September 10, 1957 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, September 10, 1957, at 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: Mr. Martin, Chairman Mr. Hayes Mr. Allen Balderston Mr. Leedy Mr. Mr. Mr. Robertson Mr. Szymczak Mr. Vardaman Mr. Williams Mr. Irons, Alternate for Mr. Bryan Messrs. Fulton, Leach, and Mangels, Alternate Members of the Federal Open Market Committee Messrs. Erickson, Johns, and Deming, Presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, St. Louis, and Minneapolis, respectively Mr. Riefler, Secretary Mr. Sherman, Assistant Secretary Mr. Hackley, General Counsel Mr. Solomon, Assistant General Counsel Mr. Thomas, Economist Messrs. Marget, Mitchell, Tow, and Young, Associate Economists Mr. Rouse, Manager, System Open Market Account Mr. Carpenter, Secretary, Board of Governors Assistant Director, Division of Mr. Koch, Statistics, Board of Governors Research and Chief, Government Finance Section, Mr. Miller, of Research and Statistics, Board Division of Governors Gaines, Manager, Securities Department, Mr. Reserve Bank of New York Federal Abbott, Daane, Roosa, and Strothman, Messrs. of the Federal Reserve Vice Presidents Banks of St. Louis, Richmond, New York and Minneapolis, respectively; Messrs. and Einzig, Assistant Vice Presi Balles Reserve Banks of Cleveland dents, Federal
and San Francisco, respectively; Mr. Walker, Economic Adviser, Federal Re serve Bank of Dallas; Mr. Anderson, Financial Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Upon motion duly made and seconded, and by unanimous vote, the minutes of the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee held on August 20, 1957, were approved. Before this meeting there had been distributed to the members of the Committee a report prepared at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York covering open market operations during the period August 20 through September 4, 1957, and a supplementary report covering commit ments executed September 5 through September 9, 1957. Copies of both reports have been placed in the files of the Federal Open Market Com mittee. Mr. Rouse reported that he had been on vacation during a good three weeks, but so far as he could determine the part of the past tight during this interval. Federal money market had been consistently briefly below the discount rate the last two days of the funds traded at the ceiling rate during the September 4 statement week but remained beginning with the Labor the period. The reserve projections rest of net borrowed reserves. consistently overestimated Day holiday period substantial tightness August, the projections indicated Until the end of then two weeks of somewhat September 11 and through the week ended of these projections, Treasury reserves. On the basis lower net borrowed early part of the account in the for the System bills were purchased Day holiday was prior to the Labor The currency outflow period.
smaller than expected, however, and float released more reserves than expected, with the result that the reserve figures had not been as tight during the past two weeks as anticipated, despite sales of Treasury bills from the System account. On top of all this, a substantial after-the-fact revision makes the net borrowed reserves figures look, in retrospect, even less tight than they did at the time the Desk was dealing with them. Mr. Rouse also commented that the sales from the System account in the past several days were made without a full go-around, in view of the pressures already present in the bill market. Mr. Rouse pointed out that the projections attached to the supplementary report now indicate average net borrowed reserves some what above $400 million for the week ending September 11 and significantly lower averages for the following two weeks, partly reflecting free re serves for a few days in the first half of the September 25 week. Although reserve positions were expected to ease further during the next two weeks in reflection of a large projected float bulge, Mr. Rouse felt that, in view of the Treasury financing, it was unlikely that much could be done to offset this release of reserves. The last call for supplying a large volume week in the month, however, would of reserves, assuming the continuation of current policy. Mr. Rouse also mentioned Treasury plans to announce its new cash financing on Thursday, September 12, with books open Monday, payment on Thursday, September 26. Market conditions September 16, and
suggest that the Treasury might find it easier to sell securities of more than one-year maturity than to sell shorter-term issues, he added, noting that a somewhat bullish atmosphere had developed in the bond market due to such influences as the lessened optimism on the business outlook, concern over the outlook for some foreign currencies, and testimony before the Byrd Committee that had been interpreted to suggest that interest rates may be near a peak. These changed expectations would help the market to absorb the large scheduled corporate and municipal offerings in the next few weeks as well as the proposed Treasury offering. At the conclusion of Mr. Rouse's remarks, Mr. Balderston asked if the March 1958 tax bills were in supply or were being pressed on the market. Mr. Rouse replied that there were some March tax bills around not being pushed; evidently part of the issue that but that they were was loosely held had been distributed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, by unanimous vote, the open market and transactions during the period August 20 through September 9, 1957, were approved, ratified, and confirmed. a report in Mr. Young presented Martin's request, At Chairman spots of the economy at present he compared the strong and soft which statement was substantially as the situation of last spring. His with follows: question was of the Committee, the last meeting At and soft spots of the economy raisea as to how the strong
