FOMC Minutes

A meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee was held in

the offices of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

in Washington on Tuesday,

PRESENT:

July 17, 1956,

at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Martin, Chairman

Mr. Balderston

Mr. Johns

Mr. Mills

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Powell

Shepardson

Treiber

Vardaman

Fulton, Alternate

Williams, Alternate

Messrs. Bryan and Leedy, Alternate Members,

Federal Open Market Committee

Messrs. Leach, Irons, and Mangels, Presidents of

the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond, Dallas,

and San Francisco, respectively

Mr.

E. C. Harris, First Vice President, Federal

Reserve Bank of Chicago

Mr. Riefler, Secretary

Mr. Thurston, Assistant Secretary

Mr. Vest, General Counsel

Mr. Thomas, Economist

Messrs. Abbott, Parsons, Roelse, and Young,

Associate Economists

Mr. Rouse, Manager, System Open Market Account

Mr. Carpenter, Secretary, Board of Governors

Mr. Sherman, Assistant Secretary, Board of

Governors

Mr. Miller, Chief, Government Finance Section,

Division of Research and Statistics, Board

of Governors

Mr. Gaines, Manager, Securities Department,

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Upon motion duly made and seconded,

and by unanimous vote, the minutes of the

7/17/56

-2.

meeting of the Federal Open Market Com

mittee held on June 26, 1956, were ap

proved.

Chairman Martin stated that advice had been received of the

election of Mr. Treiber as a member of the Federal Open Market Com

mittee for the month of July 1956, succeeding Mr. Sproul whose resigna

tion became effective June 30, 1956, and that Mr.

Treiber had taken

the oath of office for this position.

Before this meeting there had been distributed to the members

of the Committee a report covering open market operations during the

period June 26 through July 11, 1956, and at this meeting a supple

mentary report covering commitments executed July 12 through July 16,

1956, inclusive, was distributed.

Copies of both reports have been

placed in the files of the Committee.

Mr. Rouse referred to the current Treasury refunding (an offer

ing of 12-1/2 month 2-3/4 per cent notes in exchange for $12,388 million

2 per cent notes due August 15, 1956 and $550 million 1-1/2 per cent

notes due October 1, 1956), stating that it

now appeared likely that

there would be a fair amount of attrition because of the desire of

many holders of maturing securities to receive cash rather than the

new issues.

Mr. Rouse also referred to a sale of three million bales

of cotton by Commodity Credit Corporation for which payment was to be

received on August 1 and to the fact that this sale would be financed

partly through bankers'

acceptances and partly through bank loans.

He

stated that while this operation would not affect the reserve position

7/17/56

-3

of banks,

since the CCC would have to make payment on a similar

dollar amount of guaranteed crop loans on August 1, it

might have

an effect on the rate structure since the total financing cost for

bankers'

acceptances would approximate 4 per cent or about the same

as the rate that would be charged by banks on loans to prime borrowers

on this collateral.

Mr. Rouse did not feel that the banks were likely

to raise their prime rate, but he thought there was some chance that

the acceptance rate would be increased.

Mr. Rouse also stated, in

response to a question, that he thought there was no likelihood that

the banks would reduce the 1-1/2 per cent commission fee on acceptances.

Upon motion duly made and seconded,

and by unanimous vote, the open market

transactions during the period June 26

through July 16, 1956, inclusive, were

approved, ratified, and confirmed.

Chairman Martin called upon Mr. Young who made a statement on

the economic situation substantially as follows:

Economic activity recently has been showing broad

strength, with most recent data confirming an upward tilt

to the over-all trend. Broad strength also appears a

characteristic of economic conditions abroad. Wholesale

prices domestically have been relatively stable for two

months now, but average consumer prices have shown more

upslant than for some time. Abroad in industrial countries,

Credit demands

trends of average prices continue upward.

throughout the economy remain very active and business and

financial sentiment feature an optimistic tone.

Thus far,

the impact of the steel strike appears to have been limited

to the steel industry and closely related activities.

The most recently reported facts merit brief review:

1.

The big statistical news is a revision of the GNP

estimates.

These show that the decline in activity from 1953

to 1954 was somewhat more moderate than shown by previous

estimates and that the recovery from mid-1954 to the third

quarter was larger than earlier estimates indicated. The

quarter-to-quarter changes since the third quarter are about

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7/17/56

the same for the two estimates.

The revised first

quarter

GNP estimate comes to $403 billion, which compares with

$399 billion under the old estimate. The revised second

quarter estimate reaches $107 billion, compared with a pre

liminary $402 billion on the old basis.

2.

In the rise of GNP from the first

to the second

quarter this year, most components were up. The important

exceptions were consumer durables, mainly automobiles, and

residential construction.

$32

3. Personal income on the new basis probably averaged

billion in the second quarter, up $4 billion from the

first

quarter. Major income shares, except farming, all

rose further; farm income showed little

change but was below

last

year by about 7 per cent,

4.

Industrial production in June is tentatively esti

mated at 141.

This is down from May but still

within the

range of the past ten months.

5. The decline in output at factories and mines from

May to June reflects a combination of lower steel production

and a slight reduction in textile, rubber, and leather products

output. Reduced output in these lines was offset in part by

some rise in output of producers' equipment and building

materials.

6. Retail trade in June remained at the record May high.

For the whole second quarter, retail sales probably averaged

close to the volume of the fourth quarter of last year despite

quarter

reduced levels of auto sales, and above the first

Sales at nondurable goods stores were especially

average.

strong. June sales at department stores were slightly above

May levels and, so far in July, sales at department stores

look up a little

from June.

Business sales in May generally showed a definite

7.

upswing after six months of modest up and down movement.

At the end of May the book value of business inventories

was up $7 billion, or 9 per cent above a year ago, partly

Inventory sales ratios

reflecting a higher price level.

have been quite stable in recent months, after rising in

late 1955 and early 1956, and, except for automobiles, are

below the average for the period since 1951. Auto

still

mobile inventories at dealers declined over 200,000 units

over May and June.

The dollar volume of residential construction

8.

activity has been receding, and the latest figures show a

At the same time, housing

further very modest decline.

starts hold at an annual rate of about 1.1 million units.

Most recent reports on housing vacancies confirm that a

-5relatively low vacancy rate continues. Also, field reports

from builders continue to indicate a conservative inventory

of unsold houses. Advances in rents for May were the largest

reported for any month since 1953; moreover, advances were

reported for more cities than in any month since that time.

Mortgage lending in the second quarter was down from high

first quarter rate of last year but about at the fall rate

of 1954.

9. Business construction activity featured mixed trends

in June with commercial construction down and industrial con

struction up strongly. Total construction held close to the

record May rate.

10. Nonfarm employment in June was at a new peak of 51.4

million persons, up 1.4 million from a year ago. Manufactur

ing employment has declined somewhat since the end of last year

(with production workers down and salaried workers up), but

there were more than compensating gains in employment in finance,

service, construction, and State and local government.

