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315
meeting of the Federal Reserve Board was held in Washington
011

Fridays

December 8, 1933, at 12:30 p. in.
PRESENT:

Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Er.
Mr.
Er.

Black, Governor
Hamlin
Miller
James
Thomas
Szymczak

Morrill, Secretary
Carpenter, Assistant Secretary
Bethea, Assistant Secretary
Martin, Assistant to the Governor
Faulger, Chief of the Division of
Examinations
Mr. Smad, Chief of the Division of
Bank Operations

Mr.
Mr.
Er.
Mr.
Er.

ALSO PRESENT:

Er. Norris, Governor of the Federal Reserve
Bank of Philadelphia

There was presented
a letter dated December 6, 1933, from Er.
kistills Chairman
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, inclosillE a rePort
of a special committee of directors, dated December 1,
1933
'Ilhich had been accepted
and approved by the board of directors
Of
the
bank,
et
ra::n
g
that Governor Norris would be in Washington
-ts
011 P
riday, Deco
an:
1933, to give to the Board additional details
14 reference
ter

read as

to the report.

The report inclosed with Er. Austin's let-

follows:

The
Cemmitte appointed by the Chairman in pursuance of a
'
wilil utlen adopted at the meeting of November 15th, to cooperate
the the officers in recommendations to be made on changes in
°T.eial staff of this bank, respectfully reports as follows:
at,Duri/IL; the last year the very great increase in the duties
'
responsibilities resting on all the officers of the bank
overtaxed them, and has convinced us that, in its official
the bank is under-manned. Moreover, we have for some
'sre
doubted whether it was good organization to have only two
0211
"executive officers on the operating side of the bank,
'le or the
other of whom must necessarily be frequently absent




12/8/33

-2I?

on account of sickness, vacation, or attendance at co2aLitte
e
or other meetings in Washington or elsewhere. We still have
in this district
87 failed or restricted member banks, owing
US nearly ;17,000,000. Against this indebted
ness we hold, as
part collateral, about :28,00,,000 of commercial paper. This
involves numerous and protracted conferences, not only with
the receivers
or conservators of these banks, but with individual debtors, in reference to settlements and compromi
ses. Decisions upon the questions raised in these settlements
necessitate careful and laborious study of both business and
legal considerations, and require the exercise of the best
judcment. It will probably take several years to clear these
matters up.
"We have numerous questions arising in connection with the
Deposit Insurance plan, and other features of the new Banking
Act, We are
likely to have numerous applications for membersnip. Both of these involve protracted conferences and extended
.Correspondence
. Other activities now under discussion are
liable to be irdposed upon the Federal Reserve Bprars.
"1,-e deem it imossible for any two men to devote
to these
neV and unusual problems the time and thought that they entail,
Id, at the same time,
to give the necessary supervision and
oversight to the
ordinary operations of this bank.
th.
, lie therefore recormend that there should
be two additional
-):sPuty
Governors. One of these two places should be filled by
e election of
an outside man, qualified by legal and banking
,,,Terience
to handle compromises and settlements, and to assume
ch
additional duties as may be delegated to him. We suggest
onn
'
as the appropriate salary. The other should be filled
uy
. t
hu promotion of the present Cashier, in recognition of his
is,?xteen years
of faithful and efficient service in this bank.
ith this
promotion should come an increase in his salary from
2,000 to 013,200. He will retain also his present titles of
Cashier
and Secretary of the Board.
,
e 'We recommend further that two Assistan Deputy Governor
t
s
'J created,
these
position
to
filled
(now
s
Davis
be
by
W.
J.
D11
!
A sistpnt Cashier) and L. R. Donaldson, now head of the Bank
Relations Department, and having the present nominal title of
i 4cistant to the Governor
'. With these promotions should cone
Irlioses in Jr.
Davis' salary from 9,000 to 310,000, and in
tt. onaldson's from 04,200 to 05,000.
e recommend
further that G. K. Morris, now head of the
Credit
DePartment, be made an Assistant Cashier, with additional
6c
eC assigned him, and an increase in salary from 0,780 to
leu,000•
ar:MB believe
that these increases in the force of officers
thu necessary
to the efficient functioning of the bank, and
at the increases in salaries are justified and reasonable.

r




Joseph Wayne, Jr.
C. Frederick C. Stout
G. W. Reily"

317
12/8/33

-3Governor 1:orris stated that the natter of the selection of a

deputy Governor from outside the present official personnel of the
ba4z had been under consideration by the officers and directors of
the bank for several months; that the position had been offered to
Lr. j
el"I' S. Sinclair, who, as one of the members of the legal firm of
Lrittain 6., Sinclair, had been doing the legal work of the
; that Ir. Sinclair had stated he mould accept the position and
17eu1
d be able to enter the employ of the Federal reserve bank not
later than
January 1, 1934; and that the legal work of the bank mould
be halidled by another member of the same firm.

stated that

Governor Korris also

he had cone to washington to present this particular nat-

ter to the Board
for the reason that Er. Sinclair is not accepting any
eciditi°11al legal work uhich would require his personal attention, in
order that he
may be in a position to sever his connection with the
tirtl$ and
that it is felt at the Federal reserve bank that there should
be (1. Prompt decision by the Board on the question mhether it will apPr°1rethe

salary proposed for Er. Sinclair.

Governor Norris stated,

another
reason for his belief that a decision in the matter should
be r
-"ehed as soon as possible, that Deputy Governor Hutt is faced
17ith
necessity of undergoing a major operation in the near future
entail an absence from the Federal reserve bank of betueen
t7713 441 three
months.

He also said that it would be entirely satisfac-

to the
board of directors of the Philadelphia bank if the Board
1311°Ijild decide to defer action on the other salary changes reconmended
-"e e

ttee report until the general question of salaries of




318

12/8/33

-.4-

offi
cers of Federal reserve banks is considered after the first of the
Year.
Governor Norris then referred to the hearing to be held before
the
Board on Tuesday, December 12, 1933, with regard to the proposed
reorganization of the Equitable Trust Company and the Guarantee Trust
Com
,any, member banks in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and he suggested
that th
6 Board give the report submitted by Mr. Austin with regard
thsret
very careful consideration before it reaches a final decision
in the
matter, for the reason that reorganization of the banks under

any Other

plan

will net be possible and, if they are forced to liqui-

date, hea—
vy

Loss to the depositors, the Reconstruction Finance Corporati
°-' and the Federal reserve bank will result. After a brief discusof this

matter, Governor Norris left the meeting.
Mr. Miller moved that the report of the
comittee of directors of the Federal Reserve
Bank of Philadelphia be referred to the
Committee on Salaries and Expenditures for
recommendation to the Board.
Carried.

The Board then considered and acted upon the following matters:
Letter dated December 8, 1933, (apparently intended to be
dated
December 7,
4Reis

1933),

from Er. Sproul, Secretary of the Federal Re-

Bailk of Lew
York, and telegrams dated December 7, 1933, from Mr.

-°)"b°11.,

Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Er. McClure,
C1144/flan of
the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and Yr. Newton,
NLir)1144 of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, all advising
that, et
rietings of
the boards of directors on December 7 no changes




319
12/8/33
were made in the banks' existing
schedules of rates of discount and
Purchase.

