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Minutes for

To:

February

8, 1961

Members of the Board

From: Office of the Secretary

Attached is a copy of the minutes of the
of the Federal Reserve System on
Governors
Board of
the above date.
It is not proposed to include a statement
with respect to any of the entries in this set of
minutes in the record of policy actions required to
be maintained pursuant to section 10 of the Federal
Reserve Act.
Should you have any question with regard to
the minutes, it will be appreciated if you will advise
the Secretary's Office. Otherwise, please initial below.
If you were present at the meeting, your initials will
indicate approval of the minutes. If you were not present,
your initials will indicate only that you have seen the
minutes.




Chin. Martin

ffri7.
Gov. Szymczak
Gov. Mills
Gov. Robertson
Gov. Balderston
Gov. Shepardson
Gov. King

A

Minutes of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on
Wednesday, February
PRESENT:

8,

Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.

1961.

The Board met in the Board Room at 10:00 a.m.

Martin, Chairman
Balderston, Vice Chairman
Szymczak
Mills
Robertson
Shepardson
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.

Discount rates.

Sherman, Secretary
Kenyon, Assistant Secretary
Fauver, Assistant to the Board
Hackley, General Counsel
Farrell, Director, Division of Bank Operations
Solomon, Director, Division of Examinations
Rudy, Special Assistant, Legal Division
Furth, Adviser, Division of International
Finance
Daniels, Assistant Director, Division of Bank
Operations
Hostrup, Assistant Director, Division of
Examinations
Goodman, Assistant Director, Division of
Examinations
Landry, Assistant to the Secretary
Leavitt, Supervisory Review Examiner, Division
of Examinations

The establishment without change by the Federal

Reserve Banks of Boston and Minneapolis on February

6

and February

3,

1961, respectively, of the rates on discounts and advances in their
existing schedules was approved unanimously, with the understanding that
aPpropriate advice would be sent to those Banks.
Item circulated to the Board.

The following item, which had been

circulated to the Board and a copy of which is attached to these minutes
as Item No. 1, was approved unanimously:




2/8/61
Letter to Philip F. Schneider, New York City, regarding
a proposed amendment to Regulation Q which would permit
funds of a corporate tenant, held by a landlord as security
for performance of a lease, to be deposited in a savings
account.
Application of Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association (Item No. 2).

There had been distributed under date of February 2,

1961, a memorandum from the Division of Examinations recommending approval
Of an application by Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
San Francisco, California, for permission to establish a branch in Karachi,
Pakistan.

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco had recommended

unfavorably on the application because of its continuing view that expansion
into foreign fields should be accomplished through the bank's wholly-owned
subsidiary, Bank of America, New York.

The Office of the Comptroller of

the Currency had stated in a letter dated January 19, 1961, that it knew
of no reason why the application should not be approved.

No reference was

made in the letter from the Comptroller's Office to the capital situation
Of the applicant.

However, the proposed letter to Bank of America,

84n Francisco, approving the branch application would include a paragraph
referring to discussion between a representative of that bank and the
Board on January 29, 1960, at which time it was indicated that the bank
had no plans involving any major expansion abroad and that it was giving
active consideration to building up its capital structure through
retention of earnings and, as appropriate, through the sale of shares.




2/8/61
In reply to a question from Governor Shepardson, Mr. Solomon
indicated that the reason for including in the letter to Bank of America
a paragraph concerning the bank's capital was to keep the record straight
on the Board's position with respect to the matter.

He also indicated,

in response to a question, that during the period since January 1960 no
substantial steps toward improvement of the bank's capital position
aPpeared to have been taken.
Mr. Goodman said it had been ascertained by telephone that the
failure of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to include in
its letter to the Board any comment concerning the capital position of the
national bank was not due to oversight.

This indicated that the Comptroller's

Office apparently was not unduly concerned about the bank's capital.
Mr. Solomon then commented that the bank's capital position would,
(3f course, be a matter of more immediate concern to the Board if the bank
should embark on any large-scale foreign expansion program and in that
connection should come to the Board for approval of branch applications.
On the other hand, if a foreign program was relatively insignificant, as
in this case, presumably the Board would not want to use the application
as a lever to attempt to deal with the problem of the bank's capital.

