View original document

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

OC)

A meeting of the Federal Reserve Board was held in the office of the
Pederal Reserve Board on Tuesday, February 10, 1925 at 11:00 o'clock.
Present:

Governor Crissinger
Mr. Platt
Mr. Hamlin
Mr. Miller
Mr. James
Mr. Cunnin,q.ham
Mr. Eddy, Secretary

The minutes of the meeting of the Federal Reserve Board held on
February 5th were read and approved as amended.
The minutes of the meeting of the Federal Reserve Board held on
February 6th were read and approved.
Report of Committee on Examinations on memorandum dated February 6th
from the Acting Comptroller of the Currency, recommending approval of the
application of the City National Bank of Hugo, Okla., for permission to reduce
its capital stock from 400,000 to $50,000 on condition that no money be returned to shareholders but that assets to the full amount of the reduction be
trusteed for the benefit of shareholders as of the date of reduction;

the

aOmmittee also recommending approval.
Approved.
Report of Cozmittee on Examinations on memorandum dated February 9th
from the Acting Comptroller of the Currency, recommending approval of the
aPPlication of the First National Bank of New Carlisle, Ohio, for permission
to reduce its capi;a1 stock from 'i 30,000 to i25,000; the Committee also recomending approval.
Approved.
Letter dated Febru9ry 7th from the Chairman of the Federal Reserve




130

-2-

2/10/25

Of Atlanta, advising of the election of Mr. T. W. McCoy as Class "A"
1925.
director of the bank for the unexpired term ending December 31,
Noted.
ncy on letter
Report of Committee on Salaries, Expenditures and Efficie
dated February 4th from the Comptroller of the Currency, recommending approval
National Bank
Of an increase from 43300 to 43600 per ammmm in the salary of
per annum in the
Zxaminer Alfred Boysen and an increase from 43,000 to 43,300
also recommendsalary of National Bank Examiner Ralph H. Derr; the Committee
ing approval.
Approved.
on letter
Report of Committee on Salaries, Expenditures and Efficiency
dated February 5th from the Acting Comptroller of the Currency, recommending
salary of
aPproval of an increase from $3,000 to 43,300 per annum in the
recommending apNational Bank Examiner Charles H. McLean; the Committee also
Proval.
Approved.
ee on Banking
Letter dated February 4th from the Chairman of the Committ
nt
414 Currency of the House of Representatives stating that he deems it expedie
to withdraw from consideration at this session his bill to amend the Kern
Amendment to the Clayton Act so as to grant the Board greater discretion in
the matter of authorizing interlocking directorates.
Noted.
y 4th
Report of Committee on Examinations on letter dated Februar
ftonl the Federal Reserve Agent at Boston, transmitting and recommending




_131
2/10/25
approval of applications of the Union Trust Company of Providence, R. I.,
for permission to establish branches in Woonsocket and Pawtucket; the
Committee also recommending approval.
Approved.
Letter dated January 26th from the President of the International
Bureau of Commercial Statistics of Brussels, requesting that he be furnished
With complimentary copies of issues of the,spederal Reserve Bulletin beginIling with 1922 and of all future issues.
Approved.
Report of Committee on Salaries, Expenditures and Efficiency on letter dated February 3rd from the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of San
Pl'ancisco, requesting afproval of the action of the executive committee of
the bank in voting to participate in and to assume. its pro-rata share of
the expense of a Federal Reserve System exhibit to be displayed at the
Ilext convention of the American Bankers Association to be held in Atlantic
CitY; the Committee reporting that no Federal Reserve bank has proposed to
the Board that it undertake to get up such an exhibit and that the Board
reserve decision until such time as there comes before it for consideration
4

proposal from some one of the reserve banks to assemble material for a

SYsiem exhibit and further that the matter be submitted to the next Conference
Qt Governors with the request for a recommendation as to future policy.
Upon motion, the recommendations of the
Committee were approved.
Letter dated February 4th from Honorable Charles E. Lobdell, General




I

)

••••„,16(4,

2/10/25

-4-

Counsel and Fiscal Agent of the Federal Land and Intermediate Credit Banks,
transnitting a statement showing the classification of the loans of the
Federal Intermediate Credit Banks as of January 24, 1925.
Ordered circulated.
Memorandum dated February 9th from Counsel on letter dated February
6th from the Federal Reserve Agent at Boston, transmitting a classification
Of banks in Boston to be used in determining the question of substantial
competition within the meaning of the Kern Amendment to the Clayton Act;
Counsel recommending that the Board adopt the following resolution:
"WHEREAS, Mr. Curtiss, Federal Reserve Agent
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, has submitted
to the Federal Reserve Board a classification of the
banks in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, which he
suggests may be used in determining the question
whether or not substantial competition exists between
such banks in considering applications under the
Clayton Anti-Trust Act;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Federal Reserve Board
will use the said classification of banks in Boston,
Massachusetts, as evidence tending to show whether
or not such banks are in substantial competition, but
it will use classification as evidence only and will
not be guided solely thereby; it will take into consideration any othOr pertinent facts and circumstances
which mwi be present in each case under consideration."
Adopted.
Letter dated February 6th from Mr. A. B. Trowbridge, with regard
to the Board's inquiry as to service by him in passing upon plans and specifications for the building to house the Birmingham branch when completed;
Trowbridge stating that his fee for such service would be ;
i 1,250, but
that in his opinion the service contemplated is far from being adequate and

that in other building projects it has been his practice to have conferences
with local architects before working plans were commenced, impressing upon