Without objection, noted with approval.
Telegraphic reply to a
telegram dated December 7, 1933, from
w
alsh, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank
of Dallas, the reply
reading as
followc.:
"Your telegram. Federal Reserve Board approves for your bank
!
ttee of 4
per annum on advances to member banks under sec10(b) of Federal Reserve Act, as amended by Act of March 9,
J
en,
and 4 1/2% per annum on advances to nonmember banks and
rust companies under section 404 of Act of March 9, 1933, as
mended, effective December 9, 1933. Board also notes with
apr°71El that board of directors your bank at its meeting on Decemr
7 made no change in the discount rate of your bank
covering
alsecunts for member banks and advances to member banks under
ections
13 and 13(a) of Federal Reserve Act."

f

t

Approved.
Telegram dated December 6, 1933, to Yr. iilliams, Federal Re%ire it
gellt at Cleveland, approved by six members of the Board, reading
4 11°11017s:
",
, -Lour letter
November 6 and telegramNovember 18. Board aperove G
reappointment of V.
i.. H. Fletcher, J. B. Anderson, and
tsv
'btrd Evans as Assistant Federal Reserve Agents at your bank
R.I. 1934, and the temporary
reappointment of W. H. Nolte and
pittsb" Johnson as Acting Assistant Federal
Reserve Agents at your
urgh and Cincinnati branches, respectively."
Approved.
Telegram
dated December (3, 1933, to Mr. Stevens, Federal ReEt

4-Sent at
Chicago, approved by four members of the Board, reading
r011ows z

Rptti
n1
;ir °

Young's letter December first. Board approves temporary
—1ntment
H. W. Sadler as Examiner in Federal ReserveAgent's




320
12/8/33

-6-

U
department your bank at salary rate of '3,200 per annum effective October 2,
1933."
Approved.
Reply on December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the
}30ard, +
-0 a letter dated November 20 from Er. Peyton, Federal Reserve
44't at Linneapolisi the reply reading as follows
:
"In reviewing the changes in the personnel classification
P11 as shown on the revised pages of Form A inclosed with your
letter of November 20,
it is noted that a number of positions
.84fe assigned a 'fixed' or 'present salary' grade. It has been
10
general practice to provide salary ranges for all positions
/Pt a limited number where it was felt all changes in the
salaries
of the incumbents should be submitted to the Federal
:
serve Board for approval before they become effective the same
s are
changes in the salaries of officers of the Federal reserve
It
auth
ority would seem that ranges within which you have the
to adjust salaries prior to the approval of the Federal
Reserve
Board might well be provided for Examiners, Assistant
Srei;;;' Assistant Statisticians, Field Men and the Private
to the Federal Reserve Agent.
the Board
would appreciate your views on this subject after
YO
Ineu have had an opportunity of reviewing the matter and, in the
„alltime, action will be deferred on the changes recommended in
41:Tlette1. of
November 20.
lium, he revised Form A pages inclosed with your letter were not
piauered.
In order to insure that the personnel classification
riles, on file with
the Board will at all times be in exact agree111.
with that at
the bank it has been found helpful to assign
:
pre
z to each page of the plan and accordingly, it will be apeaccilted if you will advise us of the numbers to be assigned to
-orra
Page inclosed with your letter of November 20."

LT

Approved.
Telegram to Er.
Newton, Federal Reserve Agent at San Francisco,
131'ePe'recl by the
Coraittee on District No. 12 in accordance with the aet1-(311 take
at the
meeting of the Board on December 6, 1933, reading as
foliovre

"Gov
Boara
,ernor Black
brought your wire December 4 to attention of
Mile your wire does not expressly so state it is




321
12/8/33
ft.
inferred that your request is due to condition of your health
and therefore Board approves leave of absence for ninety days in
accordance with your request STOP Board also approves appointment
°f Wm. A. Day as acting assistant Federal reserve agent at head
offlce during your absence upon condition, in accordance with
policy of Board, that before temporary appointment
becomes
deputyeffective Mr. Day resign and his resignation be accepted
aesc
governor of bank and that he be transferred to pay roll
Of
Federal reserve agent STOP Before entering upon his new duties
pay should execute usual form of oath of office and surety
rna. in amount of $100,000, which before being sent to Board for
approval should be examined by your counsel to determine whether
!-eeution complies fully with rules printed on reverse side of
Iorm of bond
182."
14 op.
vnnection with the above, there was also presented the following
telep,
'
1'811 to lir. Calkins, Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of San
Prarwisco:

"Board has received telegram from Mr. Newton, Los Angeles, requesting leave of absence for ninety days and approval by Board
:
f aPPointment of Wm. A. Day as acting assistant Federal reserve
agent during
Er. Newton's absence in order that heavy pressure of
liewt„ ties may be promptly handled. Board proposes to advise Mr.
n that it is willing to approve temporary appointment of Mr.
Dav
'
courdae acting assistant Federal reserve agent on condition, in aca„ ?Ice with established policy of Board, that before temporary
brintment becomes
as
effective, Mr. Day resign and his resignation
to accePted
deputy governor of bank and that he be transferred
311Pal
.r roll of Federal
reserve agent. It will be appreciated if
mo 4.17111 advise by telegraph if proposed resignation of Mr. Day
e's Your
approval and approval of Mr. Day."
Both telegrams were approved with the understanding that the telegram to Mr. Newton would
not be sent until advice is received from Governor
Calkins advising that the resignation of Er. Day
Illeete the approval of Governor Calkins and Mr. Day.
RePlY on
December 6, 1933, approved by six members of the Board,
to tl lett
or
dated December 2 from Er. "'orris, Governor of the Federal
Recierire
Ilnk of P
hiladelphia; the reply reading as follows:
"Yo
rep
ur letter of December 2 in reply to mine of December 1 in
Qard t° the Beneficial Saving Fund Society has been brought to




322
12/6/33
"the attention of the Board and the additional information which
Y°11 have given in regard to the character of the operations of
the fund has
been noted. However, it seems to the Board that
'1:1s information does not afford a sufficient basis for altering
lus previous opinion and it will appreciate being advised of the
results of your further consideration of the matter."
Approved.
Letters dated December 6, 1933, approved by six members of the
13c)ard
'to the boards of directors of the following named State banking
each letter stating that, subject to the conditions preaoribe,, .
" ln the letter, the Board approves the institution's application
tor meml,
-ex
— 'shiP in the Federal Reserve System and for the appropriate
ti°1111:b °f stook in the Federal reserve bank of the district in which
the 4Plioant is
located:
_i.pplicant Bank

Federal Reserve Bank

°Bank of
Elizabethtown", Elizabethtown,
North Carolina.
440 County Bank and Trust Co.",
ti
Elburn, Illinois.
vlorrterey Bank", Monterey, California.

Richmond
Chicago
San Francisco

Approved.
4Th

Letter dated December 7, 1933, to the board of directors of

I-0 First-Lason
Bank", Mason, Ohio, approved by five members of the
°tting that, subject to the conditions prescribed in the lett}10
8°4rd approves the bank's application for membership in the
d'sral
Reserve System and for the appropriate amount of stock in the
?ecieral
Reserve Bank of
Cleveland.
'I

Approved.
totIrci, tilePlY on December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the
a 1etter dated
LrovenLor 28 from 1...r. Youiv, Assistant Federal




323
12
/
8/33
0

RCiZer'j'eA

Abent at Chicago; the reply reading as follows:

"Your letter of Novomber 23, 1933, in regard to the application
?f the Banco di Napoli Trust Company, Chicago, Illinois, for memshiP in the Federal reserve system has been brought to the at-1Dter
.?ntion of the Federal Reserve Board. Your letter does not disclose any
reason which in the opinion of the Federal Reserve Board
would justify it in modifying the position previously tal:en with
recTect to this application.
.ho question whether it might be converted into a naaonal inution is one for consideration, as you have suggested, by the
'
k omptroller
of the Currency."
Approved.
Telegram dated December 6, 1933, to

r. Curtiss, Federal Re-

Serve

Agent at Boston,
approved by six members of the Board, referring
to the
aPPlication of the
"Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company",
T'rovia
ence, Rhode Island,
for permission to withdraw immediately from
Inetfb r .
8u1P in the Federal
Reserve System, and stating that the Board
j\-18

the

usual requirement of six months' notice of intention to

Ilthdra
w and that, accordingly, upon surrender of the Federal reserve
bank
•
1, Issued to
the trust company, the Federal Reserve Bank of
,01.1 .
18

allthOriZed

to cancel such stock and make a refund thereon.

