December 9, 1947 FOMC Minutes: Full Text
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, December 9, 1947, at 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: Mr. Eccles, Chairman Mr. Sproul, Vice Chairman Mr. Szymczak Mr. Draper Mr. Evans Mr. Vardaman Mr. Clayton Mr. Whittemore Mr. Gidney Mr. Peyton Mr. Gilbert (alternate for Mr. Davis) Mr. Morrill, Secretary Mr. Carpenter, Assistant Secretary Mr. Vest, General Counsel Mr. Thomas, Economist Messrs. Neal, Thompson, Stead, and John H. Williams, Associate Economists Mr. Rouse, Manager of the System Open Market Account Mr. Sherman, Assistant Secretary, Board of Governors Mr. Smith, Economist, Government Finance Section, Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors Mr. Arthur Willis, Special Assistant, Securities Department, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Messrs. Alfred H. Williams, Young, and Leedy, alternate members of the Federal Open Market Committee Messrs. Leach and Earhart, Presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and San Francisco, respectively Clark and Hitt, First Vice Presidents Messrs. of the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and St. Louis, respectively
Upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the minutes of the meeting of the Federal Open Market Com mittee held on October 6-7, 1947, were approved. Upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the actions of the executive committee of the Federal Open Market Committee as set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the executive committee held on October 6-7 and 14, 1947, were approved, ratified, and con firmed. A report of open market operations during the period October 1947, was read and commented upon by Mr. Rouse. 7, 1947, to December 3, He also presented a supplementary report covering transactions executed on December 4, 5, and 8, 1947. Copies of these reports have been placed in the file of the Federal Open Market Committee. Mr. Rouse stated in connection with his report that the recent period had been a very difficult one from the standpoint of handling open market operations, that on two or three occasions, because of psychological factors, the market was dangerously close to an avalanche of selling, but that it was to be expected that there would be a con siderable amount of selling while the present unsettling influences, including discussions of possible anti-inflation measures, continued. Upon motion duly made and seconded, unanimous vote, the transactions and by in the System account for the period October 4 to December 8, 1947, inclusive, were approved, ratified, and confirmed.
Chairman Eccles stated that he felt there should be no concern about the substantial amount of selling of Treasury bonds that had taken place, that the Committee had been anticipating for a long time that yields on long-term bonds should increase, and that to whatever extent action in raising short-term rates had contributed to this development it represented a step toward the objectives of open market policy dur ing recent months. He felt, however, that the increase in short-term rates was a negligible factor and that because of increased opportuni ties for investment and great demands for capital funds there would have been pressure on the long-term market if nothing had been done to increase the short rate. He also referred to retirement of securities held by the Fed eral Reserve Banks as a further cause of pressure on the banks to sell Government securities to the Reserve Banks to provide needed reserves. He stated that the commercial banks apparently were sell ing long-term and buying short-term issues, and that the fact that there had been a net decrease in the System's holdings of securities was evidence of the fact that on balance the commercial banks were not "running away" from Government securities but rather that the System of keeping the banks under pressure was having policy of the the desired effect of causing them to reverse the practice that they had been following for a considerable period of selling short-term and buying long-term issues.
Chairman Eccles questioned whether the System, through the purchase of unrestricted issues and the Treasury by the purchase of restricted issues, should continue to maintain existing prices of Treasury bonds, thereby providing an opportunity to holders to sell securities at a substantial premium, and outlined reasons why it would be better to permit the prices of such securities to decline to a level nearer par. Mr. Sproul agreed that selling of Governments would continue as long as there was a gap between savings and the demand for funds. He felt that if, by a combined program of debt management and Fed eral Reserve action the purchase by the System of long-term issues could continue to be offset by the sale of short-terms, it would be a very successful operation in terms of the situation that the Sys tem has been facing. He was of the opinion that the level of mar ket prices of securities was not a question of how much profit might accrue to banks and other holders but of how the System could continue to exercise its influence so that this selling of long and buying of short Governments might continue without accelerating the fears of holders to a point at which there would be selling of Gov ernment securities at a rate which would force the System to put an excessive amount of funds into the market. He stated that, while he favored bringing the prices of bonds down, it should not be done
at the risk of bringing about a fear psychology that would affect adversely Treasury financing operations, the System's credit pro gram, and the confidence in Government securities of a wide variety of holders. In the course of a discussion of the considerations enter ing into a determination of the level at which prices of Treasury obligations should be supported and the timing of changes in ex isting support levels, it was suggested that, as was to be ex pected, the present discussions in Congress and in committee hear ings of various proposed methods for combating inflation were re sulting in a sensitive and unsettled Government securities mar ket, and that for that reason it might be better to defer any change in the present support program until the latter part of December, when prices could again be lowered. discussion Messrs. Vardaman and Vest left the During this meeting to attend the argument before the Supreme Court of the Bank of Lakewood Village case in which the Board of Governors is involved. Mr. Thomas presented briefly the possible effects on the market of debt retirement through the first quarter of 1948 and commented on a chart showing the yields on various restricted and unrestricted issues of Government securities on December 30, 1944, April 6, 1946, August 29, 1947, and December 1, 1947, and on the
possible effects of a further increase in the short-term rate and what if any spread there should be between restricted and unre stricted and between other individual issues of Government se curities. Chairman Eccles renewed his suggestion that the market should be permitted to decline nearer to par on the long-term issues even if it did result in increased selling to the Federal Reserve Banks. He felt that System purchases would be less if that procedure were followed than would otherwise be the case, In this connection he expressed the view that the System should not purchase any additional amounts of partially tax exempt is sues but that they should be permitted to find their natural level in relation to other issues. that these issues had been acquired Mr. Rouse commented only when they had declined to a level when they were clearly out of line with prices of other issues. the problem was whether Govern Mr. Sproul stated that ment security prices should be permitted to decline further to the disturbing influences of while the market was subject to combat inflation or whether current discussions of measures until the market had program should be continued the present to a point where a resumption of a downward movement steadied
could be undertaken without encouraging selling throughout the list in addition to selling for the purpose of meeting demands for re serve funds. Chairman Eccles said he agreed that action to allow market prices to decline should not be taken immediately but that the Com mittee should recognize that, because of the retirement of debt out of Treasury cash balances and other factors which would put pres sure on the market, there would be continuous selling of securities over the next several months and the System should not be disturbed by a situation it had intentionally helped to bring about. Mr. Sproul responded that the Committee need not be dis turbed by that situation but by the temporary situation that might encourage unnecessary liquidation in addition to the selling re Eccles. There was not a difference in ap ferred to by Chairman said, but a question when the downward movement should proach, he again be resumed. it was a question whether expressed the view that Mr. Rouse the risk of panicky conditions in the Gov the Committee should run for the benefit of a 3/8 or 1/2 per cent ernment securities market and he questioned whether such decline on the restricted 2-1/2's that the market should be worth that risk. He agreed a move was placed on a lower level at the first opportunity without incurring such a risk.
Chairman Eccles stated he had discussed the matter with Under ecretary Wiggins, who also questioned the desirability of maintaining existing premiums on bank eligible securities. Mr. Thomas suggested that, if action to reduce the level of prices were not taken now, there might not be another opportunity over the next four months because of pressures resulting from retire ment of Government debt. Mr. Rouse stated that if prices were to be reduced the decline should take place quickly. After some further discussion of the timing of action and of the undesirability of permitting banks and other holders to realize substantial premiums on their holdings of securities, Chairman Eccles questioned whether, since it was recognized that insurance companies, savings banks, and other investors would be forced to sell bank eli gibles to meet more favorable investment demands, the System should make it possible for them to sell at substantial premiums rather than to make a downward adjustment quickly and put real support under the market at the lower prices agreed upon. He recognized that the argument would be made that, while anti-inflation measures were being debated in the present special session of the Congress, there was greater uncertainty in the market than otherwise would be the case, and that probably after the session had recessed the mar ket would be quieter and provide a better situation in which to act.
He said that if the System could get through the period of the spe cial session with purchases of between one and two hundred million of securities a week action might be deferred that long at which time if there was continued selling, indicating an opinion in the market that the System would not support existing rates, he would favor letting the market decline immediately. He felt strongly that action should not wait as long as four months and Mr. Sproul agreed that it was not a question of waiting for any such period but of choosing our time in the immediate future. There was a discussion of the suggestion that the market be allowed to decline 1/32 or 2/32 before Congress recessed which might make for an easier adjustment later and Mr. Rouse expressed the view that that would result in increased selling to avoid further declines in price and that it would be better to be prepared to let prices de cline by 1/4 or more of a point at one time. with the suggestion that there There was general agreement market were held at the present level would be less selling if the let prices fall immediately to a point until action was taken to supported than would be the at which they would be aggressively if prices were allowed to go off more gradually. case Assistant to the Chairman of the At this point Mr. Thurston, Board of Governors, joined the meeting.
During a discussion of these alternatives and of the point to which prices should be allowed to decline it was suggested that the restricted 2-1/2's should be held at par or slightly above and that the rest of the market should be allowed to find its level in rela tion to that price and the 1-1/8 per cent certificate. Mr. Szymczak inquired whether there had been any discussion with representatives of the Treasury of the question whether any is sues should be allowed to decline below par, and it was agreed that before a decision was made on this point it should be taken up with the Treasury. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed that, in the event the market continued substantially as at present, the ex ecutive committee should carry out the existing policy with respect to support of the market until after the Treasury's January refund ing had been completed, at which time prices of bonds should be per mitted rapidly to decline, if the market did not support itself, to a level of not more than 100-1/2 and not less than par on the longest restricted 2-1/2 per cent issue and to not less than par on a 1-1/8 one-year certificate. If, in the interim, market selling should in the executive committee would be authorized crease substantially, was consistent with the decline as rapidly as to permit prices to If it should appear in maintenance of orderly market conditions.
carrying out these instructions that some issues of bonds might go below par, the Committee would be authorized, after consultation with appropriate representatives of the Treasury, to determine whether these issues would be allowed to decline below par or wheth er they should be held at or above par. Chairman Eccles then reviewed the seven point program out lined at the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on Oc tober 7, 1947, stating that a letter setting forth the program had been sent to the Secretary of the Treasury under date of October 14, 1947. With respect to specific steps in the program, he stated that the Treasury had accepted the Committee's recommendations as to Treas ury financing during the remainder of this year, that the Treasury was following the recommendations with respect to transfers of funds from war loan deposit accounts to the Federal Reserve Banks, that the statement stressing the dangers inherent in an excessive expan sion of consumer credit and urging the adoption of self-imposed re straints had been issued by the Board and each Federal Reserve Bank, and that a joint statement from the bank supervisory agencies re lating to credit extensions had been prepared, issued, and favorably received. He went on to say that the only parts of the program which had not been put into effect were (1) an increase in discount rates Reserve Banks, (2) an increase in reserve require at the Federal ments for central reserve city banks, and (3) the proposed policy
2/ /47 -12 with respect to refunding maturing savings bonds. Chairman Eccles stated that the Board of Governors had given consideration at a recent meeting to action to be taken to increase the discount rates at the Reserve Banks and felt that they should be increased to 1-1/4 per cent within the near future. He went on to say that he and Mr. Sproul had had an exchange of correspondence on the question whether the discount rate should be raised to 1-1/8 or 1-1/4 per cent, Mr. Sproul taking the position that the increase should be to 1-1/8 per cent and he taking the position that it should be to 1-1/4 per cent. The reasons which Chairman Eccles and Mr. Sproul gave for their respective positions were discussed and the effect of an in crease in rates to either suggested level and of its timing was con the light of conditions existing in the Government secu sidered in rity market and the possible effects upon System open market oper the consensus of those present that, for the rea ations. It was discussed, an increase in discount rates should be deferred sons of refunding of Treasury securities until after the announcement January and that action might be taken by the Banks maturing in in time for approval by the Board on Friday, December 19, 1947 market closed, to become effective on for announcement after the Monday, December 22.
The meeting then recessed and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. with the same attendance as at the end of the morning session except that Messrs. Vardaman and Vest were present and Mr. Thurston and Mr. Stead were not in attendance. During a discussion of the program to be followed with re spect to the retirement of the Government debt, including the re tirement of securities held by the Federal Reserve Banks, there was distributed a copy of a memorandum prepared in the Division of Research and Statistics of the Board of Governors under date of December 4, 1947, on the financing outlook. The memorandum stated that the Treasury cash balances during the period Decem ber 1, 1947, through June 30, 1948, would be large enough to per mit the retirement of $100 million of bills each week through the first week of January and $200 million a week thereafter through May and that if full exchange were offered for every maturing is sue of certificates and bonds during that period it would be pos sible to retire System holdings of these maturing issues except in June. If this program were followed, there would be a retire billion of certificates and bonds and $4.7 billion ment of $4.9 of which would be held by the Fed of bills, all but $800 million eral Reserve Banks. opinion that in view of the Eccles expressed the Chairman for the full Committee not situation it would be desirable changing
to plan too far ahead but to authorize the executive committee, de pending on the amount of Treasury balances available, (1) to retire Federal Reserve holdings of maturing securities during the first quarter of 1948, including $100 million of bills through the first week of December and $200 million a week thereafter, (2) to pro pose to the Treasury the refunding of the remaining certificates and bonds maturing in that period into 12- to 14-month securities which would have a proper relationship to a 1-1/8 per cent one year certificate, unless in the meantime it should become evident (which was not expected) that a higher rate would be desirable, and (3) to recommend, in consultation with representatives of the Treasury, the amounts to be held in Treasury war loan accounts during the period. Messrs. Sproul and Rouse questioned whether the entire amount of System holdings of January 1 and February 1 certificates should be retired and whether the program of retirement of System holdings should be as rapid during the first quarter of 1948 as Chairman Eccles had proposed. Mr. Rouse stated that it might be found, after careful analysis, that the situation in the market would be such that it would be desirable to pay off some of the February certificates and March 15 bonds held outside the Federal Reserve Banks and thus relieve the pressure on the market result ing from March tax payments, and that it would be desirable to
examine the situation from week to week to determine what the pro gram should be. In a discussion of his suggestion, Mr. Rouse stated that he agreed that the program followed should be one of keeping un remitting pressure on the reserve position of member banks during the first six months of 1948, with the exception of a short period around the first of February when he would put funds back into the market to relieve the extreme pressure which would exist at that time. The matter was also considered in the light of the possible return flow of currency following the year end and of further gold imports. indicated that he would not be willing to Chairman Eccles action were also taken by the follow Mr. Rouse's suggestion unless the period to increase reserve require Board of Governors during in central reserve cities. ments of banks that, because of the substantial The proposal was made occur before another meeting in the situation that might changes to follow would be to Committee, the best procedure of the full respect to the program which a general understanding with have would follow. This suggestion was agreed the executive committee in carrying out the it was understood that, to unanimously and
direction of the full Committee with respect to operations in the System account, the executive committee, in consultation with repre sentatives of the Treasury, would follow a program of retirement of Federal Reserve Bank held securities, and submit recommendations to the Treasury with respect to the maintenance of Treasury balances in the war loan accounts and with the Federal Reserve Banks which, in the judgment of the executive committee in the light of condi tions as they develop during the period, would be appropriate to keep pressure on the market and utilize to the best advantage the large Treasury cash balances that would be available during the period. In a discussion of the authority to be granted by the full Committee to the executive committee Mr. Rouse suggested that be cause of conditions that would prevail in connection with Treasury refunding operations and tax collections it would seem desirable that the executive committee have authority to increase or decrease the amount of securities held in the System account by as much as $3 billion. After a discussion of this sugges tion, upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the following di to the executive committee was rection the understanding that the approved with contained in the direction limitations would include commitments for the System open market account:
The executive committee is directed, until otherwise directed by the Federal Open Market Committee, to arrange for such transactions for the System open market account, either in the open market or directly with the Treasury (including purchases, sales, exchanges, replacement of maturing securities, and letting maturities run off with out replacement), as may be necessary, in the light of the general credit situation of the country, for the practical administration of the account, for the main tenance of stable and orderly conditions in the Govern ment security market, and for the purpose of relating the supply of funds in the market more closely to the needs of commerce and business; provided that the ag gregate amount of securities held in the account at the close of this date other than special short-term certif icates of indebtedness purchased from time to time for the temporary accommodation of the Treasury shall not be increased or decreased by more than $3,000,000,000. The executive committee is further directed, until otherwise directed by the Federal Open Market Committee, to arrange for the purchase for the System open market account direct from the Treasury of such amounts of special short-term certificates of indebtedness as may be necessary from time to time for the temporary accom modation of the Treasury; provided that the total amount of such certificates held in the account at any one time shall not exceed $1,500,000,000. Chairman Eccles stated that, in accordance with the action at the last meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the ex ecutive committee at its meeting just prior to this meeting agreed to propose to the full Committee that it approve the following rec by Messrs. Rouse and Smead, Director ommendation which had been made of the Division of Bank Operations of the Board of Governors, with that (1) the complete details would be worked out the understanding and the changed procedure would be put into effect on January 1,
1948, and (2) a full written statement of the procedure would be submitted at the next meeting of the executive committee and the Federal Open Market Committee for ratification: 1. That interest bearing securities in the Account be allocated at the first of the year on the basis of the expense and dividend ratio of each Bank as against all the Banks; that this allocation be the only one for the year; and that the same basis of allocation continue in use. However, profits and losses on in terest bearing securities would continue to be al located on the basis of the average holding ratio for the preceding five years. 2. Holdings of Treasury bills would likewise be allo cated on the expense and dividend ratios to the ex tent that the several Reserve Banks were able to ac quire such securities within the limits of maintain ing the reserve ratio of 35 per cent or such other percentage as the Committee may determine. Profit and loss on Treasury bills would be allocated on the basis of the current Treasury bill holding ratio Bank as of the day profit or loss is realized. of each Eccles also said that the executive committee Chairman the executive committee be authorized, should would recommend that meetings of the Federal Open Market circumstances develop between some adjustment in the allocation procedure, Committee requiring be desirable pending the next such action as appeared to to take meeting of the Committee. stated that an Mr. Rouse the recommendation In discussing of allocation and made to simplify the procedure effort had been have to deal with it only understandable to those who make it more
occasionally and to reduce the amount of work involved in carrying out the allocations. Upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the recommenda tions of the executive committee were approved. Mr. Leedy suggested that consideration be given to adopting a procedure of allocation that would tend to equalize the surplus accounts of the Federal Reserve Banks in relation to their paid in capital accounts. Chairman Eccles stated that, in accordance with action taken at the meeting on October 7, the executive comittee had discussed the proposal made in a memorandum from Mr. Rouse to Mr. Sproul under date of September 30, 1947, that the authority given by the Federal Open Market Committee to the Federal Reserve Banks to purchase Gov ernment securities under resale agreements be restored, and that, while it had not reached agreement as to the action to be taken, the executive committee had approved unanimously a suggestion that a memorandum be prepared which would state fully the reasons that might be advanced for and against action by the Federal Open Mar granting the authority, that the memorandum be sent ket Committee of the Federal Open Market Committee before the to all members committee, and that the recommenda next meeting of the executive at this meeting of the full Committee that the exection be made
utive committee be authorized to grant the authority if, after con sideration of the reasons for and against such action, the committee felt at its next meeting that the authority should be granted. Upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the recommendation of the executive committee was approved. It was tentatively agreed that the next meetings of the Fed eral Open Market Committee should be held on February 27 and March 1, 1948, with the understanding that the next meeting of the Presi dents' Conference would be held in Washington on February 24-26, Chairman Eccles stated that the matters which had been dis at this meeting were of very great importance from the stand cussed possible effects on the Government security market, point of their to know the actions the many people who would like that there were that it would be very unfortunate proposed to take, and Committee or make any statement in con anyone present should talk about if which would disclose in with the Committee's discussions nection Accordingly, he suggested the nature of the discussions. any way his guard not to make any statements, everyone present be on that any indication of what which might give inadvertent or otherwise, with respect to open the System might be future policies of the operations or discount rates. market
Thereupon the meeting adjourned. Secretary Approved: Chairman.
Also: Record of Policy Actions·Minutes of the Executive Committee, October 14, 1947·Minutes of the Executive Committee, December 9, 1947