i l l be w ell under way th is month. Fur th er evidence of the slig h tly in cre a se d demand fo r aeaonBiodation is found in th e f a o t that we served 47 member bonks during February a s ooi^ared with 38 d u rin g the p reced in g month* i s aa in d icatio n , however, of the comparatively s a l l volume of loan trans actions we are now b e t m o a lle d upon t o handle, i t is i n t e r e s t i n g to observe tfcit on February 2 $ , 1924, 141 banks were owing us in exoass of $10,000, while cm the sar* day two years ago 246 baa’ts were owing us aliaost 117,000,000* i n even more s i g n i f i c a n t oon*>arison i s found in the f ig u r e s I have fcad oorapiled with respeot to the nun&e of Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -7- oarrgr-over lin o s f o r tho past two y ea rs* ( t o rooor#* in d icate th a t a t o ta l of 01 )Mlf!P0Vi8( battci fa ile d a t any tia o d u ring tho y en r 1923 to liq u id ate la fall th o ir lnaobtodnosii to tho M o r a l itosorro Bank. lu ring tho your 1924, oxoluting banka wiiioh havo subsoquontly fallo w , only 14 » s l * o r In s titu tio n s w ro unablo t o liqu id ate in fall th o ir fodoral iotjorvo Baaic borrow ing, and of m m b m m nino have auboo^entl;/ retired th e ir indobtodness hero la f a l l * I I h l l o tho above a lrm m tB n m * ooKfcine, of a-ourto* to plaoo u® l a a v a ry fa v o rI ablo p o s itio n with r e l a t i o n to our raosibor b a iia aad tho d t s t r i o t ao & liio lo * thoy j navertholosss oporato to a d i s t i n c t disaAvaatago w ith roapoot to our ©&rnlnrs* P o ssib ly I ao ph&so o f our prosont iiita& tion p rosonts & laoro soriou s probloo thou th a t of provid* I lag out of limited, earning a ss e ts suffioloat funds with whlJh t© «®t our dlvidond and $um tiao* without onoroaahlair upon our r iiplus, oilminat® looses, j la oonseotian with, fa U o i banscs* as a ro so lt of tho o©en rmr^t oosndttoe*® roooaat [| poller or feoding tha ays ton iavostiaoats to tho a n s tho total oystom holdings ware u o t* f very su b sta n tia lly induced daring febmary* aad of course this bamc sharod a proportionats lo t s of those earning assets* Inuring February our banters bills ran off s n * o* $ ? f0OO# O not, while air participation la system purchases of govox'nxa&ut cfelig&tloa* OO m s reduced over a M illo a and half dollars* Tim Systoa holdlacr® of government eeoori t i o s have doollned from H5OO*0O0tO O la ffm ribo* to ;|S70*000*000 cm February M * ao* O incident therewith thoro has booa a baldening of in te re st ratos as outlined in tho %»ea Mantel aoMalttee** last rep o rt, which 1 will rood ia ooaaeotioa fdtii th is report* fho aai^BSt oo baafesrs aooeptaaoee a t tho proseat tlmo i s substantially m m per coat hirher thaa tho low poiat roaohod last loll# I o p a o sad a t the xes* Although m m m ablo to aogulro f a ir l y su b sta n tia l amounts of long U m Goveralasnt boaiis* our t o t a l earaiag aesots hsd dwindled by tho la s t day of febmftfy to a l l t t l o over "36*000*000, a not decrease over Jaaaary 31 of edia§ 17,600,000* m is * of course* accounts fo r tin mr&od doorcase ia tho aaount of our gross earnings fo r fobru a^ * wldofci, you w ill aoto f r o * your statement* totalod m §l 9 T M 9 or almost 360*000 loos than gross earnings fo r Jaaoary* m # m oaxmiags laokod |£8*340.6d o f moot** lag tho m m th** oaqpoasos sad ao^ruod dividoad* th is ^ o flaiitio y aot oaly absorbs our previously aooosulatod aot oaralag® of ^20*178* but loaves a not d o flo lt oa fobruary 2© o f v?Q *161*21* I t should bo added th st p a n of th is d o flo lt m s oooasionod by tho tra n sfe r frost aet aaraiago * t 8«ao # if000 ri^resonting past duo !* t * * o s t oollootod la oonnootloa with paper m em tm b fro* failod banks* is havo dotorsdaod that ths moro satlefaotosy aooouatlag proooduro woold bo to plaos this past duo intoro t in a sas* ponoo aooount p^odiag final sottlssioat of tho various trusts ooaooraod* at tUtioh tiiao* of oourso, thoso ait9»nts will find thoir way baok Into our oafalngs* or u®#d in ro^ duaing tho aaouats a i r o t off ia aonnootion with paper of failod bani«* lagf is roforrod to aboro* m purohasod during fobruary for our m m aooount liberty bc^® la tho agftrogats asooat of rl*386t*5KlO* fho aoquisltion of tmso long t o m bonds ( 1 , Isdo^oodsat o f tho oojamittoo I s not gut f M.rmxmy w ith tho proson t p o llo y and w i^bes VF o f th o oow aitto'e* liiia h i s now co n fin in g I t s o p eratio n s to sh o rt Governiiwitfts. I dig^u®sod tho |?robabllity of our doing this with mmb&rn of tho U'oasa&ttoo when l a s t la Washington and tHoy volood ao Objootlon# I should bo glad to dlsaeos w ith th e Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives members of th® board the qatstion of m sacing further investments of this simmolw, an it is the axApumt of Hr# fall©? ana . e that m t need for earnings warrants farther sub* m stantial purchases* Although tba % e s Mar&et uow altte® i s a l l o t t i n g it® jairohar.es at tho p re s e n t '' tins* on ly on th o b a s is of eagp+ns* ami dividend rocgulrsnenta of th e tw elve basics, i t was determ ined at th * l a s t m eeting o f th# M im L ttm t h a t th e p lan 1b e f f e c t l a s t year — vMdh a l s o included estln & tad ehaarge«*effB in a r r iv i n g a t th * b a s is of a llo tm e n t —* m u th a iaore e q u ita b le on* aa& would b© r e - i n s t a t e d «s* o r about A p ril l v by ^hioh t i n * Htfre or l e s s a c c u r a te estim ate® could be sabsaitted by a l l banks# f h i s a o tio n o f th® o t t t t d t t e * , of course^ a f f o r d s us g r e a t c o m fo rt, a s w* f e e l th a t th * m a tte r o f e lim in a tin g lo s s e s should corae in f o r a s mi oh c o n s id e r a tio n i n detera& ning th * p ro p er b a s is f o r th© apportionm ent of system in vestm en ts a s th * n a t t e r of p ayin g exp oases arid d ivid en d s — p a r t i c u l a r l y dividends# The Qpea M t uo&x&ittee has never failed to give full consideration to the po&iliar Beads of our situation here and i * feel very grateful for their continued aoqperation. merely s as a contrast *tth our present situation it is interesting to note that on February 28 last year we had acoumlated $104*965 net earnings over and above expenses and accrued dividend* v‘ X un th * l a s t day of t h * south $m% ended our ea rn in g a s s e t s c o n s is te d o f thb fo llo w - I lags B i l l * dlsoountsd tar nwOwr b a n ica ................................. ..* 1 2 ,5 9 9 ,0 9 3 .3 0 \ j U i n H M V t i M M ........................... 1B^2 W » 88 * W I.. fo r e ig n lo an s on gold * ............ ............................................... ** 399 ,0< 0 . oo I L ib e r ty Bonds (a s mentioned a b o v e)............ ................* * * * 3 ,2 5 9 ,3 6 0 .0 0 P a r tic ip a tio n in system pu rchases of I U# S* aovem n»nt securities*************• *• ****1 4 ,3 4 2 *5 0 0 *0 0 I Other U* 3* beads* **#•*•#••*#•***•**••*♦*••*••*#***„......3^0*000*00 V T o t a l............ .....................* ............... ...................... * * . . * ................ $36 #154,251 *97 | In oozm ection w ith th * item o f $ 3 9 9 ,0 0 0 re p re se n tin g fo re ig n le a n s on g o ld , I imy add th a t th * ifeddral % s© rv * Bai& o f lew Tone r e c e n tly renewed $ 6 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 o f th* advance to th e Banicovnl c f Pragu* a t $| p e r cen t in s te a d o f 3 p e r oent* Our p a r t i c i p a t i o n cen t i m e s a t |22IJ*000« For th * f i r s t tim e in m ay months our Loan & d iscou n t Departmant held on February 28 no p a st due paper In i t s file ® * A ll ea rn in g assets, e x clu siv e o f government o b lig a tio n s , were d is tr ib u te d by m a tu ritie s on t h * l a s t day o f F eb ra a ry a s fo llo w s* Du* w ith in I S d a y s * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 7 ,7 2 5 ,2 1 4 .4 2 Due betw **n 1& and 30 d a y s * * * * * * * * * . 3 ,4 4 9 ,3 0 7 * 3 9 Du* between 3© and 60 d a y s * * * * * * * ** * 4*480*670*12 Du* between 60 and 90 d a y s * * * * * * * * * * 1*779 ,$ 2 6 * 93 Due betw **n 90 days and s i x months.* 3 2 0 ,0 7 7 .1 6 Due a f t e r s i x m onths*** # * * * * * * * * * * * * 7 8 ,5 0 8 *9 6 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives O vxptmm* fo r th s raemth of FQbra&ry, aaouutine to $104,344*51, woro utr a la o st $3*000 le s s th m fo r Joiiia*^* ths dooroaao being ©aipl&iiiod in tho an aly sis Of iaar<s& 0 and deor«&i*o i n # jo u s t s whlah you w il l find m on g tbs data boforo you. © Goqparod with 1924 you. w ill oboorvo that wo offootod a rsduotlon n ils y®ar fo r tho aanth of JObrttary of -111*000, v itllo fur tho f i r s t tv s months; ®r 19:35 our o*p«&sos wore v14,636*23 lo ss than fo r tho oorrospaadlaft poriod of 1 9 2 4 . Oar Pod«?r&l assorro cotas ooatimod to ran o ff darts® tho mctnth, <i«ar$a*liag f r « #47*709*000 oa Jaaaary 31 to *46*274*000 oa tho l a s t day of fobrimry* fit# proeo»t circu la tio n * Jtowov*§r* i s s t i l l sorao s& U lm m& * h a lf groator than on fobmary 2 i a your ogo* ®m t o t a l dopoaits or fobraary 12 rtmc&ad tho blghoat point la tho hi at or ,y » of tho ban* — #71*608*000* Ap$»oa±ia&toly 13*600*000 of th is m m m t* hmmmr# i s aooouatod f o r by uasottlod iml&noes ilno to tho fhot that till# b8»jte I'omainod opoa on February 12* m whioh ia t o * boiag Idnoola’ s birtb&ay* tbs- Updoral Boaorro Board and most of tho othor fodors4 Bosarvo Banks w«ro alosed* Bosovor* On tho tu tlm itm day our deposits rooodod only to #69*004*840* mhiah s t i l l |9ftv»8 a poak sine* the beginning of tbs bassic** operations* Our member banks r«®or?o deposits oa ffcbmary $$ araountod to 166,164*077 ms aonpirud with 164,372,660 on January S i aa& 156,437,50? on Ifcbraary 28 a year ago* S t a t is t ic s eoiqpilod fro a tho ooaditlttt imports of mmb9* hm$m a s o f i«asi&ber 3 1 , 19 4 , ®ho* that < that dato tho to ta l d ep osits o f ms&m b&xfco In th is m d is t r io t f o r tho f i r s t tin s in t h e ir h isto ry poosod tho or** b illio n d o lla r nark, the to ta l boix& : i ,004 ,225,0 0 0 , whioh o&giaros with tho previous high point of 960,000,000 on Dooonbo* 31f 1919* Boo to oattstsntly door®asiu^ earning a sse ts oar rosorro position wont up to ad high os 76*0 per oont dmiiut tho month* ( e tho la s t day I t stood at 73*6 per oont, as f ooog&roci with 67*2 por mm% m January 31 and 41*9 por oont or Fofcvaary 28* 1934* Although wo iuodo bo o d w o o s for aooomxt of' tho Wor fim itoo Corporation dur» lag fobwuwry roprosontiag primary o b lig atio n s, tho.ro w^ro traasfsrred to m f r m o 1 m m * Oity Iobxls aggrogatlag $ ^ 5 t119*27* ito ids# odvonood oagpoirvao moxioy to ta lin g | a it 5£7«02* Out of to ta l loans of tho »ar i i m t m Q w pom tim of 1 3 ,8 0 S ,4 4 6 *3 1 hosdlod by th is baisc, ^3,620,640*52 i s o t prosost oatstsndiue* 4 not rodaotlon of four during 'M m m rf I o o t o s our prosont iai4#orship at 033» th is ooapyroo with 869 at* tho la s t day of Fobnm y a yoar fho fallow ing oiioagos oootitrod during tlio monthi i2XUS3BX(S3i f i r s t S a tio n a l 3sntlct //oslaoo, fo m s9 a p rim ry organiaatioa* I t r s t 3 ta to Ssiic.f ^stimolav 1« M*, foiw erly tho 3to<tooa *s 3tato Bamc o f Qorona, a tasiE^or bax^c, whioh morod to B stm o ia and. o^on^od i t s nano* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -10- Withdrawal® by form al s u rre n d e r of s to c k in t h i s bank* C e n tra l E a t io n a l BaiSc* V?aoo* f @ » s * c o n so lid a te d w ith th© f i r s t Hat io n al Bank of '^aoo* Oitisens O aaranty State Bank of L u fk in , fexas# p re v io u s ly re p o rte d c lo se d * Stockm en1* S t a te Bank o f Coronat I# H»* a s mentioned above* f i r s t Hat io n a l t a l c * £eog> C ity * Q kla*f absorbed by F* & II# N atio n al Bank o f A o h llle* Anerioaa Bat io n a l Bank* Durant) F i r s t Hat io n a l Bank* Bokohito } * y ^ r a n t Sati0Ba2, fe345c Ofcr p re s e n t msnfcership i s d iv id ed between S t a t e and n a tio n a l Panics assd among Head O ffice and Branches a s f& le w e i D a lla s SI Paso Houston T o ta l E a tio n a l 500 42 - J U £ ...... 652 S ta te 146 4 ... jR ... 101 itM 645 41 ..142.. 853 Am i s known t o th e m&mbers o f th e hoard* th e bankiBg' laws of f e x a s have r e c e n t l y ; ; been so amended a s to p e n a lt S t a t e hanks t o withdraw from th e g u aran ty fund system by ; I e x e c u tin g * under c e r t a i n r e s t r i c t i o n s * a s a t i s f a c t o r y bond o o re rin g th© amount o f th e I | bank*s c a p i ta l s to c k in p r o t e c t i o n - o f i t s d e p o s its * or by p led g in g f o r t h a t purpose a c I | e e p ta b le s e c u r i t i e s which a r e n o t a p a r t of th e bank*s a s s e ts # i h i l e i t i s im p ossib le* o f - I co u rse* t o determine j u s t ifeat r e s u l t s t h i s l e g i s l a t i o n w i l l u lti m a te l y produce* we a r e ■ > | d eep ly in te r e s t e d h ere in th e f i n a l out cans* I t i s apparent th a t th e l a r g e r S t a t e banks 7 I and even many o f the s m a lle r ones which have lon g been c h a fin g under th e assessm en ts o f . th e g u aran ty fund w ill l o s e no tim e in ©rabr&clng, i f th ey c a n , t h i s o p p o rtu n ity to w ith ; draw* I t i s n et improbable t h a t th# g u aran ty fund system# thus weakened by th e s e w ith draw als* w i l l beooms so burdens cos a s t o m m I t d o u b tfu l w hether a r& e n te r p r is in g s t a t e banks w il l be eontent t o remain* fh e s e unable o r u n w illin g t o meet th e req u irem en ts o f th e new law w ill d o u b tle s s se e k th e only o th e r avenue of escap e «*- th a t o f n a tio n a lis in g * A lready we have r e c e iv e d sin ce th e enactm ent o f the law a s many a s tw en ty-seven a p p lic a tio n s to co n v ert in to n a tio n a l banks* f i f t e e n of th e s e coming 'from banks which a r e n o t now members of th e F e d e ra l R eserve System* Uaoh of th e tim e o f our o f f i c e r s I s taken up by r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s o f s t a t e banks seek in g n a tio n a l charters. C c I n t e r e s t .in the g e n e ra l fr banking situation o f th e s t a t e cau ses us to view w ith some con cern a s i t u a t i o n , which \ seems probable i f n ot in e v ita b le * w herein th e e n t i r e burden o f th e g u a ra n ty fund w i l l be : s h ifte d t o th e siu aller* w eaker S ta te banks* many o f which are unable t o b e a r assessments even equal t o , notch l e s s g r e a t e r than* th o se th ey have a lre a d y been c a lle d upon to pay* The new bank O eaw tesloner o f f e x a s seems to be making no e f f o r t to p rolon g th e e s d s te n c e o f banks tfioee c o n d itio n seems h o p e le ss* and* Judging by th e naafeer which have clo se d t h e i r d oo rs s in c e he assumed o f f i c e t a s w e ll as o th e r circu m stan ces coming under our ob- Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -1 1 - 11 sorv& tlon# he may f e e l th a t those whloh in M s opinion mast © v en tu ally fail should 1 1 be perm itted to suspend w h ile the nusfcer o f banks su b jeo t to assessinent re m ln 1 1 p r a c t i c a l l y u»la$»aired* b e lie v e th e developm ents w il l be w e ll w orth w atohing 1 1 and the m»Bi>ers of the board w i l l be kept l » toaoh w ith th e s itu a tio n frora time tO tlfflS* J As a a a t t e r of p o s s ib le I n t e r e s t t o th e Board# I ussy a d v is e th a t e f f e o t i v e Feb ru ary 27 th e f e d e r a l Reserve Banic of Sew fo rk in c re a s e d i t s re d isco u n t r a t e i r m 3 p e r oent # whid* had been in e f f e o t sln o e August 8# 1924# t o 3§- p e r cent# whiah i s aow th e e f f e o t i v e r a t e of the f e d e r a l He serv e banim of Boston# lew fork# P h ilad elp h ia# O levelaad and San F ra n o iso o . The r a t e o f th e reim iain g seven r e s e r v e banka i s s t i l l 4 p e r ce n t* You will note from your 00Bg>aratlve statem en t that on Itobruary 2 8 , 33 f a i l e d banks were indebted to us in the n e t sum o f | 1,4 2 3 ,7 8 3 * ^ 1 # exclu d in g th e amount oharged on December 8# 19E4# t o B oserve f o r lo s se s # Our In s o lv e n t Sanies Department e f f e c t e d collections d u rin g th e month t o t a l i n g $ 8 4 # $ 0 3 * 9 1 , In c u rrin g an expanse in that o o n n eetlan o f 3 ,4 8 5 * 8 9 * t h i s compares w ith t o t a l c o l l e c t i o n s o f 108# 280*04 effeoted durii^ Jamary at & cost of ,)3#375*55* !§ hold against th e above Indebtedness o f $ 1 ,4 2 3 # 7 3 3 * 21# t o t a l p a p e r of # 4 f3 £ 8 # .X68«dXt and Irnve reserv ed on our booto# a s you w il l rsoaXX# a total of # 6 1 9 ,6 3 0 * 6 3 against lo s s e s in oosneotion w ith f a i l e d banks* Uille the personnel o f ou r Insolvent Banks D epart iaent i s g iv in g every possible at tention to t h e paper we hold, it Is only n a tu r a l t h a t the v o X u e o o f our c o l l e c t i o n s from h e re ou t t o the beginning o f the o r op moving .season w i l l not be v e ry heavy* Eleven bank® clo sed in the E lev en th D i s t r i c t du rin g t h e month o f f'ebruaasr f four mender banks and seven non-member* 4 1 1 of th o se eleven banks# excep t th ree# were .S tate batiks In 5?exas* fhe four naember banks suspend in g b u sin ess were th e Bogata n a t i o n a l Basic o f Bogata# t o s s th e C ity B a tlo n a l B x e of C la rlc s v llle # fe x a s* th e af: I*oo3K&ey 3 t a t e Bank of Lodfcney# Texas# and the F& rm rs R a tio n a l Bazfe o f Heiqpstead# fex&s* The Bogata B a tio n a l Bank was not Indebted to u s a t the time o f c lo s i n g , a l though it had red isco u n ted h e a v ily w ith u s in p rev io u s years# owing u . a m xlm rn s amount in 1922 of # 9 3 ,0 0 0 * I s had many conferences w ith i t s o f f i c e r s d u rin g the l a s t three years# b e sid e s being req u ired t o g iv e i t s a f f a i r s raaoh a t t e n t i o n in jaany o th e r ways* L a s t y e a r we advanced the bank $43#OO0# whioh m s f u l l y rep aid in Bcnrembor* There i s not s u f f i c i e n t b u sin ess In t h e Bogata oosn u n lty to s t^ p o rt two banks# and t h a t circu m stan ce no doubt in flu en ced th e d i r e c t o r s t o cloue th e bank’s d oo rs* I am p le a se d to say t h a t the H r s t n a t io n a l Baffle o f Bogata w ith in th e l a s t few days h as in c re a s e d i t s o a p ita l and tak en o v e r th e B ogata la t l o n a l Bank*3 a s s e t s find assumed i t s l i a b i l i t i e s # thus b rin g in g about a v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y s i t u a t io n in th e ooronmity* ■ I f e e l th a t the me n ears of th e board have been kept v e ry w ell Informed a s to th e a f f a i r s o f th e u i ty l a t l o n a l Bank of u l& rk s v ille d u rin g th e p a s t two o r th r e e y e a rs * "'M le I t perhaps cannot be said t h a t th a t I n s t i t u t i o n has given, us more tro u b le than &np member bank in th e d i s t r i c t # i t i s n e v e r th e le s s q u ite t r u e th a t in Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives **12** ean aeotiea w ith none have w* bad more co n feren ces, sad w have had re p re se n ta tiv e s visit e the baalc more perhaps than axqr o th er on© of our members* In February, 1922, the baafe owed u s $275, 000* l i l « til© amount of the line has steadily decreased from th a t data t o tha p oint *fe#re on the date of olosing1 it ow us - 72, 137*51, this has been acaoraplished ed 3 only by th® basic c o lle c tin g its H»st liq u id paper* For s e v e ra l m onth® have re a lis e d the u t t e r hopelessness of the banic’e situation, but m desiring to do anything th a t ot would p r e c ip ita te i t s c l o s lag we have been very patient m forbearing, even permitting id the baalc *s indebtedness, which was in the form of a f ifteen-day note, to run p ast due* W were fu rth e r enocuraged to exercise t h i s leaienoy because of the h e that the e €£> Sxamination Department had of inducing one of other banics in the tow t o talce over the C ity B a tlo a a l. Although the Managing off* oera of the banic who have had its affairs i a oharge during the last tw or th ree years have beta, in our Judgment, o o f good moral C h aracter, i t was n e v e rth e le ss tru e th a t the baait had lost its prestige in the oosKiuaity and i t s a c tu a l local deposit® had diminished to aa amount no greater than half of its capital stoak o f # 2 0 0 ,0 0 0 * W felt that m did everything m oould to prevent the clo sin g e of the baalc and such, I understand, is the feeling of its own officers and directors* w e hela a margin of f i f t y p er oent c o l l a t e r a l in connection with th e baaie's indebtedness to u s , b esid es having the eadorseswnt of th e d ire c to r s * $e apprehend no lo s s w hatever, sM i t i s pwatbable th a t th e d e p o sito rs will receive a s u b s ta n tia l dividend, m to h mm As w ill be re c a lle d by members of the board, I*. B* ,u a sle r, Vice P resid en t aad Gaahier of the Earners N ational Banc, a d m itte d su icid e i a the l a t t e r p a rt o f December* baalc was not indebted to us a t that time ant was i a a p r e tty fair oash posit ion* T circu m sta n ce o f Ir# Aiasler*# s u i o id e , however, im m ediately produced a c r i s i s l a th e im banfc’ js a f f a i r s aad Manager H a rr is o f th e Houston B reach , i a whose t e r r i t o r y th e ban* was l o c a t e d , went to B e d s t e a d and c o n fe rre d w ith the d i r e a t or® o f the b&ale in m e f f o r t t o b rin g about a oos^osed s l t u a t i o a f a t th e same tim e advan cing # 1 0 ,0 0 0 a g a in s t a f i f t e e n day a o t e and c o l l a t e r a l t o p ro vid e a d d itio n a l oash f o r aa emergency* M iiasler ms also r* Ocuaty M e a s u r e r o f th e oouaty i n w b i& Hemps te a d i s lo c a te d * I t was d is co v e re d a f t e r h i s d e a th th a t he was short in h i s acco u n ts a s t r e a s u r e r a a araooat i a exo ess of # 4 0 ,0 0 0 , However, t h is amount was taade good, we u n d e rsta n d , by r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s of h is e s t a t e out o f th e p roceed s of l i f e in su ran ce policies c a r r i e d by Mr* Amsler* fhe loan of 1 1 0 ,0 0 0 was rep aid a t m t u r i t y and th e bank: owed u s nothing a t th e tim e o f closing* M exaiidnat i o a o f th e b&m i a th e l a t t e r i?art o f J a m a r y d is c lo s e d l o s s e s of $8A#@O0, whicli rendered the baaic ia s o lv e n t* ubsequent to t h i s th e County Juug® o f W aller uounty n o t i f i e d the baalc th a t a t nine o ’ c lo c k th e fo llo w in g morning th e cou n ty f a a d s , which were ia cneoess of 1 4 0 ,0 0 0 , would be withdrawn. As a result of t h i s th e bank: d id not open the n ext d ay , though o f co u rse i t could n o t have been leapt open axyway u n le ss th e n e c e s s a ry s te p s oould have beea tafesa t o r e s t o r e th e c a p i t a l * Tm k Tim Lcckaey S ta te JBaaSc waa a c t indebted to us a t the tim e i t suspendedbbusiness, although l a 1922 aad 1923 i t had f a i r l y heavy lin e s here* within our knowledge th e bonk »s c a p i t a l had beea la^alred, i f not totally wiped oat, fo r a year or s o r e , and l a s t year we declin ed to grant it any credit until i t i capital had beea properly restored,* It ms laept going by s u b sta n tia l d e p o s its , e i t h e r m ade or brought about by the Banfc Conrad ssitm er of fexas# Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives *12* 0& Decernfcer 3 th e to n e was examined fey th e S t a te banking a u th o r it ie s and lo s s e s ag g re g a tin g #62,^00 were found, a g a in s t & oom>lnsd c a p i t a l and re serv e o f # 62,500* fhi® rendered th e i n s t i t u t i o n t o t a l l y In s o lv e n t* $he p re sid e n t of the bank made strenuous but u nsuooes.jful e f f o r t s to r a i s e a new c a p ita l f visiti-Ufc, j» is t r lllo f ?ort /orth and A ustin* He d id succeed I s se cu rin g on® p ro p o s itio n from In d iv id u a ls capable o f re fin o n o b a ^ # t h is p ro p o s itio n b e in g p red icated on th e Banking Department a t t r i b u t i n g $25 *000 out of tli# guaranty fund to take out lo s s e s * fh e new Bank Commissioner, howwrer, a o tin g perhaps somewhat alon g the lin e s lo d io a ted in a previou s paragraph o f t h i s r e p o r t, d e clin e d to do t h i s and th e r e s u l t was t in t the exam iners olosed the baiie* m had a r e * p resen t a t I t s on th e ground f o r about te n days b e fo re th e bank clo se d * to render mdh a s sistan ce as he could to prevent the dittoing of the bank* The non-msmber banks closing fir in g the month were: a t i L M ftqfi Peoples S ta te Bank of Hanger, Texas Lometa S ta te Bank o f Loiaeta, Tema Guaranty S ta te Bank & fru st Germany, Sulphur Springs, ftx a s Soofc Island State Bank, m m Isla n d , fem e Hardin bounty S tate Bank, Xountze, Texas Aaerioan S ta te lank, Harrisburg, Texas f i r s t S ta te Bank, Bio Hondo, ferns Sanies were reported olosed in other d i s t r ic t s during February ae follow sj S<m~faoraber Ohloago 2 9 Kansas C ity 0 4 5 iHnneapolis 6 P h ilad elphia 0 Richmond I S % &ouis % 0 1 San /r a n c la c o — -2..... r..... „ ...... —........ 1 ................ . to ta l 11 23 % Z fe ta ] 10 4 11 2 3 1 ..3 34 Slnoe th e l a s t meeting o f the Board General Auditor fo a lk s v i s i t e d th e llupo l a t l o n a l Baafc, a«oon|>anied by an a s s i s t a n t , ana oheoked up th e a f f a i r s of th a t i n s t i t u tio n a s th e y r e l a t e to th e ta k in g o w i o f th e f i r s t l a t l o n a l Bank o f Hugo In th e early p a rt o f Septem ber, 1923* As has been exp lain ed to th e b o a rd , th e o f f i c e r s o f the a tg o l a t l o n a l Baiflc have oontended th a t th e re a r e heavy lo s s e s in th e paper tai® n ov©r frees the f i r s t l a t l o n a l Bank not provided f o r a t th e tim e o f th e m erger, and th a t u n le ss some r e l i e f i s affo rd ed them in oojm eotlon w ith th e s e Id s s e s th e r e s u lt imy be o f se rio u s con sequence to th e Hugo R a tio n a l Bank. Mr* Foulks has submitted h is r e p o r t , from whioh i t appears th a t a g re a t many item s have been included in the l i s t o f lo s s e s which Should Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -14- properly be horn* by the Hugo Hational Bank l i m i t . In addition to this it appears th a t the capital stook of the Hugo Ifett onsl $*ufc, which Is f2OO,OO0, is lirgalred in the amount of about #00,000 by losses in tk,« assets of tho lego National Bank which boar no rslaticn to thoss acquired from ths first national Banlc. lir* ehall* President of ths Hugo Bational Back, la anxious to have a conference with our ixecmtive Comaitts© at which ths whole situation laay bo oarefully reviewed, It may bs that our executive oonaaittee will find it naoessary to make some further concessions in this case. Ths faota in relati on to this situation 'Bill bs further discussed in connection with this r«$>ort, with a view of having ths members of tha board give the executive oonmit tss ths bsnsfit of their advice sad suggestions* 1 spent practically a ll of last waek in uarlsbad with Counsel 3troud and Deputy Governor Grund in connection with the Idvingston Oattle matter, «hloh has been brought to the attention of t h s 'board, at different meetings* Reoit ing ths natter briefly, 1 may say that m hold as additional collateral to the indebtedness of ths national Bank of Uarlsbad a nots of ths Livingston Oattie Company for approximately $1X3,000, aeoired by a mortgage on m s oattle of that concern, whloh at ths tins we tootle ths mortgage were estimated to bs about 9*000 in nuober. C o account of the con t tinued dapy ssather and ths inability of ths oongpany itaslf to provids fonds with ifeiOh to imy feed, this matter reaoihed a critical stags about two weeks ago and 1 sent Counsel St road to Jarlabad with instraatians to endeavor to make sons settlement of ths trans action m e r s b y us would aoguirs full title to the oattls on whloh m tools a H a n , Mr* Grand and I Joining M m a few days later at his request* 3oma days previous m had placed a representative of our own at ths Xdvingston randh ana had providsd some feed for ths oattls* fhers were many angles to this matter# Involving the rights of junior lisn holders, unsecured creditors and an individual tfeo had a mortgage on ths ranch on i&ioh the oattls were located, as well as a ssootsd lien on the oattls them selves. As a result of several days * negotiations m arrivsd at a tentative agreement whereby ths Livingston battle Ocqpa&jr would execute to us a bill of sale covering all of the oattle mortgaged to us upon the oonsideratlon of a sash payment of $10,000, for ap proximately one-half of which sum we expect to be reimbursed by other interested parties, ths amount to bs paid us either in cash or in oattls at their present worth* man ^ a m ws had plaoed on ths ranch estimated that here were about 5,000 cattle m ths ranches at ths present time m whloh we had a lien* Several hundred heed of the oattls apparently have disd during ths last fsw weeks* Ss have supplied faeS, however, and t s / hope to arrest this loss at least in some measure* our representative also stated that the calf crop, notwithstandli^ ths drouth and other unfavorable conditions, will bs fairly good* If we acquire title to ths oattls* m expect to provide the® with sufficient fesd for ths next sixty days, after which m expeot to mans such disposition of them as the circumstances and conditions will at that time warrant, hoping of course to males sals of them on ths ranches* {©cognizing ths difficulties attending our efforts to hasdle this oattls situation from Dallas* just before leaving Oarlsbad I called up Manager Heordan sf the 1 1 Paso Brandi and askad him to mset m at Pesos last Saturday* This hs did and I ar 5 ranged for him to spend as much time as necessary during ths next few weeks in Carlsbad Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -1 5 * end vicinity, g i n m special attention to the handling of these cattle* It Is felt that not only by reason of his familiarity with that section of the distriot ani his acquaintance with ths people in that vicinity, hat also through the faot that he has had considerable eiperleaoe lately with oattle la which m had an interestt he la qualified to handle this situation to the very best advantage. The wortc at the . 