Approved.
Letter da: _
Loa December 7, 1933, to the Federal reserve agents
e't 1111
l'141dLlal

Federal
as

reserve banks, approved by five members of the Board,

follows:

"1-41der +1,
Peder„,
--Le provisions of subsection (e) of Section 12B of the
A
eserve Act, every State member bank must become a class
ber"--clolder of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on or
Synt-e JulY 1, 1934, or its membership in the Federal Reserve
I481:11" must be
terminated. Upon receipt by the Federal Deposit
tor .a,-nce Corporation of an application by a State member bank
A stock in the Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board
l'equired under the law 'to certify upon the basis of a




324
12/8/33
-10"'thorough examination of such bank whether or not the assets of
the aPPlying bank are adequate to enable it to meet all of its
liabilities to depositors and other creditors as shown by the
books of the bank.'
"This is called to your attention at this time in order that
You IllaY make arrangements to have current examinations made of
al of the
State member banks in your district on the basis of
wfilch the Board may discharge the duties imposed by law. A copy
the report of each such examination together with an analysis
Lthereof and
your recommendation as to the action to be taken
should then be Porwarded to the Board as soon as possible in
order that the Board may have
adequate opportunity to consider
each.case and to execute Prior to July 1, 1934, an appropriate
eelificate With respect to each State member bank.
i
, 14 view of the importance of this matter and the limited time
• wnlch the work must be accomplished, it will be appreciated
" You will advise
the Board as to your plans in this respect."
Approved.
Letter

dated December 7, 1933, to lir. Stevens, Federal Reserve
kent at
Chicago, approved by six members of the Board, reading as
follows

t "Reference is made to the transaction which resulted from a
agreement effective as of June 13, 1933, whereby the 'Fort
o4
eL s°11 Savings Bank', Fort laldison, Iowa, acquired a portion of
,
yo,,t
certificates described in such trust agreement.
Board has reviewed the information submitted With 1,1r.
tht
:
11 , s letter dated
September 27, 1933, from -which it appears
the transaction has resulted in no material chnnge in the
gener
41 character or the assets of, or broadening of the scope of
of th °ns exercised by, the member institution within the meaning
° Ceneral condition under which it is admiLted to member002
, in the
Federal Reserve System. It is noted, however, that
thXel for the
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has suggested
kv. Your bank
obtain certified statements from the Fort Nadison
seXis Bank and the State Banking Department to the effect that
item 4 of the trust agreement has been properly cornWith
In order that the files of the Board may be complete,
to c,Y21A advise if
such statements have been received and found
sio,:fl'ain the desired information. In the event that the provikeaZ °I the
section in question have been carried out in proper
'
r the Board mill take no action affecting the membership of
the ,
reaef,t Lladison
Savings Bank in the Federal Reserve System by
un of the
transaction."




Approved.

325
12/8/33
-11Reply on December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the
Board,

to a letter
dated September 27 from :a-. McClure, Federal Re-

4114
'Agent at Kansas
City; the reply reading as follows:
"Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of September 27, 1933,
in which you
requested advice as to whether the Colorado State
'
3° 111c, Denver, Colorado, may be considered as located in an 'out'Zing district' of the City of Denver and accordingly may be
?ligible for admission to membership in the Federal Reserve Systemuvrith a capital stock of $100,000.
It is understood that the Colorado State Bank is located at
the eastern
edge of that section of the City of Denver which is
Fe
nerally considered the business center of the city and which is
1-113 solidly with business buildings, hotels, office build,t11Cs, etc., and
that the bank is about six blocks from the nearest
large
down town bank. You have advised that the location of the
Colorado
State Bank is approximately three miles from the city
mits on the west, four and one-half miles from such limits on
north, five and one-half miles from such limits on the east
itd five and one-half miles from such limits on the south. ifhile
th 8 not definitely stated, it is understood from your letter
at
You and the counsel for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas
!
el
axe of the opinion that the Colorado State Bank may not be
n 'ssified as
located in an 'outlying district' of the City of
Hy, •
ae. under the
provisions of Section 9 of the Federal Reserve Act,
a State bank located in an 'outlying district' of a
mitt :"11 a population exceeding 50,000 inhabitants may be adto
membership in the Federal Reserve System with a capital
of
0,000 provided the State law permits the organization
Of sZ of
ne a0banks
OZ'
in such location with a capital stock of $100,000
'out7;,:," and in its Regulation 11 the Board has defined the term
eatee'n.g district' to mean 'that portion of a city which is lo,outsid of,
and at a considerable distance from, the recogZed 11
,
'
- 84ness and financial center of such city, and includes all
ever,l-n
subur1u
districts within the corporate limits of such city'. Howthe 13 1/1 view of the
circumstances involved in the present case
Prop4trd is of the opinion that the Colorado State Bank may not
the citY be considered as located in an 'outlying district' of
pro • Y of Denver
within the meaning of that term as used in the
vlsions Triembe,
01 law applicable to the admission of State banks to
P in the Federal
Reserve System."

j

Approved.
Letter
°t 174,,

dated December 7, 1933, to the "Miners National Bank

4.1.1ces-i3arre", W
ilkes-Darre, Pennsylvania, approved by six members




J

12/8/33

-12-

he Board,
reading as follows:
. "The Federal Reserve Board approves your application for per'
Illesion to act, when not in contravention of State or local law,
as trustee, executor, administrator, registrar of stocks and
bends, guardian of estates, assignee, receiver, committee of
estates of lunatics, or in any other fiduciary capacity in which
-tate banks, trust companies, or other corporations which COMB
Into
competition with national banks are permitted to act under
the laws of
the State of Pennsylvania, the exercise of all such
rights being subject to the provisions of the Federal Reserve
Act and the
regulations of the Federal Reserve Board.
esj
.10.1.1h:eillested to have your board of directors adopt a
ratifying your application for permission to exercise
trust
powers, and it is requested that a certified copy of the
fasolution so adopted be forwarded to the Federal Reserve Board
°1* its records as soon as possible. Mien a copy of such resolu-on has been received by the Board, a formal
certificate coverYour authority to exercise trust powers will be sent to you."