now compare with the situation of last spring. In other words, what significant changes have occurred since last spring, and what do these changes indicate with respect to prospective near-term levels of activity? My report at this meeting will be directed to a capsule considera tion of this broad question rather than to a specific summary of the staff memorandum circulated to you in advance. The first and most obvious observation to be made about the economic situation is that activity, domestically and abroad, continues at high and fairly intensive levels of resource utilization. Reflecting strong and still expanding aggregate demand, wholesale prices are up some what from late spring and consumer prices are up sharply. Thus, price stability, for which there was some hope by late spring, has not yet been achieved, particularly at the consumer level. Industrial production, which was showing modest down ward drift during the spring, has since leveled out and is now possibly showing an uptilt. The current rate of steel production in relation to capacity holds higher than was expected last spring for this time of the year and the order flow is reported to be swelling again. Output of consumer goods has strengthened, with durable goods pro duction, which had been declining during the first half of the year, showing revival. Average hours worked per week, seasonally adjusted, have generally shown some rise from spring hours, whereas hours worked in the spring had been declining for some months. Construction activity has generally maintained record levels since the spring period, as it had earlier. For two years through the spring, residential construction activity had been declining and further decline over the balance of the year was rather widely expected. Since spring, residential construction activity has leveled out risen some. The building industry now expects and then further rise. If there has been any weakening in the area since spring, it has been in the industrial construction and commercial construction area, but the indications here are by no means clear. Last spring, business plant and equipment expenditures rising, though at a much reduced were thought to be still Still some further rise was expected, at least through rate. now available points to a leveling the summer. Information the total of these outlays since the first quarter, out in for the, to continue level. with the near-term prospect
New orders in durable manufacturing, which reflect adjustment in business plant and equipment expenditures as well as other influences, were declining last spring and had been for several months. Since June, they have been stable about 7 per cent under year-ago levels. National security expenditures rose over the last fiscal year, and have risen further since. Recently cutbacks have been announced in defense outlay schedules and further sizable cutbacks will be required to bring defense outlays within budget estimate figures. The immediate background of business inventory spending last spring was one of abrupt leveling off following two years of substantial buildup. This adjustment was in recognition of easier supply conditions and the large stocks in hand. With these conditions continuing, business inventory spending has since been held in close relationship with current sales, with only modest further growth in holdings. Consumer spending for goods last spring also had an in mediate background of leveling out. Consumer nondurable goods buying was showing some buoyancy, but purchasing of household durables was reduced; and buying of automobiles was running below industry expectations. With further rise in personal income since mid-spring, consumer buying of nondurable goods has picked up strikingly further, demand for household durables has shifted from softness to fair strength, and automobile demand, though supported by credit purchases more than any other year at this time, has held up much better than ex pected. Car buyers on credit during the 1954-55 new car sales bulge are becoming debt free in increasing numbers, and the automobile industry is looking forward to an active replace ment demand from these car owners to support new model introductions this fall. Foreign demand for U. S. goods as reflected in exports, though reduced from record levels reached earlier in the year, in consequence of lower petroleum shipments, appears from latest reports to be holding not too far below the high level reached in the first quarter. Reflecting shifting supply-demand relationships in particular markets, price changes for basic industrial materials have remained selective. In nonferrous metals markets, weakness manifest in the spring and before has continued. In finished goods markets, recent price increases have probably been more numerous than in the spring, partly because of the recent increase in steel prices. They have not, however, been as widespread nor as large as in comparable months of last year. Prices of grain crops were weak in the weakened further since. Prices of meat spring and have
animals were strong in the spring and have strengthened further since. Financially, aggregate credit and capital demands have continued to expand, and, with restriction on bank credit expansion, have intensified money and capital market pressures. Market interest rates since last spring have risen appreciably further--to a point, in fact, where they are pressing against levels prevailing in 1929. This development, together with uncertainties characteristic of the period of the year as well as special uncertainties arising at this time, has precipitated in recent weeks an abrupt re-evaluation of stock market yields and prices in comparison with those of alternative investments. Last spring rebound of business optimism, after an early-in year wave of pessimism, was finding expression in rising stock prices and further declines in already low stock yields. Last spring, business failures were at high postwar levels and the background for over a year had been one of steady