11. Unemployment at mid-June stood at 2.9 million, up

300,000 from May, but the increase was largely seasonal. Un

employment claims were somewhat higher than last year in auto

producing states, but generally lower in other areas. The

number of long-term unemployed, those seeking work 15 weeks or

longer, was at last fall levels.

12. Average hourly earnings in manufacturing have continued

to rise this year, and in June at factories were 2-1/2 per cent

above beginning of year earnings, and 6 per cent over a year ago.

Average weekly earnings, while up from a year ago, have shown

little

gain this year because of a drop in average hours of work.

13. Average wholesale prices declined slightly from mid

May to mid-June, have risen slightly since then, and are 3-1/2

The significant price develop

per cent higher than a year ago.

ment of the past two months is that there have been fewer ad

vances and more mark downs of industrial prices than in earlier

months of the year. Prices of basic commodities, except copper,

which had been showing weakness, have strengthened over the past

month. Farm prices early in June were up 10 per cent from

December and about at year ago levels. Since early June, farm

price changes have been about offsetting, with the average

steady.

14.

Consumer prices rose in

May-the largest one-month

rise in two years. Higher prices for foods, services such as

rents, and used cars, contributed to the rise. A further rise

in

consumer prices is

expected to be shown by the June index.

Consumer prices at mid-June will probably average a little more

than 1 per cent above a year ago; prices paid by farmers for

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family living expenses have recently been reported to be

2 per cent higher.

15.

The Dun and Bradstreet survey of business expec

tations taken before the steel strike showed widespread

confidence in business prospects for coming months but with

some widening divergence in views.

Optimists increased in

frequency, the first

increase in a year, but so did the

pessimists; thus, the no-change proportion declined. The

most striking shift in sentiment related to inventory

positions; the proportion expecting higher inventories de

clined and the proportion expecting lower inventories in

creased.

As for the steel strike itself,

a few comments may be

useful:

(1) A strike terminated shortly will not greatly affect

prospects.

(2) If the strike lasts a month industrial production,

because of primary and secondary output effects, will be re

duced 5 to 6 index points.

Towards the close of the month,

shortage effects will begin to be marked in railroad equip

ment, heavy construction, and public works.

An extension of

the strike into August would lower industrial production a

further and have aggravated effects on the activities

little

mentioned.

Incomes of about 600,000 steel workers have been

(3)

affected directly and of a good many thousand secondary

workers indirectly. Some strikers are receiving vacation

pay for the time being and nonstriking workers in the steel

industry and workers in secondary industries affected are

Thus, some cushion

eligible for unemployment compensation.

to the income contraction effects is operative. But the

income effects will cumulate as the period of strike is

extended.

(4) A strike extending into August could well cause

for the third quarter.

GNP to decline a little

One of the important impacts of the strike will be

(5)

its downward effect on the rate of business inventory invest

ment. The longer the strike runs, the greater will be the

downward effect on stocks and the subsequent upward effect

or demand to replenish them.

(6) Steel price advances averaging about $9 a ton have

been announced by mills continuing in operation. If this

price rise is the one determined upon by the industry after

strike settlement, it will have the effect of raising the

average of all commodity prices at wholesale by .5 per cent.

Other price raising

This will be the direct price effect.

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7/17/56

effects will occur as steel users, where demand conditions

permit, pass along higher steel prices in higher prices

for fabricated steel items.

Mr.

Thomas said that indications of strength in

the economy

both here and abroad were revealed by the analysis of business de

velopments and that these indications of strength were supported by

recent credit developments in

the United States.

There has been a

large volume of new corporate securities issues, the total for the

first

$4.8

seven months of this year approximating $6 billion against

billion last

year and a smaller amount in

1954.

Pressures in

the corporate securities market have been indicated by a continuation

of yields at relatively high levels during May and June.

State and

local issues of new securities also were larger during the first

of this year than last although less than in 1954.

half

There has been a

large accumulation of unsold securities issues in dealers' inventories.

The stock market continues strong with rising prices approaching pre

vious highs and with some increase in trading activity.

Treasury expenditures were somewhat larger and receipts

slightly less than previous estimates but a cash surplus of over $5

billion still was shown for the fiscal year ending in June 1956.

During the first half of July, both receipts and expenditures have

been higher than estimates.

New Treasury borrowing of $2 - $2-1/2

billion probably will be needed during August.

Loans at city banks declined in the three weeks ending July 11,

after having risen sharply in the first three weeks of June and bank

7/17/56

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holdings of Government securities continued to decline.

credit during the past six weeks, however,

Total bank

showed a net increase

compared with a decrease last year; loans increased less than last

year, but holdings of Government securities decreased much less than

in the corresponding weeks of last year, reflecting bank purchases

of securities during the tax period this year.

creased in June more than seasonally,

The money supply in

and during the first half of

1956 the annual rate of increase was about 1-1/4 per cent.

first

half of July deposits at city banks declined.

In the

Turnover of

money has increased substantially in the past year, probably 5 or 6

per cent.

Businesses evidently have used available funds more actively

than in the earlier period and have drawn down on both their cash and

their holdings of Government securities in addition to increasing their

borrowings since the beginning of this year.

Bank reserves have fluctuated widely in recent weeks,

ing to a considerable extent unusually erratic variations in

in Treasury balances at the Federal Reserve Banks.

reflect

float and

Mr. Thomas referred

to projections of bank reserves contained in a staff memorandum on The

Outlook for Treasury Cash Requirements dated July 13, 1956, copies of

which were distributed at this meeting.

Net borrowed reserves have

averaged well below $200 million in each of the past four weeks,

he

said, and are expected to be around $250 million this statement week

and $200 million next week.

In order to maintain net borrowed reserves

around the $200 million level and to provide for a 3 per cent per annum

7/17/56

-9

growth in

deposits, as well as to take care of seasonal changes in

deposits and currency, Mr.

Thomas said that the System probably would

need to purchase $200 to $300 million of securities per month from

July through November and about $600 million in

of year-end needs.

December to take care

Should the Committee feel that a more restrictive

credit policy was called for, purchases would, of course, be smaller.

Chairman Martin next called upon Mr. Treiber who comented

on the economic situation and credit policy along the following lines:

The steel strike, of course, darkens the horizon and

poses many unknowns.

Except for the strike, business activ

ity appears to be expanding and the outlook appears strong.

Consumer demand has strengthened; automobile inventories

have been reduced; other retail inventories have attained a

better balance; business capital outlays are very high; total

employment has attained a record peak; and residential con

struction apparently is stabilizing at a high level.

Prices in general are firm, with retail

prices advancing.

We may expect an increase in steel prices. Whatever the wage

settlement in the steel industry, it is likely to be emulated

in other industries.

There is likely to be a cost-price push

with a gradual increase in the price of manufactured goods.

The demand for bank credit will probably continue high,

although it is likely to be reduced temporarily as a result

of inventory liquidation. The fourth quarter is expected to

bring a renewed demand.

There appears to be a heavy demand

for new capital in the corporate and municipal markets.

should not relax credit restraint any further.

We

In the last three weeks, member banks' borrowing from

the Federal Reserve Banks has averaged about 3/4 of a billion

dollars while net borrowed reserves have averaged about $150

million.

The money market has been easier than expected,

easier than planned. A substantial amount of reserves was

released to offset an expected contraction in float, but

float did not contract as expected.

Offsetting action re

sulted in large sales of Treasury bills

by the System follow

ing shortly upon large purchases.

In May we were plagued with the opposite problem. Then

the actual statistics had a way of turning out more severe

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7/17/56

than the projections had indicated. This range of experi

ence over two months emphasizes the fact that precision of

figures is difficult or impossible and that caution is

called for, both within and outside the System, in the

interpretation of figures.

We are now in the midst of a Treasury refunding opera

tion and we may expect the Treasury to undertake cash financ

ing shortly. We should contribute to the maintenance of an

even keel in the market. Subject to the usual caveats about

"net borrowed reserves", we should move to the extent that

may be practicable, in the light of the Treasury's financing

operations, toward a higher range of net borrowed reserves

than we have had in the last three weeks. A range of $200

$400 million would seem appropriate, resolving doubts toward

the higher part of the range. The officers of the Federal

Reserve Bank of New York believe that there should be no

change at this time in the Bank's discount rate.

Mr. Irons said that he was in substantial agreement with the

comments made by Messrs. Young and Treiber regarding the economic situa

tion.

Conditions in the Dallas area are very strong, he said, with

retail trade holding at approximately record levels and industrial pro

duction at a very high rate.

parent effect in

The steel strike thus far has had no ap

the Dallas area, Mr. Irons said, although some of the

smaller oil producers are reported to be finding increased difficulty

in obtaining steel pipe.

If the strike runs well into August,

could be expected to have increased effects.

the labor market is

relatively tight.

Employment is

high and

The drought in the Dallas Dis

trict has broadened and worsened during the past six weeks,

during the last three weeks.

it

particularly

The automobile situation has improved

noticeably with dealers' stocks of new cars having declined consider

ably, dealers in Dallas reporting supplies of new cars ranging from

12 days to 30 days, with virtually none over 30 days.

Demand for

7/17/56

-11.

bank loans has moderated, Mr. Irons said, there having been little

tax borrowing during June and loans of reporting member banks having

been relatively stable for several weeks.

loan demand is

still

three months ago.

strong it

is

Banks point out that while

not nearly as active as it

was some

There has been less borrowing at the Dallas Re

serve Bank, discounts having run around $20 million in recent weeks

compared with a $40-$45million level a short time back.

Mr. Irons

said that he thought the credit situation during the past few weeks

may have gotten easier than the Committee intended and that he hoped

the Committee would firm up the situation, with due regard for the

Treasury'

financing problems.

It would be desirable to take ad

vantage of any opportunity to firm up the money market and to avoid

any indications of further ease.

He would not favor a change in

the

discount rate or any other action of that sort which would move toward

ease

Mr. Mangels said that the Twelfth District picture continued

to be one of expansion.

Nonagricultural employment is

States of the district according to the latest figures.

up in all

While there

continues to be some softness in lumber and plywood manufacturing,

the situation is

improving.

Demand for credit seems to be moderating

somewhat, Mr. Mangels said, and one bank has reported that deposits

have increased substantially recently in accounts ranging from

$250,000 down.

Some banks have reported considerable easing in the

money situation and there is an indication of competition reappearing

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7/17/56

among banks in developing borrowing customers.

A definite slowing

of real estate development also has been reported, not because of

a lack of mortgage funds but because of a lack of buyers for houses.

The automobile situation is well in hand according to reports and

the prospects are that dealers will have cleared out 1956 models

before the 1957 cars start coming into the market.

Mr. Mangels said

that a report from one bank was in contrast to the foregoing, that

bank having indicated that money is still

to screen loans carefully.

tight and that it is having

This bank had also indicated that it

might have to start borrowing from the Reserve Bank in order to

meet its situation during the near term future.

Only five banks

have borrowed from the San Francisco Bank during July, Mr. Mangels

said, and on July 13 only two banks were borrowing, for a total of

$$ million.

One of these has been a relatively persistent borrower

for some time, and the other came into the Reserve Bank recently

for a relatively small sum because of seasonal agricultural needs.

This bank indicated favorable crop conditions in its

area.

Mr.

Mangels stated that at a meeting last week directors of the San

Francisco Bank voted to retain the existing 3 per cent discount

rate but that the decision was not unanimous,

the rate to 2-3/

per cent.

some voting to reduce

He did not know what to anticipate in

August, of course, but felt there was a definite possibility that

the directors would vote to reduce the rate at that time on the

grounds that member banks in the Twelfth District should not be

7/17/56

-13

penalized by a higher rate than applied generally throughout the

country.

Mr.

Powell said that the Minneapolis District continued to

show a two-way trend with the larger cities reporting very active

business and the western agricultural sections of the district show

ing less satisfactory conditions.

Residential construction has not

fallen below the total for last year during the first

1956; employment is

six months of

at a high level; bank debits are up substantially;

and department store sales are high.

Unemployment is

very low.

The

western part of the Minneapolis District reflects the fact that the

spring wheat crop is

expected to be the smallest in many years.

eastern part of the district, however, is

showing a more favorable

outlook both for crop production and for dairy products.

posits have declined.

Bank de

Demand for loans has been extraordinarily

heavy and banks have disposed of practically all

investments in

The

order to meet this loan demand.

of their short-term

Any further loan ex

pansion would probably find them increasing borrowings at the Reserve

Bank.

Mr. Powell noted that at the present time the city banks in

the Minneapolis District

are borrowing relatively heavily but that

very few other banks in that district are using the Reserve Bank

discount facilities.

However,

at a meeting of directors last week

the view was expressed that the present 3 per cent discount rate of

the Minneapolis Bank was working a hardship on borrowing banks in

that district and on banks which would have to borrow in the near

7/17/56

-14

future to meet seasonal agricultural needs.

Mr. Powell stated that

while the existing 3 per cent rate was reaffirmed, it was by a di

vided vote and that he would not be surprised if the directors at

their next meeting voted to reduce the rate to the level generally

applicable at the Reserve Banks.

Mr. Powell felt that there was no

reason for having excessive ease in the money market now and that

until the steel strike was ended it would be desirable to continue

about the existing degree of pressure in the market.

This would

call for somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 million of negative

free reserves.

However, he felt it would be necessary for the Com

mittee to watch the situation very closely since at this time it

could not be determined whether action would be required to increase

restraint or to ease conditions during the fall months.

Mr. Harris said that business activity in the Seventh Fed

eral Reserve District was mixed, automobile and farm implement centers

showing weakness, with activity in most other district cities moving

along at a high brisk pace.

With respect to the automobile industry,

he stated that unemployment in Detroit and Flint remains high and

that while some increase may be expected during the fall months it

is

felt that some workers with as much as five years' seniority may

not be called back to work during the current year.

There will be

a tendency for automobile producers to extend the average work week

rather than to add more personnel.

A prolonged steel strike would

have a substantial effect on the Midwest, Mr. Harris said, and an

7/17/56

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extended work stoppage might reduce employment below the levels now

anticipated for the fourth quarter of this year.

Commercial and

industrial loans at Seventh District banks have declined over the

past three weeks,

following the sharp increase in

tax purposes during the two weeks ending June 20.

borrowings for

The recent drop

includes not only repayment of loans made to meet the June 15 tax

payments but also a drop in

credit needs in metals and metal product

firms generally resulting from a reduction in inventories.

trast to the outlook in

In con

the automobile industry, Mr. Harris felt

farm income should continue to increase in

cash receipts and net income in

coming months.

that

Farmers'

the corn belt part of the Chicago

District are expected to be above 1955 levels during the next few

months, as is income in the dairy area.

far, however,

There is no evidence thus

that district farmers are increasing their purchases

of either producers,

or consumers'

durable goods.

Mr. Harris also

commented on steel prices on the basis of quotations offered in

con

nection with the building program for the Chicago Bank, stating in

substance that the prices quoted were higher than those for other

large buildings put up in

Chicago in recent years, with an indication

that an escalator clause would be inserted in

in

any contract for steel

order to meet increased prices growing out of the current steel

strike.

Mr.

Harris stated that he would not like to see a change in

the discount rate at the present time but would like to see operations

7/17/56

-16

of the Committee continue about as they have been in recent weeks,

with no increase in pressure unless some development made it

that that was necessary.

clear

His view would be that net borrowed re

serves of around $200 million, rather than a higher figure, would

be about right,

Mr. Leedy indicated that no significant changes had occurred

in economic conditions in the Tenth District recently.

Considering

policy for the next three weeks, he felt that two considerations

would largely determine the Committee's action: one, the uncertain

ties growing out of the steel strike, the other the cash financing

that the Treasury apparently will soon offer, perhaps about the time

of the next meeting of the Committee.

Mr. Leedy said that consider

ing these factors, he felt policy for the next few weeks should con

tinue about the situation that the Committee has attempted to main

tain during the last few weeks.

He would not go as far as Mr. Treiber

had indicated in permitting net borrowed reserves to have an upper

range of as much as $400 million but he would not wish to see any

indication of easing.

He felt that net borrowed reserves had been

lower during the past few weeks than would have been desirable.

If it were not for the steel strike and the financing needs of the

Treasury, Mr. Leedy suggested that the Committee might well be

thinking of further tightening of the reserve position of banks.

In fact, at the end of another three weeks the Committee might need

to give consideration to adding somewhat to the pressure.

7/17/56

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Mr. Leach said that the furniture industry in

District recently has reported some weakening in its

the Fifth

prospects

including some pressure for price declines.

New orders in the

textile industry also have continued small.

Despite conditions

in these two important Fifth District industries, Mr. Leach said

that underlying factors were quite strong as indicated by an in

crease in employment and the prospects of a high level of trade.

The steel strike has been reflected in a decline in loadings of

coal, with the captive mines closing down.

Mr. Leach said that

he thought the Committee should continue to try to maintain a con

sistently tight rein on credit conditions,

of the Treasury.

He would have in

bearing in

mind the needs

mind net borrowed reserves around

the $250 million level, and he would not recommend any change in

discount rate of the Richmond Bank at this time.

Mr. Vardaman said that on the basis of the comments thus far

made this morning and of his own observations,

he felt

it

would be

most unfortunate to show any inclination toward tightness at the

present time.

He agreed that it

up six weeks hence,

might become necessary to tighten

but there was also a possibility that the System

might have to loosen credit in

that period.

He did not see how the

Committee could justify letting net borrowed reserves go to the $400

million level mentioned as an upper range by Mr. Treiber, and he

would hope that the Committee would continue its

operations with a

view to keeping net borrowed reserves from exceeding $200 million.

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7/7/56

If

there were to be any deviation from this figure he would prefer

that it

be below rather than above,

any tightening action.

Mr.

since this was not the time for

Vardaman said that he could see no harm

resulting from a uniform discount rate at this time along the lines

indicated by Messrs.

Mangels and Powell, and it

might be healthy to

have such a development.

Mr. Mills said he proposed to reassess the tactical results

of System operations since the last meeting of the Committee as to

whether they in

reality at any time produced a sense of ease or the

actual degree of ease that had been referred to.

The movement of

negative free reserves during the intervening period since the last

meeting has been down, he said, but despite that fact there are very

clear indications that the greater availability of reserves,

at least

negative free reserves, has not produced a degree of

as reflected in

ease that has been disadvantageous to the objectives of the Committee's

policy of restraint that within relative limits

policy of restraint-a

should be continued.

We have seen the rate on Federal funds hold con

tinuously at 2-3/4 per cent, Mr.

there is

Mills said, which would suggest that

a degree of restraint and a degree of tightness in

market that is

not reflected in

At the same time, during the last

would be seen in

the money

the over-all reserve supply situation.

reserve week (and a repetition

the current reserve week) the level of discounts at

the Reserve Banks averaged $800 million or above, which would also

7/17/56

-19

suggest that, at a time when reserves were more available, banks had

simultaneously to resort more strongly to the discount window.

This

indicates an element of tightness in the money market that has not

otherwise been revealed.

It

is

very possible that the need for dis

counting has come from an uneven distribution of reserves on the one

hand and, on the other hand, from a need for additional reserves by

some banks experiencing seasonal demands for loans.

In illustration,

Mr. Mills pointed out that although reserve city banks for several

days past had held a margin of excess reserves which presumably moved

into the market as Federal funds, reserve conditions remained rela

tively tight due to a less ample supply of excess reserves at country

banks and scant reserves at central reserve city banks.

The flow of new corporate and municipal securities at rising

interest rates was cited as another indication of market tightness.

The fact that such new securities had only been moved at higher in

terest rates and that they had not gone into commercial bank port

folios in

any considerable volume was taken not only as a confirma

tion of the Committee's policy objectives but also as evidence that

the market had not been oversupplied with reserves.

It

was Mr. Mills'

opinion that the Committee may be putting too much emphasis on the

factor of negative free reserves and too little emphasis on the

factor of Federal Reserve Bank discounts,

and he felt

that the latter

factor currently deserved closer attention than the Committee may be

inclined to apply to it.

7/17/56

-20

Concern has been expressed about the ultimate inflationary

effects of the steel strike, Mr. Mills noted, and he stated his

feeling that the Committee could not look too far ahead and attempt

predictions,

A certain effect of the strike and the curtailment of

supplies would be to stretch out the capital expansion programs and

this should take off some of the upward pressure on prices.

Another

result might be that businessmen, instead of coming out of the strike

period with a sense of overoptimism, would recapitulate their think

ing and adopt a more sober and cautious attitude toward the future.

Mr.

Mills said that using negative free reserves as the

common denominator of the Committee's policy objectives,

a $200

million level would not seem to be out of line for the period im

mediately ahead.

Judging from the past three weeks,

it

cult to see that there would be any harmful results if

below that level.

was diffi

they fell

There seemed to be no reason to change the dis

count rate at the present time and the Committee should move

cautiously from day to day and avoid the inclination to take action

in anticipation of situations that cannot be foreseen accurately

too far in advance.

Mr. Shepardson noted that agricultural acreage under cultiva

tion for the country as a whole is

down a little

from a year ago.

Reports from different areas are extremely varied, with some showing

good crop prospects but others showing severe drought conditions which

7/17/56

-21.

have particularly affected cattle in

of fed cattle is

in

some sections.

While the number

likely to be going down, with reasonable improvement

finished cattle prices, the number of grass-fat cattle that will

move to market is

lower prices.

likely to increase considerably and this would mean

The sale of cotton that Mr.

causing some concern as to its

Rouse mentioned is

already

possible effect on foreign trade rela

tions and domestic cotton prices.

Mr.

Shepardson noted that the level

of consumer prices has shown some increase recently, and he also com

mented to the effect that one outcome of the steel strike that appeared

to be almost a certainty would be an increase in wage rates and in

prices.

He felt

that the Committee should be concerned with these

developments and that it

seemed to be called for.

should be prepared to act in whatever way

In other words,

he would hold a tight rein

on credit at the present time and maintain a "snug" position, neither

increasing pressure nor letting it

up, but making it

clear that the

Committee was prepared to move in whatever direction appeared to be

necessary.

Subsequently, Mr. Shepardson referred to Mr. Powell's report

that there was some comment among country banks in

the Minnesota

District that a 2-3/4 per cent discount rate would be more appropriate

than a 3 per cent rate in

moving period.

meeting their seasonal needs during the crop

Mr. Shepardson said that he had discussed with represen

tatives of the United States Department of Agriculture the question

whether farmers were objecting to the existing credit restraint program,

-22.

7/17/56

and he had been informed that that Department had no complaints

of undue credit tightness in agricultural areas at the present

time.

Mr.

Fulton noted that 40 per cent of the country's steel

production is

accounted for in the Cleveland District, and that

this factor made the district very cognizant of the strike.

far, there had been little

general effect.

Thus

Retail sales have held

steady and delinquencies on personal instalment loans have not in

creased thus far in

strike areas.

The strike is

on a very friendly

basis, Mr. Fulton said, but comments he had received indicated there

would not be an early settlement.

Substantial quantities of steel

inventories are being worked off, although structural shapes for

use in

the construction industry are in

short supply.

This will

cause postponement of construction operations into the winter months

with increased costs and other adverse effects.

He noted also that

28 ore boats are tied up in Lake Erie harbors and he stated reasons

why there would be a scarcity of ore in

Mr.

the spring of next year.

Fulton felt that the Committee should be prepared to take

cognizance of a surge of borrowing with the end of the steel strike.

He would not like to see greater ease than what has already occurred,

and he felt

some concern about the degree of ease that had come into

the market because of float during the past couple of weeks.

Nega

tive free reserves in the $200-$250 million range would seem appro

priate until the Committee could see the extent to which the resurgence

7/17/56

-23

of business and borrowing would take place and how developments

in

the steel and automobile industries would affect business

generally.

Mr. Fulton said that he would maintain the present

level of discount rates.

Mr. Williams reported a comment by Chairman Meinel of the

Philadelphia Bank that the effects of the steel strike on the steel

industry are likely to continue for some time after the strike is

settled because of the unbalanced situation caused by the strike.

He also reported the results of a current survey of industrial

economists in

the Philadelphia District, most of whom indicated that

their companies anticipated a high level of demand for their products

during the remainder of 1956.

They also indicated in

general that

plant expansion plans were going ahead on schedule, although one of

the economists thought that industry might wind up with some over

capacity, particularly on the part of firms that added to capacity

without developing new products.

Department store sales in the

Philadelphia area continue strong, Mr. Williams said, and are up

9 per cent from last year during the latest four weeks and 5 per

cent for the first

half of this year.

relative to sales.

Business is

Inventories are not high

good in resort areas.

The Philadelphia

Reserve Bank continues to have something of a problem on discounts,

particularly by city banks.

Country banks seem to be in better shape

as far as discount needs are concerned, having readjusted their posi

tions some time ago.

At the city banks, the problem would be how to

7/17/56

-24

handle the situation if

the usual seasonal and year-end rise demand

for credit takes place from the existing high level.

problem, Mr. Williams said, is

The System's

one of staying with the strike situa

tion and being prepared for constructive action at the time the strike

ends.

In his judgment, net borrowed reserves in

a range between $200

$250 million would be appropriate.

Mr. Bryan said there had been no dramatic development in

Sixth District economy since the preceding meeting.

the

Some of the banks

that had been borrowing considerably at the Reserve Bank have ceased

to borrow lately.

Mr.

The textile industry is

definitely unhappy,

and

Bryan commented particularly on the competition that industry is

experiencing from goods manufactured in

Japan.

The Mediterranean fruit

fly has appeared in Florida this year and threatens to do considerable

damage over a much wider area.

the economic situation.

Mr. Bryan said that he was confused by

He was impressed by the steel strike and felt

that whatever settlement took place the strike would have inflationary

effects in

the end, both from the direct cost standpoint and as a

pattern for settlement of other wage demands.

He was also impressed

by the fact that the consumer price index has already moved upwards,

in

the wrong direction.

This could result in

great damage to the

economy and destroy a good deal of confidence on the part of the

consumer.

Mr.

Bryan said that he was more and more impressed with

the magnitude of the capital formation problem the country is

in

the next decade.

facing

The net of his thinking was that while arguments

7/17/56

-25

could be made to the effect that economic activity may slow down,

he was more inclined to think it

would "bolt."

As to credit policy,

his position was that he would keep a tight rein on credit.

He

would not reduce the discount rate at the present time and, in

conducting open market operations,

he would be somewhat reluctant,

supplying reserves on the lesser side rather than on the more

generous side.

Mr.

Johns said that no change in

the discount rate of the

St. Louis Bank was contemplated at the present time.

He would be

reluctant to appear to lean in the direction of greater pressure,

however,

and he did not know what had been accomplished in

three weeks in

the direction of achieving the stability for which

Chairman Martin had argued at the preceding meeting.

that it

the last

Mr.

Johns said

seemed to him that there had not been a very theatrical

exhibition of stability, and while he was not criticizing anybody

for what had been done he did not know what should be done about

the situation from here on.

He would not increase the pressure; he

certainly would not appear to relax the pressure.

At the risk of seeming to harp on the question and recognizing

that it

was a matter over which neither the Reserve Banks nor the Fed

eral Open Market Committee had legal jurisdiction, Mr.

he had felt

Johns said that

at the preceding meeting of the Committee that there was

some indication of interest in

the possibility of adjusting reserve

-26

7/17/56

requirements downward this autumn.

He now sensed that this possibility

had been written off as something that could not be done and that it

was believed that whatever adjustments were to be made would be carried

out in

if

the open market and at the discount window.

reserve requirements are now too high and if

Mr.

Johns said that

the Committee anticipated

the need to supply $1.8 billion of reserves during the remainder of this

year, and in view of the prospect that the Treasury would be coming to

the market for additional cash, it seemed to him that there should be

some way of reducing reserve requirements and doing it

would meet the situation.

He could find very little

in a manner that

evidence of any

desire to take this course and he expressed regret.

Mr. Balderston said that between now and the Committee's next

meeting, the same target that was adopted three weeks ago would seem

to be appropriate--that is,

of a billion dollars.

net borrowed reserves of around a quarter

The length of the steel strike would doubtless

affect the height of the business rebound after the strike is termi

nated.

This fact, together with the inflationary impact of the wage

and price increases that will be triggered by the strike settlement,

will probably create inflationary tendencies that will need to be

dealt with vigorously.

For the moment, however,

a continuation of

the present open market policy and of existing discount rates would

seem to be indicated.

The System's present posture with the dual

discount rate will permit it

or, if

to move either toward greater firmness

need be, toward greater ease without confusing the public.

7/17/56

-27

Mr. Balderston said that he shared the concern expressed by Messrs.

Shepardson, Fulton, Williams, and Bryan that this fall may bring

problems that will call for quick and effective action.

Open market

operations can be used flexibly, as has been evident during the past

month,

even though the kind of stability that the Committee antici

pated had not resulted.

The desk was able in that period to meet

an unexpected turn of events with fair success and without confusing

the general public, Mr. Balderston said.

to back and fill

on discount rates just in

However, if

the System were

advance of a period that

may call for use of a rate increase the results might be unfortunate.

For that reason, Mr. Balderston said that he thought the Committee

should continue its

present policy for the next three weeks and be

ready for any eventuality.

Chairman Martin said that there seemed to be an undertone

in

the comments this morning that might eventually develop into a

conflict of views but that he gathered that, as of the present moment,

the existing directive of the Committee continued to be appropriate

to present conditions and that a level of around a quarter of a

billion dollars of net borrowed reserves would be as appropriate a

figure as could be arrived at to indicate the operations during the

next three weeks.

The Chairman then referred to the System actions

taken increasing discount rates at the Federal Reserve Banks effec

tive April 13, 1956,

time.

On the whole,

and to the credit policy followed since that

he felt

that the policy had worked reasonably

7/17/56

-28

well and that subsequent events had more or less vindicated the

position taken in mid-April.

strike, have been in

Recent events, apart from the steel

the direction of strength in the economy,

Chairman Martin said, adding that after the April action the posture

of the System was one of defense.

At this time, he felt that it

would be desirable for the Committee to put itself

of being able to "turn the wheel" a little

of keeping a tight hold on the wheel.

in

the position

one way or the other but

During the past year the price

level had appeared to remain fairly stable but that was because farm

product prices had been down while other prices had been rising.

Chairman Martin said he was not in favor of relaxing or of tightening

the supply of bank reserves at this time but that within the frame

work of the present directive the Committee should keep itself in a

position to go in either direction in

its

operations without feeling

a jerk.

Chairman Martin said that the Committee should not minimize

the importance of the steel strike.

His feeling was that a strike

such as this was always a disaster and that it was most unfortunate

that there were those individuals who were minimizing its

or saying that it

was a good thing.

importance

He agreed with the comment of

Chairman Meinel of the Philadelphia Bank, reported by Mr. Williams,

that the effects of the strike would be felt

settlement,

for some time after a

adding the statement that this would create more dif

ficulties for the Federal Reserve System.

Money and credit policy

7/17/56

is

-29

only one item and a minor item in

dealing with cost-price effects

of the strike, the Chairman said, and it

conduct operations in

take place.

would be very difficult to

this period against the judgments that would

The Committee would have to be very careful about the

general public's reaction to the credit policy followed during that

period.

Chairman Martin then referred to Mr. Johns' comment on reserve

requirements.

He was sympathetic to a reduction in reserve require

ments, he said, but a move of that sort must be considered against

the possible effects of the cost-price mechanism that may be expected

during the next few months.

He would not recommend action on reserve

requirements at the present time.

One of the factors to be considered

was the lack of familiarity on the part of the public with the use of

that instrument as contrasted with its

familiarity with the use of

open market operations.

With respect to the discount rate, Chairman Martin said that

he sympathized with the problems confronting Messrs.

Powell and their directors.

Mangels and

The System should take encouragement

from the conscientious and careful consideration and efforts that

were being shown on the part of the Reserve Banks and their boards

of directors regarding this and other credit matters.

possible for anyone in

was right.

It

was not

a period like this to be sure what position

However, Chairman Martin said that he felt personally,

as he had indicated at the preceding meeting, that during a period

-30

7/17/56

of Treasury financing it

would be most unfortunate to have any

change in the discount rates.

This was a problem before the two

Banks now having the higher rates.

One approach was to suggest

that they should "not sell out at the bottom of the market.,

It

was a problem how to convey this idea to the boards of directors

and to bring about an understanding of the possibility that the

System might wish to move up to a 3 per cent rate across the board

before long.

Chairman Martin emphasized that he did not know whether

this action would be called for, but it

front of the entire System.

should be out in

he said, and it

was one possibility that

had a balancing problem.

The System moved slowly,

He felt that the different

parts of the System had been coordinating their activities reasonably

well and that the discussions at the open market meetings had been

serving very well as a clearing house for the System.

He hoped this

While he was not attempting to prejudge the

could be continued.

situation that might develop, he thought the System should not be

beguiled into believing that the cost-price rise was something that

could be ignored.

It

is

something that anyone in business must face

and the System must face it

before the rise has actually taken place.

Chairman Martin then referred to Mr.

Treiber's remarks and

to his suggestion that, subject to the usual caveats about net

borrowed reserves, the System should move to the extent that might

be practicable in the light of the Treasury's financing operations

toward a higher range of net borrowed reserves than had existed in

7/17/56

-31

the last three weeks,

and to Mr. Treiber's specific suggestion that

a range of $200-$400 million net borrowed reserves would seem appro

priate.

While he had sympathy with the thinking back of this sugges

tion, Chairman Martin said that during the period of the Treasury's

financing his view was that a figure of net borrowed reserves around

the $250 million level would be appropriate,

recognizing that the

management of the account would have difficulty in trying to move

within any narrow range.

like to see a range in

The Chairman commented that he did not

free reserves from negative $391 million to

positive $14 million if that could be avoided, although he was not

making this comment as a criticism of the handling of operations

during the past three weeks.

In summing up, Chairman Martin said

that he interpreted the desire of the Committee at this time to be

that it

its

should neither tighten nor relax, but that it

should keep

present position of having as tight a rein as could be held

within the limits of the Committee's existing directive.

There was no indication of disagreement with this suggestion,

and Chairman Martin then called upon Mr. Rouse for his comments as

to whether negative free reserves in the approximate range of $250

$200 million presented any problems for operations of the account.

Mr. Rouse said that he would like to revert to Chairman

Martin's comment toward the end of the meeting held three weeks ago

on the use of net borrowed reserve figures.

after, Mr. Rouse said, is

What we really are

a degree of feeling in

the market rather

7/17/56

-32

than any particular figure.

We have had and are having at the

moment the tightest situation in New York that has existed in

a long time.

New York banks are in

debt to the extent of around

$500 million, about $250 million to the Reserve Bank and about

$250 million to other banks.

That situation has gotten worse

through this recent period of ease and the banks are now in the

process of getting themselves out of debt.

The same situation

is true in the other central reserve city.

If the banks get out

of debt, the figures of net borrowed reserves could well remain

the same as they have been, but the degree of pressure might really

be much less even with the same net borrowed reserve figure.

This

was one of the things that Mr. Rouse thought Mr. Treiber had in

mind in

suggesting a possible range of $200-$400 million for net

borrowed reserves.

Mr. Rouse said that he also thought this was

one of the things that Chairman Martin had in mind when he commented

at the last meeting to the effect that he would not be concerned

if

the figure of net borrowed reserves ran up toward $00

million.

Mr. Rouse said that he also wished to call attention to the

matter of float and the difficulty it was causing in using projec

tions of net borrowed reserves.

He did not know whether anything

could be done about this by the Reserve Banks either as a group or

singly, but he hoped that the System would give more consideration

to the problem since the wide and irregular variations in float were

adding to the difficulties of the situation.

7/17/56

-33

Mr. Mills said that it

seems that the Committee's decisions

are built so largely around market considerations that it

danger of losing sight of its

adequately available.

is

in

responsibilities for making credit

He noted that Mr. Rouse had called attention

to the efforts of central reserve city banks to liquidate their dis

counts at the Federal Reserve Banks.

these banks,

Mr.

Mills said, indicate that a further reduction in

their investments in U.

if

The published statements of

S. Government securities will be necessary

they are to reduce or liquidate their discounts at the Federal

Reserve Banks and at the same time hold their loan and investment

positions.

Such action would have to be taken at the same time

that these banks and, in fact, banks in

the reserve city and country

bank areas will begin to experience an increasing demand for seasonal

loans.

With such a central reserve city bank picture, it

is

doubtful

whether the liquidation of U. S. Government securities to retire

Federal Reserve Bank discounts could bring more than a fleeting

sense of ease, which would itself

demand for loans must be met.

conditions would then occur.

disappear as soon as the mounting

An absolute return to tight market

In short, Mr.

Mills felt

that without

new reserves the only practical means by which these banks could

meet their seasonal loan demands would be by liquidating U. S. Govern

ment securities or discounting at the Federal Reserve Banks.

Chairman Martin said that Mr.

Rouse had pointed up very

clearly the discussions the Committee had had several times about

7/17/6

-34

placing undue reliance on the figures of net borrowed reserves.

When we talk about a range of $200-$250 million of net borrowed

reserves,

the Chairman said, we really are talking about that as

an indication of a "quality" of tightness and not as an actual

figure.

It is in that framework that these figures are discussed.

The Committee had to have some kind of a guide in trying to judge

or indicate the operations that would carry out its policy, Chairman

Martin said, and as he had indicated several times, he sometimes

wished that the Committee had another way of gauging operations than

by use of free reserves.

Chairman Martin went on to say that the comment Mr. Rouse

had made about float was pertinent and that it would be desirable

for all of us to consider how to deal with the problem.

The Chairman then referred to the comment by Mr.

Mills,

stating that none of us wished to fail to exercise our responsibilities

for supplying credit to the market where and when it is needed.

How

ever, we must not lose sight of the cost-price factor and of what

credit can do to that factor.

on the razor's edge.

The Committee must continue to balance

He inquired of Mr. Rouse whether he had other

comments regarding the directive to be issued by the Committee, with

in the framework of the discussion that had taken place at this meet

ing, and Mr. Rouse responded in the negative.

Chairman Martin then suggested that the Committee approve a

renewal of the existing directive to the Federal Reserve Bank of New

7/17/56

-35-

York, with the understanding that the general framework of the discus

sion at this meeting would be taken as a guide for the Manager of the

System Open Market Account in

carrying on operations between now and

the next meeting.

Thereupon, upon motion duly made

and seconded, the Committee voted

unanimously to direct the Federal Re

serve Bank of New York until otherwise

directed by the Committee:

(1)

To make such purchases, sales, or exchanges

(including replacement of maturing securities, and allow

ing maturities to run off without replacement) for the

System open market account in the open market or, in the

case of maturing securities, by direct exchange with the

Treasury, as may be necessary in the light of current

and prospective economic conditions and the general credit

situation of the country, with a view (a) to relating the

supply of funds in the market to the needs of commerce

and business, (b) to restraining inflationary developments

in the interest of sustainable economic growth while taking

into account any deflationary tendencies in the economy,

and (c) to the practical administration of the account;

provided that the aggregate amount of securities held in

the System account (including commitments for the purchase

or sale of securities for the account) at the close of this

date, other than special short-term certificates of indebted

ness purchased from time to time for the temporary accommoda

tion of the Treasury, shall not be increased or decreased

by more than $1 billion;

(2)

To purchase direct from the Treasury for the account

of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (with discretion, in

cases where it seems desirable, to issue participations to

one or more Federal Reserve Banks) such amounts of special

short-term certificates of indebtedness as may be necessary

from time to time for the temporary accommodation of the Treas

ury; provided that the total amount of such certificates held

at any one time by the Federal Reserve Banks shall not exceed

in the aggregate $500 million;

To sell direct to the Treasury from the System ac

(3)

count for gold certificates such amounts of Treasury securi

ties maturing within one year as may be necessary from time

7/17/56

-36

to time for the accommodation of the Treasury; pro

vided that the total amount of such securities so sold

shall not exceed in the aggregate $500 million face

amount, and such sales shall be made as nearly as may

be practicable at the prices currently quoted in the

open market.

Chairman Martin referred to Operation Alert 1956 scheduled

for the period July 20-26 and to the proposal approved at the meeting

of the Federal Open Market Committee on January 10, 1956 for a pro

gram to train and maintain a group of men as widely dispersed as

possible familiar with open market operations who could carry on in

an emergency.

This program, to be inaugurated at the Federal Reserve

Bank of New York in October of this year, would contemplate training

at two levels:

(1) Technical personnel, to be trained in the

detailed mechanical operations of the System Open

It is planned that personnel of this

Market Account.

type will be assigned on a rotating basis for train

ing at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for a

period of approximately two weeks.

Personnel who might conceivably be called

(2)

upon to make decisions carrying out policy, that is,

understudies for the role of Manager of the System

Open Market Account or of his immediate top assistants.

Such personnel will also be assigned to New York on a

rotating basis for a period of approximately three

weeks.

Under this program, it

is

planned that not more than two trainees in

both categories will be assigned to New York at any one time.

Chairman Martin went on to say that he felt the forthcoming

alert offered an appropriate occasion for scanning personnel to be

assigned in

this trainee program and he suggested that the Reserve

7/17/56

-37

Bank Presidents consider in the near future members of their staff

who might be so assigned.

Chairman Martin also asked that the Presi

dents send to the Secretary of the Committee at the end of the forth

coming exercise the names of one or two nominees for each of the

categories of personnel to be trained as indicated above,

in order

that an appropriate schedule of time of assignments for training at

the New York Bank could be worked out.

Chairman Martin next reported on a meeting held in

offices on Friday,

July 13,

the Board's

1956, of a steering committee of commercial

bankers working on emergency defense planning measures for the banking

system as a whole.

This committee,

of which Mr. John J. McCloy, Chair

man of the Board of Directors of The Chase Manhattan Bank, serves as

chairman, was concerned primarily at this meeting with a program for

commercial banks and preparation of a defense manual that might be

made available to the banks.

The program had been developed in co

operation with the Treasury Department,

the Federal Deposit Insurance

Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the

American Bankers Association,

and Messrs. Florence and Cocke, Presi

dent and Vice President, respectively, of the American Bankers Associa

tion, attended the meeting as representatives of that association.

Chairman Martin stated that, on behalf of the Presidents'

Conference,

Mr. Williams presented to the meeting an outline of the work being

done in

the individual Federal Reserve Banks in

defense planning.

He also stated that Mr.

connection with

J. W. Allison was serving

7/17/56

-38

as Special Consultant to the Board of Governors in connection with

defense planning matters.

At Chairman Martin's request, Mr. Treiber reported on the

visit to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on July 5 and 6, 1956

of members of the staff of the Committee on Government Operations

of the House of Representatives,

1956.

discussed at the meeting on June 26,

He stated that Mr. William Pincus, Associate General Counsel,

and Mr. Orville J.

Montgomery, Counsel, of the Committee arrived at

the New York Bank on Thursday morning,

July

5, and after a review

of the scope of the work performed by the Bank as fiscal agent of

the Treasury,

they visited the trading room and spent most of their

time during the two days in

the Securities Department of the Bank.

They also spent some time in

the Government Bond Department, the

Safekeeping Department,

and the Securities Custody Department, and

they made a tour of the Bank.

Mr. Treiber said that Messrs. Pincus and Montgomery were

interested in a wide field of activities but centered their attention

on the advisory services and operating functions performed by the

New York Bank and by the Government securities dealers in connection

with the issuance of Treasury securities.

They were especially

interested in the role and significance of the dealers in the Govern

ment securities market, how that market operated, and how the Reserve

Bank's trading is

conducted, particularly for Treasury accounts, and

the relationships of the New York Bank with the Treasury.

Mr. Treiber

7/17/56

-39

said that they also were interested in

the proportion of dealer

volume and positions to the total activity normally carried on

in the Government securities market; when told that these data

are considered important trade secrets, they did not push to see

what data are available at the New York Bank.

However,

they in

quired as to the practicability of dealers being required by legis

lation to submit data on a confidential basis.

They also expressed

a desire to revisit the New York Bank at a time when it was involved

in the physical handling of a new Treasury issue.

Mr. Treiber said that Messrs. Pincus and Montgomery referred

to the pending House Bill No. H.R. 2643 proposing that the General

Accounting Office audit the Federal Reserve System, and they indicated

that Chairman Dawson might conduct hearings on the bill

While they thought little

some time.

significance would attach to an actual

audit of the Federal Reserve System by the General Accounting Office,

some Congressmen might at first show curiosity regarding it. Upon

leaving, Messrs. Pincus and Montgomery indicated that they had been

impressed with the complexity and magnitude of operations connected

with the trading desk and with the physical handling of new Treasury

issues.

They were quite complimentary concerning their observations

among the officers and employees carrying out this work at the New

York Bank and stated that they no longer had any doubt that the

Federal Reserve Banks were in fact public institutions clearly operat

ing in the public interest, and that stock ownership by the member

7/17/56

-40

banks was incidental.

found the visit

Messrs.

Mr. Treiber said that the Bank officials

pleasant and felt that it

had been helpful to

Pincus and Montgomery.

Chairman Martin commented that it

appeared that the visit

had been constructively handled.

Chairman Martin stated that Professor Ira A. Scott of the

University of Minnesota, who had been referred to him by Mr.

Powell,

had received a Merrill Foundation grant for study of the Government

securities market, and that he had discussed visiting both the

Board's offices and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the

purpose of obtaining information to assist in

Scott is

his study.

currently visiting the Board's offices.

said that he felt

Professor

Chairman Martin

the System should not make the operation of the

Government securities market or the procedures followed by the

System Open Market Account mysterious but, at the same time, it

should not make any confidential documents available to Professor

Scott any more than they would be furnished to other persons not

members of the Committee or otherwise associated with the Committee.

He felt

that members of the Committee or the staff should be

authorized to talk with Professor Scott informally and to give him

information regarding the operation of the Government securities

market short of giving him confidential documents, and of course

with the understanding that information as to current policies

would not be discussed.

Chairman Martin stated that it

was his

7/17/56

-41

understanding Professor Scott was interested in procedures rather

than in policy and in

the effect that procedures might have in

the

long run on policy.

Messrs. Powell and Roelse commented briefly on their under

standing of the purpose of Professor Scott's visits, and none of the

members of the Committee indicated disagreement with Chairman Martin's

suggestions for giving him assistance.

Chairman Martin next referred to the letter from Mr. Roelse

dated June 22, 1956 and to the outline prepared by the Staff Com

mittee for the study of experience under present operating procedures

in

the Government securities market.

Mr. Roelse commented on the outline,

stating that the proposal

was to go as far as possible on the basis of presently available informa

tion and to see what gaps existed.

If it should prove necessary to go

beyond available data in studying the questions in the outline, the

staff committee would report back to the Federal Open Market Committee

for explicit approval to collect whatever additional data might be

required.

Mr. Roelse suggested that it might be possible to obtain

additional information in connection with a questionnaire to be sent

out by the New York Clearing House Association's committee that is

studying the financing of the Government securities market.

Mr. Leedy suggested that the outline might include an addi

tional topic relating to shifts in the ownership of short-term Treasury

securities from commercial banks to non-bank investors, and Chairman

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7/17/56

Martin suggested that this topic be transmitted to Mr. Roelse

Chairman Martin also suggested that the outline be considered

as an appropriate start for the Committee study and that it be

approved for this purpose.

There was agreement with this

suggestion.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would

be held on Tuesday, August 7, 1956.

Thereupon the meeting adjourned.

Secretary