f

V

Approved, together with a letter dated
December 7, 1933, to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller
of the Currency, also approved by six members
of the Board, reading as follows:
there is inclosed for your information a copy of a letter to
'Miners National Bank of Wilkes-Barre', Wilkes-Barre, Pennadvising of approval by the Federal Reserve Board of
1113.6 tank's application for permission to exercise fiduciary powers,
d?r the
provisions of Section 11(k) of the Federal Reserve Act.
reviewin the report of examination of the Liners Bank of
it'kes-Barre, made by a national bank examiner as of June 3, 1933,
ie has been noted that the examiner states the 'trust department
the7Tak in executive ability'. Nhile the report of examination of
-crust department indicates that
the department has been well
I4ged it would seem desirable,
especially
in view of the large
te -Lurne of
trust business handled, that a capable executive should
othein131°Yed as chief trust officer. It is also noted that among
o
r8, Vice President
Gamble, who it is understood has direct
hare of the trust department, owes the bank 0.2,700, of which
f;,n0 is
classed as slow and 47,700 as doubtful, and that Trust
0
Ete
Driesback owes the bank
„:10,800, of which 6,600 is classed
bell"' and N4,200 as a loss. The undesirability of any employee
ity
indebted to the bank in an amount apparently beyond his abilth° AaY is obvious, and is regarded as particularly
criticizable
howeve ease of those holding positions of trust. It is assumed,
requi71 that you have these criticism in mind and that you will
do
e that
corrections be effected as soon as it is feasible to
80.11
the

Z




327
12/8/33
.3..
Letter dated December 7, 1933, to 1.1r. O'Connor, Comptroller
of' the C
urrency, approved by five members of the Board, reading as
f°11ows:
"In accordance with your recommendation, the Federal Reserve
Board
approves a reduction in the common capital stock of 'The
y
'
off3ene National Bank', Keene, New Hampshire, from 200,000 to
.00,000, pursuant to a plan mhich provides that the bank's capial shall
be increased by the sale at par of Q100,000 par value
preferred stock to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and
that the funds
released by the reduction in common capital stock,
together with at least 329,273 from the bank's surplus anUndivided
Profits, shall be used to eliminate estimated losses as
(classified in the report of examination as of October 2, 1933,
a'l as set forth in your memorandum of December 2, 1933."

V

Approved.
Letter dated December 6, 1933, to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller of
t"os Currency

approved by four members of the Board, reading as fol-

1()vr8

"In accordance with your recommendation, the Federal Reserve
aPproves a reduction in the common capital stock of 'The
4.--uonal Bank of America', Paterson, New Jersey, from 3500,000
ki:00
200,000, pursuant to a plan of rehabilitation mhich provides
21.00a surrender of the present capital stock, the resale of
050 ,;(1)00 par value of such surrendered stock at a premium of
411
a waiver by creditors of 30 per cent of their net
ofsecured
claims, and the elimination of approximately .1,180,000
unacceptable assets, all as set forth in your memorandum of
July
T13, 1933, and the plan of reorganization dated July 10, 1933.
rea'
'
11 its letter of October 26, 1933, the Board discussed its
ct03°Ils for disapproving at that time the reduction in the capital
the °f the above named bank. Subsequent to that date, however,
uank submitted a memorandum answering the criticisms set forth
th° Board's letter of October 26, 1933, and the matter has been
reco
ered. The Board has also been informed of a proposal
an,eed
''
to
by
t
representatives of the subject bank, and representater
'
of the closed Labor National Bank of Paterson under the
:
Etc
°f which the National Bank of America will purchase assets
amo,:Pting aPproximately 31,500,000 and assume a corresponding
po i-t7 of liabilities of the closed Labor National Bank. rihe deurider liability to be assumed by the National Lank of America
8uch proposal represents the secured deposits and 50 per
B




12/8/33
-1411

cent of the unsecured deposits of the Labor National Bank and
the subject bank will receive cash, U. S. bonds, and securities
Of the higher grades at market value for the liabilities assumed.
It would seem
that the consummation of the plan would increase
the liquid
position of the subject bank and provide it with a
s
ubstantial increase in the deposits, the retention of which
would materially increase its earning ability. It is also noted
that the above proposal contemplates the sale at par of (200,000
Par value
preferred stock to the Reconstruction Finance Corporatl(T, or such other amount as you may require.
In this connection, it is understood that the selection of
°fficers who will conduct the mnnngement of the bank will be subto your approval."
Approved.
Letter dated December 6, 1933, to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller
°f the C
urrency, approvod by five members of the Board, reading as
follows:

accordance with the recommendation of Acting Comptroller
zjalt, the Federal Reserve Board approves a reduction in the coracaPital stock of 'The East Tennessee National Bank of Knoxa llei, Knoxville, Tennessee, from 2,000,000 to ,:1,000,000, as
waPart of a plan of reorganization which also provides for the
by creditors of all claims against the bank, and for the
tion of substantially all of the criticised assets, all
setforth in your memorandum of November 6, 1933, hr. Await's
,,_ 11°randum of November 25, 1933, and the plan of reorganization
"'t-ced ,Iarch
10, 1933, as amended."

Tmlna

Approved.
Letter dated December 7, 1933, to hr. O'Connor, Comptroller
th° CUrre
fled, approved by five members of the Board, reading as

a
41741,_" ccordance with the recommendation of Acting Comptroller
com , the
Federal Reserve Board approves a reduction in the
Webb, 1caPital stock of 'The Citizens National Bank of Webb',
Pro,r4 °v411, from .:50,000 to :,35,000, pursuant to a plan which
at "'des that the
bank's capital shall be increased by the sale
°f 15,000 par value preferred sleek to the Reconstruction
j
c° CorPoration, and that the funds released by the reduction
°M11°n capital stock shall be used to eliminate a corresponding




329
12/8/33
-15II

amount of substandard assets and depreciation, all as set forth
in the memorandum of Acting Comptroller Await of November 29,
1933,11
Approved.
Letter dated December 7, 1933, to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller
Ot the

Currency, approved by five members of the Board, reading as
follow
s:
A "In accordance with the recommendation of Acting Comptroller
Await, the Federal Reserve Board approves a reduction in the comcapital stock of 'The First 1,:ationa1 Bank of Watervliet',
Lichio'an, from y50,000 to ,?25,000, pursuant to a plan
Idieh
provides that the bank's capital shall be increased by the
s
8.Et'
t Le at par of :25,000 par value preferred stock to the Reconth
:
uctien Finance Corporation, and that the funds released by
surplus- reduction in common capital stock, together with the bank's
and a portion of the undiladed profits, and funds in the
licunt of
22,300 to be contributed by the present shareholders,
be used to eliminate, if the bank has not already done so,
8"°ctandard assets in the amount of approximately $65,000, all as
et forth
in Mr. Awalt's memorandum of November 22, 1933."
Approved.
Letter dated December 7, 1933, to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller
eth° ClIrrency, approved by five members of the Beard, reading as

"In
Almit
accordance with the recommendation of Acting Comptroller
rno 'the Federal Reserve Beard approves a reduction in the con41.11 eaPital stock of
the 'First National Bank in Mankato', Mankato,
'from 050,000 to 025,000, pursuant to a plan which provides
thaZa8
bank'5 capital shall be increased by the sale at par of
25 the -a's
cog00v
ilionrcratiar
va
preferred stock to the Reconstruction Finance
on, and that the funds released by the reduction in conatio4rPital stock shall be used to eliminate a corresponding
14 ti 0f substandard assets and depreciation, all as set forth
'le m
emorandum of Mr. Await of November 23, 1933."
Approved.
Letter dated
December 7, 1933, to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller
110 cur
rencY, approved by six members of the Board, reading as




12/8/33
-16-

f°11ow8:
accordance with Acting Comptroller Awalt's recommendation,
"!'he Federal Reserve Board approves a reduction in the cohunon cap-tal stock of
'The Union Stock Yards 1;ational Bank', Viichita,
4rIsas, from ;100,000 to 50,000, pursuant to a plan which provides that the
bank's capital shall be increased by the sale at
of :',)50,000 par value preferred stock to the Reconstruction
.1nanoe Corporation, and that the funds released by the reduction
in common capital stock shall be used to eliminate unsatisfactory
"sots in the amount of approximately 32,600, the balance of apP
if°xlmately S17,400 to be credited to surplus and undivided prof„.'s accounts, all as set forth in Er. Analt's memorandum of
li
ovember 20, 1933.”