rise. Similarly, new incorporations were low, and had a background of steady decline. Both of these series have shown positive reversal since spring, Reflecting System policy, monetary expansion has been virtually absent since the spring. In early months of the year it had only been very modest. Another development since spring has been a slackening in the rise of money turnover. For banks, other financial institutions, and business corporations, a still tighter liquidity large position clearly obtains now than in the spring. In Europe since spring, inflationary trends and foreign disequilibria have moved into a critical exchange market with new or additional monetary restraints introduced phase, and with further appreciable increase in in various countries market interest rates in all of them. the money surface of the economy appears more Although spring, the underlying economic situa disturbed than in the enough from the spring to suggest tion does not differ than continuation of offsetting adjustments, prospects other activity. Some inflationary symptoms at high levels of real output still appears but modest growth in total persist over-all developments. There is to be a feature of the formation of forces indicative of imminent up clearly no demand pressures. Neither does there ap surge of general of developments portentous to be present a combination pear Should strength recently of general downward adjustment. extended, strengthening of in consumer markets be manifest primary material markets might demand in semi-finished and
well be expected as a secondary response. With capacity in major material and manufacturing lines now well expandedand so temporarily a restraint on new business investment and with restrictive credit conditions continuing, the re sponse of industrial suppliers to stronger demand might assume characteristics more overtly competitive in price terms than has been witnessed for some time. Such a develop ment would signalize a breaking up of inflationary clouds. There are competent business observers, especially in the financial community, who are inclined to the belief that major economic forces are shaping toward a downward drift ahead of general activity. These observers emphasize: (1) the cumula tive inhibiting effects of monetary restraints on credit financed investment; (2) a high and inflexible industrial cost structure; (3) a cumulating pressure of excess capacity on markets for industrial materials and fabricated commodities resulting from the swollen volume of business investment of recent years; (4) the prospect of a significant reduction in national defense expenditures during the current fiscal year; and (5) a developing psychology of gloom in high business places. This prognosis, which underlies some current pessimism in "informed financial circles," seems far out of focus in terms of the recently developing situation. At the same time, as we have stressed before, one must considering the complex of forces determining recognize that, any prognosis of future prospects levels of economic activity, situation must constantly be followed is dated. The economic and assessments of it modified in the light of very closely, trends shown by newly available facts. Mr. Vardaman as to when reductions In response to a question from might become noticeable that were being discussed in defense expenditures that he felt the ef Mr. Young said effects upon the economy, in their he said, was how The real question, appear almost at once. fects would all of the circum be effected, considering cutback actually would much to the present time cutbacks, but up was much talk of stances; there the Defense Department to obtain from either had not been possible it they might be. schedule of what Budget any clear Bureau of the or the present time at the to evaluate was not possible reason it For this
their quantitative effects on economic activity. Mr. Thomas next made a statement concerning recent credit de velopments as follows: Principal developments in financial markets recently have been (1) The continued large volume of payments by the Treasury. (2) The continued large volume of new securities of fered both by corporations and by State and local govern ments. (3) The leveling out of bank credit expansion, reflect ing a more moderate loan growth than in the two previous years and further liquidation of Government securities by banks. (4) Some firming of the bond market at the high level of yields reached earlier, notwithstanding the large volume of new issues. decline in stock prices with light (5) The persistent trading. (6) The continuation of Treasury bill rates at slightly above the discount rates and the maintenance of yields on Government securities maturing in 6 months to 4 or 5 years at around 4 per cent. Continuation of member bank borrowing at a generally (7) high level, even though at times less than was expected, with city banks showing tight reserve positions. The continued high level of Treasury expenditures is dis concerting. General national security expenditures at an annual rate $6 or $7 billion above the budgeted figure for this fiscal year indicate that such spending has been an important expansion economy and also raise questions as to the ary force in the future. The first question is whether the level can be effec tively cut to within the budgetary limits and the second is effect on the economy of such a reduction. what would be the If the cut can be effected, it would release resources for other some inflationary pressures. If it uses and help to relieve accompanied by decreases in other lines of activity, should be the result might be a general decline in total activity, but is the more serious and more im the need for some reduction cause for concern. One question to which the answer mediate what extent the larger than expected is not known is to reflect rising prices or an expanded program or expenditures of program deliveries, which will to what extent a speed-up be followed by a decline.