The purpose of making reference to the matter in the Board's letter of
approval would be merely to keep the record straight, so that if the
question should come up later in connection with any major proposal for
exPansion of the bank's overseas banking facilities the Board would not




2/8/61

-4-

be estopped from saying that it had expressed concern about the bank's
capital position over a period of time.
Governor Shepardson commented to the effect that perhaps this
was the only reasonable approach, and Governor Robertson expressed the
view that it was the correct approach.

He felt that the Board should

hold the place, so to speak, and show its interest in the situation, while
recognizing at the same time that the primary responsibility for dealing
With the problem resided in the Comptroller of the Currency.
The proposed letter to Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association granting permission for the establishment of a branch in
Karachi, Pakistan, was then approved unanimously, with the understanding,
however, that before the letter was sent the President of the Federal
Reserve Bank of San Francisco, who was in the Board's offices today, would
be informed that the Board was prepared to grant the application and would
be asked whether the Reserve Bank desired to present any further expression
Of its views on the matter.




Secretary's Note: The matter was subsequently
discussed with President Mangels, who indicated
that the Reserve Bank's negative recommendation
reflected its general view, of which the Board
had previously been informed in connection with
other applications, that expansion of the foreign
activities of the Bank of America organization
should preferably be accomplished through the
subsidiary Edge corporation. Accordingly, the
Reserve Bank had nothing further to present on
the current application. Pursuant to the Board's
action, the letter approving establishment of
the branch in Karachi, Pakistan, was then placed
in the mail for transmittal to the member bank
through the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
A copy of the letter is attached as Item No. 2.

00-.'
1

II

2/8/63.

-5Messrs. Furth and Goodman then withdrew from the meeting.
Report on competitive factors (New Roche,lle and Ossining, New

York)

Distribution had been made of a draft of report to the Comptroller

Of the Currency regarding the competitive factors involved in a proposed
consolidation of First Westchester National Bank of New Rochelle, New
Rochelle, New York, with The First National Bank and Trust Company of
Ossining, Ossining, New York.

The report concluded as follows:

There is virtually no competition between the two banks
involved, and the proposed consolidation should have no adverse
effect on competition in either Ossining, New Rochelle, Westchester County, or the Third Banking District. As branches of
a larger bank, the Ossining offices would provide keener competition and increased services.
The report was approved unanimously for transmission to the
Comptroller of the Currency.
Bank merger information (Item No. 3).

There had been distributed

with a memorandum from Mr. Solomon dated February

6,

1961, copies of a

draft of letter to all Reserve Bank Presidents concerning a plan to
Provide the Banks with certain additional information pertaining to bank
Mergers within their districts.

The letter would inform the Presidents

of the Board's intention hereafter to send copies of the reports of the
Department of Justice on all merger proposals arising in their districts
as a means of providing further assistance to the Bank Examination
Departments of the Reserve Banks in preparing their own reports to the
Board on bank merger cases.

The reports of the Department of Justice

seat to the Reserve Banks would cover not only the applications subject




2/8/61

-6-

to Board approval but also those on which the Board merely makes a report
to the other bank supervisory agencies on competitive factors.
In discussion, Governor Mills referred to the desirability of
obtaining the independent judgment of the Reserve Bank in each such case.
He raised the question, therefore, whether the availability of copies of
the reports on competitive factors rendered by the Department of Justice

might tend to have the effect, at least over a period of time, of coloring
the views of the Reserve Banks.
Mr. Solomon replied that in any given case the Reserve Bank would
have submitted its report before receiving a copy of the report of the
Justice Department on that case.

Looking at the longer-run aspects of

the matter, there was, perhaps, some possibility of a development such as
Governor Mills had suggested.

On the other hand, it had been his view,

14r. Solomon said, that it might be profitable for the Reserve Banks to
bear in mind the general viewpoint represented by the Justice Department.
If he had had any apprehension that the availability of the Justice
reports would cause the Reserve Banks to follow one particular point of
'new blindly, he would not have made the recommendation that the reports
be fUrnished to them.

However, he did not think that the danger existed.

Rather, it was his thought that the availability of such reports, along
with those made by the Board to the Comptroller of the Currency and the
Fed,eral Deposit Insurance Corporation, which were already being sent to the
ileserve Banks, would provide a cross section of opinion.




Their availability

(7,11

2/8/61

-7-

could aid the Reserve Banks in anticipating some of the questions that
might be raised by the Justice Department with respect to any particular
aPplication.
Chairman Martin commented that in his opinion it would be desirable
for the Reserve Banks to have the benefit of all available points of view

in formulating their lines of reasoning, following which Governor Robertson
said he did not think that the availability of the Justice reports would
have much effect on the point of view of the Reserve Banks one way or
the other.

He doubted that the Reserve Banks would get too much help

from having the reports available, and he had no strong feeling regarding
the procedure suggested by the Division of Examinations, but he saw no

Particular reason to oppose the recommendation.
The proposed letter to all Reserve Bank Presidents, a copy of
Which is attached as Item No. 3, was then approved.
Mr. Leavitt withdrew from the meeting at this point.
Bank holding company status of Texas Bank & Trust Company.

Copies

had been distributed of a memorandum from the Legal Division dated
February 2, 1961, attaching a draft of letter to the Federal Reserve Bank
Of Dallas regarding the bank holding company status of Texas Bank & Trust
C°mPany, Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Hackley requested that consideration of this

Matter be deferred to provide the Legal Division an opportunity to
investigate a technical question that had been raised within the staff
concerning this case, and it was agreed to defer the item.




;I,
2/8/61

8Messrs. Hostrup and Rudy then left the meeting.
Memorandum from the President of the United States

(Item No. 4).

Copies had been distributed of a draft of letter to the Presidents of all
Federal Reserve Banks which would transmit a memorandum from the President
of the United States to the heads of executive departments and agencies
dated February 2, 1961, pertaining to acceleration of Government procurement, construction, and related activities in carrying out approved
Government programs during the present period of economic slack.

The

President's memorandum instructed each department and agency as follows:
1.

Immediately to review procurement plans through the end
of the current fiscal year and place all planned orders
as quickly as possible.

2.

To the fullest extent possible within available funds,
to speed construction of going public works projects
and speed natural resource conservation and development,
light construction, maintenance, repair, and other work
which can be done or started quickly. New construction
starts which have already been funded, but not yet begun,
are to be started at the earliest practicable date.

3. To prepare an inventory of construction or other projects
which could be accelerated or initiated quickly but for
which additional funds might be required.
The letter to the Reserve Bank Presidents would indicate that

the Board planned to make a reply through the Bureau of the Budget giving
information concerning both the Board and the Reserve Banks.

The letter

l43111d suggest that the first two requests of the President be followed
'
by the Reserve Banks insofar as practicable within 1961 budget approvals
e-nd orderly operational procedures.




With respect to the third request,

k

2/8/61

-9-

the suggestion would be made that the Reserve Banks review their plans
for any major bank premises projects and submit a report by February 20
on the feasibility of moving to the year 1961 any of the projects planned
for

1962 or subsequent years. This would be exclusive of data on new

construction at branches, which had already been submitted to the Board
in reply to its letter of December 20, 1960.
Governor Shepardson suggested that the Board's reply to the
President's memorandum, when made, point out that although additional
funds, within the context of the memorandum, would not be required by the
Federal Reserve Banks to move forward bank premises projects, nevertheless
16 would be necessary for the Board to obtain legislation to permit
additional Reserve Bank branch building projects, since such construction
Could not be undertaken to any important extent under the portion of
the existing ,30 million statutory limitation that remained available.
Question was raised whether the purpose of the request in the
Proposed letter would be clear to the Reserve Banks in view of the infortnation already available in the Board's offices concerning contemplated
bellk Premises projects, but it was felt, after discussion, that the Banks
14ould understand that the letter reflected a desire to cooperate to the
flalest extent possible with the spirit of the President's memorandum.
Accordingly, the letter to all Reserve Bank Presidents was

2:12.12/z.21 unanimously.

A copy is attached as Item No.

4.

At this point Mr. Daniels withdrew from the meeting.




.-,`;1
41(
2/8/61

-10Retention of bank shares by bank admitted to membership.

Governor Robertson reported a request from President Fulton of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland for the Board's tentative views on
a question raised by the Butler Savings and Trust Company, Butler,
Pennsylvania.

The bank desired to join the Federal Reserve System but

anticipated that admission to membership would necessitate disposition
Of certain bank shares held by it.

The bank therefore was anxious to

krlow whether the Board would allow as long as 12 to 18 months for such
disposition.

Governor Robertson expressed the view that the period of

time mentioned by the bank would not be excessive.

He said his reply

to President Fulton had been that he would let him know as promptly as
Possible the Board's views on this matter.
In discussion, members of the staff brought out that it had been
the practice of the Board to give banks joining the System a reasonable
Period of time following admission to membership to dispose of stocks
held by them.

It was further pointed out that there is no provision of

law requiring such disposition, the legislative history indicating that
the prohibitions of the law were intended to apply to purchases of stock,
as contrasted with the retention of shares lawfully acquired.

The view

expressed that if, in this case, the bank was willing to dispose of
the shares within a period of 12 or 18 months, that would seem to afford
reasonable solution.




S13
2/8/61

-11Governor Mills noted that in this case the bank in question

apparently was agreeable to disposition of its shareholdings if a reasonable period of time was provided.

He indicated, however, that he would

have some concern about an "across the board" condition of membership
requiring divestment of shares if such shares had been acquired by a bank
in accordance with State law.

He suggested a review by the Division of

Examinations, for the Board's information, of the extent of retention of
shares by State member banks, and it was understood that such a review
would be made.
After further discussion, it was agreed that Governor Robertson
would indicate to President Fulton that if the bank in Butler should
aPPlY for membership, the Board would be disposed to arl]ow the bank a
reasonable period of time after admission to membership, such as the 12
or 18 months it had mentioned, to accomplish disposition of the bank
Shares in question.
Request from General Accounting Office.

Mr. Farrell reported a

telephone call yesterday from Mr. William B. Dunlap, Jr., of the Civil
Auditing and Accounting Division of the General Accounting Office, who
requested a breakdown of the item "reimbursement for certain fiscal
4gencY and other expenses" amounting roughly to $20 million, as shown

in the table relating to earnings and expenses of the Federal Reserve
Banks during 1959 on page 115 of the Annual Report of the Board for that
Year.

Mr. Dunlap stated that, from work he had done auditing Treasury




4L
2/8/61

-12-

vouchers, he knew that about half of the $20 million figure represented
activities for the Public Debt Service of the Treasury Department and
that he would like to know what accounted for the remainder.

Mr. Farrell

noted that similar information had been furnished in 1952 to the Joint
Economic Committee and in 1953 to Congressman Patman.

To the best of

his knowledge, however, this was the first request of its kind to be
received directly from the General Accounting Office.

It was Mr. Farrell's

recommendation that Mr. Dunlap be provided with the requested information
on an informal basis.
During discussion of the question, it was brought out that about
U5 million of the $20 million figure represented reimbursement for
fiscal agency expenses and that the remaining ,(;5 million represented what
might be called "income" items, such as rent, coin wrapping charges,
cafeteria receipts, etc.
Mr. Farrell then was authorized to provide Mr. Dunlap with a
breakdown of the item "reimbursement for certain fiscal agency and other
exPenses", as it appeared in the table relating to earnings and expenses
°f the Federal Reserve Banks in the Annual Report for 1959, with the
understanding that he would make it clear that the so-called "income"
Items were unrelated to fiscal agency activities of the Reserve Banks.
All of the members of the staff except Messrs. Sherman, Kenyon,
and Pauver then withdrew.




COrl

2/8/61

-13Director appointments.

On November

4, 1960,

it was agreed to

ask the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis to ascertain
Whether Dr. O. Meredith Wilson, President of the University of Minnesota,
would accept appointment, if tendered, as Class C director of the Federal
Reserve Bank of Minneapolis for the three-year term beginning January 1,
1961.

On November 21, 1960, an appointment telegram was sent to Dr. Wilson,

but it developed subsequently that his limited period of residence in the
Ninth District made him ineligible to serve as a director of the Bank at
this time.
After discussion of possible appointees whose names had now been
mentioned, it was agreed to request the Chairman of the Minneapolis Bank
to ascertain whether Mr. Judson Bemis, President of the Bemis Brothers
Bag Company, Minneapolis, would accept appointment, if tendered, as
Class C director for the unexpired portion of the three-year term ending
December 31, 1963, with the understanding that if it were found that he
would accept, the appointment would be made.
After consideration of persons who had been suggested for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Branch, Federal Reserve
tank of Atlanta, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of
141% John M. Fox, it was agreed to request the Chairman of the Atlanta Bank
t° ascertain whether Mr. Harry T. Vaughn, President of the United States
811gar Corporation, Clewiston, Florida, would accept appointment, if
tendered,

as a director of the Jacksonville Branch for the unexpired




001.rt.,1

2/8/61

-14-

Portion of the term ending December 31, 1961, with the understanding

that

if

it were found that he would accept, the appointment would be made.
Secretary's Note: It having been ascertained
that Mr. Vaughn would accept the appointment,
if tendered, an appointment telegram was sent
to him on February 10,

1961.

The meeting then adjourned.
Secretary's Notes: On February 7, 1961, Governor
Shepardson approved on behalf of the Board the
following items:
Letter to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (attached Item
approving the appointment of Martin H. Gluck as assistant examiner.
Memoranda from appropriate individuals concerned recommending the
following actions relating to the Board's staff:
APpointments
Bettie P. Tuttle as General Assistant, Division of Research and
Statistics, on a temporary basis for a period of about six months, with
uasic annual salary at the rate of 4;5,170, effective the date of entrance
Upon
duty.
James J. Cava as Operator, Tabulating Equipment (Trainee), Division
°f Administrative Services with basic annual salary at the rate of
Y3,500, effective the date of entrance upon duty.
Salary increase
Sarah L. Trott, Secretary, Division of Bank Operations, from
per annum, effective February

t° $6,315

*6,150

19, 1961.

T 2L!
I LE
Patricia D'Ambrosio, from the position of Stenographer to the
rsition of Secretary, Division of Examinations, with no change in her
effective February 19,
asic annual salary at the rate of




4;4,565,

1961.

1,2
2/8/61

-15-

Acceptance of resignation
Helen M. Bennett, Secretary, Division of Bank Operations, effective
at the close of business February 10, 1961.




Governor Shepardson today approved on behalf
of the Board a memorandum from the Division of
Examinations dated February 3, 1961, regarding
a proposal whereby a member of the Auditing
Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Philadelphia would be borrowed for about one
month, beginning February 14, 1961, to assist
the Board's field examining staff on a program
of examination of gold bullion and coin held
in custody by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York. The proposal contemplated that the usual
arrangements applicable when Reserve Bank
personnel are borrowed from time to time to
assist on examinations of Federal Reserve Banks
would apply also in this instance. It was noted
that the arrangement might result in some overexpenditure of the amount provided in the 1961
budget for the services of personnel borrowed
from the Reserve Banks to assist on examining
work.

Secretary

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

Item No. 1
2/8/61

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON 25. D. C.

ADDRESS OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

February

8, 1961

Mr. Philip F. Schneider,
280 Broadway,
New York, New York.
Dear Mr. Schneider:
This refers to your letter of January 13, 19612 with
respect to an amendment to Regulation Q which would permit the
deposit of funds by a landlord in a savings account in a member
bank as a trust fund for the benefit of a corporate tenant. AB
YOU understand, the Regulation does not permit corporations, excePt of limited types, to maintain savings accounts in member
banks or the maintenance of such accounts in trust for a corPoration's benefit°
You might be interested in an explanation of the reasons
for the distinction between deposits of individuals and those of
business corporations in the definition of savings deposits contained in section 1(e) of Regulation Q.
The Banking Act of 1935 conferred upon the Board authority
to define the term "saviALs deposits” and to prescribe such rules
and regulations as it may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes
5 the law and prevent evasions thereof. This authority was granted
in order to enable the Board to correct certain well-recognized
abuses which had grown up in connection with savings deposits.
Member banks are forbidden by law to pay interest on
c.temand deposits or to pay time deposits before maturity, except
in certain exceptional circumstances. However, they are permitted
to PaY savings deposits on demand, provided they reserve the right
require thirty days' notice of withdrawal, and they are also
permitted to pay interest on such deposits. In addition, member
uanks are permitted to carry with the Federal Reserve Banks a
reserve of only five per cent against savings deposits, although
they are required to carry much larger reserves against all other
deposits which are payable on demand. Savings deposits, therefore,
re the only class of deposits payable on demand upon which member
°anks are permitted to pay interest and to maintain reserves of
only five per cent.




BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Mr. Philip F. Schneider

These privileges were accorded with respect to savings
deposits because of the desire to encourage thrift. It is
believed that "savings deposits", in the true meaning of the term,
are deposits which consist of the accumulations of savings of individuals, usually of limited financial means, in order to provide
for sickness, old age or other exigencies, to meet anticipated
expenses, or for other similar purposes. It is not believed that
corporations fall within this category. Accordingly, in section 1(e)
of Regulation Q„ the Board has provided that a savings deposit must
consist of the funds of one or more individuals or of an organization
?perated primarily for religious, philanthropic, charitable, educational, fraternal or other similar purposes and not operated for
profit.
The Board recognizes that commercial banks are unaer
disadvantages in many respects in competition with savings banks
and savings and loan associations. However, the Board does not
believe that it would be advisable to permit a savings account in
member bank to represent an funds to the credit of the usual
pusiness corporation and, therefore, does not favor your proposed
amendment to Regulation Q.




Very truly yours,
(Signed) Merritt Sherman
Merritt Sherman,
Secretary.

it)

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Item No. 2
2/8/61

WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

ADDRESS OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

February 8, 1961.

sank of America National Trust
and Savings Associat
ion,
San Francisco 20, Californ
ia.
Ge

ntlemen:

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System authorizes
Bar
,
lk of America National Trust and Savings Association, San Francisco,
Cs ifornia, pursuant to the provisions of Section 25
of the Federal Reoerve Act, to establish a branch in the City of Karachi, Pakistan, and to
ate and maintain such branch subject to the provisions of
such Section.
The
the location of the branch may not be changed, after establishment, without
Prior approval of the Board of Governors.
This action has been taken in the light of Mr. Beisefs discussion
Ilith the members of the Board on January 29,
1960, in which he indicated that
Your
ur 10
Juank had no plans involving any major expansio
n abroad and that it was
tl_lng active consideration to building up the capital structure of the Bank
"ugh retention of earnings and, as appropri
ate, through the sale of
Sha

res.

Unless the branch is actually established and opened for business
?Iznivor before February 1, 1962,
all rights granted hereby shall be deemed to
te,
e been abandoned and the authority hereby granted will automatically
-nate on that date.
Please advise the Board of Governors, in writing, through the
Ped—
nes74'al Reserve Bank of San Francisco, when
the branch is opened for busi3, furnishing information as to the exact location of the
branch.




Very truly yours,
(Signed) Merritt Sherman
Merritt Sherman,
Secretary.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Item No.

3

2/8/61

WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

ADDRESS OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

February

8, 1961.

Dear Sir:
In order to assist in the work of the Bank Examination
Departments of the Federal Reserve Banks on bank merger cases, the
Board has been sending each Reserve Bank copies of the reports on
competitive factors made by the Board to the Comptroller of the
Currency or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on cases in
that Federal Reserve district.
With the thought that it might be of further assistance,

the Board hereafter will also send copies of the reports of the
Department of Justice on all merger proposals arising in your
District. These would include both those cases which the Board
approves or disapproves and those on which the Board merely makes
reports on competitive factors.
Both the reports of the Board and those of the Department
of Justice are "unpublished information of the Board" within the
meaning of the Boardts Rules of Organization, and in view of their
nature they should not be disclosed even within the Reserve Bank
except to those officers or employees working directly on the albJect of bank mergers or closely related matters.
Very truly yo

Merritt
Secre

TO THE PRESIDENTS OF ALL 1,11,DERAL RESERVE BANKS




;

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

Item No.

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

I.

2/8/61

WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

ADDRESS OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE BOARD

February

8, 1961.

Dear Sir:
Enclosed is a copy of a memorandum dated February 2, 1961,
fr0111
the President of the United States to the heads of executive
clePartments and agencies of the Federal Government, together with a
c°PY of Bulletin No. 61-9 of the Bureau of the Budget.
While the request probably does not require a response from
Reserve, the Board plans to make a reply giving informa'
10n concerning both the Board and the Reserve Banks.
th
e
4.

L-1_,
Federal

The Board suggests that the first two requests of the President be followed by the Reserve Banks in so far as practicable within
1961 budget approvals and orderly operational procedures.
To enable the Board to make an appropriate reply to the
thir,
u question, please review the plans of your Bank for construction
ojects (some of which previously have been reported to the Board)
)
14'ncl submit a report to reach Washington by February 20 on the feasiitY of moving to the year 1961 any of the projects planned for 1962
'
t subsequent years as outlined in the five-year statement of expendii res for major bank premises projects submitted with your 1961 budget.
will not be necessary to include data on new construction at
t anches since sufficient information thereon was supplied in reply
0 the Board's letter of December 20, 1960.
Very truly yours,

Merritt Sh
Secretary.
.11closure

THE PRESIDENTS OF ALL FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS




THE WHITE HOUSE
WASH IN GTO N

February 2, 1961

70 THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

In carrying out approved Government programs during the present
l riod of economic slack, we should seek every means consistent with
!
efficiency to accelerate temporarily planned Government procurement,
.:?nstruction and related activities. A particularly high priority
eltoUld be given to actions which could be taken in time to have an
located in
rect on unemployment by this spring and to projects
e,
eas of labor surplus.
'
Therefore, you are requested:
the end
Immediately to review procurement plans through
orders
planned
all
place
and
of the current fiscal year
as quickly as possible.
2.

To the fullest extent possible within avsilable funds, to
speed
speed construction of going public works projects and
conlight
ment,
develop
and
ation
conserv
natural resource
can
struction, maintenance, repair, and other work which
which
starts
ction
constru
New
.
quickly
02
started
be done
have already been funded, but not yet begun, are to be
started at the earliest practicable date.

3. To prepare an inventory of construction or other projects
which could be accelerated or initiated quickly but for
which additional funds might be required.

. The Director of the Bureau of the Budget will issue detailed
Csbructions on reporting and other procedures. All reports should
zubmitted no later than February 25th for assenibly and appraisal,
cl are in turn to be forwarded to me by March 1.




/s/ John F. Kennedy

509
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE

Item No. 5

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

2/8/61

WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
ADDRESS

orriciAL CORRESPONDENCE
T.

THE BOARD

February 8, 1961

Mr. H. A. Bilby, Vice President,
Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
New York 45, New York.
Dear hr. Bilby:
in
In accordance with the request contained
the
es
approv
Board
the
1961,
Your letter of January 31,
er
examin
ant
assist
an
as
Gluck
appointment of Martin H.
adPlease
York.
New
of
for the Federal Reserve Bank
tment.
vise us of the effective date of the appoin




Very truly yours,
(Signed) Elizabeth L. Carmichael
Elizabeth L. Carmichael,
Assistant Secretary.