r

Approved.
Letter dated December 7, 1933,
to Lr. O'Connor, Comptroller
f the c„
—PencY, approved by five members of the Board, reading as
l'°1101:ts:
l eceipt is
acknowledged of Acting Comptroller Awalt's letter
clated '
November 25, 1933, with
reference to the Board's letter of
'
c°7°1/1b
Ex "3, 1933, approving a proposed reduction in the common
Ajital stock of 'The Alamo National Bank of San Antonio', San
flio, Texas.
pr 14r.
A:mitts letter quotes Section 7 of Article Fifth of the
bvred axenaments to the Articles of Association as submitted
t; 'le Reconstruction
Finance Corporation and requests advice as
meilltvhether the
provisions of this section will meet the requireter e,
°f the Board's condition numbered 3 as set forth in its letITovember 3, 1933.
to che,Proposed amendment to the Articles of Association appears
ciTP4Y substantially with the above mentioned condition in the
Loar'
letter and may be regarded as meeting its requirements,
c01:111C, understood, of course, that any reduction in the ink's
°11 caPital stock will require the approval of the Board."
Approved.
Lotter dated
ot the cur
December 7, 1933, to Lr. O'Connor, Comptroller
toilovizit

reney, approved by six members of the Board, reading as

a
ck;ordance with the recommendation of Acting Comptroller




1403/33
-17tt

,uvalt, the
Federal Reserve Board approves a reduction in the
c°ramon capital stock of 'The First T:ational Dank of
Llountain
Viem4, Lountain view, California, from ,100,000
to 25,000 pursuant to a plan which
provides that the bank's capital shall be
1-ncreased by the sale at par of 25,000 par value preferred
stock
to the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and that the 75,000
°f funds
released by the reduction in common capital stock and
7'177•°...2 of funds from the undivided profits and surplus accounts
na1l
be used to eliminate substandard assets in the amount of
6
",;82
'
177.42 all as set forth in L. Amalt's memorandum of
November
‘0, 1933.n
Approved.
Letter dated December 6, 1933, to "The
hartford-connecticut
C°11Pany",
Hartford, Connecticut, aPProved by four members of the
B°Rrd,
reading as
follows:
1,"The Board
has considered your application, dated October 6,
p2 1 f°r a voting permit under authority of Section 5144 of the
:
1ii;ylsed
Statutes, as amended, entitling you to vote the stock
3- 11 You own or control of the
following banks:
TThehe First
National Bank, Meriden, Connecticut.
First National Bank, Liddletown, Connecticut.
ti,he First
National Bank, Stafford Springs, Connecticut.
Rockville
National Bank, Rockville, Connecticut.
1°0
.rd
understands
that you agree that the permit may be
ated to
the sole purpose of entitling you to vote such stock
in
order to co.
n-unnate a proposed plan of reorganization
an
involvthe
aforesaid banks, The Hartford-Connecticut Trust Company
(here?Lafter called the 'Trust
Company') and your own corporation
az re
lnafter called the 'Company'), which
planis substantially
follows;
The Company will purchase the 12,000 shares of
its stock
c; 10h are held
by the Trust Company and which constitute all
he o utstanding shares of the
capital stock of the Company
J-11-arily
e
ntitled to vote.
,11,a 2. The holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
;
114:
"°f capital stock of The Rockville National Bank will
0
,"°rize the
liquidation of that bank, subject to the approval
i.JL- ,,the
-oraptroller of the Currency, and the bank will
resume
,s.C.1_charter as a State bank under the la= of Connecticut
(such
Alia
'
e bank being hereinafter referred to as 'The Rockville
Bank').
theeTPlication requesting the approval of the Comptroller of
n 3. rrency has been filed.
third ?larsuant to the vote of the holders of at least twoOf the
outstanding shares of its capital stock and at a




332
12/8/33
-18"time at which it will own all or substantially all of the
outstanding shares of the capital stock of The Rockville
Bank, the Company will voluntarily transfer to The Rockville
Bank all of the assets of the Company except the stock of
The Rockville Lank itself and the stock of The Wethersfield
Bank and Trust Company. The Rockville Bank will thus acquire
the shares of stock
owned by the Company of its three remaining subsidiary national banks and the Company's holdings of
miscellaneous securities.
"4. The Rockville Bank and The Wethersfield Bank and Trust
Company will merge with and into the Trust Company under the
present name of the Trust Company. The Company will surrender
its stock in The Rockville Bank and The Wethersfield Bank and
Trust Company in exchange for stock of the Trust Company as
thus constituted.
The Rockville and i;ethersfield banks will
thereafter be operated as branches of the Trust Company.
5. After the merger, the Trust Company will take over the
national banks at ),eriden, Eiddletomn and Stafford Springs by
the Purchase of assets and assumption of liabilities and will
thereafter operate branches in or near the places where the
national banks are now situated. The national banks will be
Placed in voluntcry liquidation pursuant to the vote of their
ref,,,pectivo stockholders.
6. The Company will distribute to its stockholders its
Steel: of
the Trust Company and, pursuant to the vote of the
of at least three-fourths of the outstanding shares of
i
j ts capital stock, the Company will then be dissolved and its
ecf:Porate
existence terminated.
7. In effecting the plan of reorganization there will be
no d
istributicn of assets of any kind to the stockholders of
coy °°mPany except the distribution to the stockholders of the
of the stock of the Trust Company owned by the Company
at
%the time of dissolution.
be 8. The price at which the voting stock of the Company will
les rePurchased from
the Trust Company by the Company, the ratio
on thich
stock is to be exchanged under the plan, and the
,7111e to be
placed upon assets purchased under the plan are to
t: determined
by an audit by independent auditors which will
putm?-d° at approximately the time at which the plan is to be
",lnto effect.
ordi
The holders of that class of stock of the Company -which
to cnarily does not enjoy voting privileges will be entitled
,
!i '(°t cno vote on each share of such stock upon the question
11'ne
plan.
of the Company in the foregoing pl.
he
the -.sue
i ve Board
filed
and
application
as
authorizes
aPproves your
4.
You of a voting permit for the limited purpose aforeeatd,
it tch limited permit is inclosed herewith.
be understood that in granting this limited permit
the 13oard
Is not passing upon the application for membership