Large budget expenditures by the Treasury, together with continued substantial redemptions of savings bonds, are exerting a drain on the Treasury cash balance and necessitating frequent borrowing. The rate of spending must be reduced if the Treasury is to keep its borrowing within the statutory debt limit. Business borrowing at city banks has increased less in the past five weeks than in the same period of other recent years--a little over $300 million, on the basis of partial figures for the latest week, compared with close to $600 million in 1956 and also in 1955. The increase since the end of May, including this year's large borrowing in June, has also been less than in the two previous years. Corporate borrowing in the capital market, however, has been very large, and some of these funds have gone into the payment of bank loans. It appears that in the aggregate business has received a substantial amount of credit. In addition to the very heavy volume of new issues being offered in September, the amount scheduled for October is also large. Banks have tended to reduce their holdings of Government securities in recent weeks, notwithstanding important participa tion by banks in underwriting new Treasury cash-raising issues. Total loans and investments of city banks have shown little net change during the past three months. Demand deposits adjusted, after increasing more than seasonally in June and July, have apparently shown a marked decline since the end of July. Little growth, on a seasonally adjusted basis, has occurred since last spring. Bank reserve needs have conformed closely to the broad seasonal pattern in recent weeks. Net borrowed reserves averaged about $470 million in August, compared with $350 million in July. The country-wide average has been running less than S4OO million during the past week, with reserve the Labor Day holiday being somewhat less than demands over been able to reduce their borrow usual. Country banks have their excess reserves, but city banks ings and increase amount of pressure with a currently are under a considerable and relatively small amounts rather large amount of borrowing of excess reserves. The tight reserve situation at city banks and attempts by obtain cash for mid-September tax, corporations and others to kept the bill market under and other payments have dividend, days. This is a during the last few considerable pressure is required in the a high degree of liquidity period when difficult for the reason it may be market. For this money
System to sell bills to prevent a further drop in net borrowed reserves in the next two weeks when float will be temporarily high. On the basis of the usual seasonal pattern, early in October the System may need to purchase about $300 million of securities, plus any amounts that may be sold in the next week, to keep net borrowed reserves close to the $500 million level. Little additional Federal Reserve credit would be needed in November, but large amounts would be necessary in December. If a more than seasonal growth in the money supply should occur, demands for Reserve Bank credit will be larger than those projected. In that event a policy decision will need to be made as to how the additional reserves will be supplied--whether to require banks to borrow more from the Federal Reserve Banks, or to relieve the pressure through additional open market pur chases. Current developments seem to call for neither a further tightening nor any relaxation of System policy. Chairman Martin then called upon Mr. Hayes who commented on business activity and credit policy in substantially the following terms There has been no material change in over-all business activity since the last meeting, or, in fact, for the past several months. The economy is still characterized by stability of production and employment and by well-sustained consumer demand. On the other and, there are no visible signs pointing to the strong upsurge in the fourth quarter which had been so widely expected early in the summer. Business sentiment, in contrast with current business has undergone a perceptible change in recent statistics, direction of greater caution or even pessi weeks in the Apparently this can be traced to (1) recognition mism. between industrial capacity and actual of the growing gap fact that production has been maintained output; (2) the of unfilled orders and in the face of declining backlogs of inventories at the manufacturing some accumulation defense expenditures; and (3) prospective cuts in level; the position of various foreign (4) increased concern over in stock prices may reflect The downward trend currencies. similar influences and has in turn contributed to the climate of business opinion. changed
It seems unlikely that defense spending can actually be reduced rapidly and by substantial amounts. Hence the influence of this factor, if any, will probably continue to be mainly on business expectations rather than on visible statistics over the next several months. In the area of plant and equipment outlays, however, there is now a reason ably clear prospect for a decline in gross expenditures. The SEC estimates to be released shortly point to a small decline in the fourth quarter on a seasonally adjusted basisthe first decrease since the current investment boom began. These figures are of course expressed in dollars. In terms of physical volume, the peak of investment in new plant facilities may already have been passed around the beginning of this year. With supplies now ample in most lines, and with the public showing increasing signs of price consciousness, there seems to be hope at last of a leveling movement in prices in spite of the continued influence of some cost-push factors. Food prices, which have been largely responsible for the rise in consumer prices in the last month or two, have probably passed their seasonal peak. The weekly wholesale price index has been practically unchanged since mid-July. Although bank credit has expanded somewhat less rapidly in the last four weeks than a year earlier, the banks continue to feel heavy pressure for loans, and the substantial reduction in bank liquidity since a year ago has intensified this pressure. For example, New York City banks are now estimated to have loans