1 Faso Branch is 8 very light at this time aat it waa felt that he could be spared without any serious inoonvenienoe to the operation of the Branch* The Executive Qomaittee has designated Mr# Vmwp as Acting Ssanager to serve during the several absences of Mr* aeordrn* The regular spring conference of the Governors of the twelve federal Heserve Banks bas been oalled to meet in Washington beginning April 6t and I au niaklng wp plans to attend* Respectfully subndtted, (Signed) B* A* McKinney Governor*” She Governor#s reference to the position of the bank with respect to earnings, and its investnent policy for the imedlate future, developed a free discussion* It was the oonsemrai of pinion that In view of the baritef present earning position it was quite s desirable that purchases of Govenuaent securities be continued, and tipon motion by lar# Frost, duly carried, an investment; up to #10,000,000 in U* 3. Goverarasnt bonds was authorised* At this juncture Chairman Galley received a sassage of the death of a member of Mrs* Talley *s fandly, and stated that it would be necessary for him to leave the moot ing* In the absenoe of Deputy Chairman U n s , Class 0 Director Perieias took the chair* The Board went into executive session, with only the directors, ths Secretary of the Board, and Advisory Councilman McGregor, present* Hr* aoGregor subedited a ocxqprehaasive report covering ths topics considered at the recent meeting of the Advisory Council, and the reoomaendations thereon. The report m s supplemented by a verbal statement and sn interesting discussion of the toplos developed, Bo further business being presented, a motion to adjourn prevailed# APPSCTODi ATTEST i Chairman Secretary Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Itbnaaiy It, IMS E x e c u tiv e Mr* Mattegon: iS«o«ipt It aoknowXodgod of IQth W tant, •noloftlng it oentSiges of partlolpation of FoAoraX in 3 y % nw t ^ r r W W p S i i S i r ^ February* q£ wmi mE four l#tt#r suad *»oloiur* w ill b t brought to th# a tt* n ti m of th# mmbern of th» Board* ?*ry truly your#* ( S i g n e d ) W a l Ue r t **lt*r l* Eddy, S«or«t&ry* Mr* W 1# Mfcttoaon, S#orotary» * Op#n Mayrlost Xnv*«t»ettt OoBssltt##, «/o Ffcdoral Rotor** Bask, ItnrTorlc* v« Y * F o!d< r — ---------- : ------------------------------------------------ : -------— Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Fe d eral of Re ser v e Ban k RECEIVED New Yo rk I FEB 1 1 1 9 2 5 Ox'-rXCB O j: ‘ T H E GOV3HBHOB February 10, 1925. PERSONAL Dear Governor Crissingers Enclosed is a statement showing the revised percent>ages of participation of Federal reserve banks in System pur chases of Government securities and bankers acceptances based on reports received by the Committee as of the close of January SI, 1925, which ratios are to apply on System purchases made during the month of February. I am also enclosing for your information a copy of letter which is being sent to-day to the governors of all the Federal reserve banks. Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee Honorable D. E. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Ends. (2) Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives „ FEDERAL. RESERVE BANK February 10, 1925 f OF n W IO K " t Dear Governor : \ i ?v / f j j } 192^- \ ..... -, r 1'he Committee has received estimates of expenses of all Federal reserve banks for the current year to be used as a basis for allotting System purchases £2Hi V • of Government securities and bills. Some o f the banks included estimates of the probable amounts that they Would charge off at the end of the year, principally for buildings and estimated losses. While it is expected that it may be possible to distribute during the course of the year purchases which may b© made in such a manner as to take care of all or part of the estimated charge-offs, the Committee has deemed it more practical and equitable to make allotments of purchases, for the present, on the basis of estimated current expenses and dividends only, the theory of such a dis tribution being that some of the banks, even on this basis, have shown a defic iency in their earnings since January 1, 1925 and it is felt that estimates should fully cover expenses and dividends before providing for charge-offs. There is enclosed, in tabulated form, a statement showing estimated current expenses from February 1 to December SI, 1925 (including dividends) and the percentage ratios based thereon* You will note from this that your allot ment for the current month will be ______ % of total purchases of Government se curities and bills* Very truly yours, W. B. Matteson Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee REVISED PERCENTAGES OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS IN SYSTEM PURCHASES OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND BANKERS ACCEPTANCES BASED ON EARNING REQUIREMENTS AS REPORTED TO COMMITTEE AS OF THE CLOSE OF JANUARY 31, 1925 - Boston Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan, 1 - Jan* 31. 1925 Estimated Expenses Feb. 1 - Dec* 3l/25 Including Dividends Estimated Expenses (Net) from Feb. 1 - Dec. 3l/25 Including Dividends Revised Ratio of Participation $ 64,790 v 2,284,600 * 2,219,810 143,148 7*887,000 7,743,852 3,717 2,480,000 2,476,283 67,600 3,236,000 3*168,400 10 1 New York Philadelphia Cleveland \ x 42,000 1 ,702,000 ■ 1,744,000 % Atlanta x 1,383,819 1,427,091 5% 51,573 4,411,092 4,359,519 l3/o 3t# Loui3 x 15,200 1,714,000 1,729,200 % Minneapolis x 8,330 1*304,400 1,312,730 41 3,339 1,958,298 1,954,959 6% Dallas 20,178 1,388,169 1,367,991 4i San Francisco 33,000 . 2,957,000 2,924.000 % 2 , 7 0 6 ,3 7 8 J32 ,4 2 7 ,8 3 5 Chicago Kansas City 43,272 ^>278,543 « X Expenses exceed earnings* O O r— t Richmond w'--------------------------------------------------------— — 1 ' ---- Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 'ile Ocmv F o r m N o . 131. Office e ^ O L .u e ze the Board FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Subject: / A% V m ■*•*!»* of tho F iit n l Hooerro *o«y* cm Joaaory «th, tho follovtag *oo»fc<ti*ft wut oat&toooftly tho D ilato r of tho Jourt** Viviiltm of s f t r f «mi ttoac Qhtxa* * m * * v tfco too** as tfewn4«7 *f 000? « * : ) ** r ! o Q wport to tb» B o d ml ftmlogarofttt on «r ovt tho tasi2 *s9 and orodlt •ltaotlon, ls*l*Ung tho opoyotlM of tho (3pm r»rkot XwrootMnt Ctewaittoo**--- — — - /\J L X \h/^ ^Declassified Holdings of the National Archives o . 181. Office CorreL .ou To _ -Ga?xemor. Cr± asing.er From. IFEl RESERVE ARD Date_ Subject: -Mr. & Several days ago you stated that you thought it might be desirable to have Dr. Stewart come before the Board crior to the next meeting of the Open Market Committee of Governors to report upon recent developments in the business and credit situation and review the operations of the Open Market Committee of Governors. You also stated that you thought it might be desirable to have him appear before the full Board more or less regularly for such a discussion and report. I have rather hurriedly drafted the attached resolution for such use as you may care to make of it. Dr. Stewart has been consulted. /Declassified Holdings of the National Archives In order that each member of the Board may have the benefit of the views of the other members of the Board on current economic and financial trends, and also on the policies and operations of the Open Market Committee, BE IT RESOLVED, That a full discussion of these sub jects be had at a meeting of the Board at least once each ^ ________ _ ■ ■ ■ week hereafter, and that the Director of the Board’s Divi_ __ _______ sion of Research and Statistics, who is also Secretary of the Board*s Committee on Discount and Open Market Policy, be directed to attend the meetings of the Board at which such discussions may ensue, and report upon recent devel opments in the business and credit situation, and review the operations of the Open Market Committee of Governors. - iV 'i H. f IIC ’D XI MM© SECflOB Botoa en . Ifeo*-adat ions of the 0 * M* I * 04 . £B * * 1 1 9 4 4 r ? t- i J ’) _____________■/ Vote It U /s /ta fha O. K. I . 0 . moaraended the purohMo « f aaourlUaa provMo* •' tkfct auoh parohaMi « n u to aodo wlthemt a? «*"«*?<■£ * y mr-nay - o r n . s • * » » « * 3»«urtty a o rto ta , with tbe u a d e ra ttsd l^ t l a t tho of the iM rt and p articip atin g tanka u to farth er purehaaei »oald *• aa*«d for a f te r ■ to ta l of $100,000,000 hod too* M qulro*. Xte Boord favond tho jrarohaae of a lim ited rolvm of w o n rltlsa , Moarrtap tka rig h t to dlaoontlnae parsteooa and m a i l * oolo a t may tlno* |p* 5 ) Vole 2t 1/14/24 Holloa adopted that the Oowalttee be author!zed to purchase not more than tl5,O00gOOO freasury notes (due IZ/li/M} prior to it* next *»etia*r - baying fa to i ■ fee ho advanced* T{p» # ) ^ot) ^ ■Ho 3: 2/l/24 Price it-al which Coawltteewas authorised to purchase securities wse revissd so as toperairpurohaaes up to tho aaount of $100, 000,000 t / previously agreed upon# (p. 6 b} r lot® 4s 2/25/24 Jtoved that Chairmen submit to a ll banks reoonroendation* that farther purchases not exoeediae $ 100, 000,000 be m after fir s t ade $ 100, 000,000 purchase had been convicted. (p. §b) (*o record of formal authorisation by the Board of thla c action.) 7N ^ Bote 5t 4/22/24 Toted that additional purchases he authorised up to and sot ex ceeding In tho aggregate #250,000,000* (p* 71 (So roaord of formal approval or discussion by the Board ^ c , of this proposal* J ^ ^ Bote 6$ 5/29/24 Secoranended aa increase la 0. V* 1* 0. holding's of 1150,000,000 tho purchases to b m at tbe disoretion of the Conmittee at current © ade market prloes, sad also that tho Chairman be authorized to m tem afce porary sales during quarterly tax periods of amounts deened advisable under suitable repurehase arranges* at* fhe Board on Juno 4, 1924 voted authorisation and asked to he advised when purchases were oaqpleted* (p* 10) Bote Tt 7/14/24 Toted that tho maximm lln lt on purchases ho ralsod from u l^ . $400,000,000 to $500,000,000, prloos to he at Ghalwn&nU discretion, ^ the operations to bo conducted 'I5~sach a my as to minimi so ohaages In either the credit situation or aarteet quotations for securities* Au thority was given to make porohaaos in other districts than B# Y. Expressed tbs view (by fwnaal vote) that la event of substantially x*m changed conditions a further increase of the 1500,000,000 limit would bo favored aad requested an Indication of the views of the Board oa this point* fho Board oa July 29, 1924, approved increasing the aooouat from $400,000,000 to $500,000,000 with the understanding that a ll effort «ml4 tw Mda to dlatorlwiioe to ti» a ttq Motet. *o motion u s rn IiJqib Q ti}0 qu0stloss of fortlvr iM n siis^ tin $ 800*000*000 mx]sbh« g (p. U ) / Bote 61 10/24/24 Beeolation paeeed reoowneadln^ that the Ohalraan he gi^ea au thority to hay or eell up to 1100*000,000 of eeoarltlei to neet any el tart ion developing la the aoaey aartet. fp« 13} (X0 aotion taken hy the Board a a til Bov* 1 2* 1924} loto fit 11/12/24 Moating of the Board attended by aa^ere of the 0* If* I* C* approved reoomadatioiie, (1) that the Ooacittee eootlnae to raelce tem porary oaloa and porchaeee deened aeoe»«ary at tax periods, (2} that the dietrlhatloa to tho haafce of M ile aad securities parohaeed he contimed oa baeis of eetiaeted deficiencies la earniage* (3} that the governors Confer* aoe aathorlee the Ooamittee to exchange certificates mtvxlag after Beceaber 51* 1926 for ehorter natarltleo, aad authorised the OoraBlttee to, (1) wplaoo tho #66,000*000 of December Maturities, to the exteat adTleahle la ooaelderatioa of aartoet conditions at that time, (») to offeet gold movements or eann|rlcla£a to the extent advis able in ooaelderatioa of aaifcat oondltlone* hat not ia exoeee of $100*000*000, (3) to ee ll securities to redaoe the S. I* aocouat to $600*000*000 at rapidly a» money conditions aeke It practicable* (p. 14) loto 9* IZ/19/M fi* Chalraafi reported to the Board In Joint Meeting and pro posed that while the Oonalttee ehoald he prepared to e ith e r hay or eell according to money wartaS't development# i t voold he desirable to maintain the S* I* account a t about #450*000,000 and that frc* tine to time holdlag* ehoald he liquidated* fhe report ead proposal* aore approved hy the Board* (p* 26) vj r * : Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. Office Correspc . It ze T o _____ Federal Reserve Board From __ FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Subject:, Committee on Discount & Open_ _ Market Policy. The undersigned Committee on Discount & Open Market Policy, whom were assigned the reports of the Governors and of Chairmen at 'their recent Conference on the topic: to HThe advisability of a Federal Reserve Bank investing an amount equal to capital and surplus Government bonds for earning purposes". begs leave to report that the Governors after a lengthy discussion of the question were evenly divided when a vote was taken on the follow ing motion: "That it is the sense of the conference that there is no objection in principle to the investment by Federal reserve banks in long time Government ob ligations of so much of their capital and surplus as is not represented by buildings or other fixed in vestments.” The Chairmen in conference by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution: "The committee believes that the System should not change its investment policy any more^than it should change its policy in regard to services and other operative matters, because of tenporary changes' in credit conditions. The policy of the System has not been to invest in long time Government bonds to any extent, although the matter has been discussed many times. The committee moreover believes that in view of the present cheapness of credit and "consequent high quotations for bonds, the present is not an oppor tune time to make such an investment even if, as a matter of policy, it was considered desirable.” The Committee after consideration of the matter finds itself in substantial agreement with the position stated in the resolution adopted at the Chairmen’s conference and recommends it for careful con sideration by the Board should the Board at any time be disposed ta formulate an expression of its attitude in the matter of investment by Federal reserve banks of amounts equal to their capital and surplus in Government bonds for earning purposes. )Conmittee )on Discount )5 Open Market <b )Folicy. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. Office Correspc le ce FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD T o _______ Consalttee on Discount & Open Market Subject: Policy (Messrs* Miller, Platt TMAj_______ & Cunningham) By direction of the G-overnor, there is respect fully referred to the Conmittee on Discount and Open Market Policy, for report at the meeting on Friday, the attached memorandum of action by the recent Governors* and .Federal Reserve Igents Confersnces on the advisability of a Federal Reserve bank in vesting an amount equal to capital and surplus in government bonds for earning purposes* Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Report of Joint Conference discussion on the following topics "Advisability of a Federal reserve bank investing an^amoxmt equal to capital and surplus in Government bonds~‘ Toir e&raing purposes *" Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 7 Go v e r n o r Strongs If It is the d e s i r e o f t he B o a r d to go o v e r this p r o g r a m w h i c h has b e e n submitted, w e w i l l take u p the fitfst i t e m o n t h e program, w h i c h is 1. Advisability of a Federal reserve bank I n v e s t i n g a n amount equal to c a p i t a l and surplus in G o v e r n m e n t b o nds f or e a r n i n g purposes, I h a v e not th e minutes of o u r p r o c e e d i n g s to r e f e r to, of course, but the a c t i o n of the C o n f e r e n c e was tha t It was not a d v i s a b l e to do so at this time, Gov e r n o r Crisslnger: Are there a n y remarks a b o u t that? Mr* Miller; X) id y o u t a k e a v o t e o n t h e s e things? Governor S trong: Yes. Mr. H a r r i s o n r e m i n d s m e that that was a n e v e n l y d i v i d e d vote. I t h i n k I v o t e d o n it, did I not? Mr* Ha r r i s o n s Yes. T h e Chairman* T h a t is correct* divided, Y o u v o t e d a g a i n s t it. T h e v o t e was e v enly a n d X v o t e d a g a inst it. G o v e r n o r Seay: Ma y I suggest that it was a n evenly divided v o t e as to p rinciple. G o v e r n o r Strong? I t h i n k if the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n h a d b e e n to buy some l o n g t e r m bonds at this time it w o u l d h a v e b een different. G@veraoi* <&»lsslngei?t the banks voted? Doe s anyone d e a i r © to k n o w h o w (After a pause) A p p a r e n t l y not. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives G o v e r n o r Orissingers Mr* Perrin* H a * e y o u a n y r e p o r t o n No, 1? T h e C o m m i t t e e be l i e v e s that t h e s y s t e m s h o u l d not c h a n g e its i n v e s t m e n t p o l i c y a n y mor e t h a n it sh o u l d c h a n g e its p o l i c y w i t h r e g a r d to ser v i c e s a n d o t her o p e r a t i n g m a t t e r s b e c a u s e o f t e m p o r a r y c h a n g e s In cred i t conditions* T h e p o l i c y o f th e S y s t e m is n ot to Invest in l o n g t i m e g o v e r n m e n t bonds to a n y extent, ter h a s Is e a d i s c u s s e d m a n y times * a l t h o u g h the m a t T h e committee, more* over, b e l i e v e s tha t i n vie w o f t h e p r e s e n t c h e a pness o f c r e d i t a n d c o n s e q u e n t h i g h q u o t a t i o n s f o r bonds, the p r e s e n t Is not a n o p p o r t u n e t i m e to m a k e s u c h a n i n v est- Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 30 ment, e v e n if, as a m a t t e r of policy, I t was c o n s i d e r e d desirable, T h e C o m m i t t e e attac h e s h e r e t o t h ree a r g u m e n t s w h i c h h a v e b e e n made, o ne in favor o f i n v e s t i n g in bonds, a nd th e o t h e r t w o a g a i n s t d o i n g so. I might say that the C o n f e r e n c e of F e d e r a l R e s e r v e A g e n t s w as split u p into f o u r c o m m i t t e e s o f t h r e e each, the topics w e r e r e f e r r e d to these c o m m i t t e e s tion, for c o n s i d e r a r e p o r t s w e r e m a d e to the coiafierence a n d adopted, in this as case. Governor in t h e record, Orissinger: L e t us h a v e t h o s e arg u m e n t s a n d if there is n o t h i n g f u r t h e r * w e w i l l go to topic No. 3. (The a r g u m e n t s r e f e r r e d to a ^ e as followst) Advisability of a Federal Reserve Bank Investing a n a m o u n t equal to capital a nd surplus in G o v e r n m e n t bonds for e a r n i n g p u r p o s e s . In c o n s i d e r i n g this matter, d i s p o s i t i o n f i rst should b e mad e to the b r o a d e r q u e s t i o n as to w h e t h e r or n o t a F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a n k s h ould m a k e i nvestments for income p u r poses, w h p n s u c h i nvestments do not s e e m to be r e q u i r e d by the demands o f trade. T h i s q u e s t i o n has b e e n t o u c h e d Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 31 - r o n time to time a y o u r conferences, but the a t t i t u d e o f the F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B o a r d a n d the o f f i c e r s o f the banka, as far as the w r i t e r knows, certained, banks market never has been accurately as Prop o n e n t s of the t h e o r y t h a t F e d e r a l r e s e r v e should not p u t m o n e y into the m a r k e t u n l e s s the needs it, d isturbance, or at l e a s t c a n take it w i t h o u t c a u s i n g h o l d t h e o p i n i o n t hat at eral re s e r v e b a nks such times the F e d s h o u l d r u n at a loss r a t h e r t h a n m a k e e a r nings t h r o u g h s u c h investments. But it is b e l i e v e d tha t it w i l l be f o u n d t hat a l a r g e m a j o r i t y feel that the F e d e r a l r e serve banks w e r e o r g a n i z e d to be s e l f - s u p p o r t ing - that the r e d u c t i o n s in the r e s e r v e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f m e m b e r banks, and o t h e r measures, are a m p l y s u f f i c i e n t to c o m p e n s a t e t h e m for the slight c o m p e t i t i o n the y m i g h t m e e t f r o m the F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a n k s , - that g e n e r a l l y speaking, b u s iness w i l l absorb, w i t h o u t m a t e r i a l disturbances, the a m o u n t of funds the F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks w i l l h a v e to inve s t to m a k e suf f i c i e n t earnings to c o v e r their e x p e n s e s , that it w o u l d be a great m e n a c e to the c o n t i n u a n c e o f the S y s t e m s h o u l d the banks n o t be a b l e to support t h e m s e l v e s , a n d t h a t t h ere w o u l d h a r d l y ever be a tlrae w h e n t he l a tter w o u l d be j u s t i f i e d in r e f r a i n i n g f r o m m a i n t a i n i n g s u f f icient Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 32 e a r n i n g a s s e t s to p a y e x p e n s e s a n d dividends* B e l i e v i n g t h e n that a m a j o r i t y o f this body feels that F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks s h o u l d carry suff i c i e n t e a r n i n g assets to m e e t t h e i r expense, ments, the d i v i d e n d and surplus r e q u i r e q u e s t i o n arises - "Why s h o u l d rot a r e a s o n a b l e p a r t of s u c h earning assets c o n s i s t of Government b o n d s ? ” B e c a u s e w e hav e not b e e n i n v e s t i n g in G o v e r n m e n t bonds, is Inclined to a s k • nW h a t is t h e m a t t e r w i t h t h e m ? 