4




333
}

12/8/33

-19-

1111

eretofore submitted by the Trust Company and is not indicating
that its
approval of that application will be forthcoming if and
*len the proposed reorganization is effected. In the event that
the Trust
Company desires to have its application considered after
he
consummation of the plan, it should supplement the application
With such
additional data as is necessary in order that the appli.?_ tion may correctly reflect the status of the Trust Company as
idnen constituted."
Approved, together with a similar letter dated
December 6, 1933, to "The Hartford-Connecticut Trust
Company", Hartford, Connecticut, also approved by four
members of the Board, advising of approval of its apPlication for a voting permit entitling it to vote the
stook which it owns or controls in The First National
l&alk, Meriden, Connecticut, The First National Bank,
la.
ddletoun, Connecticut, The First National Bank, Stafford
Springs, Connecticut, and The Rockville National
Bank, Rockville, Connecticut.
RePly on December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the
Boe,r ,
cs to
letters dated October 13 and 18 from 1:x. Charles V. Collins,
(Itt°r11°Y, Washington, D. C.; the
reply reading as follows:
le "Reference
is made to your letters of October 13 and October
a ;1933, in which you inquire whether a national bank may adopt
'
ei °1.111 of certificate of deposit which will mature at the end of
rs
ex or twelve months and which will give the holder the right to
idl.loe the tern of the certificate to an earlier maturity upon
%
1 ::7111g 30 days' notice, in which event the certificate would be
Such earlier date but without interest.
cat"T110
"le Board does not look with favor upon the use of certifith !_s of deposit of this character. However, since it appears
114'' under the terms of the certificate itself the deposit mild° be withdrawn until after thirty days from the date of the
a 13
1:?sit, the Board is of the opinion that it must be regarded as
th 111°certificate of deposit within the meaning of Section 19 of
lvederal Reserve Act and within the meaning of Regulation Q.
da
it may be withdrawn at any time upon the expiration of thirty
peY! va.itten
notice actually given by the depositor, it would ap141 thIlt, if such notice is not given, the deposit could not be
°i 4r"11 except upon the expiration of six months from the date
the r e certificate or upon the expiration of twelve months from
ac elte of the certificate; so that it must be regarded either
a8 a rP°sit payable only after thirty days' written notice or
'
°P°sit payable at the expiration of a certain specified




334
12A/33
-20-tame, which is not less than thirty days subsequent to the date
of the
certificate."
Approved.
Reply on December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the
4ard, to
a letter dated September 22 from Mr. E. J. McAuley, Vice
irer'ident Of the
First liational Bank, Eobile, Alabama; the reply
re4Ung as
follows:
"1 regret that, due to the urgency of other matters arising
1I1 connection with the Banking Act of
1933, it has not been possiblenfor
, the Board to give earlier consideration to the question
PreGe t
in your letter of September 22, 1933, in which you inether the payment of the premium on a bond securing do19 oftin your bank is in violation of the provisions of Section
he Federal Reserve Act which forbids a member bank to pay
inter
Jcilt;11,ere&t
directly or indirectly by any device whatsoever on any
13°,sit payable on demand.
c;30 You state that your bank pays the premium on a bond for
°°°00 securin:3 deposits of the City of Mobile and that the
Prom
the i11171 s0 paid is a fixed amount per year and does not vary with
azIount on deposit in the bank. The Board understands from
Your s
tatement that the premium paid provides security in the
illum amount of 1,300,000 but is not fixed in relation to the
yeal!ll.t
t of the deposit; that the bond is ordinarily renewed from
the
0 year at the same premium; that there is no adjustment of
,
Preillium
Of 00r the at the end of the year or a change in the amount theredep4
next year because of any change in the amount of the
lat
:
;
lit and that the amount of the premium is not otherwise rethe amount of the deposit. If this is a correct undertient"-LnG of the facts, it is the view of the Board that the payof i .(3
tf the premium by your bank does not constitute the payment
Act %7
17:ee
tltin the meaning of Section 19 of the Federal Reserve
ngly, is not prohibited by that section."

Z

Approved.
toea.(1, tR
oePly cm. December 6, 1933, approved by five members of the
ell
101,4.41

a let
ter dated September 14 from Messrs. Jones, Johnston,
8Parks, attorneys, Macon, Georgia; the reply reading as fol-




335
12/8/33

-21-

"This refers to your letter of September 14, 1933, inquiring
as to the legality of the practice of the member banks of the
Macon Clearing house
in charging exchange on out of town checks
in vlow of
the provision of Section 19 of the Federal Reserve
'let that no member bank shall, directly or indirectly by any device whatsoever, pay any interest on any deposit which is payable
on demand.
A reply to your letter has been delayed pending consideration of certain related questions with
regard to the absorption of exchange, collection and other charges by member
banks; and in this connection you will find inclosed herewith a
"AY of a letter dated November 24, 1933, addressed to the Federal Reserve
Board by the Chairman of the Banking Code Committee
of the American
Bankers Association and a copy of the Board's
reply thereto
dated November 28, 1933, in regard to the question
whether member banks may take into consideration the reasonable
'
rill° of their customers' deposit balances in analyzing accounts
:
11 accordance with a uniform plan to be approved by the Banking
1/4de?de
Committee for the purpose of determining whether service
na ges should be assessed against their customers.
ci It appears from your letter that under a rule of the Macon
che7ing House its member banks charge exchange on out of town
e
with certain exceptions, one of which is that out of town
1,104)torlers
who carry an average daily balance of :7_,000 are not
quired to pay such exchange charges. There is no limit on the
•
erber of items to be handled without charging exchange in such
111:110)s although
you state that a situation might arise where the
laripAZf
ers could be so large that the account would be found
ellt
tiv in view of the fact that the Liacon Clearing House rule on
b su ject is subject to certain exceptions not stated in your
1:
ea; er and
that the practice of absorbing exchange charges in
"in which the balance maintained is at least 1.,000 would
oaently not be followed if the account should be found unprofitable, the
Board does not feel that it is sufficiently informed
•
dei,',1 respect to the actual practice of the banks to advise you
ely whether the absorption
of exchange charges in the cir• te ances does or does not constitute an indirect payment of
Act.rest within the meaning of Section 19 of the Federal Reserve
that ,Moreovor, in
connection with your reference to the fact
8tatel.(egulation Q does not deal with this matter, it may be
scrijod that the Board feels that it would not be possible to predefin? a Ceneral rule by reference to which it could be determined
sor„ telY under the circumstances of every case whether the abt111:'10n of exchange
charges by a member bank is lawful or unlaw4p

&11.

itho ut regard,
however, to the technical question whether
Y
it 44rticular practice
of member banks in this respect is legal,
Paytle K, be observed that the prohibition of the statute upon the
1; of interest on deposits payable on demand affords member




4

12/8/33
"banks an opportunity to reduce one of their largest items of
exPense, and it would appear to be in their own interests to take
such action as may be necessary to comply with the spirit as well
as the letter of the law
on this subject. In this connection it
!Jill be noted that the
letter addressed to the Federal Reserve
thpard by the Chairman of the Banking Code Committee of the American Bankers Association inquires as to whether the practice therementioned is legal provided 'That (1) the value of each account
tc) the bank is
computed in accordance with a uniform plan approved
by the
Banking Code Committee and (2) the banks require actual
Iseimbursement
(without deduction of interest or of the estimated
'value of the customers' balances to the banks) for exchange charges,
collection charges, and other charges arising out of specific trailsfor specific customers and actually paid or credited by
:
1 on behalf of such customers.' It would appear, therefore,
bn'n4
t114t it is contemplated that a uniform plan is to be adopted with
tf,? aPPrciral of the Banking Code Committee which will include cer_ln provisions with respect to the reimbursement of banks
for ex'flange and
collection charges."
Approved.
RePly on Decemler 7,
1933, approved by six members of the
44rd,

to a
letter dated October 10 from Mr. Peyton, Federal Reserve
kert a
t LI
nneapolis; the reply reading as follows:
r,"This refers to your letter of October 10, 1933, inclosing a
cf certificate of deposit used
by the Pierre National Bank,
b-terre $
South Dakota, together with an opinion of counsel for your
011.the
deposit is in
e or1111tY question whether such certificate of
with the Board's Regulation Q. It is observed that
Certificate provides for the payment of interest at the rate
,„ ) per annum
if left six or twelve months and that it may be
ci;tu 'without
interest '(before six months) on at least 30 days
atten
notice'.
cet,,,12he Board does not look with favor upon the use of certificf deposit of this character. however, since it appears
'
under the terms of the certificate itself the deposit canXlot
depobe
withdrawn
until after thirty days from the date of the
a
the Board is of the opinion that it must be regarded as
the;e certif
icate of deposit within the meaning of Section 19 of
e9eral Reserve Act and within the meaning of Regulation Q.
it
Illay be withdrawn at any time upon the expiration of thirty
peetr
ten notice actually given by the depositor, it would apviitha h4t, if such notice is not given, the deposit could not be
of t,
7"
11 except
upon the expiration of six months from the date
"e ce
rtificate or upon the expiration of twelve months from