2/10/25

-5-

them the necessity for simplicity and economy with the result that when the
plans were completed few, if any, changes were necessary.
Referred to the Governor with power.
Memorandum from the Secretary on letter dated January 27th from
the Cashier of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland pointing out that

the Board's requirement

that applicant's for reduction in reserve require-

mast have been members of the Federal Reserve System and in operation
as eudh for a period of one. year prior to date of application, might work
against the System in securing the membership of outlying state banks which

have been in operation some years and might work a hardship on newly organnational banks located in outlying districts in which there are also
located other member banks who have been allowed to reduce their reserve reSlirements; the Secretary stating that while he doubts whether the Board
Should change its ruling with respect to newly organized national banks
located in outlying districts, or newly organized state banks which desire
to become members, he thinks there should be sufficient elasticity in the
aPPlication of the ruling to permit of the Board granting the reduced resellie requirements to state banks in outlying districts which have been in
°Peration for more than a year and which desire to join the System.
After discussion, Mr. Hamlin moved that the Board
rescind the limitation of one year in the case of banks
which have been in operation for more than a year which
desire to join the Federal Reserve System.
Mr. Cunningham moved as a substitute that the Seeratary
be instructed to secure information as to the size, management and character of business of the Lorain Street Savings
and Trust Company of Cleveland, one of the banks being




-6-

2/10/25

solicited for membership and also regarding
other banks in the same territory which have
already been granted a reduction in their
reserve requirements.
Mr. Cunningham's substitute motion being
put by the chair was carried.
Memorandum from Counsel dated February 6th on the subject of surrender
Of Federal Reserve bank

stock by the First National Bank of New Wilson,

Okla., which closed and the liquidating agent for which, the City State
Bank of New Wilson, has also been closed; Counsel recommending that the
Board issue an order for the cancellation of the stock held by the First
National Bank, with instructions to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
to adjust the accounts between the Federal Reserve bank and the First
National Bank in accordame with the law and to hold any proceeds due the
liquidating bank to be paid over to the duly authorized agent of such bark
Upon receipt of proper proof of the appointment of such agent.
Upon motion, the recammendations of
Counsel were approved.
Memorandum dated February 10th from the Secretary, with regard to
letter dated January 31st addressed to Er. Milton E. Ailes,,President of
the Riggs National Bank of Washington, by Shearman and Sterling, Counsel
for the National City Bank of New York, requesting advice from the Board
as to whether a certain transaction involving Russian rouble exchange
could have been consummated on April 4, 1919 in view of the then effective
ling of the Board that "Until otherwise instructed the exportation or
importation of Russian roubles, or the transfer of funds for their purchase
bY persons and dealers in the United States, as described under the




3

t_j,

2/10/25

-7-

executive order of the President, January 26th, 1918, is prohibited".
After discussion, the Secretary was requested
to prepare a latter to Mr. Ailes for submission
to the Board.
Thereupon ensued a discussion of the matter held over at the meeting
on February 6th, namely, draft of the annual report to the Board of the
Federal Reserve Agent at New York covering operations during the year
1924. Honorable G. B. Winston, Under Secretary of the Treasury, and
Dr. Stewart, Director of the Division of Research and Statistics, entered
the meeting and discussed with the members of the Board the general scope
and phrasing of the report.
After several changes in the phrasing of the
report had been suggested, Mr. Platt moved that
a letter be sent to the Federal Reserve Agent at
New York stating that the report has been brought
to the attention of the Board and accepted and
may be released for publication with the several
textual revisions suggested by the Board.
Mr. Platt's motion being put by the chair
was carried, Messrs. James and Cminingham
voting "no".
Mr. Cunningham explained his vote by stating
that he had no objection to accepting the report
but did nbject to its publication, and that in
view of the fact that the foregoing resolution
moves both acceptance and publication, he was
forced to vote in the negative.
Thereupon ensued an informal discussion as to the legality and. necessity of Federal Reserve banks purchasing government securities and acceptances
under repurchase agreement, particularly from so-called dealers. The Governor
stated that the Secretary of the Treasury and the Comptroller of the Currency
Usired to be present at any meeting of the Board at which formal action on
this subject was taken.




2/10/25

Report of Committee on Examinations on letter dated February 6th, from
the Assistant Federal Reserve Agent at Chicago, transmitting an application
for reduction in reserve requirements from 13 to 10;70 of demand deposits on
behalf of seven member banks considered to be located in outlying districts
Of the central reserve city of Chicago and entitled to carry 10 reserves
en demand deposits; the Committee recommending that the Federal Reserve Agent
be advised that upon receipt, through him and with his recommendation, of
individual applications originating with the outlying banks in question, the
Board will give them con.ideration•
Upon motion, the recommendation of the Committee
was approved.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMIT=S:
Dated, February 5th,
6th,
7th,
9th,
Dated, Februscy 2nd,
4th,
6th,
10th,
Dated, February 10th,

Dated,

Recommending changes in stock at Federal deserve banks,
as set forth in the Auxiliary Minute Book of this date.
Approved.
Recommending action on applications for fiduciary pacers
as set forth in the Auxiliary Minute Book of this date.
Approved.

Recommending action on application for fiduciary powers
as set forth in the Auxiliary Minute Book of this date.
Ordered held.
February 5th, Recommending approval of the applicat'on of Mr. John E.
Potter to serve at the same time as irector and President of the Potter Title and Tru t ompany, Pittsburgh,
ent of the First
Pa. and as director and Vice P
Pa
Finleyville,
National Bank,
Approved.
e meeting adjou

Q

'ø1ook

Secretan •

APProved:




d at 1:

Governor.