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A meeting of the Federal Reserve Board was held in Washington on
Wedriesftay, March 98, 1934, at 10:30 a. m.
PRESENT:

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

Black, Governor
Hamlin
Miller
James
Thomas
Szymczak
01 3onnor

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

Morrill, Secretary
Carpenter, Assistant Secretary
Bethea, Assistant Secretary
Martin, Assistant to the Governor
Wyatt, General Counsel
Paulger, Chief of the Division of
Examinations

The Board considered and acted upon the following matters:
Telegram to "The First National Bank of Elgin", Elgin, Illinois,
ren,a
-')-411g as follows:

"Your letter March 23, 1934. Board hereby amends its
letter of March 19, 1934, which authorized your bank to
exercise full fiduciary powers effective if and when it con—
solidated with the Elgin City Banking Company, Elgin, Illinois,
to -aake such authorization effective this date. This tele—
gram will be your authority to exercise such powers. Formal
certificate covering such authority will be sent you promptly."
Approved.
Letter to Mr. O'Connor, Comptroller of the Currency, reading as

r°110\vs.
"In accordance with your recommendation, the Federal Reserve
ar(, approves a reduction in the common capital stock of the
eoPles National Ban1,- & Trust Company of Belleville', Belleville,
-17 Jersey, from $200,000 to $100,000, pursuant to a plan which
13r°vides that the bank's capital shall be increased by $200,000
of preferred stock to be sold to the Reconstruction Finance
°
crPoration and/or others and that the released capital, together
with the bank's surplus and undivided profits, shall be used to
e-irlinate a corresponding amount of unsatisfactory assets, all as




879
3/28/34

-2-

4

set forth in your memorandum of March 21, 1934.
"In considering the plan under which the reduction in common
!aPital is to be effected, it was noted that securities deprecia6ion remaining in the bank after the proposed adjustments will be
slafficient to impair the common capital to the extent of approximately $45,000. It is assumed, however, that you have this condition in mind and that whenever it becomes feasible to do so you
will obtain such further corrections as may be practicable."
Approved.
Telegram dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the Board,
to urs
Case, Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
4g that the Board has considered the application of the "President and
bire
etc:Ts of the Manhattan Company", New York, New York, for a voting per414 1144
-er the authority of section 5144 of the Revised Statutes of the United
States,
aS amended, entitling such organization to vote the stock which it
^v.r controls in "The County Trust Company", White Plains, New York, and
114

alatItorized the issuance of a limited permit to the applicant for the
4110
WirIC Purpose:
"To act upon a proposal to reduce the present authorized
111/ ber of directors of such bank from seventeen to sixteen."
1/1,6- tuele
gram also authorized the agent to have prepared by counsel for the
I4J- reserve bank, and to issue to the President and Directors of the
1444hatt
accordance with the telegram.
a4 Company, a limited voting permit in
Approved.
Federal Reserve
Telegram to Mr. Case, Federal Reserve Agent at the
la4lt of
'Iew York, reading as follows:
Trust
00 "The Board has approved the request of the Montclair
March
of
letter
its
17t1113411V, Montclair, New Jersey, contained in
within
time
of
the period
)14: P34, for an extension of 90 days in
agreeits
in
forth
'ea to make the required eliminations as set




880
3/28/34

-3-

ment dated December 28, 1933, in connection with the issuance of
the permit to vote shares of the First National Bank of Cedar Grove,
Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and the Peoples National Bank of Montclair,
Montclair, New Jersey. Please notify Montclair Trust Company."
Approved.
1.1

Letter prepared in accordance with the action taken at the meeting
Of tha executive committee on March 23, 1934, to the chairmen of all
IPIral reserve banks, reading as follows:
"Upon their return from the meeting of the board of trustees
of the retirement system of the Federal reserve banks, Mr. James
and Mr. Van Fossen advised the Board of the decision of the board
2f trustees -to request the Federal reserve banks and the Federal
Ilaserve Board to defray the traveling and subsistence expenses incurred during the first year of the system's operation by the
Members of the board of trustees and of the various committees
of the retirement system. The action of the board of trustees has
Qeen considered by the Federal Reserve Board and it has authorized
the Payment, by the Board's fiscal agent of the expenses of its
aPPointee and of the member elected by its employees, and approves
the Payment by your bank of the expenses of the representatives
°I Your bank and its employees, on the board of trustees and any
Committees of the retirement system of which they may be members,
1°r one year from March 1, 1934.
"It is understood that all of the Federal reserve banks have
opted, or will nut into effect immediately, the requirement
that all new employees pass a physical examination. In view of
he fact that all new regular employees of the Federal Reserve
?oard are required to be members of the retirement system, the
Board has adopted a similar requirement."

r

Approved.
of the
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by four memhers
1/41tr

Reserve Bank of Boston,
t° Mr. Curtiss, Chairman of the Federal
41ag as follows:
Federal Reserve
"Peferring to your letter of March 1, the
directors at their
-411 approves the action taken by your
a contribution be made
eetinC on February 21 in voting that
;
Society
the Federal Reserve Society to be expended by the
r welfare and educational work among the employees of the
u avo._ be approximately the
"& the amount of such contribution to