4
n!,,,




337
12/8/33
-23"the date of the certificate; so that it must be regarded either
ES a deposit
payable only after thirty days written notice or
!I? a deposit payable at the expiration of a certain specified
:
1 1/11e, which is not less than thirty days subsequent to the date
of the
certificate."
Approved.
Tele graphic reply on December 6, 1933, approved by four members
(3f ths Board, to a
letter dated December 1 from Mr. Albert C. Agnew,
counsel for
the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; the reply read111

Es

follow's:

t "Consideration has been given to correspondence between Oregon
ankers' Association, rirst Security Corporation, Ogden, Utah,
for United States National Bank, Portland, Oregon, and
Other
i
,
s, regarding payment of interest by member banks at a rate
1- ex.cess of 3 per cent per annum, which was inclosed with your
etter of
December first. Section 19 of Federal Reserve Act Was
L:,11ed by Banking Act of 1033 so as specifically to require
tO limit by regulation the rate of interest -which may be
:
o'
- bY member banks on time deposits. Banking Act of 1933 was
c;aeted June 16, 1933, and it follows as matter of law that rate
underinterest which may be paid by a member bank on a time deposit
the terms of any certificate or contract issued or entered
tre after that
date may not exceed rate as limited by Board from
harrle1 ° time pursuant to the statute. Board in its Regulation Q
rate which may be paid by a member bank on a time de01 any period subsequent to October 31, 1933, Co three per
berVer annum comnounded semiannually and, accordingly, no menmaY Pay interest accruing after the latter date on a
tinle d
ePosit,
at a rate in excess of that prescribed in Regular,
" '?.0
under
•
entered into
terms
of any certificate or contrac,,'
after j
contract
may
or
certificate
16,
such
though
une
1033,
even
Prov.,
pexttlu.e for PaYment of interest at rate in excess of that stated.
by ijaPh two of subsection (c) of Section III of Regulation Q
ilato!terms applies only to certificates or contracts entered
colln uefere June 16, 1933. Your attention is also invited in this
adviecti
on to
x_76.76, dated November 10, 1933. If you deem it
le,
You may advise Secretary Oregon Bankers Association in
Etecord
Of , 'tnee with views expressed in this telegram or send him copy

I

Approved.
Lottor

dated December 7, 1033, to I. Ii.ewton, Federal Reserve




338
12/8/33
-24ellt at San
Francisco, approved by six members of the Board, reading
e.8 fOilows

.

"This refers to Yr. Sargent's letter of
1;ovember 6, 1933, with
in respect to the question whether a member bank may
lawfullI pay interest
on deposits of public funds of the State
5 Oregon
which are payable on demand, and whether the law of the
°tate of
Oregon requires the payment of interest on deposits of
Publle
funds made by or on behalf of the State or of any of the
811bdivisions
eral Reserve thereof within the meaning of Section 19 of the FedAct.
acluinTtil:
opinion of the Attorney General of the State of Oregon
Opinion of counsel for your bank on this subject have been
2asldered, and upon the basis of the information submitted and
of
statutes referred to in those opinions, the conclusions of your
eclunsel on the
questions presented appear to be proper. In the cir111Xt'
Inces, it mill be appreciated if you will reply to the inquiry
time bY T. P. Cramer, Jr., Secretary of the
Oregon Bankers Associaball'ln accordance with the views expressed by counsel for your
wit1;* It copy of Er. Cramer's letter to the Board is inclosed here'
toCether with a copy of the Board's letter in reply thereto."

?..nclosures,

Approved.
13
04rd

leply on
December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the

at

a letter
dated Lovember 24 from Mr. Curtiss, Federal Reserve
stoni_ the reply reading as follows:

tlicnilleeeiPt is
the riC vihether acknowledged of your letter of November 24, 1933,
Er. Phillips Ketchum should obtain a permit from
2°ard, pursuant to the provisions of the Clayton Act, to
serve
80t. director of
the flew En-land Trust Company of Boston, 1,_assachu3 and as counsel to your bank.
ilerri°;1 Point out that Mr. Ketchum is a member of the firm of
Smith, Donald and Farley, which is engaged in the general
"-ce of the
law, that Lir. Ketchum is not paid a salary by your
vict
; b?t is compensated through
retainer and compensation for serI,Jit1,8 ln excess of
the
retainer, that he has no duties connected
barl the
bank except as counsel, that he renders service to the
;
?onsulted, and that his office is not in the bank.
t
r4
ecr"
cJ.rcumstances, it appears that your conclusion1 is
offieet and that
Er. Ketchum should not be regarded as a 'director,
the Icier,
'
1'
1 employee' of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, with
tieln-114-t that no permit is required under the Clayton Act coverreferred to above."

4

barlc




Approved.

12/8/33
Letter dated December 6, 1933, approved by five members of
the Board, to
L. F. E. Felt, Vice President of The First liational
411k, Jamestown,
Eew York, reading as follows:
"Further reference is made to your letter of hovember 2,
4933, regarding the service of Lir. Henry K. Smith as a director
of the Bank of
Jamestown and as a director of your bank. You
whether a new permit would be required authorizing
h to serve these banks.
!tin view of the fact that Er. Smith has already received a
paermit to serve at the same time as a director of your bank and
.e a.director of the Farmers & Liechanics Bank of
Jamestown, end
-311 :view of the
fact that the latter bank was merged with the
1111: cf Jamestown under a statute whereby all the rights, priv'
()
;eCes,
end franchises of the former were vested by operation
th law in the latter, and in view of the other circumstances of
d e case, no
new permit will be required covering the services
eseribed in your letter."

1

Approved.
Reply on December 6, 1933, approved by five members of the
kart
'
t° a letter dated Lovember 17 from Lr. Case, Federal Reserve
t Lew York; the reply reading as follows:
"Iteforence is
made to your letter of November 17, 1933, trans11Root
a copy of a letter dated November 15, 1933, from Lessrs.
Clark, Buckner and Ballartine asking whether their client,
cf the Eanhattan Company, a member bank, is to be regarded
'correspondent bank' of a certain dealer in securities
tkria lin the meaning of Section 32 of the Banking Act of 1963,
Of the
Board's Regulation R.
tutThe letter
from kessrs. Root, Clark, Buckner and Ballantine
ag,_,GC that,
among the other transactions which it has with the
the Bank of the Lanhatton Company extends credit accom*oc
'
tions to the dealer by purchasing high-grade municipal bonds
hairri.l the
under ordinary repurchase agreements, such bonds
eith",] '
li eela acquired by the dealer with the approval of the bank,
°Y purchase on the market or, in the case of new issues,
the,'he municipality which issues them. The dealer is to keep
thel b°11ds 'marked to the market' by making cash payments to
the:
1 41k equal in amount to any decrease in the market value of
serv,°11(18 so purchased. Az part of its compensation for these
'ees, the bank receives the interest on the bonds held under