1 * s e c u r i t y is u n q u e s t i o n e d , other g o o d to h o ld* and, The the income l a r g e r t h a n that from Government obligations, t hey are flexible, one or f r o m b a n k e r s 1 bills; for s t r ategic purposes, just as T h e q u e s t i o n b e f o r e us is the same as the o n e s u b m i t t e d to the B o a r d some t h r e e y e a r s ago w h e n the f i n a n c i a l c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t i n g t o d a y w e r e p l a i n l y f o r e seen. The s u g g e s t i o n t hat F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks b e a l l o w e d to invest In L i b e r t y bonds a n d V i c t o r y notes f o r income p u r poses w a s not t h e n approved, States n o t e s a n d ted* but i n v e stments In U n i t e d Certificates d f I n d e b t e d n e s s w e r e p e r m i t T h e F e d e r a l A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l , to w h i c h t he q u e s t i o n of i n v e s t m e n t s of F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks w as r e f e r e e d in the sp r i n g o f 1922, said:- ^Whlle the C o u ncil believes at the same time tha t the Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 33 F e d e r a l R e s e r v e S y s t e m w o u l d be w e l l a d v i s e d in m a k i n g ef forts to incre a s e its h o l d i n g s o f a c c e p t a n c e s , there is no d o u b t that t he F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks as a w h o l e c a nnot a v o i d at this time for re a s o n s a b ove explained, Investing ver y s u b s t a n t i a l a m o u n t s e i t h e r i n G o v e r n m e n t b o n d s , C e rti ficates o f I n d e b t e d n e s s or w a r r a n t s . doubt, Of these three, no the short t e r m T r e a s u r y c e r t i f i c a t e s are t h e most su i t a b l e as i n v e s t m e n t s for the F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks. B e a r i n g i n min d that the c a p i t a l a n d surplus o f the c o m b i n e d F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks a m o u n t s to a p p r o x i m a t e l y $30 0 ,000,000, the C o u n c i l does sot feel that t h ere is Just cause to c r i t i c i s e the F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a n k s for h a v i n g in v ested In T r e a s u r y c e r t i f i c a t e s a n d s h o r t - t e r m G o v e r n m e n t o b l i g a t i o n s u p to m a m o u n t w h i c h is n ot l a r g e l y in excess o f t h e l r c a p l t a l and surplus, ing t he amount o f t h e i r assets, a n d which, consider c o n s t i t u t e s o n l y a small part of their res o u r c e s * "The Council is still o f t he o p i n i o n t hat the F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a nks shou l d a v o i d i n v e s t i n g in l o n g - t e r m G o v e r n ment bonds *” W h y this d i s t i n c t i o n was made, v i n c i n g l y explained. never has b e e n c o n It is not u n l i k e l y that the a t t i t u d e Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 34 towards Gov e r n m e n t bonds w as duo to t h e u n s a t i s f a c t o r y c o n d i t i o n o f the b o n d m a r k e t that h a d time. existed u p to that T h e g r eat w a r Issues h a d not b e e n digested; m e m b e r b a nks a n d F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks w e r e c a r r y i n g as c o l l a t e r a l s e c u r i t y f or loans h u n d r e d s o f m i l l i o n s o f t h e m w h i c h h a d b e e n bought, ic motives, them# not for i n v e s t m e n t purposes, but f r o m p a t r i o t a n d the banks w e r e m o s t anxious to get ri d o f Securities, f l o a t e d in s u c h a way, w o u l d l o o k e d u p o n f a v o r a b l y by bankers, not be a n d this p r o f e s s i o n a l a t t i t u d e o f t h e b a n k e r s t o w a r d i n v e stments w a s a l l o w e d to a f f e c t their thinking; even about G o v e r n m e n t bonds* T h e G o v e r n m e n t b o n d m a r k e t has so c h a n g e d that it is d o u b t f u l if the same a t t i t u d e w o u l d be t a ken today, as no one s e r i o u s l y c a n say that the b o n d s of our Government do n o t p r o v i d e the safest inve s t m e n t that can T h a t h a v e a broader market, can be sold at a n y t ime in a n y k i n d of a m o n e y m a r k e t w i t h less p r i c e t h a n a ny o t h e r be made# security, fluc t u a t i o n s in a nd as far as o ur o p e r a tions f or s t a b i l i z i n g the m o n e y m a r k e t m a y go, vide b e t t e r i n s t r u m e n t s t h a n any o t her t h e y pro - investment. H a d i n v e s t m e n t s in G o v e r n m e n t bonds b e e n p e r m i t t e d at the time t he s u g g e s t i o n was made, no d i s t u r b a n c e o f Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 55 the m o n e y m a r k e t w o u l d h a v e r e s u l t e d . The reserve banks., u n d o u b t e d l y , w o u l d h a v e b e e n sold t h e bonds w h i c h t hey a l r e a d y w e r e h o l d i n g as s e c u r i t y for loans to m e m b e r banks* Thus t he bor r o w i n g s of m e m b e r banks w o u l d h a v e b e e n m o r e s p e e d i l y liquidated; e a r n i n g i nvestments of F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks w o u l d not h a v e b e e n Increased; the G o v e r n m e n t bond m a r k e t w o u l d h a v e b e e n stabilized; the banks w o u l d h a v e h a d a n a s s u r e d income, and would not h a v e b e e n so c o n s t a n t l y in the m a r k e t f o r bills a nd G o v e r n m e n t s h o r t - t e r m i n v e s tments. It is s u r p r i s i n g no* to t h i n k t h a t a ny o p p o s i t i o n w as o f f e r e d to s u c h in v es t m e n t s . S h o r t l y after t h e i r o r g a n i z a t i o n t he Fe d e r a l r e s e r v e b a n k s m a d e large p u r c h a s e s of U n i t e d S t ates bonds f o r i n c o m e pur p o s e s . T h e F e d e r a l R e s e r v e Act p r o v i d e d that F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks should p u r c h a s e f r o m member banks at p a r U n i t e d States two per cent bonds, w h i c h bonds might be e x c h a n g e d ^ fifty pel- cent f or 3 0 - y e a r three p e r cent bands and f i f t y p e r cen t for on e y e a r 3 p e r c ent notes, s u b j e c t to t h i r t y r e n ewals* T h i s p r o v i s i o n of the Act a p p ears to be a c l ear a p p r o v a l of the i n v e stment Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 36 b y r e s e r v e b a n k s in U n i t e d States bonds• A s t u d y o f t h e charters a n d o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e Gariks of England, France, Belgium, Holland, S w e d e n a nd J a p a n shows tha t all are a u t h o r i z e d to h o l d G o v e r n m e n t s e c u r i ties? that some a re r e q u i r e d to invest a ll o r a p a r t o f their c a p i t a l a n d surplus i n the loans o f their r e s p e c t i v e governments; a n d t h a t all c a r r y large amounts o f them* T h e a b o v e s t a t e m e n t s a re s u f f i c i e n t to show t h a t F e d e r a l re s e r v e banks d i d invest in G o v e r n m e n t that, u n d e r c e r t a i n circumstances, do so; that it is a p r o p e r policy, bonds, and they w e r e r e q u i r e d to an d o ne f o l l o w e d by the central banks of the nations of the world* T h e a v e rage p r i c e of U n i t e d States four a nd a h a l f per c e n t bonds is a b out 102* W e r e t h e capital plus of the F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks, I n v e s t e d i n those a m o u n t i n g to # 3 3 $ , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 bonds at that a v e r a g e price, w o u l d a m o u n t to $ 1 3 , 8 7 5 , 0 0 0 * a n d s ur t h e income To p r o d u c e a n e q ual income it w o u l d r e q u i r e a n i n v e s t m e n t o f # 6 1 6 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 in bankers bills at the rate they are r e t u r n i n g today, or a n i n v e s t m e n t of $ 5 4 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 in U n i t e d States c e r t i f i c a t e s o f I ndebtedness* Thus a c o n s e r v a t i o n of res o u r c e s a m o u n t i n g to $ 2 8 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 c o u l d b e m a d e b y I n v e s t i n g in Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 37 bonds in s t e a d o f Certificates o f I n debtedness. About e i g h t e e n months ago, vestment p o l i c y o f the banks, in c a r r y i n g out the in we sold, at quite a loss, some o f o u r h o l d i n g s of U n i t e d Stat e s C e r t i f i c a t e s o f I ndebtedness, and also r e d u c e d o u r h o l d i n g s of b a n k e r s 1 bills, p r e s u m a b l y be c a u s e m o n e y was so a b u n d a n t that It was c o n s i d e r e d u n w i s e for F e d e r a l r e s e r v e banks to c o n t r i b u t e funds to the m a r k e t w h e n the a p p a r e n t d e m a n d t o r t h e m was so small. S o m e months later, e n tly there was a less d e m a n d for funds, p o l i c y was changed, when appar the investment a n d It w a s d e d i c e d to buy for the banks $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 o f T r e a s u r y bills* F o l l o w i n g that b y a few months, when' still the m o n e y m a r k e t f a i l e d to show a n y Improvement, a fu r t h e r I n c r e a s e in the a m ount o f T r e a s u r y bills to be p u r c h a s e d w a s a g r e e d upon. The com b i n e d sta t e m e n t s of the F e d e r a l reserve banks s h o w that d i s c o u n t s h a d d e c l i n e d f rom $ 8 8 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 on O c t o b e r 31, 1923, to $ 4 0 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 o n June 4, 1924, and t h e Increase In the p u r c h a s e s of T r e a s u r y notes and C e r t i f i c a t e s of Indebt edness m a y h a v e b e e n m a d e to offset this d e c line In the h o l d i n g s of d i s c o u n t e d bills. of purchases W h i l e the a d v i s a b i l i t y in the o p e n m a r k e t to m a i n t a i n the earnings Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 38 assets at t h e banks was recognized, some t h i n g that e r n m e n t bonds w o u l d h a v e b e e n a f e t t e r p u r c hase. Gov But, it w o u l d s e e m that this p o l i c y of m a k i n g a n y p u r c h a s e s d u r i n g these periods is a d i s t i n c t r e v e r s a l of the p o l i c y a c c o r d i n g to w h i c h several of the banks a few months p r i o r h a d b e e n c o m p e l l e d to W i t h o u t a doubt, large inve s t m e n t s sell securities* it w o u l d be u n w i s e at once to m a k e in G o v e r n m e n t bonds, but it w o u l d seem to be s o und to r e f r a i n from further buyi n g of of Indebtedness, and as funds r e i n v e s t those funds portunities in bonds* Certificates a r e r e l e a s e d f r o m them, to S h o u l d there be any o p to m a k e a d d i t i o n a l i n v e s t m e n t s in bonds, a d v a n t a g e s h ould be t a k e n of t h e m lip to a r a s o nable extent (The secons a r g u m e n t is by Mr. S h e p a r d M o r g a n and is as follows:) ?T h l s ’ is In re s p o n s e to your r e q u e s t f or a m e m o r a n d u m o n the f o l l o w i n g topic, w h i c h is o n t h e p r o g r a m f o r the joint c o n f e r e n c e o f G o v e r n o r s an d Agents: ,T h e a d v i s a b i l i t y of a F e d e r a l re s e r v e b a n k I n v e s t f ing a n amount equal to c a p i t a l a n d surplus, bonds in G o v e r n m e n t for e a r n i n g purposes. . This p r o p o s a l m u s t be c o n s i d e r e d f r o m the standpoint Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 39 o f the s y s t e m r a t h e r t h a n as a m a t t e r o f I n d i vidual b a n k policy, b e c a u s e changes in the i n v e s t m e n t a c c o u n t s o f one b a n k are apt to be felt pr o m p t l y by some o r all of the o t h e r r e s e r v e banks* ment T h e p u r p o s e o f the p r o p o s e d i n v e s t is to p r o v i d e earnings, a n d h e n c e involves a d e p a r t u r e f r o m the p r e s e n t o p e n m a r k e t p o l i c y of the system, w h i c h is d i c t a t e d not by a n e e d for earnings but by the s y s t e m 1s obligations if the i n v e s t m e n t t o w a r d credit. di d i n d e e d p r o v i d e earnings, if it did not involve e i t h e r case, Further, it w o u l d i n v olve inflation; inflation, it involves it w o u l d be futile. In i n v e s t m e n t b y a R e s e r v e b a n k in a larger amount of l o n g - t i m e s ecurities t h a n c o m plete l i q u i d i t y war r a n t s . First. T h e i n v e s t m e n t p o l i c y o f the s y s t e m is n ow a nd s h o u l d r e m a i n e n t i r e l y i n d e p e n d e n t of the q u e s t i o n of earnings. This p r i n c i p l e was d i s c u s s e d at l e n g t h at the Governors* c o n f e r e n c e in May, a n d Mit was t h e consensus of o p i n i o n that t he o p e n m a r k e t o p e r a t i o n s o f the s y stem s hou l d be c o n d u c t e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f the q u e s t i o n of earnings." ( S e c r e t a r y ’s summary, page 4), No f u r t h e r a r g u m e n t o n the e c o nomic c o n s i d e r a t i o n s l e a d i n g to the Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 40 a d o p t i o n of this p r i n c i p l e is necessary, except in vie w of the r e c e n t p u b l i c d i s c u s s i o n s o f the s y s t e m ’s holdings of Government securities* These discussions have assumed that t h e R e s e r v e b a n k s are h o l d i n g a l a r g e p o r t f o l i o of Government securities in o r d e r to m a k e earnings, a n d In so d o i n g are c o m p e t i n g w i t h the n o r m a l functions of If, the m e m b e r b a n k s • as is not the fact, the r e s e r v e banks h ave a c c u m u l a t e d t h e i r h o l d i n g s of Gov e r n m e n t secur ities in f u r t h e r a n c e o f t h e i r o b l i g a t i o n s t o ward credit, s u c h c o m p e t i t i o n in the m a r k e t as m a y h a v e t a k e n place, wa s p u r e l y Inci d e n t a l to the p e r f o r m a n c e o f a public duty, and was not c o m p e t i t i o n in the o r d i n a r y bu s i n e s s sense at all. If, o n the o t her hand, t he R e s e r v e banks s h o u l d not p r o c e e d to a c c u m u l a t e a l a r g e p o r t f o l i o of G o v e r n m e n t b o n d s for p u r p o s e s of m a k i n g earnings, be c o m p e t i n g w i t h the m e m b e r banks m e a n i n g of the term. Increase, in the full c o m m e r c i a l T h e e m b a r r a s s m e n t of s u c h a n a d m i s s i o n at this time is obvious; so i n the future, the y w o u l d in fact it w o u l d be s c a r c e l y less w h e n d i s c o u n t rates rise and earnings a n d d e m ands r e a p p e a r f o r int e r e s t o n deposits; for it w o u l d be i m p o s s i b l e to e s t a b l i s h that the re s e r v e banks c o n s i s t e n t l y d e t e r m i n e t h e i r d i s c o u n t a nd invest- Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 41 m e n t p o l i c y w i t h an eye sing l e t o w a r d credit, and not on earnings. Second. If the p r o p o s e d i n v e s t m e n t i n G o v e r n m e n t b o n d s d i d i n c r e a s e earnings, it w o u l d i n v olve inflation; if it d i d not involve I n f l a t i o n it w o u l d be futile. Th e p r e s e n t c a p i t a l a n d surplus o f t h e r e s e r v e banks amou n t a p p r o x i m a t e l y to $ 3 3 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d t h e i r h o l d i n g s of Government bonds to a b out $ 41,000,000, thus l e a v i n g a m ar g i n f or f u r ther i n v e s t m e n t of $ 2 9 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . At first glance there is w a r r a n t for I n v e s t i n g a r e s e r v e b a n k 1s capital and surplus other r e s e r v e represent bank funds, s i nce c a p i t a l a n d surplus (a) d i v i d e n d - b e a r i n g o b l i g a t i o n s h e l d by the m e m b e r banks, ings. that does not exist w i t h respect to and (b) th e re s i d u e o f re s e r v e G r a n t e d that this is so, bank e a r n there are a l r e a d y r e sources of t h e R e s e r v e b a nks w h i c h are p a r t i a l o f f set s to capital and surplus, n o t a b l y the i t e m "bank p r e m i s e s ’ 1 w h i c h amounts to $ 60,000,000; overdue l o a n s . ples, These a n d I n some banks s low an d items should, on accounting princi r e d u c e the a m o u n t a v a i l a b l e for Investment, but the r e m a i n d e r w o u l d still be large. ■" T h e c o n t r o l l i n g p r i n c i p l e in this case, however, is Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 42 not tha t of a c c o u n t i n g but of credit r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . A ny i n v e s t m e n t mad e b y the R e s e r v e banks o n their o w n i n i t i a tive w h i c h is n ot o f f s e t by a c o r r e s p o n d i n g r e d u c t i o n in e a r n i n g a s sets e l s e w h e r e or b y an gold forces expansion, e q u i v a l e n t export o f a n d this e x p & m s i o n is I n f l a t i o n in a m o r e or less m i l d form. If the r e s erve banks s h o u l d now b e g i n g r a d u a l l y to a c c u m u l a t e a p o r t f o l i o of $ 2 9 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 o r a ny f r a c t i o n o f t h a t s u m in G o v e rnment bonds, a n d if that a c c u m u l a t i o n s h o u l d toot be o f f s e t by red u c t i o n s elsewhere, a n e x p a n s i o n o f m e m b e r b a n k loans and d e p osits w o u l d foll o w to a n amou n t s e v eral times the a m ount of G o v e r n m e n t bonds p u r c h a s e d . hand, the p u r c h a s e s s h o u l d be offs e t o t h e r assets accounts, If, o n the o t h e r by r e d u c t i o n s i n a n d I n f l a t i o n be avoided, serve banks w o u l d re c e i v e no a d d i t i o n a l earnings, the r e save as the bonds p u r c h a s e d m i g h t h a v e a y i e l d d i f f e r e n t fro m the assets r e l i n q u i s h e d . Hence, the r e s u l t o f the a c t i o n w o u l d be e i t h e r i n f l a t i o n of futility. T h e f o r e g o i n g holds true e ven if o n l y a few r e serve b a n k s a d o p t the p r o p o s a l . If i n v e s t m e n t by those banks Involves a n increase in their ea r n i n g a s sets and h e n c e o f their earnings, that in c r e a s e w i l l b e at the expense Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 43 of o t h e r F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a nks or else I n f l a t i o n m ust result. T h ird. The proposal contemplates I n v e s t m e n t in a l a r g e r a m o u n t of l o n g - t i m e sec u r i t i e s t h a n co m p l e t e l i q u i d i t y war r a n t s . More t h a n h a l f of the securities p u r c h a s e d t h r o u g h t he o p e n m a r k e t c o m m i t t e e a n d now h e l d b y t he b a n k s , m a t u r e within eleven m o nths; of D e c e m b e r 1924* all, the two n e a r e s t m a t u r i t i e s , a n d March, a n d the o t h e r s are three years. 1925* those are the h e a v i e s t o f spread at short i n t e rvals t h r o u g h This pe r m i t s the r e s e r v e banks to a v o i d h e a v y sales o f securities in cap e cred i t c o n d i t i o n s m a k e l i q u i d a t i o n desirable. Quite the c o n t r a r y w o u l d be the case if i n v e stments w e r e to take the f o r m of longert e r m bonds. T o the e x tent that a n y r e s e r v e b a n k m a k e s such investments to m e m b e r banks. it limits its p o w e r to l e n d i n e m e r g e n c y Maki n g & rge inve s t m e n t s i n bonds at times like the p r e s e n t is c o m m o n l y the subject of c r i t i c i s m w h e n f o l l o w e d b y m e m b e r banks, volves a n d u s u a l l y in the sale of bonds o n a f a l l i n g m a r k e t or the w r i t i n g o f f o f losses as values decline. In a ny case, it is c o n t r a r y to p r i n c i p l e s g o v e r n i n g bank.** o f issue. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 44 T h e p r o p o s a l h a s no m e r i t s to r e c o n m e n d it a n d Is a oonproraise w i t h s o u n d principle-. ings, it w o u l d p r o d u c e inflation, If it p r o d u c e d e a r n a n d w i t h o u t i n f l a t i o n It w o u l d p r o d u c e no e arnings. (The t h i r d arg u m e n t is toy Mr* Reserve Curtiss o f t h e Fe d e r a l B&nk of B o s t o n a nd Is as followsi Federal Reserve Bank of Boston F i n a n c i a l S t a t i s t i c s D i v i sion. 1. T h e a d v i s a b i l i t y o f a F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a n k in v e s t i n g a n amount e q u a l to c a p i t a l a n d surplus i n g o v e r n m e n t bonds for e a r ning p u r p o s e s * B e l o w is a t a b u l a t i o n o f t he earnings a c c r u i n g at the r a t e of two p e r cent, three p er cent a n d f o u r per cent o n amounts equal to the c o m b i n e d c a p i t a l a n d s u r plus o f e a c h F e d e r a l r e s e r v e b a n k as o f O c t o b e r 8, 1924* F or c o m p a r a t i v e purposes, the c u r r e n t expenses, c o l umns a r e also g i v e n s h o w i n g the c h a r g e - o f f s fo r r e s e r v e s a n d the d i v i d e n d s p a i d by e a c h bank d u r i n g the c a l e n d a r y e a r 1923. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 46 ^ $ 5 4 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 i n such inves t m e n t s . If to this figure w e r e a d d e d the # 3 3 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 e q u i v a l e n t to t h e t o t a l capital an d surplus as s h o w n above, the banks w o u l d hold about # 8 6 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 of s h o r t - d a t e d g o v e r n m e n t securities. T his is s o m e t h i n g u n d e r o n e - f i f t h of the t o t a l s u p p l y of suc h s ecu r i t i e s w h i c h n o w amounts to about # 4 , 5 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . I n conclusion, it a p p e a r s that the w e i g h t o f evide n c e is d i s t i n c t l y a g a i n s t t he a d v i s a b i l i t y of i n v e s t i n g a n a m o u n t e q ual to c a p i t a l a nd surplus I n g o v e r n m e n t bonds for e a r n i n g purpos es. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 'V Bec«afoer 89 1924, Dear Mr* Borgeses Receipt, It aofcnflwled&ed a* Paomfoar flfo ym are advised iM T T T iill &¥~Isrfsrao tory to the Board for you to cont inae, m in the past, to raport other federal Reserve u banka* jjarohaaa* of toills toy maturities and fey rates in the aggregate for each week, bat to segregate parchaseir for the Federal Reserve Bank Of S«v York toy days* Very tru ly yours* (Signed) W a l t e r L. E d d y Walter 1* Bddy# « Secretary# Hr* V R Bargee** * * A ealitant Federal Reserve Agent# M bw *i Reserve Bank, Sew York, ir.T. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m No. 131. Office Correspo._iei ;e Yo FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD All Member^ o$ A s Boi Da Subject: From_ m d7 _ / 3/ v f V /> hereto,for the information of the members, letter 2 ?here Is from the Secretary of the Open Market Investment Committee, transmitting a schedule showing the revi sed ratlqf fic s&rt iclpation of Federal reserve ff banks during December in~T5ysTin purchases of (Government securities and bankers acceptances* I^Kfr. Miller / M r # Platt / I r . OtmningbaB Members, Committee on Discount and Open Market Policy , Governor Crissinger V / ir. Hamlin Mr# James w Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives &ao*o&#r 8t 1924* S t a r M m 14*ttaaont w . U MtmortUdgtft of voxae lottay of 13e«SB5^r3rd\enolo«lng atfhadula rtwmiag tha *wt§ai ifcUdsTFpSrtiolpaUoa of M o ral taring Daoambor In Syotom ptirohftaas of dOTawwrnt aaouritiaa and toftnksra ft*oaj>t«noos *aaad on tho aarolng yaqalrawanta as rep or tad to tlia Opan MBiteft JaYoatesant Oorrmlttea aa of tha oloaa of fcaalnaaa Ifwaiafoor SO 1924. * t o u r l o t t a r w i l l * • f c r o ^ t t o th a a t t a i n tion of th o nantbara of th a Board. Y aiy tr u ly yoisrs, (% n e d ) Waite. TL EcfoV Valter Jm Bddy, Soontar?. fcr. 9. B. mtt— m, Stmntmry, <fc»n Utgttt OamlttM, o/o Vetonl SM«rr« m k , Saw T o rt, B . T. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives " DECLASSIFIED A u th o r ity * E F o r m N o . 131. 1 Office Correspo. ^ei ;e To m m FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD All Kombers o j j f c s Boaojl Ua Subject:. From /j/v fV 'V / W A jafifefiJiparetOtfor the information of tha members*letter 'from the Secretary of the Open Market Investment Committee, transmitting a schedule showing the revised ratios of participation of Federal reserve ■banks during December i n ^ y s t ^ P’ orchases of Government securities and bankers acceptances* i^ifr. Miller 1/Mr# Platt /^■'Kr. Chznningham Members# Committee on Discosmt Q?®n Market Policy , Governor Orissinger v Er. Hamlin / Mr. James Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 Fe d eral of Rese r v e ^ Ba n k New York December 5, 1924* Mr. Walter L. Eddy, Secretary, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Eddy: This note is to save a telephone call, as we seem to have difficulty in getting connected.^ 7We have been going over carefully the subject of your / letter of November JbtTko Mr. Matteson, although things have been boiling here so that it has been difficult to attend to these matters promptly. I have already talked the problem over somewhat with Mr. Stewart. In order to inaugurate the complete report of maturities and rates of purchases each day by all Federal Reserve Banks, it would be necessary for us to arrange a three to five hundred-word telegram from each bank to us each week. This would, of course, seriously clog the wires and entail a considerable amount of extra labor. It would mean adding four or five extra pages to our open market investment report. The information, moreover, is now contained in the schedule of purchases which each bank sends to the Federal Reserve Board daily. More over, the daily statement of condition of each bank shows the holdings of bills by maturities. My suggestion would be that for other Federal Reserve Banks we continue as in the past to report their purchases of bills by maturities and by rates in the aggregate for each week, but that for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York we segregate our day*s purchases since a large proportion of all purchases is Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives federal reserve bank of new made in New York. york I. Mr. Walter L. Eddj ceHiber 5, 1924* This will give the Board the trend of the market and further details can be obtained from the schedules as they come through. We are making out our open market investment report today on this basis, and I trust it will be satisfactory. If it is not I should be glad if you would telephone me and we will undertake to collect the figures from the other Reserve Banks by wire for the report next week. I understand that the second paragraph of your letter is taken care of by our daily telegram. Very truly yours, W. RANDOLPH BURGESS Assistant Federal Reserve Agent. ffifficfed from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives C O P Y FEDERAL RESERVE BANK - .3",? 3 ' ^' of NEW YORK December 5, 1924. My dear Governor: I am sending out notices calling the meeting of the Open Market Committee on Investments for Wednesday, the 17th instant, with a warning to the members of the Committee that it will be highly desirable for them to make plans to stay over the 18th also. It is impossible as yet, and probably will not be possible any time to fore cast exactly when the money market effect of all the transactions of the 15th of December will be felt in New York. Mr. Case and I agree, however, that probably the 17th and 18th will be the best time for observation. I hope that you can arrange to attend the meeting. I also understand in formally that it was your expectation to have Dr. Stewart come over the same time and hope that he will do so. In connection with the policy of the bank in its relation to the money market, it is necessary to bear in mind that what we do must be matched in with a very large volume of transactions which we sire now conducting for the Treasury. making some very large sales and counter purchases. They are Mr. Winston understands quite fully what our attitude is toward the market, and is so arranging his operations that they will coordinate with ours, and I regard the whole affair as being in excellent ~\/ shape. The market is being swept bare of short maturities of Government obligations in connection with the refunding loan. This is leaving a vacuum, which we expect will result in a good distribution of bills through the hands of the dealers. On the other hand, we must be careful that money rates do not stiffen to such a point that this market is lost, as bills will not distribute satisfactorily if rates on the Stock Ex Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives C 0 P I Honorable D. E. Crissinger 12/5/24* change are too high in relation to the rates at which bills are selling* The situation is one that requires management and, as I explained to you ove the telephone yesterday, we must be prepared to sell some of our March maturities at any time there is to be an over supply of funds in the market, but later on it may be necessary for us to be buyers of some of the short maturities in case the amount of money taken out of the market has the effect of running up the rate for bills too rap^d ly* It is, in fact, a situation which requires watching from day to day very care fully* ^ Very truly yours, BENJ. STRONG Governor* Honorable D* R* Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D* C. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 33 - 4 / , ~~ F o s m N&. 131. Office Correspc _*ei ;e T0 Federal Reserve Board FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD ember 4, 1924* Subject: From___ I ! r * She recent conference of Federal Reserve Agents congidarad the following topic: ‘s=i a=s "Advisability of a Federal reserve bank investing an amount equal to capital and surplus in Government bonds for earning purposes*” fhe following committee report was unanimously adopted: "The committee believes that the System should change its investment policy any more than it si I change its policy in regard to services and other operative matters, because of temporary changes in credit conditions* f ie policy of the System has ^nog B been to invest in long time Government bonds to any extent, although the matter has been discussed many times. The committee moreover believes that in view of the present cheapness of credit and consequent high quotat ions for bonds, the present isUio£) an opportune time to make such an investment even if, ae a matter of policy, it was considered desirable*M J Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives / Fed er a l R e of Ne ser v e w Ba n k -1 im OffFIOJO O F Yo r k December 3, 1924 S i r : I an enclosing a schedule showing the revised ratios of participation of Federal reserve banks in System purchases of Government securities and bankers acceptances based on the earning requirements as reported to the Committee as of the close of business November 30, 1924. These ratios are to apply on all purchases made dur ing the month of December. Respectfully, W. B. Matteson Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee Honorable D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Enclosure t> - ■:24 ; Q g ) yd Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan.l - Nov,30/24 Boston 8,900 Estimated Gross Earnings Dec. 1 Dec, 3l/24 Based on Earning Assets Held Nov. 30 Re maining Unchanged v 244,594 Total Net Earnings Jan.l/24-Nov.30/24 and Gross Earnings Dec.l/24-Dec.31/24 v 253,494 Estimat ed Estimated Expenses Charge-offs Dec*l/24-Dec.31/24 for Including Dividends 1 9 2 4 v 192,155 * 134,047 Total Estimated Expenses Includ ing Dividends Dec.l/24-Dec.31/24 and Charge-offs for vear 1924 v 326,202 New York 391,938* 830,000 438,062 777,000 771,000 1,548,000 Philadelphia 109,234 226,000 335,234 242,000 38,000 280,000 Cleveland 181,000 323,000 504,000 288,000 770,000 1 ,058,000 Richmond 350,000 107,000 457,000 165,000 190,000 A tlanta 404,907 123,344 528,251 119,824 Chicego 221,286 420,495 641,781 123,000 5t Duis 30,413* Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Requirements for Year 1924 v , 72,708- Revised Ratio of Particiration 2> 1,109,93855.234 + 0 554,000- 13£ 355,000 102,000 + 0 459,066 578,890 50,639- 406,921 657,196 1,064,117 422,336- 10% 02,587 . 186,000 316,000 502,0^0 4^9,413- 10/o 0 Minneapolis 224,477 109,055 333,532 163,213 91,180 254,393 79,139 + Kansas City 99.300 174,000 273,300 177,000 359,700 536,700 263,400- 6$ Dallas 580,307 131,000 711,307 132,661 1,042,241 1,174,902 463,595- ir/o *|an Francisco 100,000* „ 274,000 174.000 272.000 777,000 1.049,000 .8.75^000- *,3,121,774 ^5,605,430 v8,727,204 v4,221,029- Totals 41 ,657,060 *3,085,488 $4,742,548 Expenses exceed earnings. 100% Reproduced fro th Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of th National Archives m e e REVISED PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS IN SYSTEM. PURCHASES OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND BANKERS ACCEPTANCES BASED ON THE EARNING REQUIREkENTS AS REPORTED TO COMMITTEE AS OF THE CLOSE OF NOVEMBER 30. 1924 f Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives E o r m K o . 131. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD ^ T o ----------- The Federal Reserve Board, From__ am b er 2 8 . 3.924* Subject: _ W * Bdd y .___ The Federal Reserve Board submitted the following topio to the recen t Governors * Conference: "The a d v isa b ility of a Federal Reserve Bank investing an amount equal to c a p ita l and surplus in Government bonds fo r earning purposes." A fter a lengthy discussion of the p rin cip les and p r a c tic a l ques tio n s involved, Governor H orris made the following motion* “That i t i s the sense of the conference th a t there is no objection in p rin cip le to the investment by Federal reserve banks in long time Government obligations of so much o r th e ir c a p ita l and surplus as i s not represented by buildings or other fixed investm ents." This nation was l o s t by a vote of s ix to s i x , the Governors re cording themselves as follow s: "Aye" — Wellborn, MsDougal, Young, N orris, Bailey and Herding* "Ko" - Strong, McKinney, Biggs, Fancher, Calkins and Seay. There i s attached hereto stenographic re p o rt o f the conference dis cussion on the above to p ic . i Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Governors * Conference discussion of Topic I . D ., sug- / / / gested by the Federal Reserve Board? "The ad v isab ility of a Federal Reserve Bank equa 1 to c a p ita l and surplus in Government bonds fo r earning purposes.* ftis Chairman! l - ( c ) la withdrawn. I would lik e to your a tte n tio n to th is in connection w ith the sugges tio n o f sub-topic (b ), obviously, t&e proposal to invest an amount equal to c a p ita and surplus in long tim e govern- m m t tends is based upon the theory th a t c a p ita l and surplus are $@tsiit)jeo$ to the seats rmles as to li q u i d it y as apply to assets arising..fr©n^.Ae|i®S'lts# The c a p ita l and surplus Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 194 of the Federal Reserve System today is $333,000,000, or thereabouts. Of that $333,000,000 some $41,000,000 Is already Invested in long time bonds, which would reduce the free capitaL and surplus to $292,000,000. Of that $292 ,000,000 $60,000,000 Is Invested in buildings, which would reduce it to $232,000,000. Of that $232,000,000, I assume that certain of the reserve banks have certain more or less fixed assets, as the result of the period which we have just been through, which could be considered more or less permanent investments of capital and surplus. That amount is undetermined. So that It Is not $333,000,000 that Is being considered on that thlery, but It is some sum possibly in excess of $200,000,000 or thereabouts. Governor Norris: As it la stated here it would be the whole #333,000,000 because the topic does not make any exception at all'. The Chairman: No, it does not. I am just discussing certain aspects of It, Governor Wellborn: How would It be to Invest the surplus in Government bonds? The Chairman: I hesitate to express any very strong opinion, because we have no Intention of doing that in New Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 195 York. Governor Seays I thought it was recognized that no part of the reserves of the Federal Reserve Bank should be Invested purely for the purpose of income; that the whole matter of the use of Federal Reserve Bank resources was controlled by a much broader principle than that, in fact the principle which governs the actions of the Open Market Investment Committee# I think the two are very closely allied, and the very statement of this question I think is a negation of the principle. Governor Wellborn* My idea is that the banks have to pay their dividends out of surplus. Governor Seays I think it must be remembered that this is intimately connected with open market operations and we are on record as having given voice to the convic tion that no part of the operations of the Open Market Investment Committee should be undertaken purely for the purposes of revenue. Governor McDougals That applies, I think, Governor Seay, entirely to the special fund. Governor Seays X believe, Mr. Chairman, that it ought to apply fundamentally to all investments of Federal Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 196 reserve banks. The Chairman: Perhaps so, but it does not. Governor McKinneys In other words, when we inject two hundred millions of our resources into the money mar ket, It has the same effect whether contributed to us by the member banks as capital, or whether it is deposits— Governor Seay; Whether it is capital and surplus or deposits, it amounts to the same thing. Governor Calkins! This is a matter that could not be determined except by reference to the boards of direc tors of the various reserve banks. It is Impossible for me to say what the view of the directors of the San Fran cisco Bank would be, except to say that I should personally at the present time be very rigidly opposed to any such proposal, and I have no doubt that they would be. Governor Seays I would like to ask what we would do with our discounted paper when it had accumulated In volume, and when we had an abundance of earning assets Independent of that portion of our resources which was invested in Governnent securities? Governor Norris: The Chairmans Would we sell them? I should think so. We would realize a good fat loss if Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 197 we did. Governor McDougalt May I inquifce who put this topic on the program? The Chairman: The board. Governor McDougalt In respect to the subject, I think it should be considered that the Federal Reserve Sys tem has taken on obligations in the form of services which we have voluntarily extended to our member banks,the cost of which representa a very large proportion of the cost of operating the reserve banks. It seems to me that the Federal reserve tenks cannot be expected to be a medium through which the member banks will borrow, excepting in times of seasonal or unusual requirements, and in emer gencies great and small, and it seems to me that as a mat ter of prudence it would be advisable for the Federal Re serve Banks to lay in a reasonable supply of assets of this sort for earning purposes. I am not intending to say that it should be an amount equal to the capital or the capital and surplus, but a backlog upon which we cotild de pend for an income during a long period of lean earnings which these banks can look forward to. The Chairmans But would you do that now? Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 198 Governor McDougal* Not at present, no. do it as the opportunity arises. I would Two or three months ago our Board passed a resolution under which it was decided that instead of immediately marketing all of any one specif ic issue of bonds that came to us from rnenber banks in amounts of five, ten thousand, or larger, that we would re tain those. this purpose. We are doing it and have been doing it for We are one of the banks I think Governor Strong has in mind, and there are others that have been doing the same thing. We have accumulated I think seven or eight million dollars over that period of time of that class of securities for that purpose, and we think we are perfectly justified in doing so. Governor Young: Minneapolis 3s the worst offender in that respect on this question of buying long time bonds. That came about for a number of reasons. Two or three years ago we anticipated the time would dome when our mem ber banks would not borrow a groat deal of money from us. We appeared before this conference several times and tried to eliminate certain gratuitous services that we had been performing. We realized that there was a large expense that we could not cut down. we felt that it was good Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 199 commercial banking to invest the capital And surplua in long time assets, that is, your capital and surplus that you perhaps would never be called upon to pay# so that we have purchased seven million dollars worth of long time government bonds and it has been a nice source of income. At that time you will recall that all the other Federal reserve tanks were bidding against each other to buy short time government obligations. In fact we got so much in the System that the Secretary of the Treasury requested us to sell some of them. Minneapolis did not participate in that, but bought long time bonds in preference to short time bonds and we have quite a handsome profit inthose bonds at the present time. I do not believe that our people would go into this market and buy those bonds, C f f) We have made a profit. per cent. They have earned us better than If we were forced to sell them this year we would just have to turn the money over to the Govern ment. If we can go along until next year perhaps we could sell them and use those profits to advantage. It may be bad Federal reserve banking and financing, I do not know, but I think it was good commercial bank financing. Governor McKinney: Will you not have to readjust Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 200 the value of those bonds at the end of this calendar year, in accordance with the Board*s program? Governor Young: X did not Intend to take that up with this confez^ence. that myself. I intended to see the Board about If we do we will sell them. 1 would not put those on the books at the present values. Governor Norriss I will offer a resolution that it is the sense of this conference that there is no objection in rlnclple to the investment by reserve banks In long time government bonds of such of their capital and surplus as is not represented by buildings or other fixed Invest ments • Governor Young i I will second that motion. Governor Wellborn: Governor S©ay: I will second it. X have been unable to adopt the view that any portion of the resources of reserve banks should be Invested with a view to permanency. I believe it is inconsistent? with the usage of reserves. Governor McKinneys I concur with Governor Seay1a views on that. Governor Seays It is ray conviction that we are all-— Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 201 | some o f us a t le a s t—— a t le a s t b i t to hasty In reaching i | the conclusion that the ordinary demands upon the reserve banks will not be sufficient to give them an earning power, There have been enumerated here today a number of factors which are gradually making for a higher money rate and a greater activity in the money market and a greater demand upon the Federal reserve banks. We are never able to anti cipate that and because of that fact I think the invest ment of any part of the resources of the reserve banks with a view to permanency is positively inconsistent with reserve banking principles, \ I The Chairman: | Governor Norriss | Is there any further discussion? Mr. Chairman, this is a topic that Mr. Austin, our Chairman, has always been very much In te r* f i j t | ested in, % e n it was put on this program I asked him to put his views in writing, which he did, and I would like ! to read from his memorandum, "In considering this matter, disposition first should be maee to the broader question as to whther or not a Federal reserve bank should make investments for income purposes, when such investments do not seem to be required by the demands of trade. % This question has been touched Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 202 on from time to time at our conferences, but the attitude of the Federal Reserve Board and the officers of the banks, as far as the wroter knows, never has been accur ately ascertained. Proponents of the theory that Federal reserve banks should not put money Into the market unless the market needs it, or at least can take it without caus ing disturbance, hold the opinion that at such tines the Federal reserve banks should run at a loss rather than make earnings through such investments# But it is be lieved that it will be found that a large majority feel that the Federal reserve banks were organized to be selfsupporting— - that the reductions in the reserve require ments of member banks, and other measures, are amply suf ficient to compensate them for the slight competition they might meet from the Federal reserve banks,— that general ly speaking, business will absorb, without material dis«» turbance, the amount of funds the Federal reserve banks will have to invest to make sufficient earnings to cover their expenses,— that it would be a great menace to the continuance of the System ahould the banks not be able to support themselves, - and that there would hardly ever be a time when the latter would be justified in refraining Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 203 from maintaining sufficient earning assets to pay expenses and dividends. *Believing then that a majority of this body feels * that Federal reserve banks should carry sufficient earning assets to meet their expense, dividend and surplus require ments, the question arises - *Why should not a reasonable part of such earning assets consist of Government bonds?” Because we have not been investing In Government bonds, one is inclined to ask - rWhat Is the matter with them?” t The security Is unquestioned, th© Income larger than that from other Government obligations, or from bankers bill*; they are flexible, and, for strategic purposesp just as good* This question before us is th© same as the one submit ted to the Board some three years ago when the financial conditions existing today were plainly foreseen. The sug gestion that Federal reserve banks be allowed to invest in Liberty bonds and Victory notes for income purposes was not approved, tut investments in United States notes and Certificates of Indebtedness were permitted* The Federal Advisory Council, to which the question of Investments of Federal' reserve banks was referred in the spring of 1922, Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 204 said:,, f While the council believes at the same time that the P©d ral Reserve System would be well advised In making efforts to increase its holdings of acceptances, there is no doubt that the Federal reserve banks as a whole cannot avoid at this time, for the reasons explained, investing ▼ery substantial amounts either In Government bonds. Cer tificates of Indebtedness or warrants. Of these three, no doubt, the short-term Treasury certificates are the most suitable as investments for the Federal reserve banks. Bearing in mind that the capital and surplus of the com bined Federal reserve banks amounts to approximately $300*000,000, the Council does not feel that there is Just cause to criticise the Federal reserve banks for having invested in Treasury certificates and short-term Goverament obligations up to an amount which is not largely in excess of their capital and surplus, and which, consider ing the amount of their assets, constitutes only a small part of their resources. HThe Council is still of the opinion that the Federal reserve banks should avoid investing in long-term Oovern?ment bonds.* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 205 w Why this distinction was made, never has 1 en convinc b ingly explained# It is not unlikely that th© attitude towards Government bonds was due to the unsatisfactory condition of the bond market that had existed up to that time. Th© groat war issues had not been digested; member banks and Federal reserve banks were carrying as collateral security for loans hundreds of millions of them which had beenbought, not for investment purposes, but from patriot ic motives, and the banks were most anxious to get rid of them. Securities, floated in such a way, would not be looked upon favorably by bankers and this professional attitude of the bankers toward Investments was allowed to affect their thinking even about Government bonds* The Government bond market has so changed that it is doubt ful if the same attitud© would b© taken today, as no on© seriously can say that the bonds of our Government do not provide th© safest Investment that can b© mad© . They have a broader market, can be sold at any time in any kind of a money market with less fluctuations in price than any other security, and as far as our operations for sabilizing the money market may go, they provide better Instruments than any other investment* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 206 "Had investments in Governnent bonds been permitted at the time the suggestion was made no disturbance of the money market would have resulted. The reserve banks un doubtedly would have been sold the bonds which they al ready were holding as security for loans to member banks. Th^s the borrowings of member banks would have been more speedily liquidated; earning investments of Federal re serve banks would not have been increased! the Government bond market would have been stabilized; the banks would have had an assured income, and would not have been so constantly in the market for bills and Government short term investments. It is surprising now to think that any opposition was offered to such investments. "Shortly after their organization the Federal reserve banks made large purchases of United States bonds for in come purposes* The Federal Reserve Act provided that Federal reserve banks should purchase from member banks at par United States 2 per cent bonds, which bonds might be exchanged 50 per cent for 30-year 3 per cent bonds and 50 per cent for one year 3 per cent notes, subject to 30 renewals. This provision of the Act appears to be a clear approval of the Investment by reserve banks In United Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 207 States bonds. "A study of the charters and operations of the Banks of England, France, Belgium, Holland, Sweden and Japan shows that all are authorized to hold Government securities that some are required to invest all or a part of their capital and surplus in the loans of their respective gov ernments; and that all carry large amounts of them*, "The above statements are sufficient to show that Federal reserve banks did invest in Government bonds, and that, under certain circumstances, they were required to do so; that it is a proper policy, and one followed by the central banks of the nations of the world. "The average price of United States 4|$ bonds is about 102. Were the capital and surplus of the Federal reserve banks, amounting to $333,000,000 invested in those bonds at that average price, the income would amount to $13,875,000, To produce an equal income, it would re quire an investment of $616,000,000 in bankers bills at the rate they are returning today, or an investment of $542,000,000 in United States Certificates of Indebted ness. Thus a conservation of resources amounting to $283,000,000 could be made by investing in bonds instead Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 208 of Certificates of Indebtedness. MAbout 18 months ago, in carrying out the investment policy of the banks, we sold at quite a loss some of our holdings of U. S. Certificates of Indebtedness, and also reduced our holdings of bankers* bills, presumably because money was so abundant that it was considered unwise for Federal reserve banks to contribute funds to the market when the apparent demand for them was so small. Some months later, when apparently there was a less demand for funds, the investment policy was changed, and it was de cided to bay for the banks #300,000,000 of Treasury bills, fallowing that by a few months, v.hen still the money market failed to show any improvement, a further increase in the amount of treasury M i l s to be purchased was agreed upon. The combined statements of the Federal reserve banks show that discounts had declined from $884,000,000 on October 31, 1923, to $401,000,000, on June 4, 1924, and the in crease in the purchases of Treasury notes and Certificates may have been made to offset this decline in the holdings of discounted bills. VSfhlle the advisability of purchases in the open market to maintain the earning assets of the Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 209 banks was recognized, some thing that Government bonds would have been a better purchase. But it would seem that this policy of making any purchases during these per iods is a distinct reversal of the policy according to which several of the banks a few months prior had been com pelled to sell securities* "Without a doubt, it would be unwise at once to make large investments in Government bonds, but it would seem to be sound to refrain from further buying of Certificates of Indebtedness, and as funds are released from them, to reinvest those funds in bonds« Should there be any opportunities to make additional investments in bonds, advantage should be taken of them up to a reasonable extent #1 1 Governor Norris 8 that# I think there is a good deal in I think there is no doubt about the fact that our original purchases of government bonds and certifi cates were made for earning purposes, and if we are going to carry any government securities at all for earning pur poses, it would seem to me to be wiser to deal in the larger market than in the smaller market, and to buy secur ities which we do not have to be continually replacing* Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 210 Th© Chairman: cited tl ere, I think i Governor Jforris, the precedents are liable to be misleading if you do not go a little bit underneath the surface. In the case of the Bank of Kngland, a charter to the Bank of Eng land was granted upon the condition that the bank would make the loan to the British Government and the increment of some part of the public debt now owned by the Bank of Eng land has toen due to an operation of a system of reti<ement of /private banks) of private banks which has resulted, just as it would have resulted in the case of the Federal Reserve System if we had taken over the national bank notes* In the case of the Bank of France, when Napoleon granted a charter to the Bank of France he did It in return for a Government loan, which is a statutory loa*t, and that loan has always been carried since then. When the Mikado made a decree establishing the Bank of Japan, that was done upon the basis of a loan to the Government by the Bank of Japan without Interest* It is a statutory loan and was mase for the purpose of facilitat ing the Ultimate retirement of the national bank note circulation that took the place of the Shogun notes• Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 211 The s itu a tio n in Germany, which X cannot describe in d e t a il, is very much th e same. A ll o f these larg e holdings o f government bonds by the banks o f issue o rig in ated a t the time o f the establishment o f the bank, because the government made a bargain w ith the p ro p rieto rs o f p r i vate banks to grant a ch arter in exchange fo r a loan, and those banks, except as the re s u lt o f war emergencies, are not larg e buyers o f Government bonds in the markets a t a ll. The Bank o f France is in f lic t e d w ith an enormous volume o f government loans, which were imposed upon i t as the re s u lt o f the war, and as you know, the e n tire surplus o f the earnings o f the &nk o f France are now appropriated to reducing th a t debt Just as fa s t as they can, th e re fo re , I th in k the precedent, when you analyze i t , in the h is to ry o f t-wse banks is q u ite the other way, I t is not a subject th a t I put on the program, and X have no strong fe e lin g about i t , but as long as i t was under d is cussion, I wanted to present th a t view o f i t , Ooveraor seay: The banks you r e fe r to are not essen t i a l l y what you might term reserve banks. The Chairmans A re you ready fo r the question on 812 ifeveraar ■ o rris * notion? (Th* n o tio n , iM ying been d u ly seconded, was lo s t, • 1 * voting in fc m p W I t , and s ix voting n o.) T Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Hov an ker 2 5 , Bear H Kstteaom r* Confirming r y statem a ent to you over the t© bphone on H 3 ovenfcer 20th, you are advised that I have been instructed by the Federal Eeserve Board to request that is the O e M p n arket Investm ent C m o m ittee*© weekly report of t redactions in governm ent securities en bankers acceptances you s o for each d hw day during the period covered by the report the actual am ounts of different maturities of bills purchased jmd the actual rates & W t hich they w ere obtained* I w s also Instructed to ask thftt the daily a letters of the federal fieserve B ank of H w Yoik, e copies of w hich w receive here regularly, s o the e hw am ounts of the various maturities of acceptances pur chased by the federal Reserve bank and the rate on each maturity* fery t roly yours, (Signed) W alter L. Eddy Walter u B d * dy Secretary* M W B Matteson, Secretary r# . * Oe M p n arket Investm ent Com ittee, m c/o Federal Eeserve Bank, H w fork, H T e #* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Mr, M iller then called atten tio n to the sharp increase in the holdings of bankers acceptances purchased through the Open Market Investment Committee and state d th a t in h is opinion the Federal Reserve buying ra te on these acceptances may be too lew* Thereupon i t was voted th a t the weekly rep orts of the Open M a rk e t Investmen t Committee and the d a lly l e t t e r s of the Federal Reserve Bank of N York~'lnclude ew h e re a fte r the a ctu al ra te s a t which acceptances of d iffe re n t m aturities have been bought* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives DECLASSIFIED I0? £ L Authority* I I II I £ I L A L * \ \J F S D m A L RESERVE BANK . OF N3W YORK * W November 19, 1924. Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D* C. S i r s : LOAMS AND i N T E STM^NTS: Accompanying evidences of a continuance of slightly firmer conditions in the money markets, our total earning assets advanced ^27,300,000 today and at ^320,200,000 are the highest, since November 10 and about ^31,000,000 higher than November 12, last previous reporting date. The gain today resulted from an increase in loans toc member banks of v21,000,000 and an increase in bills purchased outright of $6,900,000, the slightly firmer conditions in the bill -market* tracts decreased slightly. h o w ever. following Bills held under sales con- The increase in bills purchased outright reflected new purchases of ;>10, 200, 000, which were partly offset by maturities of $1,600,000 and deliveries to other banks of £1,700,000 held overnight in oui account. tomorrow. Of today*s new purchases, ^ 5 800, 000 are for delivery to other banks >, A summary o.f our earning assets follows: i Today 51.0 3.1 78.9 186.1 r i l l s discounted Bills held under sales contracts Other bills purchased Special investment account Other investments - Total earning assets Millions of Dollars Change from Yest er day + 21.0 - 0.6 '■+ 6.9 0.0 1. 2 320.3 0. 0 + 27* 3 Nov. 12 + 25* 8 » 12«7 + 17*9 0, 0 0. 0 + 31.0 The increase in loans to member banks today resulted chiefly the reopening of National City Bank’s account in the amount of $21,000,000 and a further loan of $2,000,000 to the New York Trust Company, which now owes 44*000,000. R E SERVE R A T I O : vie appear t o have lost $5,000,000 further to the interior today in ordinary commercial settlements, about $45,000,000, making a total loss in the past three days of Total cash reserves declined ^1,100,000 today but combined deposit and note liabilities increased ^24,000,000* $27,000,000 in our earning assets today, points t o 76*5 per cent, accompanying the rise of so that our reserve ratio declined 1,6 according to an early estimate tonight. t Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives DECLASSIFIED Authority’ 2. G OVER Federal Reserve Board, AC C O UNT: Washington, B* C. ll/l9/24 At v 3, 600, OOO, the Treasurer*s balance with us shows practically no change as a result of t o d a y 1s operations. terest payments of ^800,000, Check payments of v3, 400, 000, in and mutilated currency shipnents of * 1 300, 000 were -, offset by collections of ^2,900,000, new money received <^600,000, r?nd a transfer of $2t 000, 000 from Philadelphia. STREET L O A N S : (The following information is reported to this bank in confidence and should not be quoted.) Notwithstanding the continued activity on the stock ex- ch ange, total street lo-ans which daily reporting banks in New York City have out standing for their own account and for correspondents declined in the first two days of the week about v40,000,000 from the high record figure reached last Sat urday. As loans for their own accounts remain practically unchanged, this decline has been due almost entirely to a reduction ponoents, in loans for the account of corres- .during this period following the loss to the interior/of about ^40,000,000 in ordinary commercial settlements. I ONSY MARICffT: Accompanying the loss of funds t o the interior, aggregating about .*45,000,000 in the past three days, money conditions in New York have been slight ly firmer. Stock exchange call money opened and renewed today at 2 l/2 per cent, end continued unchanged throughout the day. The demand continued active and the tot^l volume of n e w loans placed was substantially above the usual daily requires ments. Outside the exchange a moderate amount of money was placed at the pre vailing rate. Following *the recent period of activity, the time money market was quiet and rates were unchanged* Commercial paper dealers report a moderately active market with a v scarcity of good named paper. levels reached last week# unchanged, Rates were generally steady at the s o m e ^ a t higher The bank accept-'nee market was quiet and rates were several dealers continuing to bid 2 3/4 per cent, all dealers, offering this maturity at 2 l/2 per cent. for 90 day bills but Short term Government securities continue t o be freely offered with moderate declines in prices and cor responding rise in yields. A summary of money rates follows: Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives DECLASSIFIED [0*7$I_ Authority* 7> / ) U 3. Federal Reserve Toard, Washington, Today Call money, renewal Call money, new loans, average Time money, 61-9.0 days, offer Commercial paper, prime B ill s , 90 days, offer' U. S. Sec, -" Mar. 1925, yield U. S. Sec* - Sept. 1925,^yield U, S. Sec. - Sept. 1926, yield JiQ D M N ARKET: D. C. 11/19/24 Yester day ~r ’eek Ago 2.50 2 2.50 2,42 2 3/4 - 3 l / 4 & S /4 - 3 l / 4 3 l /4 -3 l/2 3 i/4 - 3 l/2 2 l/2 2 l/2 2.66 2.63 2.8 2 2.7 8 3.49 3,4 8 -2 2 3 l / 4 “ 3 l/Z 3 l/4 2 l/4 2.53 2 .7 4 3.46 Railroad bonds continued to be the most active element of the bond market, but price movements were irreg u lar, fractio n al declines appearing in a number of issues th at have rece n tly shown substantial gains. Public u t i l i t y and in d u strial issues were gen erally steady, and the foreign l i s t held p ra c tic a lly unchanged. The volume of trading was the la rg e s t in a-week, sales on the Sxchang to ta lin g $ 2 0 ,000,000. sa le s shows. L ib erty bonds were firmer, as the following, summary of Decimals expre'ss 32nds: • Sales in Thousands 162 154 490 645 1661 178 ing Issue 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Treasury : M ARKET:' Closing P rices Yesterday Todav 3 4 4 4 4 4 1 /2 s l/4 s l /4 s l/4 s l /4 s l/4 s 100.16 101.18 101.2 101.11 101.30 105.12 fcaSfToday Gain since January 1 ,2 ,3 a .5 .4 .6 1.12 3.12 2.28 2?6 3.22 6 ,8 100,18 *.101.21 1 01.3 101.16 102.2 105.18 Stock sales reached the la rg e st volume of the year today, sales 450,000 shares. A strong advance in p rices continued in early trading, but around noon heavy sellin g appeared th at caused reaction s in a number of leading stocks, with no substan tial recovery before the clo se . A few stocks again showed substan tial net gains^ but the Bow-Jones averages below show declines for both in d u strials and r a i l s . 20 railro ad s 20 in d u strials FOREIGN EXCHANGES: were firm er. Today 9 5 .2 6 110,24 Change from 1924 1923 Yesterday High Low High Low “ - 0 .3 4 9 5 .6 0 79.98 9 0 ,6 3 76.78 - 0.49 110.73 88.33 105.33 85.76 S terl ing showed a sligh t reaction today, but other European ra te s L i t t l e change appeared in South American and Far-eastern ra te s, with the exception of the Argentine r a te which advanced 90 points to a new high for the year* Closing cable ra te s in New York were; Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives DECLASSIFIED Authority' [5,(9* lC 4. 1 vJ — f\ Federal Reserve Board, Washingt on, D c. * Par London Paris Belgium I ta ly Holland Germany Rio de Jan eiro Buenos Aires Yokohama Shanghai C alcutta Canada (check) C M O ITY M O MD ARKSTS: <M*365 ,1930 .1930 .1930 *4020 *2380 *3244 .9643 *4935 . 4866 1 ,0 0 '" s A J 1 1 /1 9 /2 4 \ Ye st er dav Today $4.6275 ^4* 63375 .05245 ,0523 .0482 .0481 .0433 .043275 .4016 .4015 * 2380 .2380 .1180 *1188 *8696 *8606 *38625 *385625 ,7650 .76375 .34375 *3450 ,9 9 63/64 *99 63/64 Cotton was quiet and but l i t t l e changed in price through most of the day, but a moderate decline occurred in la te trading th at l e f t net lo sse s of 11 to 20 points for the day* New York spot was 15 points lower at 24.35 cents* Price movements were irreg u lar in the grain market, December wheat showing a met decline of 1 3/8 cents to $1,51 $ /4 , while corn advanced 2 3/8 cents further to $1*18 l/8^ Copper is said to have been le s s activ e since the price was advanced to 14 cents, and a few concessions were reported. P rices of both raw and refined sugar were ste-ady, and a f a ir volume of business was reported* Crude rubber was quoted l / 8 lower at 33 3 /4 cents* IRON A D STEEL: N Pig iron p rices were. advanced 50 cents to <^2*00 a ton during the past week and ste e l p rices were raised in a number of cases. I t is said, however, th at th e substantial volume of orders recen tly reported was placed at the p rice s pre v ailin g before the advance. Pig iron safes for th e week to ta le d 450,000 ton s; stru ctu ra l s te e l o rd ers-totaled 45,000 tons * the la rg e s t in two months; railro ad buying included 40,000 tons of r a i l s and over 4 ,000 c a rs f Mill operations in the v ic in ity of Pittsburgh are estimated at 65 per cent* of capacity, compared with 60 per cent, in the previous week, and several more b la st furnaces were blown in* H7RB/CA R espectfully, T. Randolph burgess, A ssistant Federal Reserve Agent. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives f** a** 2 3 * '.e c u t i v e fflrranfeer 10, 1924. $•«* I f !!? ^ f® Hattatcmt t : of Hb4 m* 1 r*M x r« f F S f * * * ! I,th 0# » » « * • « . to p a r«<> ’wnfe»r. M M ptth * y o q a ir iiD m t # a s ra p o rfe a d tha Oownitta* a« of tha oloaa of busin*** Oataba* 8Xf 1924. ?»*y tm ijr youra, (Signed) W a ite r L. EddjT W altiF L. IM y* 8aaratary* »r# W. 8* SSaUaaen* S to n U iy . op*# /• * * » ♦ » » • • * * « » s m u °/® S *««rr« BknK. H«wTor», I , T. m , 4~1 Folder Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Poar I'r . I*atto«€mt toooipt la aoicno^Lo&god of 3amr le tte r o f .. Qstobor i t j u .'Xnoloting $oh«d«l& allowing tho roviaed r a t loo o fp a r t icipatlon of gadoral roaar?o tatiw duHHg m i oFlKkibWr iaToystatt p-arohaaoa of Government aooorltioo arid baalosrs aooirptasiooa, baaed oa tho oarsiing r&airvnsxits as reportod to tho Qpon Uuncot Swrostraont Goranittoo as o f tho oloao of btmliMtas Sopiombor 30# 1924. Yoor lo tto r will bo brought to tho attention of tho taombora of tho Board* Toi^r truly 3roiir»f ( i n d Walter L. Eddy Sge) Walt or L* Mdyf Sooretary* Kr* ?/» 3* laiteaoii* Secretary, O L&rtojt Imreatmont 0omittoo# pon 0/0 Fodoral Beservo Saak* low Yorfct I* Y# Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives y Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e / o f Ne w Y Ba n k o r k November 7 , 1924 S i r : I am enclosing a schedule showing the revised ra tio s of p articip atio n of Federal re serve banks in System purchases of Government s e c u ritie s and bankers acceptances based on the earning requirements as reported to the Committee as of the close of business October 5 1 , 1924. These r a tio s are to apply on a l l purchases made during the month of November. S ecretary , Open Market Investment Committee Honorable E. R. C rissin g er, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Enclosure 0 Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends J a n .l - O ct*3l/24 - ^ston * New York # * * 27,177 525,731 ^^ Total Net Earnings J a n .l /2 4 - 0 c t - 31/24 and Gross Earnings Nov.l/2 4 -D e c.3 1 /2 4 340,200 4 313 r 023 Estimated Expenses N ov.l/24-D ec.31/24 Including Dividends 4 415,6ou Estimated Chargo-o f fs for 19 2 4 v 137,047 Total Estimated Expenses Includ ing Dividends Nov.l/2 4 -D e c.3 1 /2 4 and Charge-offs for year 1924 * 552,647 Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Requirements for Year 1924 v Revis hati of Fa. tic ip a t: 239,624- q* 1 , 613,000 1 ,0 8 7 ,2 6 9 1 ,4 5 2 ,0 0 0 1 ,7 6 0 ,0 0 0 3 ,2 1 2 ,0 0 0 2 ,1 2 4 ,7 3 1 - - j f f 37'/. 1% Philadelphia 115,992 378,000 493,992 481,000 35,000 516,000 22, 008- Cleveland 143,500 568,000 711,500 564,500 770,000 1 ,3 3 4 ,5 0 0 623 ,0 0 0 - Hi Richmond 384,000 257,000 641,000 319,000 190,000 509,000 132,000 + 0 Atlanta 421,159 230,602 651,761 255,301 414,934 670,235 1 8 ,474- Chicago 170,979 815,920 986,899 818,563 657,196 1,475,759 4 8 8 ,8 6 0 - 9/o 13,514 267,000 253,486 299,000 318,000 363,514- 6/1 meapolis 223,997 240,300 464,297 284,816 91,180 375,996 Kansas City 98,800 339,100 £37,900 3 4 3,400 459,700 803,100 3 6 5 ,2 0 0 - 6 '/o 545,862 260,000 805,862 265,374 1 ,0 4 2 ,2 4 1 1 , 307,615 501,753- 3% *26.000 431.000 548.000 781.000 * 1 ,3 2 9 .0 0 0 898.000- 16 % ,5,835.122 *•7,277,989 ,6 ,0 4 6 ,5 5 4 .£6 , 656,298 > ^12,702,852 $ 5 ,6 4 5 ,1 6 4 - loofi I . . Louis * Dallas San Francisco Totals * 95,000 •^1,442,867 * Expenses exceed earnings 617 , O uO 8 8 ,3 0 1 + 0 I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Estimated Gross Earnings Nov. 1 Dec. 31 /2 4 Based on Earning Assets Held O ct. 31 Re maining Unchanged Reproduced fro th Unclassified m e REVISED PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BAN IN SYSTEM PURCHASES O KS F G V N EN SECURITIES A D BANKERS ACCEPTANCES BASED O *HE EARNING REQUIREM O ER M T N N ENTS ___________ A REPORTED ^O COf^IT^EE A OF THE CLOSE OF OCTOBER 31. 1924 S S __________ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Federal R eserve o f Ne Y w Bank o r k October 4, 1924* CONFIDENTIAL S i r : I am enclosing schedule showing the revised ratios of participation of Federal reserve banks in System purchases of Government securities and bankers acceptances based on the earning requirements as reported to the Committee as of tae close of business September 30, 1924. These ratios are to apply on purchases that may be made during tae month of October. Respectfully, f. B. Matteson Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee Honorable D. P . Crissinger, . Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Enel, \J \ oL - Net Earnings JLess Current Expanses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan.l - Sept.3o/24 Estimated Gross Earnings Oct. 1 Dec.31/24 Based on Earning Assets Held Sept- 30 Remaining Unchanged Total Net Earnincs Jan.l/24-Sept♦3o/24 and Gross Earnings Oct«l/24-Dec.31/24 4 Amount 0 f Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Requirements for Year 1924 Revisi Rati< of Pa] ticipai 4/0 S 137,047 P 1,824,365 2,175,000 1 ,760,000 3>°35,ooo 2,110,635- 462,000 615,000 732,000 35,000 767,000 152>000- 20 / 137,500 74o,5oo 878,000 861,000 770*000 i,,631,000 753,000- 12/c R * *hmond - 394,000 401,000 7 95,,000 493,000 190,000 683,000 112,0004 0 At ita 433,626 325,126 758,752 384,459 408,527 792,986 34 ,234- Ch* .go 156,128 1,074,248 230,376 1,236,118 657,196 1,893,314 662,938- 11/0 St * 2,815 413,000 410,185 450,000 315,000 765,000 354 ,815* 6/0 Minneapolis 208,779 403,729 612,508 398,080 91,180 489,260 123,248+ 0 Kanses J^ity 100,100 483,900 58 4<000 523,200 459,700 982,900 398,900- 7a Dallas 547,018 389,665 936,683 395,203 1,042,242 1,437,445 500,762- 8/0 5 6 ,0 0 0 771.000 715,000 835,000 786,000 1.621,000 906.000- 15/q ; 1 447,109 >, *8,424,222 #9,871,331 $6,651,892 ^15,764,946 ^6,128,863- lO /o O | x 8 ,5 9 2 520,054 Ne^' York x 615f 635 2,440,000 Philadelphia 153,000 Cleveland /ou is x 3an Francisco T O T A L S • xExpenses exceed earnings. ? Est imat ed Total Estimated Charge-offs Expenses Includ for ing Dividends 1924 ' ct.1/24-Dec.31/24 r. d Ch arg e-0 ff3 5n for Year 1924 629,994 Boston 511,462 Estimated Expenses Oct.l/24-Dec.31/24 Including dividends #9,113,054 ) 767,041 v 255,579- > 3 V* I/ O Reproduced fro th Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of th National Archives m e e REVISED PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OP FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS IN SYSTEfc PUr,/ - A3E3 Ci "T GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND B N E S ACCEPTANC33 BASED ON ^ ’ EARNING RE.ti RELEN 3 A KR E l: T AS REPORTED ^0 COUITV^E / 3 OF *HE CLOSE OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1924 \ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ‘X September S f 1924. Dear lie*, itettpaon* Receipt 1ft acknowledged of your le tte r of ^Pte*feer4tiL! enclosing •oheduleshowlng reviseJ '^tioii of participation of Federel reserve bank* In Systesi purchases of Govern ment secu rities and bankers acceptances dur ing the month of Septeatoer, which he* been brought to the attention of the Federal Re serve Boerd. Very truly your#, (^ig’ned) Walter L. Eddy ' Walter L* Eddy* Secretary* M W B. Mstteson, Secretaryf r* . Open Market Investment Ooaaittee, o/o Federal Reserve Bank, H Torkf H.T, ew th Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives r e c e iv e d Federal R eserve :' - 1924 OFFICE OF / Bank o f N e w Y TUM a O Y E E N O B o r k 33 3 September 4, 1924 S i r : I am enclosing a schedule shoving the revised ra tio s of p a rticip a tio n of Federal re serve banks in System purchases of Government s e c u ritie s and bankers acceptances based on the earning requirements as reported to the Committee as of the close of business August 31, 1924* These ra tio s are to apply on a l l purchases made during the month of September* Investment Committee Honorable D, R. C rissin ger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C* Enclosure ( l ) fju, < W Da - REVISED PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BA K IN SYSTEM PURCHASES OF NS G V N EN SECURITIES A D BAN O ER M T N KERS ACCEPTANCES BASED O THE EARNING REQUIREN ________ M TS AS REPORTED TO COkklTTEE A O THE CLOSE OF A G ST 31, 1924________ EN S F UU Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan . 1 - Aug.31/24 ■uoston f 6,8 3 7 \ Estimated Gross Earnings S e p t.l Dec.3 1 /2 4 Based on Earning Assets Held Aug. 31 Re maining Unchanged $ 682,846 Total Net Earnings J a n .1 / 24-Ayg.3 1 /2 4 and Gross Earnings S e p t,l/2 4 -D e c.31/24 $ 689,683 Estimated Expenses Sept»l/24~D ec»3l/24 Including Dividends $ 850,518 Estimat ed Charge-offs for 1924 £ 142,048 Total Estimated Expenses Includ ing Dividends Sept * 1 /24-Dec.3 1 /2 4 and Charge-offs foir Year 1924 I 992,566 Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Requirements for Year 1924 | Revisei Ratio of P a rticip a 302,883- 4^ x640#091 2 , 780,000 2,1 3 9 ,9 0 9 2 ,904,000 1 , 760,000 4 ,6 6 4 ,0 0 0 2 ,5 2 4 ,0 9 1 - ,i ^ 3 6 > Philadelphia 189,241 652,000 841,241 975,000 35,000 1 , 010,000 168,759- 2b Cleveland 156,400 916,000 1 ,0 7 2 ,4 0 0 1 , 158,000 770,000 1 , 928,000 8 5 5 ,6 0 0 - 12/o Ri chmond 397,000 526,000 923,000 658,000 180,000 838,000 85, 000-^ 0 >* lan ta -■ 441,010 421,320 862,330 518,256 408,527 926,783 6 4 ,4 5 3 - 1/0 ticago 152,113 1 ,3 6 2 ,5 9 4 1 ,5 1 4 ,7 0 7 1 ,6 6 2 ,7 3 5 657,197 2,319,932 805, 225- 11/0 5,689 473,000 478,689 598,000 315,000 913,000 434,311- 67° inneapolis 184,444 548,401 732,845 518,891 391,180 910,071 1 77 ,2 2 6 - 3°/» Kansas City 102r000 640,500 742,500 705,300 459,700 1 ,1 6 5 ,0 0 0 422,500- 6j * Dallas 525,775 649,808 1,175,583 506,977 1,042,242 1 ,5 4 9 ,2 1 9 3 73,636- 5> 952,000 916.000 1 .1 0 9 ,0 0 0 8091000 i.v ie .o c c 1 ,0 0 2 ,0 0 0 - 14£ # 10,604 ,46 9 * 12 , 088, 88? $ 12,164,677 16 , 969,894 s i9 , m , 5 7 i *7 ,1 3 0 ,6 8 4 - 100/fc Ner "York St* Louis San Francisco x 36,000 #1,484,418 x Expenses exceed earnings Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Aupwt 14* 1924# Dear My# Hatteaons Baoeipt i* acknowledged of of the 8th iW ta n t t addreaaed to Governor C rissin g er, enclosing a aohedule showing th© reviaed ratio n o f p a rticip a tio n of Federal ros^rve b&n’<a In System purchase* of Government securit^e# based on the Gam ing requirement* as reported to th© Ooimaitte© as of the oloe# of business Ju ly 3 1 , 1924,t whioh hfis h e m brought to the a tte n tio n of the Board* Very tr u ly youra. (S ign ed) J . c . N oe!! J* Ct N oellf A ssistan t Secretary* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives \J Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e o f Ne w Y Ba n k o r k August 8 , 19S4, S i r : I am enclosing a schedule showing the revised r a tio s of p articip atio n of Federal reserve banks in System purchases of Government s e c u ritie s based on the earning requirements as reported to the Committee as of the close of business July SI, 1924. These r a tio s are to apply on a ll purchases of Govern ment s e c u ritie s made during the month of August. R espectfu lly, W. B. Matteson S ecretary , Open Market Investment Committee Encl. Honorable D. R. C rissin ger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. A £ t Cc-lAyO Qa A s w J L REVISED OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BA K IN SYSTEM PURCHASES O NS F G V N EN SECURITIES liASED O THE EARN G REQUIREM O ER M T N IN ENTS AS REPORTED ____________________ TO CO M M ITTEE A OF THE CLOSE OF JULY 3 1 . 1924____________________ S Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrwed and Dividends, Jan . 1 - July 31 1924 Bop4 on , | 29,462 Estimated Gross Earnings Aug.l/24Dec. 3 1 /2 4 Based on Earning Assets Held July 31 Re maining Unchanged $ 810,318 T otal Net Earnings J a n * I / 24-J u ly 31/24 Estimated Expenses and Gross Earnings Aug.l/2 4 -D e c.3 1 /2 4 Aufi.l/24-Dec»3l/24 Including, Dividends $ 839,780 $ 1 ,0 6 5 ,8 7 0 Estimated Chargeoffs For 1924 $ T otal Estimated Expenses Includ ing Dividends, -fcig. l / 24*rDec. 3 1 /2 4 and Charge-offs for Year 1924 142,147 1 ,2 0 8 ,0 1 7 *567,943 3 ,1 5 6 ,0 0 0 2,5 8 8 ,0 5 7 3 ,6 2 5 ,0 0 0 1 ,7 6 0 ,0 0 0 5 ,3 8 5 ,0 0 0 Philadelphia 209,207 846,000 1 ,0 5 5 ,2 0 7 1 ,2 0 9 ,0 0 0 17,000 Cleveland 196,600 1 ,1 7 8 ,4 0 0 1 ,3 7 5 ,0 0 0 1,4 4 8 ,5 0 0 Richmond 409,000 762,000 1 ,1 7 1 ,0 0 0 Atlanta 455,670 5 80,306 Chicago 160,008 3t» T~*iis Nc Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Require ments for Year _______ 1124_______ * * 368,237 - Revised Ratio of P a rticip a tio n n 2,796,943 - 37/£ 1 ,226,000 * 170,793 ~ 2* 770,000 2 ,2 1 8 ,5 0 0 843,500 - 11; % 525,000 190,000 1,0 1 5 ,0 0 0 156,000 ♦ 0 1 ,0 3 5 ,9 7 6 648,922 408,527 1,0 5 7 ,4 4 9 21,473 - 1,7 0 6 ,0 5 8 1 , 866,066 2 ,0 9 6 ,1 7 4 657,197 2 ,7 5 3 ,3 7 1 887,305 - 33,455 ork 522,000 555,455 747,850 315*000 1 ,0 6 2 ,8 5 0 507,395 - 7% Yf. 12 % Mi; apolis 148,430 704*500 852,930 628,399 391,180 1,019*579 166,649 - 2% Ka ,s City 98,200 874,200 972,400 902,500 459,720 1 ,3 6 2 ,2 2 0 389,820 - 5% 474,888 841,615 1 ,3 1 6 ,5 0 3 632,315 1 ,0 4 2 ,2 4 2 1 ,6 7 4 ,5 5 7 358,054 - 5$ 27,000 1 , 269.000 1» 296.000 1 .4 1 6 ,0 0 0 842.000 2 .2 5 8 .0 0 0 HJihlU $13*250,397 1 1 1 ,9 2 4 ,3 7 4 |15i2£5.t530 *6 ,9 9 5 ,0 1 1 t2 2 .2 4 0 .5 4 3 Dallas San Francisco T o t a l ^Expenses Exceed Earnings ,, 9*2*000 - >7.472,169 - m 100£ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 Saar M Mafctoaoaj r* I h«era diaoaaaad. tiit <*aaation of tha diatrlfcat Ion mom fWdaral raaarr* ban** of tfnitaA Statoa a*«*r ItiOa parchaaad hy tha Qpon Harkot Xnr«»ta*ot Qcnaittoa with u r n a l manfcar* of tha Board and heiiava feat it wUl la tha Board*a. policy 'tor fcha preaant a t l m * t to a*p*oaa no opinion with rafaronoe to . thi* su ito r. I t ia aasgaatad iharafora that yoa proaood aa yoa h&vo ia ti* past and fc&aa yaar ra tio s of par ticip ation on flgaree furaitfiad T the reaaryo fcaisl*. »y With a fiaw of h m lm aaralns* figaroa of aaoh JWdariO, roaerva basic properly recorded in tho raporta Ofrr tin month o f Jo ly, wo would i i ) * Tory mah to haro you mdca tha dlatributioa of purahaaaa a&ia O arlif sot ia to r d«B tomorrow, tha Slat* I f tMa i t not $ m m m may t& avo coua id* mbla d iffio alty ia *tr*ightaning oat mo roporta and in getting the correct rat# of earning* for publication In tho B u llatii* and in tho Anmal flaport. 9 V I rWBrat *a*y ntuah that i t waa si# poaaltla to writ# yoa aarliar with roforanoe to this tiaoation* Im't Ii «aa is^r&ctiaable to Jwn&a tha »attar any *&** aacptditieaaXy* A* I atatrart mrarUlkia tnim w M > to foar ama&atant* M »aiw Mr* loon&a and X diaouaeed thla aubjact %mito thoroa&ly axid ho agraea with «o chat i t wmid ha advia&io to hasro parohaaaa slraady tai&e dlstrihatad swoag tha $*d*r& roaarVa haftsa hfforo tha oioaa of bnainaaa on tho S lat, Tory traly yoara, (Signed) E. L. Sm**d I« 2»* Saaad, Qhioft Division of B a i Oparationa, Mr* W I . Mattaaoa. Saorat«xy9 . OpanMarfcat Xnraataant Ooanlttaa, llr fiffftl M M av w Bav Torlt, H. T. ^ Hi Jwwweib*§ W *K a w ? J!e%£h» / ^e>v * V Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives July 2©f 1924, Deer Governor Strongs Receipt le acknowledged of your le tte r of , J u ly i8th . enclosing draft of the minutea of "ffie ’S stE g ^ o f the Open Market Investment CosMittee for the Federal Reserve System* held In Boston on July 16, 1924, and copy of e le tte r addressed by you to the Governors of the various Federal reserve banks, relative to action taken a t the nesting* Tour le tte r and enclosures havt* been brought to the attention of the members of the Board, and a t the meeting th is Morning, it was voted to ap prove the reeowaendation of the Open Market Investment Cocwlttee that the open market holdings of the Federal reserve banks be increased from $400,000,000 to fSQ0v O O The Board desires, 0Q »0O * however, that in carrying through this program a ll effort be made to avoid any disturbance of the money market* Action on the suggestion of the CouRlttee that the Federal reserve banka* holdings be further inoreaaed to $600,000,000 was deferred* Very truly yours, (Si&ueG^ M Mwtf* Strong, Governor, r* Federal Eeserve Bank, M York, H.T* ew 1). R. Crtesin^ Governor* v Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Mr. Walter L. Eddy, S ecretary, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C* % dear Mr. Eddy: At the regular meeting of our Board of M reotors held yesterday, i t m s noted that the earnings for several months past have been in su fficien t to provide for commitments in the form of expenses, dividends and reasonable ch a rg e -o ffs, including possible lo s s e s . Consideration was also given to the large expense commit ments, occasioned to a considerable extent by the cost of free s e rv ic e s, "which we have v o lu n tarily offered to the member banks and which se rv ice s in the opinion of our Board cannot be co n sisten tly withdrawn a t th is time* Whil® our Board is not unduly apprehensive because of the present low earnings, which in a l l prob ab ility may be only temporary, the conclusion reached on previous occasions when th e subject has been under consideration m s reaffirm ed, to the e ffe c t that over a longer period of time the bank should be made to pay i t s o m way. [ Por several y e a rs, as a service to our member banks, we have received from them such government bonds as they desired to dispose o f , s e llin g the same at once in the open market. In view of the f a c t that th is bank: needs investments, our Board concluded th at instead of s e llin g such bonds as they were offered , i t would be advisable and proper fo r th is bank tp purchase these voluntary o ffe r ings as an investment, thus gradually accumulating a backlog for earning purposes* I am addressing you in order th at the Board may be fu lly ap p ri^ d of the views of our Board of D irectors and the proposed Very tru ly yours, rvvx> jfcfe Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ■ ? Federal R eserve o f Ne w Y '- ? Bank o r k July 25, 1924. Mr. E. L. Smead, Chief, Division of Bank Operations, Federal Reserve Board, Washington9 D« C# Bear Mr. Smead; Since writing you on July 2l(we have had some further discussion here concerning the basis for distributing the Governaent Securities being acquired for the special investment account of the system. The difference between the figures assembled by us and those pre pared by your office for the purpose of determining the deficiency in earn ings of the several banks, results almost entirely from the fact that our figures contain the estimated chargeoffs for the current year while yours do not. Both estimates include an allowance for the payment of dividends, from which I assume it was the thought of your office, as well as of the several banks, that the amount of earnings necessary to be obtained should cover all known charges against earnings. This being the case, the only question to be determined is whether or not the amounts estimated for the chargeoffs are reasonable and proper items to include in such a statement. Each bank has, of course, prepared its own estimate of chargeoffs and while it may be that they are not in all respects on a comparable basis, it is undoubtedly true that a considerable portion of these chargeoffs would in any event in ordinary practice come ahead of dividends as a charge against earnings* The committee would i 1 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERV E BANK OF N E W Y O R .............. M E*. L* . Sk l** scarcely be justified in arbitrarily changing or questioning the estimate submitted by any bank; I, therefore, think ve must assume that the estimates as submitted are approximately correct* After giving consideration to all angles of this matter we believe it would be desirable to make the distribution of the investments acquired from June 16 to the end of this current month on the basis of the figures to be furnished me as of July 31, which will be prepared in the same manner and on the same basis as those which were assembled from the figures furnished to the committee as of June 30, 1924* Even assuming that there may be some inconsistencies as between the figures prepared by different banks, it is not at all likely that these fig ures would have any appreciable effect on the total amount of purchases made but would merely affect slightly the percentage to be alloted to the dif ferent banks* As you know, the Federal Reserve Banks are being requested to furnish new figures each month and we believe it may be advisable later in the year, say about October, to request each bank, in the light of nine months actual operation, to review their figures and also to indicate anew the amounts of its estimated chargeoffs* It should be possible at that time to make reasonably accurate estimates and during the remaining three months of the year there would be the opportunity to adjust the allotments in such a way as to closely equalize the earnings of the several banks in proportion to their needs* The New York Bank is, as you know, temporarily carrying the amount so far invested since the last meeting of the committee* It is, therefore, desirable that the basis of apportionment be promptly determined so that the http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ distribution Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis of the amounts already purchased can be made to the banks as Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK O F Mr* E. N EW YOR* Sr i \$ soon after the first of the month as possible* Ur* Rounds is to be in Washington on Monday next and as he is familiar with this subject, he will be able to discuss with you any points which I have not made entirely clear* I understand you will have an opportunity to present the matter on Monday or Tuesday next to some of the members of the Board who are now absent* If there appears to be any objection to our proceeding with the distribution as outlined above, it would be appreciated if you would let me know as prompt ly as possible* Yeny truly yours, Ly / OL W* B* Matteson Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives •3 3 FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW YORK July 24, 1924 Mr. W. L. Eddy, Secretary, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Eddy: Tiiis is to advise you that all members of the Committee have approved, without change, the minutes of the meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee held in Boston on July 16, 1924, a draft of which was sent to Governor Crissinger in Chairman Strong’ letter of s July 18. Very truly yours, W. B. Matteson Secretary, Open Market Investment Committee 3 Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 181. Office Corresponded ;e T o _______Mr. Eddy FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Date 33» 1 9 2 4 . Subject: L s__Smead At a meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee'held a t the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on July 1 8 , 1924, Dr. M iller presented a memorandum ^prepared by th is o ffic e comparing our estimate of earning a sse ts required to cover 1924-^expenses and dividends with a sim ilar estim ate pre pared by the Committee,* which was based on figures reported by the various banks. Ebe two statements were in substan tial agreement except that our statement was based on operating expenses and dividends only, whereas the Committee^ statement included also estimated allowances fo r reserves and extraordinary charge-offs aggregating about |>7,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . I t was the understanding of the Committee th at before the r a tio s to be used in a llo tin g s e cu ritie s purchased during July were prepared, the se cre ta ry of the Committee would confer with this o f f ic e . Before discuss ing the question with the s e cre ta ry of the Open Market Investment Committee, however, I should lik e to know what the a ttitu d e of the Board is with r e ference to these ch arg e-o ffs, that i s , whether current expenses, dividends, and the normal annual depreciation charge on bank premises should be con sidered as the earning requirements of the banks for the purpose of a llo tin g open market purchases of U* S. s e c u r itie s , or whether in addition to the above items allowance should be made fo r prob&ble losses on paper now held under discount fo r member banks considered to be in an unsafe condition, fo r extraordinary charge-offs to bring the book value of bank premises down to approximate replacement c o s ts , and for furniture and equipment purchased during the y ear. EJven though Federal reserve banks should a t times purchase s e cu ritie s in the open market fo r the purpose of making expenses, i t would not seem th at open market investment p o licy should be influenced by any desire on the p art of the banks to make s u fficie n t earnings during any given year to cover extraordinary charge-offs on bank premises to bring; book values down to approximate replacement c o s ts ; fo r the purpose of making su fficie n t earnings to cover possible future losses on paper-held under discount fo r banks considered to be in an unsafe condition; or to enable them to chargeoff the f u ll value of furniture and equipment purchased during the y ear. I t is therefore f e l t th at in determining the ra tio s to be used in a llo tin g s e c u ritie s purchased by the Open Market Investment Committee, which a l l o t ments are now based on earning requirements, allowance should be made only fo r current operating expenses, dividends, and normal annual depreciation charges, or for current operating expenses and dividends only in case i t is evident that earnings w ill not be su fficie n t to also cover normal depre c ia tio n charges on b^nk premises. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives r F o r m N o . 131. Office Correspon 31 le Tn Fm m FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Dare HO i l l Members of t he Board_______ _ Subject:. Mr. Eddy 22. 1924, — 4 ____________ At meeting of the Board today l e t t e r irom the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank f of f e w York r e la tiv e to actio n taken a t the meeting of the Open Maifcet Committee held in Boston on July 16th, was ordered circu la te d and placed on the docket fo r consideration a t the meeting of the Board to he held on Tuesday, July 29th . Governor C rissin ger Mr. P la tt v 7 Mr. Hamlin S * Mr. James r Mr. M iller Mr. Gunni3 4~ » .J / .k Kiere is also attached fo r thm in fo r;^ ?io n of the members of the Board a memorandum chart^prepared by the D irecto r of the Board’ s Division of Analysis and Research commenting on the a ctio n taken by the Open Market Committee in voting to increase holdings of Government s e c u ritie s from $400,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 to § 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 , and to l a t e r a& with the approval o f a l l Federal reserve banks and the Board to increase such holdings to $600,000,000* ■339 A.T BO^ ]l!L * y V/ -2 ■ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives o f N e w Y o r k July 21, 1924. Mr. E* L. Smead, Ghief, Division of Bank Operations, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Smead: Referring to our tel/ephone conversation to-day, I am enclosing a copy __________ the meeting/of the Open Market Inveetmer t Committee held at _ of the minutes of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on July 16, 19?,4. You will observe that on the fourth page reference is made to the memorandum from you to Mr. Eddy which contains a comparison of the B o a r d 1s estimate of earning assets required to cover 1984 expenses and dividends, taken from reports made to the Board by re serve banks, with a similar schedule prepared by the Committee based on esti mated requirements for the year as reported by the various banks to the Com mittee. I am also sending you a copy of the schedule showing, the apportionment to the various Federal reserve banks for the current month. / -r— y. For your further information I am enclosing a copy of the minutes (of w J the Open Market Committee meeting on May 29, 1924 from which you will note that it was VOTED that the Secretary be instructed to prepare a new plan of apportionment of Government securities based on earning require ments of the respective banks as shown by figures furnished to the Committee on May 21, 1924, with adjustments from time to time as conditions warrant and new estimates are made; such plan to be sub mitted to the members of the Committee and the participating banks for their approval. I therefore asked the Federal reserve banks to furnish me the following figures: 1. Earnings less current expenses paid and accrued and dividends down to May 31 2. Estimated gross earnings from June 1 to December 31, if present total of earning assets remains unchanged Estimated expenses from June 1 to December 31 including dividends, estimated chargeoffs, etc. These figures were the basis for the apportionment schedule for the month of June and similar figures for the month of June were used as a basis for the July schedule of apportionment. 3. You will note from the minutes of the July 16 meeting that I wa.s in- AJUL Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F E D E R A L 'R E S E R V E BA N K O F NEW YOR _JL ^m 0a<^» Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. 7 /2 1 /2 4 stru cted to confer with you before preparing a new apportionment schedule and I would suggest th a t as a preliminary step in th at d irection we ta lk the m atter over by telephone to-morrow, Ae I advised you over the telephone th is morning, I think i t would be a good plan fo r us to talk the m atter over personally i f possible and I may decide to pay you a v i s i t fo r th a t purpose in the event th a t the other m atter with Mr, Rounds* which you spoke o f , w ill not bring you to N York ew within the next two or three days. S e cre ta ry , Open Market Investment Committee E n d s . (3 ) Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. Office Correspoi. ut ce T o -------------Mr . Eddy FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Date— J u l y £ l r 1924. Subject:_Onen-market ODer&tiaife. From______Mr. Stewart I have your memorandum asking for comments on the letter from Governor ..... ..... - ...... ' ..... "‘1* 1 ------T T * * * " * ' * n r' Strong of July 18 (and the minutes of the meeting of the open-market investment committee held in Boston on July 16. The only important questions of policy raised in the recommendations of the committee are in paragraphs 4 and 6 of Governor Strong*s letter to the Fed eral Reserve banks• These recommendations are that farther purchases of Governi ment securities he made t p to a total of #500,000,000 and that the desirability i of increasing the total by another $ 100,000,000 be considered. In both of these matters it is important to distinguish between the effect of further purchases under present money market conditions and the effect of purchases made earlier this year* At present not only are money rates at an extremely low level, but there is an accuEsilation of funds at the member banks in New York, which they have found it difficult to place, even at existing rates* This is evidenced by the fact that there has been for the past two months a continuous excess of reserves at the Few York clearing house banks in large volume, amounting on July 19 to $38,000,000. Such a condition can arise only when the member banks in New York are practically out of debt to the reserve bank and when acceptance holdings of that bank have been reduced to a low level. The earlier purchases, though also made at a time when rates were low, had the effect chiefly of reducing- the discount and acceptance holdings of the bank without adding greatly to the loanable funds in the market. The effect of purchases at present would be to add to the present supply of unloanable funds* In the absence of a commercial demand for credit the New York banks, though they have rapidly increased their investments, have not been able to find immediate Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 131. Office Correspoi^e ce FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Date. T o ___________ ____________________________ From_________ _______ Subject: _____ 2 employment for their funds* • ? A chart is attached ^showing the position of member banks in ITew York City* Attention is called to the rapid increase during the last month in their demand deposits, their loans secured by stocks and bonds, and their investments; also to the fact that, while their "all other loans" (conmercial) have declined, the total of their loans and investments is at a peak figure and their accommodation at the reserve bank has practically dis appeared* It is evident that under these circumstances a purchase in the open market will have a different effect than earlier in the year* The committee's suggestion that, wherever possible, new purchases be made elsewhere than in New York is not likely to overcome the probability of a further accumulation of funds in the Hew York market • Funds arising out of purchases in the interior, while they may lead to some reduction of dis counts at other Federal reserve banks, are likely at this time, when balances of interior banks in lew York are increasing, to be added for the most part ' to the flow of funds to Hew York* As has been recognized by the committee in earlier discussions, in open market operations, the Few York market is the national money market, and the effects of purchases and sales wherever made are reflected in the condition of that market* In considering the recommen dations of the committeei therefore, decisions must rest primarily upon the situation in ITew York* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. ^ * Orrice Correspoi j t FEDERAL RESERVE ze To Mr. M d y . ____________________ ____ .y 21. 1924. Dr. Stewart______________ _____ Subject:. Frnm BAD O R _______ Referring to our telephone d riv e r sation please reed and ■ comment upon the attached l etter fend enclosures from Governor Strongo Please return the file today, in order that it may be presented at an Executive Committee meeting_to be held ta mo rr ow morning. ' i ■f " . r\ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives COP Y FEDERAL RESERVE BANK ,v ? of K M YORK July 18, 1924* My dear Governor Crissinger: / (fyHed With this X am enclosing to you a draft of the minutes of the meeting of the open market investment committee which was held in the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on July 16. Of course, the minutes have not yet been approved by the members of the committee, and if there are any material changes a re vised copy will be sent to you. Accompanying this is a copy of a letter which is being addressed to all the Federal Reserve Banks in order to give effect to the action taken by the committee, and from which I believe the Board will be fully advised of all action taken at the meeting. I would appreciate an expression of the views of the Board as to paragraph 6 of the letter addressed to the Federal Reserve Banks. Of course, the proposal is a purely tentative one based upon conditions as they are now, and the views of the members of the committee may change before the time comes to take definite action. I beg to remain, Yours very truly, Benj. Strong, Governor. Honorable D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. BS.l enc http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ AJ( f Ti Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Dear Mr. Matteaoni I acknowledge receipt of vom* letter of the 25th i lnatant. addressedto Gfovernor Orlssinger,enclosing schedule which you state has been approved by all nepers of the Opes Ifcrket Investment Comittee, shov ing the.revised ratio of participation of Syatgfa purchases of dovemment securities and bankers aooeptanoea which ape to be applied on all pur chases during the aosith of July. , .— truly yotxra. ^P^ned) Walter t . Eddy Valter I . Eddy, * Secretary, Mr*. I* B. Matteson, Secretary, gpen Market lutes taeat Cos«itteef c/o Federal Reserve Bank, He* York, II,T. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Federal R eserve o f Ne w 3 Bank 3 3 York Ju ly 15, 1924. S i r : I am attaching herewith a schedule, which has been ap proved by a ll the members of the Open Market Investment Committee fo r the Federal Reserve System, showing the revised r a tio of par ticip a tio n of System purchases of Government s e c u ritie s and bankers acceptances based on the amount of estimated d eficien cies of earnings fo r the year as shown by the figu res furnished as of the close of business June SO, 1924. These r a tio s are to apply on a ll purchases made during the month of Ju ly . Investment Committee En cl. Honorable D. R. Grissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. /L&L REVISED PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION Oi FEDERAL RESERVE BA K IN THE SYSTEM PURCHASES O NS F G V N EN SECURITIES A D BAN O ER M T N KERS ACCEPTANCES BASED O THE EARNING N _________________ REQUIREM ENTS AS REPORTED TO COkklTTEE O JUNE 30. 1924_________________ N Net Earning Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan *l/24-Ju n e 3 0 /24 Estimated Gross Earn ings July l/24-DeC*3 l/2 4 Based on learning Assets Held June 30 Remaining Unchanged Total Net Earnings Jan *l/24-Ju n e 30/24 and Gross Earnings July l/24-D ec- 3 1 /2 4 Estimated Expenses July l/2 4 -D e c.3 1 /2 4 Including Dividends Estimated Chargeo f f s . Etc* 944,672 $1,015,984 $1,441,621 | 425,637- Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Require ments for Year 1924 Revised i of Participg Boston 4 71,312 Nt x5oo, 89 1 3 ,5 1 8 ,0 0 0 3 ,0 1 7 ,1 0 9 6 ,1 2 5 ,0 0 0 3 ,1 0 7 ,8 9 1 - Philadelphia 266,022 1 ,0 2 6 ,0 0 0 1 ,2 9 2 ,0 2 2 1 ,4 9 5 ,0 0 0 202,976- Cleveland 261,400 1 ,258,500 1,5 1 9 ,9 0 0 2 ,5 0 7 ,0 0 0 9 87,100- Richmond 368,530 1 , 152,500 1 ,5 2 1 ,0 3 0 1 , 180,000 341,030+ At lanta 463,200 692,960 1 ,1 5 6 ,1 6 0 1,185,807 29,647- Chicago 195,115 1 ,956,087 2,151,202 3 ,1 7 5 ,2 1 5 1 ,0 2 4 ,0 1 3 - 12% 73,072 636,179 709,251 1 , 188,000 478,749- 6/e 108,000 828,000 936,000 1 ,1 5 3 ,0 0 0 217 , 000- 3* 84,300 1 , 067,000 1 ,1 5 1 ,3 0 0 1,5 3 8 ,0 0 0 3 8 6 ,T00- 5> 430,178 875,148 1 ,3 0 5 ,3 2 6 1 ,8 1 7 ,2 2 0 5 11,894- ( 3/0 85*000 1*504,000 _ .1 x 58VQOO 2 .5 4 4 ,0 0 0 .215*000- - l l& # 1,905,238 115,459,046 J1 7 ,3 6 4 ,2 8 4 125,349,863 48, 326, 609- 100$ ot iork *#ouis Mi:«.oeipolia K & s City Dallas Sun Francisco 4 'xE*penses Exceed Earnings 5/. 1 2 % 0 ip——----------------;--------------- :---------;-------------------------------------------------— ................ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o * rn i j p . 131 ice Correspc. Off; je FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Lrate___adly .1 2 , 1924___ Subject:. To From. For your information.) for acknowledgment. V-v 1 v : Please return to S ecretary1s Office 4 'l Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives si * ®0a rd f Federal R eserve T* 9; Bank i 3 33, o f N e w - Y o r k * ' Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Gentlemen: #, - / , // “ 7* Enclosed please find copy of l e t t e r (w ritten to-day by Governor Strong, Chairman, to the other members of the Open Market Investment Committee fo r the Federal Reserve System, also copy of schedule of r e v is e d r a tio s of p a rticip a tio n of System purchases of Government s e c u ritie s and bankers acceptances based on earning re quirements as reported to the Committee as of the close of busi ness June 30, 1924. Upon re ce ip t of the approval of the new r a tio s by the other members of the Committee they w ill be put into e ffe c t with advice to a l l Federal reserve banks and to the Federal Reserve Board. S e cre ta ry , Open Market Investment Committee E n d s . (E) V ‘ v ■ ^ ^ \ \ h 1A Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives C 0 F Y 3 ~s o . Ju ly 1 1 , 1924. Mr. W. P . G. Harding, Governor, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, Mass. Dear Governor Harding: You w ill r e c a ll th a t under the new plan of apportionment of Govern ment s e c u ritie s and bankers acceptances purchased by the System, adopted at the meeting of the Open Market Investment Committee held in Washington on May 29, 1924, i t was voted th a t the apportionment should be based on the earning requirements fo r the balance of the current year, such r a tio to be ^ ^ .^ ___ -J» IIII........ . . ».M HIM.... . H T •r-I— U revised monthly as changes in earning assets occur. I t is understood th a t the ra tio s of p a rticip atio n in e ffe c t up to the time the System purchases amounted to $ 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . w ill remain constant as applied to th at amount and th at the ra tio s e ffe c tiv e during the month of June as submitted to you in m l e t t e r of June 10 w ill pertain to a l l securi y t i e s purchased up to June .30, 1924 in excess of the $ 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . namely, $ 1 1 2 ,8 3 1 ,1 0 0 . I am enclosing a statement showing the revised ra tio s of p a r tic i pation based on the amount of the estimated deficiency of earnings fo r the j year as shown by the figures furnished at the close of business June 30, 1924. ? I These ra tio s w ill apply on the increased purchases over the $ 3 6 2 ,8 3 1 ,1 0 0 . held \ 5 | i \ at the close of business June 30, 1924. Will you please wire me whether th is meets your approval in order th a t we may advise the other federal reserve banks and make the necessary ad justments as soon as p o ssib le. Very tru ly yours, (Signed) Benj. Strong Chairman, Open Market Investment Committee J I f Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives i ) Federal Reser v e o f . Ban k J *. 2 2 __! . J o Ne w Y o r k July 9, 1924* Dear Governor Crissinger: Thank you fo r youj jajplfl.of July 5.) As suggested in your le t t e r , I have sent notice to the members o f the Open Market Invest raent Committee suggesting a meeting fo r the 25th o f July to be held in Chicago, and as soon as rep lies are received w ill advise you whether i t w ill be possible to have a quorum. Yours very tru ly , Benj. Strong, Governor. Honorable D. B. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. BS.MM ) Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives worm Nt 1 . Office Correspc .dc.ice To ..M .— r Sm.ea.d-.. From_ FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Date_ Subject:. Mr. M P I e sse n o te th e attach ed ^and r e tu r n to t h i s o f f i c e to d a y . Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Ju ly 3, 1924 Dear Governor strongs I a c k n o w le d g e r e c e i p t o f an d t h a n k y o u f o r y o u r p e r s o n a l no t e o f t h e 3 0 t h ultimo/ w h ic h 1 h a v e b r o u g h t t o t h e ' a t t e n t i o n o f t h e O th e r mem b e r s o f th e B o ard * We t h i n k h e r e t h a t i t w o u ld b© a g o o d i d e a f o r y o u t o h o l d a m e e t i n g o f t h e Open M a rk e t I n v e s t m e n t C o m m itte e i n C h ic a g o som e tim e d u rin g J u l y , on a d a te t o be d e te rm in e d by y o u a n d G o v e r n o r M cD o u g a l* When a d e f i n i t e d a t e h a s bteen f i x e d , w i l l y o u n o t p l e a s e a d v i s e t h e B o ard ? V e ry t r u l y y o u rs, G o v ern o r. M r, -e n j. S tr o n g , G o v ern o r, F e d e ra l R e se rv e B ank, /Let Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives -edera! geserve Board ~ 33 3 F ed eral R eserv e o f Ne w K fr„ V Bank Y ork % ■ j°i. j k + June 30, 1984. Dear Governor Criesingers As I think I explained to you verbally, Mr. Matteson* s w ife «aa struck by an automobile, and his necessary absence from the o ffic e in connection with her accident and the fa ct that he was very much upset about i t is .r e a lly the cause o f ( ..JjUL- < 3fU S C ^ * the delay in sending forward the reports^which acoompany th is le t t e r . 3 «• The action o f the committee covered in Vote (2 ) certainly seemed to g iv e su ffic ie n t authority fo r the preparation o f a new plan which would in a measure take account o f the earnings position o f the respective Reserve Banks as a resu lt o f the f i r s t f iv e months operation this year. I interpreted the action o f the committee as ju stify in g such a procedure, but not as ju stifyin g any retroactive r©apportionment o f the origin al purchase o f $250,000,000 o f government secu rities. You w ill observe by the record that the table o f reapportionment, o f which copy is enclosed, m s submitted to a l l Reserve Banks and the division o f purchases in excess o f $250,000,000 was not made until a fte r i t s approval by of allTthe banks. I t resulted, as you w ill observe, in the exclusion o f Philadelphia Richmond and Atlanta from participation a t a l l , very much reduced some o f the other allotments, and increased the Hew York participation from 29 to 51 per cent. A ll o f thia may not be exactly in accordance with the understanding expressed in your le t t e r o f June and fo r that reason I am ca llin g i t especially to your attention* Requests have already gone out fo r revised estimates as o f June 30, and in accordance with the committee's minute, which i s as expressed in your le t t e r , Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW Y O R K _ £___ Governor Crissinger June SO, 1924. we are proposing to submit a new schedule o f apportionment a fter those figu res are in hand. I now have a le t t e r from Governor McDougal advising that as the weekly meetings o f th eir executive committee are held on Fridays and the monthly board meeting is held on the fourth Friday o f each month, he hopes that the next meeting o f the open market committee can be held in Chicago to coincide with one o f th eir regular meetings so that th e ir directors, or at least the members o f th eir executive committee, may be able to meet with the open market committee. He reitera tes the statement which he made in Washington that he believes the Federal Reserve Banks should purchase a reasonable amount o f long-time government secu rities. In view o f your le t t e r and his, I was proposing to c a ll a meeting o f the committee to be held in Chicago sometime next month (J u ly ), when he might expect a satisfactory attendance by his directors. Possibly the 25th o f July w ill be the best date as that is the date o f his directors meeting. I beg to remain, Yours very tru ly ; Benj. Strong, Governor. Honorable D. R. C rissin ger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. G. BS.M M enc. N PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BA K IN THE SYSTEM PURCHASES O EW NS F G V N EN SECURITIES A D BAN O ER M T N KERS ACCEPTANCES BASED O ^he EARN G N IN _________________ REQUIREM ENTS AS REPORTED TO CO M M ITTEE O JUNE 6 , 1924________ N Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan. l/2 4 -ta y 31/24 Estimated Gross Earn ings June l/2 4 -D e c.3 1 /2 4 Based on Earning Assets Held M 31 Remaining ay Unchang ed Total Net Earnings Jan*l/24'*May 31/24 and Gross Earnings June l/24-D ec- 31/24 Boston $ 87,500 <$1,188,900 $1,276,400 $1,672,000 New York x38o ,150 3 ,8 9 6 ,0 0 0 3 ,5 1 6 ,0 0 0 Philadelphia 270,245 1 ,6 2 4 ,0 0 0 Cleveland 255,500 Richmond Estimated Expenses June l/2 4 -D e c,3 1 /2 4 Including Dividends Estimated Chargeo ffs , E tc . Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Re quirements for Year 1924 New Ratio of P a rticip a tio n 3 9 5 ,6 0 0 - (% > 7 ,0 0 4 ,0 0 0 3 ,4 8 8 ,0 0 0 - 5% 1 1 ,8 9 4 ,2 4 5 1,697,000 197,2454- 0 2 ,0 9 0 ,0 0 0 2,3 4 5 ,5 0 0 2,820,150 474,650- 315,790 1 ,4 5 5 ,0 0 0 1,7 7 0 ,7 9 0 1,3 6 0 ,0 0 0 410, 790 + 1° 7 0 Atlanta 444,370 1 ,2 6 7 ,6 0 0 1,711,970 1,3 1 5 ,4 1 0 396,560+ 0 Chicago 153,130 2 ,7 7 6 ,6 5 0 2,929,780 3 ,6 2 4 ,5 8 0 694 ,8 0 0 - 96,100 1 , 065,000 1,1 6 1 ,1 0 0 1,241,600 8 0 ,500- lOfi 1 % dnneapolis 64,390 1 ,0 2 0 ,0 0 0 1 ,0 8 4 ,3 9 0 1,2 6 8 ,2 6 0 183,870- y/° Kansas City 53,080 1 , 355,150 1,4 0 8 ,2 3 0 1,755,400 3 4 7 ,1 7 0 - 5/0 341,000 1,044,000 1 ,3 8 5 ,0 0 0 1 ,9 7 0 ,0 0 0 5 8 5 ,0 0 0 - 8/0 93,000 2 ,0 7 7 ,0 0 0 2,1 7 0 ,0 0 0 2,777,000 607.000- % jt* Louis Dallas San Francisco 1 $6,856,590- xExpenses in Excess of Earnings Jan* l/24-May 31/24 100% Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F ederal/ R es ^rv 925 AN K O F P H I L A b G OAR D AND ERJf'E A G E N T AQf June 30, 1934 *9; .4 \ iH i 3 '•• ■•. ; \ :J! / / ,/y rft ie FEDERAL RESERVE BO ARD , Washington, D. C. Attention of Governor C rissinger Dear S irs W are duly in re ce ip t o f your favor of June 26th,j e in reference to investing in Government bonds, advising us th at you regard such investment a t th is time as undesirable, but th at the question has been scheduled fo r consideration at the autumn conference o f Federal Reserve Agents and Governors. ........ . iMMmrii imwvwu Very tru ly yours, Federal Reserve Agent, Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Dear U Austins r* Referring again to To r latter of June 1 th /u 8 » you are advised that the Board has given consideration to the request m d by your directors for authority to ae l&vest in Goverment bonds a s m equal to your bank's u capital and surplus, in order to give the bank ’’assur ance of sufficient earnings to pay dividend and operat ing expenses and really m k it very m ch less of a ae u cornet Itor rith m m e banks in the m n y market". e br oe W ithout committing itself on the question of whether an investment in G vern en bonds by your bank o m t of a s m equal to your capital and suiplus w u ould be right In principle* the Board is of the opinion that such an investment at this time mvM be undesirable* Hosvevor, the question as to Fedoral reserve banks investing their capital and surplus in vfoole or in part In G overnm ent securities has been scheduled for consideration at the m ituian conference of Governors a d n Federal Eeserve Agents* Yery truly yours* T R. Crisslngfi}' \ Governor* M B L Austin, Chairm r* « * an, Federal Reserve Bank, Philadelphia, P * a c r Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 3 Jane 25. 1924 3 ^ Report of Committee on Discount and Open Market Policy on the matter referred to it at the meeting on June 19th, namely, l±"ce_ sLf,r dated June 18th (from the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, requesting approval of an investment by that bank in government bonds of a sum equal to the capital and surplus of the bank; the Committee’s report reading as follows: "The Discount and Open Market Policy Committee at its meeting on June 24th adopted the following: "TheLCpmnitte^. has given consideration to the request m .de by tne/^FeaerRi^e serve Bank in its letter of June 18th a asking for authority to invest in government bonds a sirm equal to its capital and surplus, in order to give the bank ’assurance of sufficient earnings to pay dividend and operating expenses and really make it very much less of a competitor with, member banks in the money market *• Without committing the Board on a question of principle, the Committee is of the opinion that authority to' make such investments as the Reserve Bank of Philadelphia asks would at this time be undesirable. It therefore recommends that the authority asked for be not granted. The Committee suggests that the questions as to Federal reserve banks investing their capital and surplus in whole or in part in government securities be scheduled for con sideration at the autumn conference of Governors and Federal Reserve Agents." After discussion, Mr. Platt moved adoption of the Committee’s recommendation that the authority asked for be not granted. Mr. Platt’s motion being put by the chair was carried, the members voting as follows: Mr. Platt, "aye” Mr. Miller, "aye" Mr. Cunningham, "aye" Mr. Hamlin, "no" Mr. James, "no" Governor Crissinger, "not voting" % Mr. Hamlin stated that he voted "no” as he had grave doubt as to the power of the Board to make any such ruling. Mr. Platt stated that h . voted for the recommendation e on the theory that it is probably undesirable to make such investments at this time, but that ho - n-nks flnr>frags dis hV tinctly cowtftTnplatari iTrypstments by Federal Renorva •howVc in government bonds and that the time will come when it might be advisable for the banks to buy such bonds to some extent. reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives June 25, 1924 (Cont«d) Mr. P la tt then moved approval of the Committee's sug gestion th a t the question of Federal Reserve banks investing th e ir c a p ita l and surplus in whole or in part in government s e cu ritie s be scheduled for consideration at the autumn con ference of Governors and Federal Reserve Agents, Carried. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives K a im if o . 131. Office Correspoi le. ce FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Dag l 25, 2 To BMtffctowd Baw rt From. . .. . . ^ 3.-. Discount m i Opea~markst Seller Cq«»ittoo Subject: for authority tr m Federal Heserre 2 —8498 i* «ovwmatnt tends. $he Discount and Open-market Policy Gossaittee at its meeting on June 24th adopted the following* OPBltttt has given oonsi deration to the request fcy the Phila delphia Feieral leserre Bank la its letter o f june X8th ^ skjng for authority t© invest in government bonds a sum equal to its capital tad surplus f in order t© giv© the hank "assurance of sufficient earnings to pay dividend #«»4 operating expenses and really *ak» it very much less of a competitor with mmbw hanks ia the money Market." Without eoamitting the Board on a question of principle* the Cesnittee is of the opinion that authority to Bake such investments as the Reserve Philadelphia asks would at this time he undesirable* of It therefore recaEsaends that the authority asked for fcejnot granted* i/ the GGaandttee suggests that the question as to federal reserve hanks lurest^ lag their capital and surplus in whole or in part in government securities he scheduled for consideration at the an tu m conference of governors m?r# Federal reserve agents / / AT BOA'Rtf J N 25 1 2 U 94 a m Dear Governor Strong* if' The Federal Res ervf/Board at its meeting this morning considered a report tbf its Committee on Discount j and Open iforket Policy with ppftey«mag-Jm^ m w i R of epportionmciit of future purchases 9f.Jteer«ffi^»t-*e*uri~ tie s for ’tJrer.6f»£n market inver tment account of the Federal reserve banks,. se outlined in yeur letter to the Bogrd .o£-Jkne 6 th A T Upon the recornmefiimrtm^n^r^e t®ESBiee7^ETSdird~v$teTt£^prove tfie pien^g^esied by you# The Board el do -voted to request the Open Market Investment Oomralttee to consider «t ef*ch of its meetings the question of an equitable basis of apportionment of Government security purchases in the light of existing ■ conditions and the situation et each of the reserve banks. For your information, the Board also approved a recommendation of its Committee that it would be ln~ advisable this time to adopt t e suggestion that” h a~ respportiOTrent of Government aeourTfy Koiffiigi.of".... Federal reserve banks shoving m m l n g a for the first six months of 1924 in eroess of expenses pnd dividend requirements be made in favor of those benks which have shown a deficit during the period. Very truly yours, Signed) D R. Cri3siD.ger. > D# R» Griwsingerf Governor. % &*■* J&v Be&j. Strong., Chairman, Op«n Market Investment Conmlttee, a/o Federal Reserve Bank, New York, N. Y* \/ Report of Committee on Discount and Open Market Policy on the matter referred to it at the meeting yesterday, namely, letter dated JttggjSjjh/from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of"New^York,"'* suggesting the apportionment of government securities and bills between the Federal Reserve banks on the basis of earnings’ reauirements; the Committee’s report reading as follows: "The Discount and Open Market Policy Committee at its meeting on June 24th adopted the following recommendation to the Federal Reserve Board: The Board has given further consideration to the basis of apportionment of future purchases of government securities for the open market investment account of the Federal Reserve banks, as outlined in a letter to the Board dated June 6th from the Chairman of the Governors’ Open-market Committee. The B o a r d ’s Committee sees no present occasion for the B o a r d ’s recommending a change of this basis of apportionment. It does, however, recommend that the Board ask the Governors’ Open-market Committee to consider at each of its meetings the question of an equitable basis of apportionment of government security purchases in the light of existing con ditions and the situation at each of the reserve banks, ihe Committee has also given consideration to the sug gestion that a reapportionment of government security hold ings of Federal reserve banks showing earnings for the first six months of 1924 in excess of expenses and dividend requirements "be made in favor of those banks which have shown a deficit during the period, and it is the opinion of the Committee that it would be ^hmdvfsable} at this time to propose to the Open-market Committee any such reapportionment Mr. Platt moved adoption of the Committee’s report. Carried, Mr. James voting "no"» Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Form No. 131. 1 Office Corresponde ;e FEDERAL RESERVE BR OD A wm o To Fmm $ha gadaral Basorra I w i ____ __ Subject:, *$ 3 * ' * ,..og_g g ^ f tiia _ i^ . g a ra ro sa a * • • o a ritiw a a a n t Discount and Oposwnarkat P ollflgt-flcssilttaa------------- J a ia y a l ro sary # haak>»--------- ^fha Bisooant an*. Opaa Harkst Poliay Ga*»ittaa at its maating Jima 84th aioptoi tha following roaossasniaticm to tha Falaral Basarra Board* Iha Gosnittaa has givan furthar oonaiisration to tha basis of apporttonmant of future porefcasas of goranarnmt saaaritiaa for tha opan-aaTtost iaraataaat aaoorcat o f,tha foiaral rasarra banks, as outlinad ia a lattar to tha Soar* lata* J Sjrtufc Jiaaa 6th jt r m tha Ctoairaaa of tha Soraraoif's Opaa»-*atfBat Gowalttao. fha^Oanaittaa aaaa ao praaont oooaaion for tha BoarA raaownoading a ohanga of thia haaia of ’a agpertioanaat* It iaas9 hovarar, raaaanoaA that tha Board ask tha Ctowaor’s Opaa-aarkat Gosaittaa to aaaaiter at aaoh of its matings tha qaastlon of aa aqnitable haaia of apportiaaaaat of gorarnnaat saoarlty purcfeaaaa $a tha light of axiatiag oonditions aad tha sitaatiaa at aa<*h of tha raaafra hanks* Tha Gsaadttaa haa also giTfa ooaaidaratioa to tha snggostloa that a *aapportionasnt of garam oat saaarity holdings of ViiaraX yaaatra hanks showing aarnings for tha first six months of 1984 ia axaass of axpansas aa* diridand ha nada raqnirsmants/in favor of thoaa hanks which hava shown a dafioit during tha pariod, and i t ia the opiaioa of tha @SMR4ttaa that it would ha laafrisahla \ 4a£ S u e J j & r c / 6/ 4 / W i Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives fi r Jun e 2 4 , 1924 Governor Stro n g th e n d is c u ss e d w ith th e members o f th e Board a t some le n g th ( l ) th e a c tio n o f th e d ir e c t o r s o f h is bank in v o tin g t o pay th e u su a l sem i-annual d iv id en d p a r t l y from th e b an k *s su rp lu s ( 2 ) th e d e s ir e o f th e d ir e c t o r s o f th e F e d e ra l R eserv e Bank o f P h ila d e lp h ia t o in v e s t in government s e c u r i t i e s up t o th e c a p i t a l and su rp lu s o f th e b an k; and ( 3 ) a memorandum d ated Jun e 2 0 th from th e C h ie f o f th e B o a rd ’ s D iv is io n o f Bank O p eratio n s re g a rd in g th e proposed p la n f o r re a p p o rtio n in g fu tu r e p u rch ases o f government s e c u r i t i e s and b i l l s among th e tw e lv e F e d e ra l R eserv e banks* A fte r d is c u s s io n , th e proposed p lan was r e f e r r e d b ack t o th e B o a rd 's Committee on D iscou n t and Open Market P o lic y f o r a fo rm u la tio n o f p r in c ip le s upon w hich th e Board could b a se i t s su g g e stio n fo r th e reap p ortion m en t o f open m arket p u rch a se s* FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, Washington, D. C. Dear Sirs We beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your e^yxn,| advising ue of your approval of the action of our Board in voting to establish a minimum buying rate of 2% for bankers acceptances, for which we thank you* We note what you say about our investing in U. S. Government bonds to an amount equal to our capital and surplus, and will/ await further advice from you on this matter. Very truly yours, CHAIRMAN. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Date__ V ~aI6 20 , 19J*4i To Mr. Eddy Mr. Smead Subject:-Allotment of Government Securities and bills. apportionment bills "between the Federal reserve banks and wish, to make the following sugges tions in regard thereto: X. Inasmuch as there is s c e b doubt as to whether or not the System as a Tfaole will earn a sufficient amount during 1924 to cover current operating expenses and dividends, it is thought that the Open Market Investment Committee in making the allotments of securities and bills should consider current operat ing expenses, dividends, and actual determined losses in excess of available reserves as the s a m i n g requirements of each reserve bank. In case the System A fails to make sufficient earnings this year to cover depreciation charges on bank pranises, It is thought that such charges should be deYerr e d ' until.suoh time as current net earnings are sufficient to take care oTlhenu V 2. From figures available at the present time, it looks as if Hew York, Boston and possibly St. Louis may fail to earn sufficient amounts to cover current expenses and dividend requirements, but that the nine other Federal reserve banks will probably^ear n more than is necessary to cover oper ating expenses and dividends. The'Federal~Seserve Banks oFAtlanta, Richmond, Balias and Minneapolis are likely to have materially larger net earnii^s than any of the other banks and could very well relinquish some of their present holdings of open market securTETes and bilXsr; ----- ---— ----------3. In view of the fact that the ITew York building will be completed and occupied this year it would be particulaTlyninfortunate if tiratr baHfcrwere to be the only one which failed to make sufficient earnings to cover operating expenses and dividends, as those inclined to criticize the System would cite the new building as the real cause of~theHe ficlt in earnings, thus drawing considerably more attention to the cost of that buildii^. 4. It is therefore recamended that the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis and Balias each sell $10,000,000 of securities to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; that the securities and bills held by the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta with the exception of acceptances originating in their own districts be all sold to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; and that all future purchases of securities and bills by the Open Maifcet Investment Conmittee be allotted to the Federal Reserve Bank of ¥ew York except such amounts as are necessary to replace maturing securities and bills held by other Federal reserve banks. If the System is to purchase another $150,000,000 of securities all such securities under this plan would be allotted to New York with the result that the bank*s earnings would be in creased m a W H a i l y altKotrgh per haps not sufficiently to take care of all operating expenses and dividends. If along about the end of September it appears that ary of the western or southern reserve banks are likely to have a deficit in earnings the allotment of securities oould be changed at that time. '(F"" ' : ; ~— *■ ■■ ■ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 131. Office Correspond ce _________________________________ From._____ Mr* Eddy*___________ ___ ________ FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD *2 ** “ * _ i_______ . __________________ ^ _ _ __;___ _________ ____......... ... Please read the attached oaroaunioatioqIfrora the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which is "seiT-explanatory, and return i t to me promptly with any comments or suggestions you may have to make as to the new plan of a llo ca tin g open market purchases of Government s e cu ritie s and b i l l s . 3 /UUL. / UL& f i f " " -----------------:--------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- — -— Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives * Dear l'r« Austin* Referring to tooil l«tt«r ef J m w 18 I wiati fco-ocm£ly» telegram to you of this date advising that tho federal Reserve Board approved tho action of your Mreotors in voting to estab lish aMfainisrcon Graying rato of Z$ for baalosrs aooeptanoes* The question of your bank's investing in TTnited States Government bonds an amount equal to your oapital and surplus, has been re ferred to the appropriate ©ommittee of the Board end you will he advised later of the Board’s attitude toward the proposal* Te*y truly yours. miter U Wdy, ottoretcry. Hr* &* L« Austin, Chairman, Federal Heserve Bank, Biiladelphla, Pa* Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m 118 TELEGRAM FEDERAL RESERVE LEASED WIRE SERVICE W A SH IN G TO N BOARD ' 2-i>«4 Jun# %$9 l $ m Austin - Philadelphia Yang irtto r la th A * * * * •flrcao&3UBi iWlttwUi CKQ/utg » w wrtion your dinvfeomi in wtlng to fia W i l X l V 3WP l*UMBEr8 WKwptWMNIl* BDDST Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o r m N o . 181. Office To C o r r e s p o i. Jc . ze c? nm« 011 discount & Open Market Policy : (Messrs. 1 I X r ,~F1st £~ Te" i ngham) FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD Date < - n 19, .^e Subject:. At th e m eeting o f tiie Board t i i i s morning 'th e r e was r e f e r r e d to th e Committee on D iscou n t & Open ! a r k e t P o lic y , f o r r e p o r t a t an ea rly / m e e tin g o f th e Board, th e a tta c h e d * l e t t e r d ated June lo tly from th e Chairman o f th e F e d e ra l : R eserve ^Banlc o f P h ila d e lp h ia a d v is in g o f th e a t t i t u d e o f t n e i r D ir e c to r s tovmrd an in vestm ent 5r Government bonds o f a sum eq u al to th e c a p i t a l and su rp lu s o f th e b an h . Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives w* y- / June 1 9 , 1924 L e t t e r d ated June, „1fit h\fronn th e Chairman o f th e F e d e ra l R eserve Bank o f P h ila d e lp h ia , r e q u e s tin g approval o f th e a c tio n o f th e d ir e c t o r s o f t h a t bank in v o tin g t o e s t a b l i s h a 2% minimum p u rchase r a t e on b an k ers a c c e p ta n c e s and a d v is in g th e Board o f th e a t t i t u d e o f th e d i r e c t o r s o f th e bank t h a t an in v estm en t in government bonds to an amount e q u a l to th e c a p i t a l and su rp lu s o f th e bank would be r ig h t in p r i n c i p l e , g iv in g a ssu ra n ce o f s u f f i c i e n t e a rn in g s t o pay d i v i dends and o p e ra tin g e x p e n se s, and red u ce c o m p e titio n w ith member banks in th e money m a rk e t. Upon m otion i t was voted t o approve f o r th e P h i l a d e lp h ia bank a 2% minimum p u rchase r a t e on b an k ers a c c e p ta n c e s . a Mr. Hamlin th e n moved t h a t th e q u e s tio n o f in c r e a s e d in v estm en ts in government bonds be r e f e r r e d to th e Open M arket In vestm en t Committee fo r th e F e d e ra l R ese rv e System f o r r e p o r t . Mr. H a m lin 's m otion b e in g put by th e c h a ir was l o s t , th e members v o tin g a s f o llo w s : ------------------------------Governor C r is s in g e r , "n o ” Mr. M i l l e r , "no" Mr. Cunningham, "n o ” Mr. Ham lin, " ay e " Mr* Jam es, "a y e " Mr. Hamlin th e n moved t h a t th e m a tte r be r e f e r r e d to th e B o ard ’ s Committee on D iscou n t and Open M arket P o l i c y . C a r r ie d . s Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives June 19, 1924 The Governor then presented the matter ordered circu la te d a t the meeting on June 10th , namely, letter.._dated June...Sth/from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with regard to the manner of apportioning further purchases of government s e cu ritie s and of b i lls between the Federal Reserve banks. Upon motion the matter, was referred to the Board*s Division of Bank Operations for re p o rt. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e Ba n k of P hila d elph ia 9 2 5 C H E S TN U T STREET 'C June 18, 1924 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND FEDERAL RESERVE AGENT FEDERAL RESERVE. BOARD, Washington, D. C. *U * M t (OfrPPl4*1-, Ovu lUcea. tsf w ( .. * ....... ... / ,* AT BOARD ■ iNO- JU 1 9 1 9 2 ^ N Dear Sirs - Confirming our telegram^ we beg leave to say that at the meeting of our board of directors, held today, we established the rate of discount of\3f v (.:x for maturities of 90 dsys or less, a n d ! ^ or fill maturities beyond that. We have been discussing the rate of discount for some time at our board meetings, and action probably would have been taken before this, except for the V absence of some members of the board at recent meetings. I discussed with the Board the advisability of making a lower rate for paper of short maturity, say 15-days. we had such a rate. Previous to the breaking out of the war It seemed to have answered a good purpose, and if put in force now we think it would help the business community, add to our income with out bringing us into competition with our member banks, and give us a desirable amount of paper of short maturity. Our board also passed a resolution asking for authority to buy bankers bills at a rate as low as two per cent, upon which we would be glad to have your action. We have taken up again the question of investing some of our funds in United States Government bonds. years ago, but were refused. We asked for authority to do this over two It seems to us now with the low price of Govern ment notes, Certificates of Indebtedness and bankers bills, and the difficulty of getting investments for our funds, that investment in Government bonds of a eum equal to our capital and surplus would be right in principle, give us /UlSL. A&L Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives r ,'e d e r a l R e s e r v e B a n k Or Page N Federal Reserve Board, o . 2 To P h .*a d e l p h i a . assurance of sufficient earnings to pay our dividends and operating expenses, and really make us very much less competitors with our member banks in the money market date the feeling which prevailed sometime ago, that investments in Government bonds are/not)de- V sirable ones for Federal Reserve Banks. Very truly yours, Chairman of the Board P.S. - Since writing this letter I have had your communication over the *phone in reference to the rate of 4 l/2$ for all maturities in excess of 90-days. Frankly, I would say the rate for maturities beyond 90-days to six months was not brought up, but the six months to nine months rate was discuesed quite a lot, and we felt it was a bad principle to make a rate for so long time paper the same as that for 90 days. You probably recollect that when the nine months rate was put into effect we made it higher than our 90-day rate, and we feel convinced that that represents the proper principle in rate making 4j$6 may be too high a rate for paper of maturity beyond 90 days to six months, and 4j# may be too high for six months to nine months paper compared with for 90 days. I know our Board will be very glad to give further thought to these rates and make a proper adjustment of them if they are out of line. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives *2 h** a* ' ■ Ju n e 17, 1924 [' :( ^ T e l e g r am d a t e d J u n e 1 6 t h f r o m t h e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e Open M a rk e t I n v e s t m e n t C orrim i11ee"” quotlT Tg a t e l e g r a m a d d r e s s e d t o t h e G o v e rn o r o f e a c h F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B an k w i t h r e g a r d t o m oney r a t e s an d s t a t i n g t h a t t h e d i r e c t o r s o f t h e F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B an k o f New Y o r k a t t h e i r n e x t m e e t i n g w i l l p r o b a b l y a u t h o r i z e a minimum p u r c h a s e r a t e o f 2%, N o te d . i Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives si Ju n e 11, 3 1924 L .I z . * L et t e r ..d a t e d J u n e ...1 0 t l ( f ro m t h e G o v e r n o r o f t h e F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B an k o f P h i l a d e l p h i a , r e q u e s t i n g t h a t d u r i n g h i s e x t e n d e d l e a v e o f a b s e n c e t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a b an k b e r e p r e s e n t e d on t h e Open M a r k e t I n v e s t m e n t C o m m itte e an d o n t h e B o a r d ^ s C o m m itte e on E co n om y a n d E f f i c i e n c y b y M r. W i l l i a m H . I l u t t , J r . , who w i l l b e A c t i n g G o v e rn o r o f t h e b a n k d u r i n g M r. N o r r i s ' a b s e n c e . Upon m o t i o n , i t w a s v o t e d t o s u b s t i t u t i o n f o r G o v ern o r N o r r i s nam ed. a p p ro v e M . H u t t 's r on t h e C o m m itte e s ¥ Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Jun e 1 0 , 1924 — t he Governor o f th e F e d e ra l R eserve Bank o f New Y ork, su b m ittin g f o r th e B oard *s c o n s id e r a tio n a resume o f th e m a tte r d is c u s s e d by him a t th e m eeting on June 6 th , nam ely, th e p la n o f th e Open M arket In v estm en t Committee f o r a p p o r tio n in g * p u rch ases o f s h o r t tim e government s e c u r i t i e s f o r acco u n t o f v a rio u s F e d e ra l R ese rv e banks on th e b a s i s o f t h e i r e a r n in g s ' re q u ire m e n ts* Ordered circu la te d and docketed fo r a future meeting. r —---------- ;--------- ! ---- ; ------------------------------ — ------Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Fi f t e e n N Na e w ssau Y Street ork June 6, 1924 Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. Gentlemen: At the last meeting of the Committee on Open Market Investments, a resolution was passed directing me to pre pare a new basis to apply thereafter to the apportionment of additional purchases of Government securities and of bills between the reserve banks, which would be based more nearly upon the earning requirements of the participating banks, a s disclosed from time to time by reports to be made to the Committee. / ■ In order to carry out the terms of the resolution, I have asked each reserve bank to furnish the Committee with the following figures: (a) The amount of its net earnings down to June 1st, after deducting all expenses and accrued dividends. (b) The estimated amount of gross earnings which will be realized for the balance of the year, assuming that the total of earning assets continues at the amount reported as of June 1st* (c) An estimate of total expenses, and of dividend requirements plus an estimate of the amounts to be charged off, for the balance of the year. You will observe that these figures will enable the Com mittee to roughly estimate what amount, if any, of additional earning assets will be required for this year (in excess of the total of June 1st) in order to enable each bank to meet all ex penses, its dividend and the amount to be charged off for losses, depreciation, etc. The result will be a reduction of future AT BO JUN 1 0 1924 / i C ' ' / Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Federal Reserve Board - 2 allotments of Government securities and of bills to those banks which have earned a surplus in the early part of the year, until such time as surplus earnings are absorbed by the expenses of the last half of the year, and a monthly revision of allotments throughout the rest of the year will likely result in an equalization of earnings between all re serve banks. My own feeling is that those banks which, by reason of local conditions and of earnings from their participation in the original purchase of 0250,000,000 of Government securi ties, are able to earn their dividends and even some small surplus, should not suffer any reduction in their participa tion in the original $250,000,000 purchase, and so convert a possible surplus into a possible deficit of earnings, but that the reallotment should be so arranged that those banks which are capable of earning a surplus should do so, but from now on should not take a share in new purchases. Some of the banks, notably New York, will not, however, be able to make up the probable deficit of earnings, even though they took all of the additional securities now being purchased, and I antici pate that the result of the policy suggested will be to have some deficit shown at the end of the year by a few of the re serve banks, (possibly only by New York) but that most of them will likely show the full amount of their requirements earned, with none having any considerable surplus over requirements. So far as I am aware of the view of the governors of the different reserve banks with whom I have discussed the Com mittee’s operations, this will prove satisfactory. It seems desirable, however, that the Federal Reserve Board be made aware of what will result from this basis of reapportionment, in order to anticipate possible objections. It will also possibly have the effect of reducing the amount of franchise taxes to be paid, in case surpluses which would otherwise be earned are, in effect, transferred to those banks which would not otherwise earn the full amount of their expenses and dividends. It hardly seems necessary to reiterate that this sug gestion of allotments of securities purchased among the re serve banks should not be construed as an indication that the Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Federal Reserve Board - 3 purohases are made simply for the purpose of earnings, which might appear to be the case if this letter were read alone without considering in connection with it the motives which have led to the accumulation of shorttime Government obligations by this method# Obviously, the fair basis of division is that which relates to earnings rather than to reserves, capital, etc* Very truly yours, 4, Benj. Strong, Chairman, Open Market Investment Committee TSf Net Earnings Less Current Expenses Paid and Accrued and Dividends Jan* l/24-kav 31/24 Estimated Gross Earn ings June l/24-Dec.3l/24 Based on Earning Assets Held May 31 Remaining Unchanged Total Net Earnings Jan*l/24-May 31/24 and Gross Earnings June l/24-Dec* 31/24 boston $ 87,500 <§1,188,900 $1,276,400 11,672,000 New York x380,150 3,896,000 3,516,000 7,004,000 3,488,000- Philadelphia 270,245 1,624,000 1,894,245 1,697,000 197,245* 0 Cleveland 255,500 2,090,000 2,345,500 2,820,150 474,650- n Richmond 315,790 1,455,000 1,770,790 1,360,000 410,790 + 0 Atlanta 444,370 1,267,600 1,711,970 1,315,410 396,560+ 0 Chicago 153,130 2,776,650 2,929,780 3,624,580 694,800- 10/o „ Louis 96,100 1,065,000 1,161,100 1,241,600 80,500- 1;% inneapolis 64,390 1,020,000 1,084,390 1,268,260 183,870- 35* Kansas City 53,080 1,355,150 1,408,230 1,755,400 347,170- % 341,000 1,044,000 1,385,000 1,970,000 585,000- 8% 93,000 2,077,000 2,170,000 2,777,000 607*000- Dallas San Francisco Estimated Expenses June l/24-Dec,3l/24 Including Dividends Estimated Charge_____ offs. Btc«____ Amount of Earnings Over or Short of Estimated Re quirements for Year 1924 $ 395,600- $6,856,590- xExpenses in Excess of Earnings Jan, l/24*May 31/24 New Ratio of Participation 51% 100% Reproduced fro th Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of th National Archives m e e NKRT PERCENTAGE'OF PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS IN THE SYSTEM PURCHASES OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND BANKERS ACCEPTANCES BASED ON m s EARNING _________________REQUIREMENTS AS REPORTED TO COMMITTEE ON JUNE 6, 1924______________ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ? V.-- 3 \ T *~~~f> * June 6, 1924 At th is point, Governor Strong of the Federal Reserve Barnc of New York entered the meeting and outlined to the Board the plan of the Open Market Investment Committee for apportioning additional purchases of short time government s e cu ritie s for account of the various Federal Reserve banks on the basis of the earnings of the individual banks during the f i r s t five months of the current year, and the estimated amount of earnings necessary to enable each bank to meet i t s expenses and dividend payments. After discussion, i t was suggested th at Governor Strong submit the matter in w riting to the Board for i t s consideration in order th at i t might then be transm itted to the Federal Reserve banks with the Board's approval. r Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Dear Soremor Strongs I , l? M ’ raowl.dg^ of gony l«tt»r of Jnim Srdjand you are advised that tha report raa8e therein coincides with tha Board’s understanding of aotlon taken at tha recant meeting of tha Open Barfcit Ooamittaa* Under such aotlon tha Committee may purchaae vp to ^400,000,000 of abort tine Ocv-emrient obligations at fair market prlcea, tha additional 33.50,OOP,OOP to bf . apportioned on tha basis of tha eanting requirements o|5haIiipioua part by estiinates^tb ha aubmit te¥ “ fro&rtline to time# fhan tha total pur chases by tha Committaa approach $400t000f00G, tha Board should be advised In order that It may oonaldar the advisability of another seating of tha Coir*»ittee at i$iich future policy and practice can be discussed* Very truly yours, j„ AI W W -* D# 1* Orissinger, Governor* Itr# Benj*Strong, Governor, F ed eral Ite serv e Bank, Haw York, 1* Y* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives } Ju n e 4 , 1924 L e t t e r d a t e d June 3 r d / f r o m t h e G o v e r n o r o f t h e F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B an k o f New Y o r k , r e q u e s t i n g a d v i c e a s t o t h e a t t i t u d e o f t h e B o a r d o n a c t i o n t a k e n a t t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e O pen M a rk e t C o m m itte e h e l d on May 2 9 t h , U pon m o t i o n , i t w a s v o t e d t h a t G o v e rn o r S t r o n g b e a d v ise d t h a t th e a c t i o n re p o rte d in h is l e t t e r i s in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e B o a r d , m a k in g i t c l e a r t h a t th e b an ks a r e a u th o riz e d t o p u rch a se t h r o u g h t h e C o m m itte e up t o # 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 o f s h o r t t i m e g o v e r n m e n t o b l i g a t i o n s , a n d t h a t t h e B o a r d s h o u ld b e a d v i s e d w hen t h a t i s d o n e . \ / A Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 3 Federal Reser v e of Ne w Bank York June 3, 1924. Dear Governor Crissinger While I do not understand that the Federal Reserve Board took any action at our committee meeting last week, X am now engaged as chairman of the committee in reporting the various decisions of the committee to the other Federal Reserve Banks, when the minutes shall have been approved by the members of the committee, and I should appreciate advice as to the attitude of the Federal Reserve Board so that each Reserve Bank may be notified. The actions taken, you will recall, were as followss (1) The committee authorized the purchase of an additional $150,000,000 of short-time government obligations at fair market prices. (2) The secretary was directed to prepare a reapportionment of the Additional purchases beyond the original $250,000,000, upon the basis of the earning requirements of the various participants as shown by estimates to be sub mitted from time to time. (3) The Federal Reserve Bank of New York was authorized to make temporary sales of short-time obligations held in its special account under repurchase arrangements, so as to neutralise any possible disturbing effect due to large transactions by the Treasury on dates when the income tax payments are made and when the Treasury makes its issues of securities. The total amount now held in the account is $526,543,300, but purchases from now on are likely to be considerably slower. I would appreciate a line from you on this subject. Hon. D. R. Grissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. A /LSJL Yours very truly, Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives N v)y i Fed eral R eserv e Bank A . ,v. . o f N e w -- t : fp ^ ^ 7 i i 5 ^ p : - ir ........ | Y o r k May 28, 1924. Aosom t e , RspQrt To the members of the 0 P M MAEKET W V E S W M T COMHIEWSE. An increase of $22,500,000 in the amount of bills held for foreign banks has occurred since the last meeting of the Com mittee on April 22, bringing the total amount so invested up to #39,800,000. Bank account. Siis increase is accounted for in de Nederlandsche We received from that bank: two further shipments of gold of which $8,000,000 was invested in bills, and from the proceeds of the Netherlands Government Loan recently sold here we received $14,000,000 for the purchase of bills to be held in special account for de Nederlandsche Bank. ©iere have been no important changes in the other ac counts and the usual comparative statement is attached for the information of the Committee. Very truly yours, J. H. CASE, Deputy Governor. _ \ i Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives 2 S 4 4 id Ju n e 6 , i 1924 A t t h i s p o i n t , G o v e r n o r S t r o n g o f t h e F e d e r a l R e s e r v e B an k o f New Y o r k e n t e r e d t h e m e e t i n g a n d o u t l i n e d t o t h e B o a r d t h e p l a n o f t h e Open M a rk e t I n v e s t m e n t C o m m itte e f o r a p p o r t i o n i n g a d d i t i o n a l p u r c h a s e s o f s h o r t t i m e g o v e rn m e n t s e c u r i t i e s f o r a c c o u n t o f t h e v a r i o u s F e d e r a l R e s e r v e b a n k s on t h e b a s i s o f t h e e a r n i n g s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l b a n k s d u r i n g t h e f i r s t f i v e m o n th s o f t h e c u r r e n t y e a r , an d t h e e s t i m a t e d am o u n t o f e a r n i n g s n e c e s s a r y t o e n a b l e e a c h b a n k t o m e e t i t s e x p e n s e s an d d i v i d e n d p a y m e n t s . A f t e r d i s c u s s i o n , i t w as s u g g e s t e d t h a t G o v e r n o r S t r o n g s u b m it t h e m a t t e r i n w r i t i n g t o t h e B o a r d f o r i t s c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n o r d e r t h a t i t m ig h t th e n b e t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e F e d e r a l R e s e rv e b anks w ith t h e B o a r d f s a p p r o v a l. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives JJear Qoremor Strong* , Reooipt 1* aoknowladgod of towt l«tt.r of Junm 3rd ( mi you are advised that tha report mala tharain a coincides with tha Board*» understanding of action taken at tha recent meeting of tha Open Iarlwt Oonnittaa« ’ Under suoh aotlon tha Committee may purchase vp to 1400,000,000 of short tine (lorerarient obligations at fair market prices, tha additional 1150,000,000 to bf apportioned on tha bail a of tha eaim l^ua^P^regent % ^ of3haZa5rioua participants as shoim by estimates^) be submitteJ froST'tiine to time* Whan tha total pur chases by tha Committee approach >100,000,000, tha 3oard should ba advised in ordar that It may oonalder tha advisability of another meeting of tha Committee at ^Aiioh future policy and practice can ba discussed* Very t m l y yours, B« 2U Orissinger, Governor* l*r* 9enJ .Strong, Governor, Federal Hasarra Sank, Hew York, H. Y* Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives June 4 , 1924 L etter d a te d J u n e 3rd / from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, requesting advice as to the a ttitu d e of the Board on action taken a t the meeting of the Open Market Committee held on May 29th . Upon motion, i t was voted th a t Governor Strong be advised th a t the actio n reported in his l e t t e r is in accordance with the understanding of the Board, making i t c le a r th at the banks are authorized to purchase through the Committee up to $400,000,000 of short time government ob ligation s, and th at the Board should be advised when th a t is done. \ / A Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives . Federal Reser v e of ^ / / Ba n k N e w Yo r k June 3, 1924 Dear Governor Criasinger: While I do not understand that the Federal Reserve Board took any action at oar committee meeting last week, I am now engaged as chairman of the committee in reporting the various decisions of the committee to the other Federal Reserve Banks, when the minutes shall have been approved by the members of the committee, and I should appreciate advice as to the attitude of the Federal Reserve Board so that each Reserve Bank may be notified. The actions taken, you will recall, were as follows: (1) The committee authorized the purchase of an additional $159,000,000 of short-time government obligations at fair market prices. (2) The secretary was directed to prepare a reapportionment of the additional purchases beyond the original $250,000,000, upon the basis of the earning requirements of the various participants as shown by estimates to be sub mitted from time to time. (5) The Federal Reserve Bank of New York was authorised to make temporary sales of short-time obligations held in its special account under repurchase **7 arrangements, so as to neutralise any possible disturbing effect due to large transactions by the Treasury on dates when the income tax payments are made and when the Treasury makes its issues of securities* The total amount now held in the account is $$26,543,500, but purchases from now on are likely to be considerably slower. you on this subject. Hon. D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Boar* ■ashington, D. C. I would appreciate a line from Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives P Fed eral R eserv e F r 1 Bank i of N ew Y o r k May 28, 1924. Report on ^foreign Accounts. To the members of the O P M MARKET INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. An increase of $22,500,000 in the amount of "bills held for foreign banks has occurred since the last meeting of the Com mittee on April 22, bringing the total amount so invested up to $39,800,000. Bank: account. This increase is accounted for in de Nederlandsche We received from that bank two further shipments of gold of which $8,000,000 was invested in bills, and from the proceeds of the Netherlands Government Loan recently sold here we received $14,000,000 for the purchase of bills to be held in special account for de Nederlandsche Bank. There have been no important changes in the other ac counts and the usual comparative statement is attached for the information of the Committee. Very truly yours, J. H. CASE, Deputy Governor. (Enc.) BANKERS ACCEPTANCES. De Nederlandsche Bank De Javascho Bank Swiss Nc.tl. Bank % 2,518,642.39 t 5,796,310.31 * 5,933,353.11- ? 1 ,981 , 1 3 .3 3 0 Purchased 1,67*,088.53 23,339,583.15 3,661,504.40- 1,138,566.56 Matured or dis counted 1,677,904.51 943,428.25- 3,608,950.47- 991,937.80- On Hand 5/27/24 2,516,826.41 28,192,465.21' 5,985,907.04- 2,127,642.09 •Close of Business On Hand 4/19/24 Bank of England 492.709.15 Bank of IY*ance ? 548,410.69 Totals ? 17,270,438.98 - 0- - 0- 29,815,742.64 - 0- -0- 7,222,221.03 492.709.15 548,410.69 39,863,960.59 EARMARKED GOLD Swiss National Bank Close of Business On Hand 4/19/24 $4,751,122.50- On Hand 5/27/24 4,416,737.50£REE BALANCES Bk. of Japan Nederlandsche Bk. Javasche Bk. Swiss N.B. Close 4/19/24 I 499,680.99 Close 5/27/24 504,365.64- ♦ 229,966.42 252,582.83- De Nederlandsche Bank Bankers Acceptances $10,312.96' | 251,113.35 250,181.66'' *139,2 88 .12 4,866.88- Bk. of France 1101,171.12 1300.52 $433.44 « 3,666.64 11,225,620.60 433.44 3,666.64 1,117,568.73 101,171.12-300.52- TOTAL C M > ISSIONS EARNED 0lf From 4/ 19 /24 to 5/27/24' inclusive. Bank of Japan Javasche Bank Bank of England f 867.35 " $1,867.11- Natl. Bk. of Belgium Bk. of England Bankovnl -0 - Bank of France - 0 - Totals Swiss N.3. Totals $554.48 • 113,601.90- I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Bank of Japan Reproduced fro th Unclassified m e May 28, 1924. REPORT TO OPEN MARKET INVESTMENT CCISITTEE. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F E D E R A L R E S E R V E BANK O F C 230 OFFICE OF THE SOUTH LASALLE STREET GOVERNOR May 26, 1924* Mr. Walter L. Eddy, Secretary, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Eddy: I am in receipt of your rnIletter -of .u i iIj(| li I nf , , h Y" , •H fM f eM* the 23rd instant.^containing information in relation to the meeting of the Open Market Investment meeting, called for Kiursday, lay 29th. fh&nking you, I am Tery truly yours, HS. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives r ? Z4-, May 23, 1924. Dear (xQ'rernor McDougal* Referring to our telephone conversation this morning, I em quoting below fro© the recommendati m s of the Federal Ad visory Council, made following the Council meeting of May 13, 1924 s "With regard to open market operations Council reiterates the vi ew expre ssed o n " pretTous occasions that the Federal Reserve bani;s should not w k e investments for the sole purpose of increasing their earnings and earning dividends- On the other hand, the Council is of the opinion that it la desirable for the Federal Re— ' serve System in normal times to be possessed of a suffi cient volume of investments (total earning assets) so as to be able to steady the market in case that should be necessary. The Council finds it extremely difficult to A lay down any definite rule aa to what the normal figure x/ of investments should^be because naturally It would ' A change from~~C3Se™to~~tiiae in accordance with the economic and financial conditions which prevail in given circum stances. Under present conditions, it would seem that it would not be out of line for the Syatem to seek to preserve an aggregate investment of substantially its present voluae with a tendency somewhat to increase these V investments if g S G P o a n be done wllliuutTunduly affecting" the market. The Council^ makes^ H e i e suggestions with a great deal of reluctance as it feels that an authorita tive opinion can only be given by those actively in charge of operations.** Very truly yours, (Signed) Walter Mr. J* B. McDougal, Governor, Federal Reserve Bank, CCh1°«gQ, m . Walter L. Eddy, Secretary. l . Eddy Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Federal Reser v e of Ba n k N e w Yo r k IN R E P L Y P L E A S E R E FER TO February 27, 1924♦ Dear Governor Crissinger: _ Thank you for your n o t e o f F e b r u a T v ^ 2 ^ W regard to handling of special orders in open market purchases. Since I wrote you, Governor McKinney has been here and we feel that the matter is adjusted to everybody's satisfaction. We have not only filled up his requirements for the present, but for all maturities during this month. Yours very truly, Beaj. Strong, Governor. Honorable D.R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. BS.MM Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives February 21* 19£4* Baar Oovemor Stro&ft baan rooo iT0 d s n a w ^ n t to theattention of th Board* u h is of tha opinion that tha a tifo mmmr in uliioh special ordars for ©pan warkat jmrohfttaa fr m th Fsd«ral Hasarva B n of o e ak Dallas hava baan humllsd b tha Gorarnors* y oonaaittaa if satisfactory* Tha Board saaa no oooaaion for a departure fro tha understand* m ing reaohod at tha recent conference of tha Opm Polio;/ Ooraittee of tha Federal Keserre banks with tha Federal Beserve Board* ?e*y truly yourst v^igiiicii; i wrissingtfe„ <, D k Orlssingerf * * Governor* Ir* Benjamin Strong. 0oramorf Federal Beaerre Bank# Haw York* I* Y* / Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F o .rm ^To. -131. C C* U r r i c e To 1 L o r r e s p o k . J e Federal Reserve Board FEDERAL RESERVE c e _______ _ BOARD bate ___ 3 b . 2 0 . 1 9 2 4 . ___ Subject:. From Gom. 021 Open Market & Discount Policy, 2 S4S — 9 J rhe Committee, to whom was referred the attached f _ from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Hew _ York, begs leave to report that the manner in ^lich special orders for open market purchases? from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas have been handled by/$ie^cSanittee is satisfactory, and Mr. Strong should be advised that the Board sees no occa sion for a departure from the understanding reached at recent conference of the Open Market Policy Committee of the Federal Reserve Banks with the Federal Reserve Board. Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives F eb ru ary 1 9 , 1924 'Z- ' /f L e t t e r d ated F e b ru a ry I8th \ from th e Governor o f th e F e d e ra l R ese rv e Bank o f New York w ith reg ard t o th e e x e c u tio n by th e Open M arket In v estm en t Committee o f s p e c ia l o rd e rs r e c e iv e d from F e d e ra l R eserv e banks* R e fe r r e d t o th e Committee on D iscou n t and Open M arket P o l i c y . F e b ru ary 2 0 , 1924 R ep ort o f Committee on D iscou n t and Open M arket P o lic y on M atter r e f e r r e d t o i t a t th e m eeting on F e b ru a ry 1 9 th , nam ely, l e t t e r dated F e b ru ary 1 8 th from th e Governor o f th e F e d e ra l R ese rv e Bank o f ITew York w ith re g a rd to th e e x e c u tio n by th e Open M arket In vestm en t Committee o f s p e c ia l o rd e rs r e c e iv e d from F e d e ra l R eserv e b a n k s, p a r t i c u l a r l y th e F e d e ra l R eserv e Bank o f D a lla s ; th e Committee r e p o r tin g t h a t th e manner in ?>rhich s p e c ia l o rd e rs f o r open m arket p u rch ases from th e F e d e ra l R eserve Bank o f D a lla s have been handled by th e G o v e rn o rs’ Committee i s s a t i s f a c t o r y and t h a t Governor S tro n g be ad v ised t h a t th e Board s e e s no o c c a s io n f o r a d e p a rtu re from, th e u n d erstan d in g re a ch e d a t th e r e c e n t c o n fe re n c e o f th e Open M arket P o lic y Committee o f th e F e d e ra l R eserv e banks w ith th e F e d e r a l R eserv e B oard . Approved, Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives B o r n . N o . 131. / \ r r * 1 Urrice Correspo: Je ce r_ r, FEDERAL RESERVE Committee on Discount & Open Market Polios?! . t®8 88 rs• MillBr, Platt -S-GunninghaMT J ____ L/ate. l l _* 19, 1924 » "2 1? ^ : ----- ------------------- ^ From___ Mr* -^ddy At the meeting this morning, there was referred to the Committee on Discount and Open Market Policy the attached letter dated ^ ]tfflg£g[18th.\ from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank “of Hew York w ith regard' 'Tor the’ execution "by the Open Market Investment Committee of special orders received from Federal Reserve "banks* /UULr IF ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------1 ............ ........ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives . Fed eral R eserv e of Bank N e w Yo r k IN R E P L Y P L E A S E RE FER TO February 18, 19E4. Dear Governor Crissinger: After going over the Investment Committee’s minutes and operations with Mr. Case, I feel quite satisfied that there will be little difficulty in handling the Dallas maturities for reinvestment in such a way as will conform to the action taken by the committee when it met in Washington the week before last* Possibly when a similar situation arises in the future, you will feel willing to give con sideration to the position of the committee in respect to these special orders $10,000,000 in the case of Dallas - which we fear will have the effect of impairing the harmonious operation of the policy if other cases of that sort develop. The particular point that we have to watch with great care, of course, is always the interest of the Treasury. Every order that we get from Reserve Banks, including the execution of orders by the committee, is subordinated to all orders and transactions conducted for the Treasury. No possibility of conflict in our transactions can arise with the Treasury on that account. I^hen one Reserve Bank, however, which is participating in the general purchase puts in a special order for the same securities, some one must at once decide whether that bank is to have the right away - so to speak - in allotments, or whether purchases are to be made for the committee, or whether they are to be divided, etc., etc. V# HC' \V Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives £ FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YOR Fe b ru & ry 18 , 1924 . le don’t feel willing here to take the responsibility for any departure from the committee’s procedure; in fact, if special orders are to be executed in that way, the whole purpose of the committee1s organisation falls to the ground. We have transferred $5,000,000 of bills to Dallas. We have other transfers in prospect, and we believe that by this method and by special transfers of allotments, such as were provided for at the last Washington meeting, we will cover the requirements at Dallas without it being necessary for them to proceed with any special purchases. We hope all of this is in accordance with your own views. Tours very truly, Governor. Honorable D„ H. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. BS.MM I Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives as « M J fto Q m rm w ar w oam m m A tl» t Ifce s*xt aMUng of tfe» O pen Ifcrtart 2fcv*0ta»ii* Conal1*#« t m th* * idtral BtMivi Sy®t«e wouM !• 1*14 to «Mftrfngt«Q 0mFriday, y*bmaiy M u Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives / Oovemor Strong* O bflhaif of Qovonoor n 1 a o M i% » roooipt of voar lo ite r to him I adviaaig or tea apportionm ent ta m e tho twalve Fadoml H oockpvq 1501008 of tiao 8hori-*torm Qovoimant aoeuritie* itoick havo boon ooqulrod for tho 3yst«af6 s^ooial inreatmb* aoootmfc under tiao poXioy ograod v p m a t m r m m t raaotiag of tlio Board* Shit le tte r w i l l b« broo^hfe to ttio iittoRtlon of the M & m i of t h o Board. Toiy t r u l y y o u rs. if c lto r U Bddy# S oorotory* 3 Boo|# Strong* Chainsiux* £f« Qp^ a, H nvnt S qfoisssbbbS CQxasittoo* C /o Podoral Booorro Bwflc* Son Toilt* H*T* Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives Executive Folder Dat Federal R eserv e Bank o f Ne w Y o R K January 4, 1924. Dear Governor Crissinger: In line with the policy recently agreed upon at a meeting between the , Federal Reserve Board and the Open Market Investment Committee, the following short term Government securities have been acquired for the System's special investment account: Treasury certificates of indebtedness due 1924 " notes due 1924-25 $ 9,346,000. 9.257.000* Total $18,583,000. This investment has been apportioned among all twelve of the Federal reserve banks, in the percentages agreed upon, as follows: Federal Reserve Bank of Percentage Boston New, York Philadelphia Cleveland Richmond Atlanta Chicago St. Louis Minneapolis Kansas City Dallas San Francisco Par Value of Apportionment 8.4$ 27. % B.1% 9.7% 4.1% 4.8% 16.3% 3.5% 2.7% 3.4% 2.9% 9.1% $ 1,560,900. 5,017,500. 1,505,200. 1,802,500. 761,700. 891,900. 3,029,100. 650,300. 501,900. 638,000. 538,900. 1.691.100. $ 18,583,000. Very truly yours, Benj. Strorfg, ^ Chairman, \)pen Market Investment Committee for the Federal Reserve System Honorable D. R. Crissinger, Governor, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C. /XJJL ■A/w Reproduced from the Unclassified / Declassified Holdings of the National Archives N. Federal R eserv e Bank \ / *7 2 January 3, 1924, Mr* E. L. Sinead, Chief Division of Bank Operations Federal Reserve Board Washington, D. G. Dear Mr. Sinead: / I d .‘ . * :.. " In accordance with ouj* conversation of last night, I am enclosing herewith a copy of a lett ed sent to .each Governor outlining the method of operation in connection with the handling of the special investments. After this letter went out it was decided to separate the two classes of investments, namely Certificates of Indebtedness and Treasury Notes, and to carry them in two aocounts as follows; Special Investment U. S. Certificates of Indebtedness Special investment 0. S. Treasury Notes This will obviate the necessity of the procedure outlined in paragraph #4 in connection with the transmitting of these figures to the other banks for press statement purposes. In other respects it is my understanding that the plan is being followed as outlined. As you know, the actual distribution of the amounts already purchased was made yesterday, the percentage of participation of eaGh bank being as follows: B o s t o n ...... 8.4 New Y o r k ...... 27* Philadelphia ... 8.1 Cleveland ...... 9.7 Richmond ....... 4.1 A t l a n t a ....... 4.8 C h i c a g o ....... 16.3 St. Louis ...... 3.5 Minneapolis .... 2.7 Kansas City .... 3.4 Dallas ....... . 2.9 San Francisco... 9.1 . 100 I talked with Mr. Higgins and it is my understanding that he will see that there is reported on fern 34 for this bank the maturity data for the total investment for the system, inasmuch as this information will not be available to the other reserve banks. http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ LAL Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Very truly yours, P : L. R. Rounds Acting General Auditor