S&31
3/28/34
"same as the aggregate amount of the dues paii3 by the members
Of the Society in 1933. In this connection the Board notes
from your letter that the dues paid by the members of the
Society in 1933 aggregated about $2,000; also that for several
Years up to December, 1931, it was the usual practice of the
airectors to authorize an annual contribution of $2,500 to
the Society."
Approved.
Telegram dated March 27, 1934, approved by four members of the
13"‘na, to Mr. Fleming, Deputy Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Caeveland, reading as follows:
"Your letter March 23rd to Mr. James has been brought to
attention of Board and it will interpose no objection to rronosed
continuance of
contributory insurance plan with understanding that
expen(Titure on part of Federal reserve bank will be less than
4)100 for one year beginning April 1, 1934. As it is understood
that other Federal reserve banks are also giving consideration
to question of policy involved in continuance of this form of
surance it is asr.mmed that situation will be reviewed and matter
,rouht to Board's attention in ample time for further considerabefore expiration of the new contract if it Should then be
clesired to continue it or any substitute in force."
Approved.
Letter to Mr. Newton, Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve
Of San Francisco, rearling as follows:
re, "Reference is made to Mr. Sargent's letter of February 23, 1934,
of audits,
,rdlng the procedure followed in sub-dtting reports
"n1c11. was re-corted to be as follows:
of
1. Reports covering the various operating departments
bank;
the
of
Cashier
the
Head Office to be addressed to
practice to
any suggestions as to Change in Procedure or
be incorporated therein.
2. Beoorts covering losses of any kind or unusual transacBoard.
tions to be reported to the Chairman of the
30 and.
June
3. Reports submitted at the close of business
of the semiDecember 31 each year, covering a resume
Chairman of the
annual period, to be addressed to the
to the
Board; these reports to include a statement
all departof
made
been
had
effect that periodic audits
ments.




882

q28/34

-5"4.

With the inauguration of branch auditing, it was decided
that the semi-annual audit reports of each branch be addressed to the Chairman of the Board.
"An auditor of a Reserve Bank is responsible through the Chairman of the Board to the Board of Directors, and, while the procedure
as outlined is quite complete, the Board feels that it should be
carried one step farther and that reports of all audits should be
submitted to the Chairman of the Board, copies being furnished, if
desired, to the proper operating officers."
Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the
110ard.,

to Mr. Wood, Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve Bank of
4
' Louis, reading as follows:
"Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of January 26, 1934,
together with its inclosures, regarding the question whether the payment of interest is required under State law on deposits of public
fluids made by or on behalf of the State of Mississippi.
"It appears that Section 4328 of the 1930 Mississippi Code recillires that State funds shall be placed on deposit with the banks
Proposing the best terms, having in view the safety of such funds;
and that Section 4324 provides that any bank receiving deposits
from the State Treasurer shall be required to pay to the State for
the Privilege of holding them, not less than the amount agreed to be
on such deposits, subject to such regulations as are imposed by
law and rules adopted by the State Treasurer.
"On the basis of the information submitted, the Board sees no
reason for differing from the conclusion reached by counsel for
Your bank that the payment of interest is required under State law
nth respect to State funds of the State of Mississippi within
:ne meaning of Section 19 of the Federal Reserve Act, which excepts
4rom the prohibition upon the payment of interest on deposits payable on
demand deposits of public funds with respect to which the
PaYment of interest is required under State law.
It is understood that similar statutory provisions are
,PPlicable to deposits of county funds, and, if so, payment of
14terest on such funds would also come within the exception afore-

Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the

11Q,

' to !Ir. Peyton, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis,
411
t4.411

4e

as follows:




88
3/28/34

-6-

"Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of March 5, 1934,
'ogether with its inclosures, in regard to the question whether
the payment of interest is required under State law with respect
to certain public funds in the State of North Dakota.
"It is understood that the funds of the State of North
Dakota are not here involved and, therefore, no opinion is here
expressed upon the question whether the provisions of Section
714a10 Supp. of the Compiled Laws of North Dakota, require the
PaYment of interest with respect to such funds within the meaning of Section 19 of the Federal Reserve Act as amended.
"In connection with public funds other than those of the
State of North Dakota, it is noted that Section 714a13 Supp.
of the Compiled Laws of North Dakota, provides as follows:
'The rate of interest on all public funds deposited as herein provided shall not exceed two per
cent on daily balances subject to check or draft,
credited monthly, and shall not exceed four per cent
on time deposits. It is the intention of this act
that depositories of public funds in this State
shall pay substantially the same rate of interest
thereon as such banks pay to individual depositories
Upon individnal deposits.'
"It is observed from the opinion of your counsel that the
law formerly prescribed a minimum rate of interest which might
1931
be Paid on such funds, but this requirement was repealed in
Moreforth.
set
above
as
and. the statute was amended to read
with respect
Over, the clause regarding the intention of the Act
this connecin
ation
consider
to the payment of interest deserves
intention
the
with
ty
tion; and it would appear to be in conformi
in
funds
public
on
therein expressed that no interest be paid
ual
individ
upon
t
interes
cases in which banks discontinue paying
.
inuance
discont
dePosits, irrespective of the reason for such
Board
"In view of these considerations, the Federal Reserve
the
by
and
counsel
concurs in the conclusions reached by your
Assistant Attorney General of the State of North Dakota to the
s is not
effect that the payment of interest on such deposit
II
19 of
Section
of
required under State law" within the meaning
1933."
of
Act
Banking
the Federal 'Reserve Act, as amended by the
Approved.
five members of the
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by
likra

Bank of Dallas, reading
to Governor McKinney of the Federal Reserve

4 follows.
1934, together
"This refers to your letter of January 5,
the Herring
with its inclosures, regarding the question whether




884
3/28/34

-7-

"National Bank of Vernon, Texas, may lawfully pay interest on
aeposits of the City of Vernon which are payable on demand.
The determination of the question presented depends upon whether
the payment of interest upon the funds in question is required
Wider State law within the meaning of Section 19 of the Federal
Reserve Act, as amended.
"Under Article 2559 of Vernon's Annotated Texas Statutes
the governing body of every city, town and village in the
State of Texas is authorized to receive sealed proposals for
the custody of city funds from any bank or banker that may
desire to be selected as a depository, and it is provided therein
that any bank or banker desiring to bid shall deliver to the City
Secretary within a certain period after notice that bids will be
received a sealed proposal stating the rate per cent upon daily
b alancesthat such bidder 'offers' to pay to the city, town or
village for the privilege of being made depository of the funds.
Article 2560 of said statute provides that the governing body
Shall select as a depository of such funds the bank or banker
Offering to pay the largest amount for such privilege, but the
governing body is specifically given the right to reject any and
all bids and to readvertise for new proposals. It is understood
that it is the opinion of your counsel that if the governing body
of a city should deposit city funds without attempting to obtain
the Payment of interest thereon, such action would constitute a
violation of the duty imposed upon such governing body by the aforeid provisions of State law, but it appears that the governing
u0kr is under no duty to deposit such funds in accordance with
the procedure set forth therein, and that circumstances might
arise in wl-ich it would be permissible for the governing body to
deposit such funds in banking institutions without interest.
"As you know, the Board ruled in its letter of December 9,
1933, that the payment of interest on funds of the City of Dallas
1,..8 not required by the provisions of the charter of that city.
14 that connection, it will be recalled that the Board stated
that, although Article 2559 of the Texas Statutes appears to
authorize a city to receive proposals from banks stating the
rate which will be paid on daily balances of city funds, the
as it •
Procedure prescribed therein apparently is not mandatory
was not followed by the City of Dallas.
an
"In vier of the foregoing and of the general rule that
construed,
strictly
eXception to a statutory provision should be
it is the view of the Federal Reserve Board that the payment of
interest with respect to deposits of funds of the City of Vernon
Articles 2559
raade in accordance with the procedure set forth in
is not reouired under
4°1- 2560 of Vernon's Annotated Texas Statutes
!
the law of that State within the meaning of Section 19 of the
, a member bank
Pederal Reserve Act, as amended, and, accordingly
are payable
rae,Y not lawfully pay interest on such deposits which
04 demand."




Approved.

885
3/28/

-8Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the Board,

t0 Mr. Newton, Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve Bank of San
?rancisce, reading as follows:
"This refers to Mr. Sargent's letter of January 26, 1934,
regarding the payment of time certificates of derosit before
their maturity in violation of Section IV(b) of the Federal Reserve Beard's Regulation Q. Mr. Sargent states that it has come
to your attention that when the owners of time certificates of
deposit issued by a certain member bank present them for.payment before maturity, arrangements are made by this member bank
with another member bank to purchase or discount these certificates
and hold them until their maturity; and it is understood that you
wish to be advised whether such procedure constitutes an evasion
of the prohibition against the payment of time certificates of
deposit before maturity and also whether a violation of the law
would result where the purchasing bank, in good faith, deals
directly with the drawee of the certificate without the knowledge
and solicitation of the issuing bank.
"It is the opinion of the Board that the mere sale by a
dePositor before maturity of a time certificate of deposit held
by him
to a bank other than the bank issuing such certificate would
not necessarily come within the prohibition against the payment of
time deposits before maturity, but, if the member bank issuing such
certificate should solicit the ether bank to purchase the certificate
with the intent to evade such prohibition and to make available to
tile depositor in substance the funds evidenced by the certificate,
or if the purchase should be made pursuant to an arrangement or
1 derstanding between the bank purchasing the certificate and the
1n
,ark issuing the same, it is the opinion of the Board that such a
t1ransactien would constitute an evasion of the spirit and intent of
°ection 19 of the Federal Reserve Act and of the Board's Regulation
and that it should be regarded as a violation of the prohibition
0
,,f the provision of law forbidding the payment of time deposits belore maturity.
"In the final analysis, the question whether a sale by the
holder before maturity of a time certificate of deposit to a bank
Other than the member bank issuing the same comes within the prohibition of the law against the payment of time deposits before maturity
dePends unon whether the sale is made in good faith or for the pur13°se of evading the prohibition in question. It is not believed
that any general rule can be prescribed to govern all cases, and
each case should be deterrlined on the liasis of its own particular
undertake to
4ets. It would not be practicable for the Board to
deterline such questions as they may arise in individual cases,




S86.
3A8/34

-9-

and the Federal Reserve Board feels that the question whether any
such transaction should be regarded as a payment of a time deposit
before maturity is a matter to be considered by the member bark at
tae time such transaction is proposed and to be determined by such
bank in the exercise of its best judgment and in the light of the
Provisions of the law and of the Board's regulations. However, if
the circumstances with respect to any such transaction are such as
to raise a question as to whether it constitutes a violation of the
prohibition against the payment of time deposits before maturity,
the bank must be prepared to show clearly that such transaction was
not in contravention of the provision of law aforesaid."
Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the
toard

to Mr. Case, Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve Bank
of

York, reading as follows:
"In your letter of November 15, 1933, in which you inclose a
!°Py of a letter from Messrs. root, Clark, Buckner and Ballantine,
1.1.e Question is raised whether Section 32 of the Banking Act of 1933
..13 applicable to certain officers and directors of the Bank of the
lanhattan Company who are also directors of various New York bond
!Ind mortgage companies which are now in the hands of the State Super?Intendent of Insurance. It appears that, under the provisions of the
New York statute, the directors of the bond and mortgage companies
are enjoined by court orders from interfering in any manner in the
Tanagement of the companies which are in the hands of the Superintenasnt as Pehabilitator. Messrs. Root, Clark, Buckner and Ballantine
suggest that, although the directors in question still bear the title
(3f their office, they should not be regarded as 'officers, directors
or
managers' within the meaning of Section 32.
"The Board is of the opinion that the words quoted have referAce to persons who manage, direct, or control the affairs of a cor?oration or who have authority to do so, and that, if a person bearthe title of director has been deprived by law or by court order
power of control and management, the section is not applicable
4
all
,

‘6
"However, the Board has not been furnished with sufficient information regarding the practical effect of the statutory provisions
court orders referred to by Messrs. Root, Clark, Buckner and
4°allantine to be able to decide definitely whether Section 32 is
still applicable to the directors in question. Possibly, the preecling discussion will enable you to answer the Question raised;
ullt, if you desire a definite ruling, it would be appreciated if
s c)11 WOIlld submit the matter to the Board with such addational inforulation and comments as the counsel for your bank may deem necessary




887
3/28/34

-10-

"in the light of this letter."
Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the Board,
t0 Mr.

R. E. Shepherd, Vice President of Montgomery Investors, Inc., Norrist°71111 Pennsylvania, reading as follows:
"Reference is made to your letter of August 15, 1933, regarding
the applicability of Section 32 of the Banking Act of 1933 to the ser!ice of directors of member banks of the Federal Reserve System as
airectors of Montgomery Investors, Inc.
"It appears from the information contained in your letter and from
the sample
contract inclosed by you that Montgomery Investors, Inc., is
an organization engaged primarily in effecting the sale on the installment plan of shares of Nation-Wide Securities Company. Under the cir!"astances, it would seem that Montgomery Investors, Inc., is a corpora'engaged primarily in the business of purchasing, selling, or
negotiating securities' and that the service of directors or officers
cf member banks as directors or officers of that corporation would be
Prohibited by the provisions of Section 32 unless such service were
covered by permits issued by the Federal reserve Board.
"In the circumstances, it is sus,:gested that you communicate with
tlie Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia,
who will be in a position to advise you further regarding the necessity
of
,
Obtaininf,
: permits and the procedure to be followed in making applica
tion therefor."
Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the Board,

4.1„.
CY1-1-ls H. Adams, Chicago, Illinois, reading as follows:
applica,
t, "The Federal Reserve Board has given consideration to your
serve
to
permit
a
for
1933
2.0n under Section 32 of the Banking Act of
'7 the same time as a director of First National Bank of Lake Forest,
„ake Forest, Illinois, and as officer and director of Lee Higginson
Poration, a dealer in securities, of Chicago, Illinois.
was
"The Federal Reserve Board has reached the conclusion that it
the 2
reall
terminate
1
1.
,..ntent
of the Congress in enacting Section 32 to
in securidjlonships of certain types between member banks and dealers
tend to
might
relationships
i ies, apparently because it felt that such
to
advice
policies and their
trilence the banks' credit and investment
in
respecting investments
4eir correspondent banks and other customers




888
3128/34

-11-

a manner which the Congress deemed to be incompatible with the public interest. The Board accordingly feels that it may not properly
grant per-lits authorizing relationships which are actually of the
kind referred to in that section, and that its authority to issue
Permits should be exercised only in exceptional cases; for example,
those which are included within the literal terms of the statute
but Which are actually of a kind different from those at which its
provisions were directed.
"It appears that Lee Higginson Corporation is primarily engaged
in the underwriting and distribution of securities and that, therefore,
the relationship covered by your application is within the class which
that section was designed to terminate. Acco,.dingly, the Board is unable to find that it would not be incompatible with the public interest
as declared by the Congress to grant your application, even though nothing has been called to its attention which would reflect in any degree
"on your desirability as a director of the bank, except that the relationship covered by your application is within the prohibitions of
Section 32.
"In the event that you desire to submit further facts or arguments in support of your application, the Board is prepared to give
them careful consideration. However, any such additional facts or
arguments should be submitted as promptly as possible, in writing,
through the Federal Reserve Agent."
Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the Board,
tc)141% David A. Edgar, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reading as follows:
"The Federal Reserve Board has given consideration to your
?Pplieation Tinder Section 32 of the Banking Act of 1933 for a permit
t? serve at the same time as a director of the Marine National Exlilange Bank of Milwaukee, and as director and officer of Edgar,
lcker et Company, a dealer in securities, both of Milwaukee, Wise011ein.
"The Federal Reserve Board has reached the conclusion that it
Was
. the intent of the Congress in enacting Section 32 to terminate
11 relationships of certain types between member banks and dealers
!
4!1 securities, apparently because it felt that such relationships
11tht tend to influence the banks' credit and investment policies
.
21d their advice to their correspondent banks and other customers
;especting investments in a manner which the Congress deemed to be
tlaccmpatible with the Public interest. The Board accordingly feels
I
hat it may not properly grant permits authorizing relationships
that
ich are actually of the kind referred to in that section, and
exceptional
in
5
only
"'
authority to issue permits should be exercised

1

n




889
3/28/34

. -12-

cases; for example, those which are included within the literal terms
of the statute but which are actually of a kind different from those at
Which its provisions were directed.
"It appears that Edgar, Ricker & Company is primarily engaged in
the purchasing, selling, and negotiating of securities and that therefore the relationship covered by your application is within the class
Which that section was designed to terminate. Accordingly, the Board
is unable to find that it would not be incompatible with the public
interest as declared by the Congress to grant your application, even
though nothing has been called to its attention which would reflect in
any degree upon your desirability as a director of the bank, except
that the relationship covered by your application is within the prohibitions of Section 32.
"In the event that you desire to submit further facts or arguments in support of your application, the Board is prepared to give
them careful consideration. However, any such additional facts or
arguments should be submitted as promptly as possible, in writing,
through the Federal Reserve Agent."
Approved.
Letter dated March 27, 1934, approved by five members of the Board,
to
'r. Stevens, Federal Reserve Agent at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago,

NAA4
--Lialg as follows:
"Your letter of January 19, 1934, and the previous correspondence
re
4 Cardin; the application of Mr. rarwell Winston under Section 32 of
Bamking Act of 1933, raises primarily the question whether the
var'Ying of what are commonly known as margin accounts by brokers in)lves the making of 'loans secured by stock or bond collateral' with:
44 the meaning of Section 8A of the Clayton Act.
"As you state in your letter, if the relationship covered by Mr.
riinston's application is prohibited by Section 8A of the Clayton Act,
:Permit
8
issued under Section 32 of the Banking Act of 1933 would
”rve no useful purpose. See the Board's letter of December 22, 1933
°!-7734).
"It appears from your letter and the inclosures, including a copy
of the letter of the General Counsel of your bank, and of the forms
11;!ed in connection with such transactions by the brokerage firm in
ioh Mr. Wirston is a partner, that the margin accounts are carried
4 substantially the following manner:
"The customer deposits with the broker margin in the form of
or sell certain
ash or securities, and orders the broker to purchase
!
furnishes the
and
order
lecurities for him. The broker executes the
are
securities
The
alance required for the execution of the order.

c




890
3/28/34
-13-

II

acquired or sold by the broker for the account and risk of the
customer, but all securities in the account are held by the broker.
The customer authorizes the broker to pledge, as collateral for any
indebtedness of the broker, all securities thus held by the broker,
and such pledge may be for a greater sum than the amount which the
customer owes to the broker. The broker usually avails himself of
this right, in whole or in part, in order to supply himself with
funds with which to carry out the orders thus received from his customer. The broker has the right to close the customer's account by
sale or purchase, as the case may be, whenever he deems it necessary
to protect himself from loss on the customer's obligation. Since the
securities are purdhased or sold for the account and risk of the
customer, he is liable to the broker for any deficiency remaining
after the closing of the account. Likewise, any appreciation in the
value of the securities bought and any income therefrom during the
life of the account are the property of the customer. Securities
thus held by the broker for the account of the customer, except those
issued in bearer form, are usually issued in the name of a broker and
indorsed in blank in order to facilitate handling.
"After careful consideration, the Federal Reserve Board has
reached, the conclusion that the opinion of your counsel is correct
that, in carrying margin accounts in which are held stocks or bonds
in the manner described above, the broker makes loans to his customers
secured by stock or bond collateral' within the meaning of Section
8A of the Clayton Act, and that therefore that section will be applicable to the service of ITr. Winston as a director of the national bank
and as a partner in the brokerage firm.
"Additional support for this view is furnished by the legislative
history of the Banking Act of 1933 and of Section 33 of that Act, which
added Section BA to the Clayton Act, since it appears that one of the
PrilllarY purposes of that Act was to check the excessive diversion of
I redit from commerce and industry to speculative uses on stock exchanges.
Targin accounts, and the broke,.0 .loans b which they were financed to
a large extent, constituted some of the principal ways in which credit
was made available for such speculation; and therefore an interpretation of Section 8A based on the conclusion that the carrying of margin
accounts does not involve the making of loans secured by stock or bond
collateral within the meaning of that section would defeat, in a large
rileas-ore, its purpose.
"Although the Board is authorized, to issue permits under certain
circumstances covering relationships otherwise prohibited by any proof the Clayton Act, the provision of Section 8 which authorizes
the Board to issue permits refers only to banking institutions of cer,fain classes, with the result that, unless the brokerae firm of which
'Ir. Winston is a partner is such an institution, the Board would have
110 authority to issue such a permit."




Approved.

891
3/28/34

-14Mr. Hamlin, as Chairman of the Committee on District No. 3,

reported that the Committee met yesterday following the meeting of the
13clard with the
directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and
cleeided to recommend to the Board that the Philadelphia bank be advised
that
the Federal Reserve Board is still of the opinion that the official
'taff of the bank needs strengthening, but that as the board of directors
feel that no changes, other than those recommended by the directors, are
11"esearY at the present time, and as they are primarily responsible for
the sa
tisfactory operation of the bank, the Board approves the salaries
f4ecl. by the directors at the annual rates shown below:
C. A. McIlhenny
Davis
Donaldson
Morris

Deputy Governor, Cashier, and
Secretary
Assistant Deputy Governor
Assistant Deputy Governor
Assistant Cashier

$13,200
10,000
5,000
5,000

onnection with the committee report, Mr. Morrill read a memoranc'um
"3111itted to the committee by "!r. ririnnen,Federal Reserve Examiner, under
(i4te of March 28, 1934.
The salaries above referred to were voted
on separately and approved, Messrs. Miller and
Szymczak voting "no" on the salaries of Messrs.
McIlhenny and Donaldson, and the Secretary was
requested to prepare a letter to Yr. Austin,
Chairman of the Philadelphia bank, in accordance
with the recommendation of the Committee on
District No. 3.
Mr• James stated that, in accordance with the action taken at the
of the Board yesterday, he and Mr. Szymczak had met as a committee
k(1.11„,

considered the telegram received from Governor Calkins under date

membership from banks
4"1 26, 1934, with regard to applications for




892
3/28/34

-15-

ill Alaska and Hawaii; that the committee had reviewed the report of
exalanation of the First National Bank of Ketchikan, Alaska, made as of
22, 1932, and the information submitted in October 1933 by the
Cashier of the bank to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; that,
48 it is apparent that no material change has taken place in the unsatisfee
t°17 condition of the bank since the last examination, the committee
felt that no useful Purpose would be served in making another examination
'
et

this time in connection with the bank's application for membership; and

that the committee desired to recommend that it be suggested to Governor
Calk.
ifle that he discuss the matter with the cashier of the national bank
Ilith the thou.tht that he will prefer to withdraw the application, which
11(114 obviate the necessity of the Board's taking adverse action with rehereto, it being understood that this action will not prevent the
4i1ing an application for membership at a later date when improvement
14 ite condition warrants consideration of such application.

Mr. James

e414c1 that, apparently, the only reason the bank has for desiring member111AID is in

order to become eligible for insurance of deposits by the Feder-

Posit Insurance Corporation.
The recommendation of the committee was
approved, Mr. Thomas voting "no".
In explanation of his vote Mr. Thomas
stated that he felt the Federal Reserve Board
should admit to membership as many banks as
the condition of the applicants will permit,
and that for that reason the matter should be
left open and the application of the bank considered on the basis of a current report of
examination.
11r. James called attention to the fact that according to the advice
`
t)11t

lied in Governor Calkin0 telegram, counsel for the Federal Peserve




893
3/28/34

-16-

Of San Francisco will return from Hawaii on March 29, and if he
has

44Y additional information with regard to banks in that territory

ernor Calkins will forward it to the Board for consideration.
With regard to the informal request from the Reconstruction Fi4841
"Corporation for an expression from the Board as to what its position
1c)/11c1 be upon an application for membership from a new national bank to be
° g11 ized
in the Virgin Islands, Mr. James stated that the committee felt
that
the Federal Reserve System would not be in a position to make available
to
'
e proposed new bank the services which are incident to the membership

of

in the United States and that apparently the only reason for the
"G of the application would be to comply with the condition imposed by

the,
"
- econstruction Finance Corporation that the bank become a member of
the system.

After discussion, Mr. Szymczak moved that
the Reconstruction Finance Corporation be advised
informally that, in the absence of a formal application and the information which should be
supplied to the Board in connection therewith,
the Board is unable to express any opinion with
regard to the admission of the bank to membership,
but that it will be glad to give careful consideration to an application if and when submitted.
Carried.
Szymczak stated that the committee had also given consideratiolat

the advisability of continuing the employment of Mr. Pole as
lb
Adviser to the Board and had decided to submit the matter to the
)104ra f
or its decision.
At the conclusion of the ensuing discussion,
it was decided that, in the absence of developments




-17requiring the continuation of the services of
Mr. Pole, his employment will be terminated on
April 13, 1934.
reference was made to the memorandum dated March 16, 1934, from
41*' James, which
was considered at the meeting of the Executive Committee
(34118 ch 23, and Mr. James stated that, at the request of the Comptroller
Of
the
Currency, !tr. William P. Folger, Chief National Bank Examiner, disellased with him
(Mr. James) yesterday the matter of the organization in
the office of
the Comptroller of the Currency of a department for the supervi8i°4 of the examination of trust departments of national banks, and that
P°1ger had advised that the Comptroller's office was undertaking to
1.113 such
a aenartment, but that the office had been so busy with other
41Ltter,„
- "11ring the past year or more that little had been accomplished in
thai.
airection and
that, while additional examiners had been employed who
itave
special qualifications for making such examinations, no report could
be
11144e at this time as to when the organization of the department would be
"fectei

Mr. Folger had also stated, Mr. James said, that he realized

Nay the
responsibility of the Comptroller's office in seeing that adequate
e4raIllaticIns of trust departments are made and that active consideration
W°111a be
given to the organization of a department for the supervision of
that work.
At the request of Mr. O'Connor, Mr. F. G. Await, Deputy Comptroller
Of

the

1)eill

ClIrrency, and 'tr. Folger were invited into the meeting and the steps
taken by the Comptroller's office to discharge its responsibility in

e°14Iection

with the examination of trust departments of national banks were




.71C
3/28/34

-38-

l'eviewed, it being pointed out by Mr. Await that, because of the banking
11°1iclaY and the demand made upon national examiners in connection with the
elftainations made by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the plans
fc)r the
tl'Ust

establishment of an adequate procedure for the examinations of

departments had not been fully formulated.

Mr. O'Connor stated that

the past seven months his office had been conducting a campaign in
ala

attempt to obtain a discontinuance of the practice of banks investing

tIsilst funds in securities purchased from their commercial departments, and
that considerable
progress had been made in this regard.
Some of the members of the Board expressed the opinion that there
i8 4

definite responsibility on the part of the Federal Feserve Board in

'
I eeard to
securing adequate examinations of trust departments of national

bank
'
2 and

suggested that the Board would be willing to cooperate with the

ecftaPtr
oller's office in setting up a procedure to provide for the making
Of

811ell examinations. In tlds connection, it was pointed out that under
the,
vr°visions of the last paragraPh of section 21 of the Federal Reserve
Act, A.„
-- amended, the Comptroller of the Currency is required to assess
--',
alr„
national banks exercising trust powers the cost of examining the
dePartments, and it was stated by Mr. Folger that provision had been
kade r,
-r taking care of the expense of this work.
At the conclusion of the .1.iscussion, it was
unerstood that the Comptroller's office would take
immediate steps to complete the plans which have
been under consideration for the establishment of a
department for the supervision of examinations of
trust departments of national banks, and that the
Board would be advised currently of the action
taken in this connection.




896.
-19-

6/28/34

Reference was made again to the question of the action to be
tr-o-4.en

With regard to the three employees whom the Board agreed to con-

tinue on the -)a7.71.011 of the Federal Reserve Issue and Pedemption Divifor a further period of three months from January 1, 1934, in order
to afford
the Comptroller of the Currency an orroortunity to arrange to

transfer
them to the payroll of his office. 'Tr. Await stated that the
Coniptroller's office had been unable to obtain the necessary appropriatio4 to
cover the salaries of the employees, that it was planned to recertain divisions in the Comptroller's office, which would make
it lx)ssible to dispense with the service of these employees in the ISSIIR
'Ion of that office so that they could be returned to the Federal
ve Issue and 'Redemption Division, but, inasmuch as their services are pr,..

needed in that Division, arrangements night be made to transfer

()lie
tae

to the Insolvent Banks Division of the Comptroller's office

coMptometer onerator, and that it might be possible to make provisiorl
'L(31" one of the other two.
At the conclusion of the ensuing discussion,
Messrs. James and O'Connor were appointed a committee to look into the matter and submit a recommen'ation to the Board as to the manner in which
it should be disposed of.
Messrs. Await and FolEer left the meeting at this point.
to tlie

11r. James, Chairman of the Committee on .District
No. 1], referred
re si,;nation submitted under date of January 30, 1934, of 'fr. E. A.

,
11e-

as a director of the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. of
' and recommended appointment by the Board of Tfr. W. K. Morrow,




3/28/34

-20-

dent of the Standard :P.ice Milling Company, as a director of the
131
'
84411 for the unexpired portion of the term ending December 31, 1936,
to succeed Mr. Peden.

He also stated that in a letter addressed to

the 80ard by 'Tr. Walsh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal
11"erve Bank of Dallas, under date of February 7, 1934, Mr. Morrow was
azaed as the first suggestion of the board of directors of the Dallas
11114cas a successor to Mr. Peden, and that he had discussed the matter
with
other parties in the Houston territory who recommended the appointof Mr. Morrow as a representative of the rice milling industry.
11r. Thomas, the other member of the Committee on District No. 11,
stated
that the letter dated February 7 from the Chairman of the Federal

R-Aft
..aerser

"e Jidank of Dallas, transmitting the resignation of Mr. Peden and

I stiIle
Mr. Morrow as first suggestion of the directors, had been received
th A
e -oardls offices and referred to him during the absence of Mr. Janes,
szid, n
(:)t kn"inganyone in the Houston territory with whom he could confer,

he 10,,
"discussed the matter with !Tr. Jesse Jones, Chairman of the Recon-

81411aticln Finance Corporation, who Ivo recommended Mr. Sam Taxi)), of
11°1-lit 21,
who is in the wholesale tobacco business; that upon receipt of
this
l'e"ralleadation he had discussed 'Ir. Taub with Mr. Walsh and Governor
44e,Y, who advised that Mr. Taub previously had been considered for ap13°i/ltraent
by the Dallas bank as a director of the Houston branch but was

to

be ineligible as he was at that time a director of a commercial

bawl.

that his name had been inadvertently omitted from the letter of
' and that it was felt be would be a desirable director.
7

7.4°148-8.tlien

Mr.

stated that, in view of these circumstances, he desired to




898
3/28/34

-21-

recommena

Mr. Taub for appointment as a successor to Mr. Peden.
Governor Black stated that the names of
Mr. W. K. Morrow and Mr. Sam Taub were in
nomination for appointment as a director of the
Tiouston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Dallas for the unexpired portion of the term
ending December 31, 1936. Votes were cast by
the members present with the following result:
Messrs. Miller, Thomas, Szymczak
and O'Connor.
For Mr. Morrow: Governor Black, Messrs. Hamlin
and James.

For Mr. Taub:

Governor Black declared Mr. Taub elected as
a director of the Houston branch for the unexpired
portion of the term ending December 31, 1936.
Mr. Morrill then presented a mellorandum dated March 27 from Mr.
Ukme
3r) chief telegraph operator, reporting that Mr. James E. Tanner,
44 °Perator in
the Washington office, reported for duty yesterday morning
11111d* the

influence of liquor.

Mr. Morrill stated that, in view of the

ei"lanitstances set forth in the memorandum, it is recommended that, as a
cli8eiAlinary measure, Mr. Tanner be furloughed for one month without
84417 b
eginninE March 27, and that he be advised d efinitely that a repetitiO
4 of the offense will not be countenanced under any circumstances
411t1 Will result in immediate dismissal. Mr. Morrill also stated that if
the .„
'uove recommendation were approved it would be necessary to engage
to take Mr. Tanner's place during his absence, authority for
Whicu
'
4 was requested.
Tecommendation approved and authority for
temporary employment of another operator granted.
There were then presented the following applications for original
°nal stock, or for the sur-ender of stock, of Federal reserve banks:




3/28/34
—22—
k:Ilication for
ORIGINAL Stock:
District ro. 4.
1Tational Bank of Union City,
Iirlion City, Pennsylvania
A
„Mcations for ADDITIONAL Stock:
g.
First National Bank of Appleton,
Appleton, Minnesota
'ecurity National Bank of Hopkins,
Iiopkins, Minnesota
411e Continental National Bank of Harlowton,
„ 4arlowton,
Montana
'4e First
National Bank of Groton,
Groton, South Dakota
-°"of Southern
Utah,
Cedar City, Utah
lications for SURRENDER of Stock:
CtNol
Pirst National Bank of Fort Kent,
Fort Kent,
Maine
1831,ere National Bank in Houlton,
„
,zle110111ton, Maine
Berlin National Bank,
hrlin, New Hampshire
strict No
2
%Pirst National Bank of Trenton,
.'renton (Barneveld P.O.) New York
Westside National Bank of West Paterson,
qt. hat
Paterson, New Jersey
‘41elsIational Bank of Newport,
Rewport, New York
-4rict n).
4.
National
Bank in Carrollton,
Ohio
4tiona1
Bank
of Union City,
Ukto
The
4 City, Pennsylvania
li'lrst National Bank of Moundsville,
°Iltaaville, West Virginia

Shares

74

74

1
15

18

40

30
Total

30
70

78
72
120

270

32
68
39

139

g4

75
120
42

237

360

360

latri
Tile
- -et

No. 5.
rilers National Baia 8c Trust Co. of
5t°11-.Sa1era, Winston—Salem, N. C.




npo
3/28/34
lications for SURRENDER of Stock:

(Continued.)
. Shares

The Galva First
National Bank,
Galva,
The Pirst
National Bank of Cresco,
Cresco Iowa

60

District No. 8.
The First
National Bank of Mansfield,
Mazsfield, Arkansas
4.z1e
Security National Bank of Jackson,
Jackson, Tennessee

20

District No. 10.
711e Parmers National Bank of Cherokee,
C
herokee, Oklahoma
yirst National Bank of Waynoka,
Ilraylloka, Oklahoma

30

51

84

17

milistrict No. 11.
Pearsall National Bank in Pearsall,
?earaall, Texas

21
Total

111

104

47

21
1,289

Approved.

Thereupon the meeting adjourned.

(INV:APPKi;k41k.17)
ecretary.
° ad:




L'S
:Governor.