340
12/8/33
"the repurchase
agreement, and a percentage of the dealer's net
Profit on a
resale of the bonds by the dealer. The letter
states that the bank is not liable for any losses in connection
with such
transactions and suggests that, under these circumstc-nees, the transactions may be regarded as the performance of
ordinary banking functions.
„ It would seem, however, that these transactions involve more
arl the performance of ordinary banking functions on behalf of
-11,e dealer, that the bank is 'regularly associated with' the
de alor in
connection with the purchase and sale of such bonds
nd Possibly in connection with the underwriting and flotation
wiereof, and that, therefore, the bank is a 'correspondent bank'
wit in the definition of that term in the Board's Regulation R.
, Of course, as you know, Section 32 has reference only to
tiJ_usiness transacted after January 1, 1934, and no permit would
roquil'ed if
the bank should only perform ordinary banking funcLlcTs for the dealer after that date.
to t.irn extra
copy of this letter is inclosed in case you desire
-ansmit it to 1..essrs. Root, Clark, Buckner and Ballantine."
Approved.
Relay on December 6, 1933, approved by five members of the
t° a letter dated November 29 from 1,:r. Samuel A. lelldon, ViceYork;

of The
First 1,ational Bank of the City of New York, ilaw

the reply reading as follows:
111
• w eoeipt
is acknowledged of your letter of Nomber
November 29, 1033,
•
hich you ask whether Section 32 of the Banking Act of 1933
71111 be
.
tor,
applicable to tho service of certain officers and direccom
'
°f your bank as officers and directors of The First Security
P
l9
iitZitf
yfiliate of your bank, in view of the fact that The
Company was placed in dissolution on November 28,
nv
bun,'°u state that, under the laws of the State of 1:6111 York, no
the'," of any kind, except liquidation of the assets held at
tr3b'tte of dissolution, payment of debts and e:Tenses, and disbe- u'ion of the remainder to the stockholders, may henceforth
lonaucted by the company.
As i • 1.
cated by the footnote on page 1 of the Federal
ttkl
ive
s Regulation R, Section 32 has reference only to
Ilfiness presently transacted by the organization in question
Eklid ,
the -" to the business which may have been transacted by it in
wilatPa6t. Although it is not entirely clear from your letter
Ilow } tr
ansactions may be involved in a liquidation of the assets
leld by the First Security Company, it would appear that, if




341
12/8/33
-27,,Alch liquidation involves merely the sale
of these assets and
a°88.not involve the participation in any new business in connoclaon with such liquidation, Section 32 would not be applicable to the
service of the directors and officers referred to
111 your
letter."
Approved.
Reply on December 7, 1933, approved by six members of the
EctIrd 3 4_CO

a

letter dated November 29 from

Eenry F. Freund, President of
the Hudson
-Harlem Valley Corporation, :,.ount Kisco, ,
i.rev( York;
the
reply
reading as follows:
"Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of November 29, 19333
'111,/lich you ask whether Section
32 of the Banking Act of 1903
;
8 aPPliCable
to a director of a member bank of the Federal RePlre
tion. System mho is also servirr: as a director of your corporah 1"You state that the sole business of your corporation is the
a° dlnr: for investment of the majority of the capital stock
of
L•ruz,•-t,
company in Westchester County, the majority of the capSock of a title and mortgage company, and the majority of
capital stock of an investment company, and that your corontl". is, therefore, only a holding company which holds the
%rol of
three operating companies.
bu iIt does not
appear that the phrase 'engaged primarily in the
se:Jess of purchasing, selling, or negotiating securities' in
th,Itlen 32 is applicable to a corporation whose sole business is
01.°f a holding company. Accordingly, Section 32 mould not be
el0;
e-i?able to the service of a director of a member bank under
olrcumstanc
es described above."
p

Approved.
RePlY on Decenher
7, 1933, approved by six members of the
t° a

Pederea

letter dated October 4 from nr. T. D. Webb, member of the

11(Yme Loan Eank
Board; the reply reading as follows:
is made to your letter of October 4, and my reply
be c-c6bor 6, in regard to your inquiry as to whether it would
thePeirraissible for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation to utilize
for j
ellities of the
Federal Reserve banks end their branches
tion:e deliver
y of bonds issued by the Home Owners' Loan CorporaThe Board is in receipt of a letter from the Treasury
Or

0renee




342
12/8/33
-28“DePartmeni, dated November 6, 1933, stating that it
sees no objection from tho standpoint of the Treasury to the Federal
Reserve Lanks
acting
as
custodians
for
the
bonds
to
be
delivered
to the
state managers of the home Owners' Loan Corporation upon
teletgraphie authority from the Federal Hem Loan Bank Board.
i
.he Federal Reserve Board
has no objection to the Federal
e.'serve Banks undertaking this service provided a satisfactory
,e_ustodianship agreement can be arranged and the Federal Reserveftnks are
requested to perform this function as fiscal agents of
j'-'fle United States
by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to
Lue
Provisions of Section 15 of the Federal Reserve Act. It is
assuMed that you will take
this matter up with the Ireasury Detment vdth a view to having such a request made of the Federal
vlerr bank
,s, and that a draft of a custodianship agreement
4,
1
, 1 -e prepared for submission to the Federal Reserve- banks
for
,heir
consideration.
er "14 accordance
with your request, the cities in which the Fed0114}, Reserve banks or branches are located have been indicated
, "le statement
inclosed with your letter and it is returned
he
rewith.
44_ "IyIth
reference to the last paragraph of your letter, while
10 27111 be
expected that the Federal Reserve banks will be rein.01;lsed for all
expenses incurred by them on account of or arising
it',of services
rendered in connection with the custodianship,
irzpracticable at this
time to make any estimate of the exlar!” as the cost of such a custodianship arrangement depends
be-LY on the
activity of the account."

r

Approved.
There vas then
presented a telegram dated December 8, 1933,
Governor of the Federal Reserve, Bank of :6oston, statthat the
bank contemplated purchasing from the Federal Reserve
o
New York c 10,000,000 of bankers' accoptan6es .with maturities
41) to 45aletY days,
at a rate of 1/2 of
that this action was being
.4tel1
because the
reserves of the New York bank were law and earnings
m
'411(1 the
reserves of the Boston bank high and earninns law; and
thq it
14tUld be
or
appreciated
theif the Board would advise promptly whether
llot it
would
approve
transaction.
The Secretary was requested to advise Governor
Y°1-1nC that the Board approves the proposed Purchase.




343
12/8/33

-29There were then presented the following applications for

cTigtmal stock of
Federal reserve banks:
APPlicutions for OLIGINAL Stock:
The New
Pub1-77--ic Lational Bank of Rochester,
Rochester, New Hampshire

Ilred°111-ITTETT:roTial
Beak at Fredonia,
Pen
nsylvania
Plorence National Bank, liew Florence,

Pennsylvania

Shares

84

36
36

1),Iz_Lrict No.
5.
Nrrirst IT
ZTO"nal
Bank in Parkton, Maryland
?iret
ational Bank in Onancock, Onancock,
vir

la'Z'.§ict
Ccqtra3i--e1Z--ink

of

Liberty, lassouri

72

36
35

4strict, iro. 7.
Pirst
Bank in hamarden, Haterden,
, 1ova
Iktional Rank
City, Iowa of Rockwell City, Rockwell
liational E
xchange Bank of Fond du Lac, Fond
(III e,
Wiscons
Lain

811-

72

36
36
285

357

72
Total

72
657

Approved.

Ihereupon the meeting adjourned.

Secretary.

l'toyed: