June 23, 1954 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 Wednesday, June 23, 1954 at 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: Mr. Martin, Chairman Mr. Sproul, Vice Chairman Mr. Bryan Mr. Leedy Mr. Mills Mr. Robertson Mr. Szymczak Mr. Vardaman Mr. Williams Mr. C. S. Young Mr. Riefler, Secretary Mr. Thurston, Assistant Secretary Mr. Solomon, Assistant General Counsel Mr. Thomas, Economist Messrs. Bopp, Mitchell, Rauber, Roelse, Tow, and R. A. Young, Associate Economists Mr. Rouse, Manager, System Open Market Account Mr. Carpenter, Secretary, Board of Governors Mr. Sherman, Assistant Secretary, Board of Governors Mr. Youngdahl, Assistant Director, Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors Mr. Hexter, Assistant General Counsel, Board of Governors Mr. Gaines, Securities Department, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Mr. Miller, Economist, Government Finance Section, Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors Messrs. Leach, Fulton, Johns, and Earhart, Alternate Members, Federal Open Market Committee Messrs. Erickson, Powell, and Irons, Presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, Minneapolis, and Dallas, respectively. Martin stated that subsequent to the meeting on March Chairman Reserve Banks by the Federal of the election advice was received 3, 1954,
of Atlanta, St. Louis, and Dallas of Mr. Malcolm Bryan as member, and of Mr. D. C. Johns as alternate member, of the Federal Open Market Com mittee for the remainder of the year ending February 28, 1955, and that both had executed the customary oath of office. The Chairman also stated that Mr. Bryan had suggested that Earle L. Rauber be elected as associate economist of the Committee. The election of Mr. Bryan as a member of the Federal Open Market Committee for the remainder of the year ending February 28, 1955, and of Mr. Johns as an alternate member, was noted, and, upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the election of Mr. Rauber to serve as an associate economist of the Federal Open Market Committee until the election of his successor at the first meeting of the Com mittee after February 28, 1955, was approved. These actions were noted and approved with the understanding that in the event of the discontinuance of their official connections with the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta or St. Louis, as the case might be, Messrs* Bryan, Johns, or Rauber would cease to have any official connection with the Federal Open Market Committee. In taking these actions, it was also understood that Mr. Bryan was selected as an alternate member of the executive committee Federal Open Market Committee for the of the remainder of the year ending February 28, which the alter the order in 1955, and that of the executive committee would nate members serve for Messrs. Sproul and Williams would C. S. Young, Mr. Leedy, and Mr. Bryan. be Mr. duly made and seconded, and Upon motion unanimous vote, the minutes of the meeting by Market Committee held on of the Federal Open March 3, 1954, were approved.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the action taken by the members of the Federal Open Market Committee on April 15, 1954, in reducing the minimum buying rate on prime bankers' acceptances from 1-3/4 per cent, as established by the Federal Open Market Committee on February 5, 195, to 1-1/2 per cent, effective April 16, 1954, was approved, ratified, and con firmed. Under date of April 16, 1954, there had been sent to each member of the Federal Open Market Committee a report of an audit of the System Open Market Account made by the Division of Examinations of the Board of Governors as at the close of business March 19, 1954, which report had been submitted to the Secretary of the Committee under date of April 12, accordance with the action of the Federal Open Market Committee 1954 in at its meeting on June 21, 1939. Chairman Martin inquired whether any of the members of the Committee wished to comment on the report. Without objection, the audit report referred to was noted and accepted. Upon motion duly made and seconded, and vote, the actions of the execu by unanimous tive committee of the Federal Open Market Committee as set forth in the minutes of the of the executive committee held on meetings 16, March 30, April 13, April March 3, March 11, May 26, and June 8, 1954, were 27, May approved, ratified, and confirmed. the members of the had been sent to this meeting there Before at the Federal Re market operations prepared a report of open Committee March 3 to June 18, 1954, York covering the period serve Bank of New a supplementary report meeting there was distributed inclusive. At this
covering commitments executed June 21 and 22, 1954. Copies of both reports have been placed in the files of the Federal Open Market Com mittee. During a brief comment regarding the reports, Mr. Rouse stated that the System account had had to be in the market intermittently since the last meeting of the full Committee, primarily during the two periods of heavy Treasury tax collections. Mr. Rouse also expressed the view that the operations had been such to keep as average reserves of member banks in line with the wishes which had been indicated in the directives issued by the full Committee and the executive committee. He further stated that there had been such a decline in short-term money rates that the money market had lost the use of both the discount and the repurchase facilities at their existing rates for carrying a result, adjustments of reserve positions had been securities and, as securities and inter-bank borrowing. This handled by sales of short-term quite well except for a few days when reserves had dropped had worked which times the money market had shown an suddenly and substantially, at not warranted by the basic reserve posi atmosphere of tightness that was tion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the transactions in and by unanimous vote, the System account for the period March 3 to June 22, 1954, inclusive, were approved, ratified, and confirmed. staff then entered the room for the pur Members of the Board's situation and the review of the economic in presenting a pose of assisting Wheeler, Vice President slides. Mr. illustrated by chart credit outlook,
of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, also entered the room at this point. Following presentation and discussion of the review, members of the staff who had entered the room for the purpose indicated withdrew, as did Mr. Wheeler. Copies of the script of the review were sent to the members of the Committee following the meeting. Chairman Martin suggested that there be a discussion at this point of the general policy of the Federal Open Market Committee. He noted that the Committee had had a policy of "active ease" and he called attention to the discussions of the executive committee at meetings held since last March, as recorded in minutes of those meetings, which indi cated there had been some difference of opinion as to the degree of ease that should be maintained in the money market under the general policy. Chairman Martin asked that each of the members of the Committee as well as the Presidents not currently members of the Committee express their views as to the appropriateness of the policy of active ease, and as to the degree of ease that should be sought in carrying out the policy. Mr. Sproul was of the view that during the period since the last meeting of the full Committee, and as brought out by the presentation of the economic and credit situation, the contribution of this morning during the past three months had been as monetary and credit policy with the needs of the situation as the Committee nearly in accordance had maintained active ease hoped to have it. The Committee could have in a way that had facilitated and made possible the financing of business,
both short-term and longer-term needs, in the productive areas of the economy and in the areas of capital equipment and housing, without intro ducing such sloppiness in the market as would either raise concern as to the Committee's outlook for the credit and business situation or cause distortions in the credit and capital markets, Mr. Sproul thought that the Committee's policy had been carried out so as to have about the right amount of ease. There was still some uncertainty as to the pros pect for the course of business, unemployment, and prices, and he felt that the policy which the Committee had been following was the one that should be continued, with the Committee remaining alert to changes that might occur in the business and credit situation. Mr. Sproul also said, in response to a question from Chairman Martin, that it seemed to him even more so since the reduction in reserve requirements of member banks announced by the Board on Monday of this week- that any further re duction in the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Banks at this time would be a waste of ammunition which might possibly be useful later on. He felt that the System could well afford to observe the working out of the effects of this reduction in reserve requirements before giving further consideration to another decrease in the discount rate. Mr. Szymczak thought that no reduction in the discount rate was called for at this time. He felt that the Open Market Committee's policy insofar as monetary policy could be this year had been very helpful recovery, and that it had not been overdone effective in stimulating excessive ease or too little ease. Mr. either on the side of causing
Szymczak stated that he would prefer, however, that the System encourage the use of repurchase facilities during certain periods by greater flexi bility in the rates on repurchase contracts. Mr. Robertson felt that the policy of the Open Market Committee as carried out by the executive committee had been almost perfect this spring. He would not tinker with the discount rate presently. As to free reserves, Mr. Robertson felt that the level the Committee had adhered to recently-in the $400-$700 million area without, however, a fixed limit-had been satisfactory and he would not deviate from the policy recently followed by the Committee. Mr. Williams suggested that the Committee should "play by ear" rather than attempt to prepare a score at this time. He felt the re duction in reserve requirements should be observed carefully and that for the present the general policy the Open Market Committee had been following should be continued. Mr. Bryan said that he had no quarrel at this point with the the Open Market Committee or the way in which it had been policy of committee but that from time to time he carried out by the executive policy was driving at. He wondered was puzzled as to just what Committee the criteria being used in con was full understanding of whether there example, he questioned whether open market operations. For nection with was a better guide than total reserves, the concept of 'free reserves" committee had in mind in not certain just what the executive and he was Mr. Bryan also in the money market. about "sloppy" conditions talking
referred to the study being carried on of the discount rate and discount rate mechanism, stating that he felt the System was handling the discount mechanism badly and was not getting the proper use out of it by leaving the rate at such a penalty level as now existed, Chairman Martin called on Messrs. Thomas and Rouse for comment on the use of free reserves as a guide to System operations and the sig nificance of committee discussions of a "sloppy" money market. Mr. Thomas felt there could be a difference of opinion as to whether free reserves or total excess reserves or the volume of member bank borrowing offered the best guide to System policy. He believed that an amount of free reserves of about $700 million was close to the minimum necessary for a condition of active ease, but was not sure that if excess reserves rose much above the $800-$900 million range it would make any difference with respect to credit expansion. When excess reserves rose above that level and member banks were out of debt, there was the likelihood of a sloppy market in which funds were "chasing each other around the market". Unless monetary ease stimulated new demand for credit, it simply meant having idle funds in the market or a sloppy money market, Mr. Rouse suggested that free reserves indicated that the banking system was out of debt to the Federal Reserve, and as soon as that there tended to be funds "chasing themselves around situation developed the market." The Banks had become accustomed to keeping funds fully by placing them in the short-term invested, as had nonbank corporations, market. Mr. Rouse felt that in determining whether there was a sloppy know whether banks felt it desirable market it was of importance to money
to invest their funds in the short-term market. Mr. Sproul suggested that the concept of free reserves as a guide to credit policy involved leaving the banks with a feeling of ability to meet credit demands without strain and with some awareness of what the Committee s policy was with respect to credit availability. It allows the banks to run without checkrein and lets the capital markets know there is no present or prospective likelihood of credit restraint. The term sloppy money market involved the question where further injections of reserves would bring about or help bring about further credit demands that would stimulate production and employment, or whether they would only generate increases in demand deposits and reductions in money market rates of interest without any stimulating effect on the economy. As to the discount rate, Mr. Sproul saw no way, under a policy such as the Committee had been following, with its effects in reducing short-term open market rates, of getting away from having the discount rate appear to be a penalty rate in relation to open market rates. He questioned whether the discount rate had been or now is a penalty rate in terms of Federal Reserve credit, which would be where the penalty of the use would lie. policy that had been followed felt that the open market Mr. Leedy during this period. He had worked well and had been appropriate recently on the side of ease been correct in erring the Committee had thought the view that a time might be ap rather than tightness but expressed a little closer to would wish to "steer proaching when the Committee
the shore". Mr. Leedy said that he would not, however, wish to have the Committee s actions give any real indication of a change in the policy it had been following. As to the discount rate, Mr. Lee said he had not been too happy about the latest reduction because he had not felt that the time was quite appropriate for it, Mr. C. S Young said that he had been very pleased with the re ductions in the discount rates in April and May as well as with the re duction in reserve requirements announced this week. He felt that open market policy and the executive committee's actions in carrying it out had been excellent this spring. The only thing that worried him, he said, was that there seemed to be more optimism about business conditions than he could justify on the basis of observations in the Chicago area. Mr. Young cited reports of heavy inventories of durable goods as an unfavorable factor in the business outlook and stated that there were in the business situation in the Seventh Federal a number of soft spots the Committee should not try to pinpoint a Reserve District. He felt level of free reserves to be maintained and would not be concerned if they Mr. Young also expressed the the $700 million level. rose somewhat above to a minor role as an discount rate would not be relegated hope that the instrument of credit policy. no comments other than to express Mr. Vardaman stated that he had and that he in reserve requirements, of the recent reduction approval by Mr. Bryan regarding a with the suggestion made concurred largely
study to determine what were the best criteria for measuring the effects of open market operations. Mr. Vardaman added that he would favor maintaining at least $800 million of free reserves in the money market for the present. Mr. Mills expressed reservations regarding the program followed by the executive committee this spring. Accepting the policy of active ease, the question was what the degree of ease should be and how it should be translated in the form of open market operations. Mr. Mills thought that the executive committee had erred by being preoccupied with the state of the market and the market's reaction to the adequacy and availability of reserves, and in doing so it had lost sight of the fact that open market policy is more than a policy that affects the securi ties market: it is an instrument of national economic policy. Mr. Mills felt the Open Market Committee had a responsibility to achieve broader economic effects than those on which he felt the executive committee had been concentrating during the past few months. During the latter June free reserves had not been at a level to ac part of May and early purpose, he said, but during the past two complish this broader economic reserves had, through fortuitous circumstances, risen above weeks free had been taken as satisfactory, and as they the $500 million level which the more freely available reserves was an immediate response to rose there and a stronger range of prices of a better tone in the market in the form that, there had been market. Along with in the Government securities banks and a at reporting member in loans on securities a reduction
movement of these securities from the loan portfolio where they had gotten congested, out to private investors, Mr. Mills felt that the Committee was now perhaps able to do more effective work than would be possible if it looked exclusively to the markets and allowed the amount of reserves in the market to drop too low. He stated that the banks and the investment market were very sensitive to actions by the Federal Reserve System and that every time there had been a hint of tightness, even temporary, there had been a suggestion that System policy had changed-something that had a very dampening influence on the situation. If the Committee could have a policy that was reassuring to the invest ment and financial community without providing excesses, that would represent a highly desirable situation. Mr. Leach stated that, while he was not a member of the executive committee, he felt the program followed this spring had been just about have known that they could get more reserves if they right. Banks loans and Mr. Leach did not feel that banks needed them for expanding demands for credit. To him, that appeared had turned down any legitimate reserves. Mr. Leach noted than the level of free to be more important those expressed by Mr. Mills. were about the opposite from that his views warranted in just making money "easy"; He did not feel the System was to keep conditions from Committee might be responsibility of the the needed reserves proved to be wrong. being too easy, if estimates of no criticism to offer of the Open Mr. Earhart said that he had way in which that praise for the policy and only Market Committee's
policy had been carried out this spring. As to the discount rate, he would not recommend a change in it at the present time. However, he was much interested in the study being made of the discount rate mechanism and felt the System had allowed the discount rate at times, including perhaps the present, to get out of touch with the policies indicated by the Open Market Committee. A discount rate a little more in line with market rates might avoid in some measure some of the tight ness that developed in the market from time to time by making banks more willing to borrow during temporary periods of tightness. Mr. Earhart would not be inclined to change the existing policy of the Open If sloppiness developed in the market, Market Committee for the present. in a further reduction in the Mr. Earhart thought it would be reflected gained by bringing about that he saw no objective to be bill rate and situation. if the Committee continued Johns said he would be pleased Mr. remaining alert to any the policy it has been following, for the present change in such policy. He had might arise for variations or needs that St. Louis Bank a the directors of the of recommending to no intention he shared the the present, although discount rate for change in the in the as to inconsistencies Bryan and Earhart expressed by Messrs. views of to other instruments rate in relation of the discount management in reserve requirements the reduction Mr. Johns applauded credit policy. by the Board that this action the hope week and expressed announced this requirements more to use changes in reserve represented a decision
flexibly in the future than in the recent past. Mr. Vardaman stated that he agreed almost completely with the statements made by Mr. Johns. Mr. Powell said that he had been thinking along lines expressed by Mr. Johns, and he would endorse strongly the views expressed by Mr. Mills. Mr. Powell stated that banks were short of capital, that their expenses were high, that they needed more funds for investment, that the open market account was larger than the System needed, and that reserve requirements could well be reduced further, perhaps to the minimum statutory limits, with offsetting sales to banks of securities from the System open market account. Mr. Erickson felt that operations in the System account had been handled almost perfectly in recent months. He would not reduce the dis count rate now and would not try to pinpoint any figure of free reserves to be maintained but would "play by ear" to promote active ease and would make use of repurchase agreements. Mr. Fulton felt the practical effects of open market operations in recent months had been very good. The rate structure at banks in the Cleveland District had been well maintained, and there had been no dearth of lendable funds at banks for use in meeting legitimate credit needs. that could be used at a more rate, he felt, was a weapon The discount Mr. Fulton agreed with the views ex opportune time than the present. were too high and said Powell that reserve requirements pressed by Mr. their further reduction as rapidly as he would favor as an objective feasible.
Mr. Irons stated that he would take no exception to the policy of active ease but that he would have some reservations as to the degree of ease, particularly he would be reluctant to see it become any more active than at present. With respect to the discount rates Mr. Irons would be reluctant to see any change at this time. As to free reserves, Mr. Irons wondered whether there was not too much emphasis being put on the sheer volume or availability-of-funds concept and too little weight given to the rate as a factor in the market and as a test or measure of the results of System policy. He felt the System may have shifted too far from looking at the rate as a factor of significance. At this time, 12:07 p.m., the Committee went into executive session and all members of the staff withdrew from the room. Following lunch, the executive session continued until 3:35 p.m. at which time members of the staff who were present at the close of the morning session rejoined the meeting except that Messrs. Bopp, Mitchell, Rauber, Roelse, and Hexter were not present. Mr. Robertson referred to the authority given by the Committee to each Federal Reserve Bank in January 1948 regarding repurchase con tracts with nonbank dealers in United States Government securities, as time to time since, and to the statement of renewed and changed from conditions for such agreements as adopted at the meeting on March 4, on repurchase contracts be fixed by 1953 which provided that the rate subject to stated limita the System Open Market Account the Manager of that he felt the Manager of the System Open tions. Mr. Robertson said
Market Account should be relieved of the responsibility for fixing the rate, since it seemed undesirable to give him the authority and then not expect him to use it freely, as had been the case in recent months. Mr. Robertson then moved the adoption of the following author izations In lieu of the authority granted with respect to repur chase agreements at the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on March 4, 1953, the executive committee is hereby authorized to direct the Federal Reserve Banks, or any of them, to enter into repurchase agreements with nonbank dealers in United States Government securities at such time, in such amounts, and at such rates (or rates ranges) as the executive committee shall prescribe, subject to the following conditions: 1. Such agreements (a) In no event shall be at a rate below which ever is the lower of (1) the discount rate of the purchasing Federal Reserve Bank on eligible commercial paper, or (2) the average issuing rate on the most recent issue of three-month Treasury bills; (b) Shall be for periods of not to exceed 15 calendar days; (c) Shall cover only short-term Government se curities maturing within 15 months; and (d) Shall be used with care and discrimination as a means of providing the money market with sufficient Federal Reserve funds to avoid un due strain on a day-to-day basis. 2. Reports of such transactions shall be made to the Manager of the System Open Market Account to be included in the weekly report of open market oper ations which is sent to the members of the Federal Open Market Committee. 3. In the event Government securities covered by any such agreement are not repurchased by the dealer pursuant to the agreement or a renewal thereof, the securities thus acquired by a Federal Reserve Bank shall be sold in the market or transferred to the System Open Market Account.
Mr. Robertson's motion was put by the Chair and approved by unani mous vote. Mr. Robertson then referred to the following memoranda, copies of which were distributed before this meeting, relating to bankers ac ceptances 1. Bankers' Acceptances - Role of Bankers' Acceptances. March 24, 1954. This memorandum gives background in formation regarding American acceptance market de velopment from inception following establishment of the Federal Reserve System. 2. Current Problem of System Policy with Respect to the Bankers' Acceptance Market. March 25, 1954. This memorandum contains staff suggestions as to steps the Federal Reserve might take to assist in bringing about a more freely functioning bankers' acceptance market. Acceptances: Present Conditions and Practices. 3. Bank May 14, 1954. This memorandum was prepared by Messrs. Hexter and Youngdahl of the staff of the Board of Governors with a view to presenting factual informa present conditions and practices in tion regarding the market for bank acceptances. 4. Proposal to Purchase Bank Acceptances for Federal Re serve Account. June 1, 1954. This memorandum from Governor Robertson raises a number of questions re garding the proposals contained in the staff memorandum dated March 25, 1954, referred to under item "2" above, and Mr. Rouse dated June 16, 5. Memoranda from Mr. Riefler to purchase bank acceptances 1954, regarding proposal for Federal Reserve account. Market Committee terminate the practice He suggested that the Federal Open acceptances at this buying rate on bankers' of establishing a minimum time. a proposal should not stated that he felt such Chairman Martin of the Federal unless all members a full discussion be acted on without the action was desirable. were satisfied that Open Market Committee
Following a brief discussion, it was agreed unanimously that no action would be taken at this meeting with respect to the minimum rate on bankers' acceptances, with the understanding that the memoranda referred to above would be given consideration at the next meeting of the Committee. In response to Chairman Martin's inquiry regarding instructions to be issued by the Committee, Mr. Rouse stated that it appeared probable that, as a result of the usual forces and the reduction in reserve re quirements, there would be a very large volume of free reserves available during July and August, and he raised the question whether they should be left there or taken up through permitting some run-off in System holdings of bills. Chairman Martin stated that he understood it to be the sense of the meeting that the Committee pursue a policy of active ease, recognis ing that there was a division of thought as to the degree of ease that would be desirable, this question, however, to be left in the hands of the executive committee. It was understood, he said, that the full Committee was not pinpointing any specific amount of free reserves that should be maintained in the market in carrying out a policy of active ease. Chairman Martin also said that in the event there were clear signs of inflation developing, the Committee might wish to change its policy from one of active ease in which event it might be desirable to call a meeting of the full Committee prior to the time the next meeting ordinarily would take place. There was unanimous agreement with Chairman Martin's statement.
Thereupon, upon motion duly made and seconded, the following directive to the executive commit tee was approved unanimously. 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 without replacement), 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 promoting growth and stability in the economy by actively maintaining a con dition of ease in the money market, (c) to correcting a dis orderly situation in the Government securities market, and (d) 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 indebtedness purchased from time to time for the temporary accommodation of the Treasury, shall not be increased or decreased by more than $2,000,000,000. The xecutive committee is further directed, until other wise directed by the Federal Open Market Committee, to arrange for the purchase direct from the Treasury for the account of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (which Bank shall have discre tion, in cases where it seems desirable, to issue participations to one or more Federal Reserve Banks) of such amounts of special short-term certificates of indebtedness as may be necessary from time to time for the temporary accommodation of the Treasury, provided that the total amount of such certificates held at any one time by the Federal Reserve Banks shall not exceed in the aggregate $2,000,000,000. Mr. C. S. Young stated that the Conference of Presidents had not its next meeting although it had been suggested that it set a time for of the American Bankers Association's might be deferred until the time City, New Jersey, October 17-21, annual convention to be held at Atlantic
Chairman Martin felt that it would not be desirable to defer the next meeting of the Open Market Committee until October and there was agreement with his suggestion that no date be set at this time but that the meeting be subject to call. Thereupon the meeting adjourned.
Also: Record of Policy Actions·Minutes of the Executive Committee, March 16, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, March 30, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, April 13, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, April 27, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, May 11, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, May 26, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, June 8, 1954·Minutes of the Executive Committee, June 23, 1954