equal to 66 per cent of deposits as against 62 per cent a year earlier. Demands for funds in the capital markets continue at a very high level. The Treasury is expected to borrow about program due to be announced on $3 billion in a cash financing Thursday, with the offering on September 16 and payment on September 26. As for credit policy, it appears to me that the stability of the business situation points to the desirability of main taining about the same degree of restraint as in recent months. If anything, the signs pointing toward possible weakening of suggest a slight relaxing rather than any in the boom would tensification of restraint, but I think it would be confusing to give any sign of relaxation so soon after the to the market series of discount rate increases. It would be premature, recent restraint just as we seem to too, to lessen the degree of real the price stability which we have a fair chance of realizing have worked so hard to achieve by maintaining a vigorously through these recent months of sideways restrictive policy the economy. On the other the physical output of motion in
hand, we should certainly provide reserves without reluctance or delay as they are required to meet seasonal requirements later this autumn, as well as to enable the banks to underwrite the Treasury's prospective offering later this month. In so far as the next two weeks are concerned, the influence of float and return currency movements may make it neces sary for the System Account to do some selling, but if current projections are borne out, sizable purchases will be called for in the week of October 2. It is perhaps worth noting that we are entering a period when normal seasonal pressures are likely to reinforce our policy of restraint. At such a time, as we noted in the autumn of 1956, a given level of net borrowed re serves may well mean a substantially tighter money market atmosphere than would be the case under other circumstances, and this should be doubly true this year after the substantial further loss of liquidity by banks and corporations in the past year. Thus I think it would be well for the Manager to have ample leeway to maintain an even keel without being tied too closely to any target figure for net borrowed reserves. And while $00 to $500 million of net borrowed reserves was considered a reasonable range at the last meeting, it might turn out that the same degree of real tightness achieved in the coming weeks with a somewhat could be lower figure. he had come to this meeting prepared to Mr. Johns said that suggested in Mr. Thomas' concluding remarks take the position already in his comments, namely, that for the time and reinforced by Mr. Hayes restraint was indicated and there being no intensification of credit However, there seemed to not yet an indication for relaxation. was which he regularly discussed open be developing in the group with a view--as yet a somewhat at the St. Louis Bank market matters of monetary restraint time for some relaxation view--that the minority not accept that view Johns said that he could be imminent. Mr. might future would keep the and therefore for the immediate at this time
situation about as it has been recently. There was evidence that banks were under pressure in many places, he noted, but that was not true in St. Louis. However, banks in Memphis were under pressure be cause of the necessity for financing considerable cotton a few weeks ago, and in recent days Louisville banks appeared to have been under considerable pressure and were heavy borrowers. Mr. Williams said that in the Third District over-all business was at a high level. Sentiment was not as good as the statistics and there were some soft spots, with businessmen somewhat less optimistic as to prospects for the remainder of the year. Total consumer buying was holding up fairly well. There were reports of pressure on manu facturers of hard goods and some of them who had lost dealer accounts had established distribution outlets of their own. Mr. Williams repeated that the views of business leaders on the whole were less optimistic than a few weeks ago. The outlook for the steel industry textile operations were slow but the showed little change recently; had been noted for some time seemed to be leveling out. decline that real squeeze was on in terms of manufacturers felt that the Smaller profits. Mr. Williams reported that loan With respect to banking, banks in August were some Third District reporting member demands at of district banks declined. nationally and total loans what less than by member banks continued were off somewhat. Borrowings Deposits also
at a high level although there had been some significant shifts in the sources from which the banks were obtaining funds in connection with changes in the discount rates and rates on Federal funds during August. Mr. Williams stated that he would suggest no changes in the Committee's policy at this time. Mr. Fulton described activity in the Cleveland District as continuing at a high rate. The pickup in the steel industry had not been as great as had been hoped, partly because of the later model changeover for the automobile industry this year than in 1956. Also, the automobile industry seemed to be shortening its projections for steel needs as compared with last year, waiting to see how the new model automobiles would sell before placing orders ahead. Softening in the demand for oil goods and plumbing equipment had occurred, and appliance manufacturers had reduced their takings of sheet steel and also scheduled lay-offs recently. The railroad industry was taking Businessmen by and large seemed optimistic large amounts of steel. would occur later in the year. The machine tool in that a pickup was receiving in new orders, but dustry was shipping more than it this was not considered undesirable since it helped the industry to schedule. Mr. Fulton reported that, contrary improve its delivery by Mr. Thomas, there a New York banker reported to a statement of District where firms term loans in the Cleveland was some demand for than to go into that source rather obtain credit through preferred to
the capital markets. There had been a slight contraseasonal decline in employment. Price changes were continuing with roller bearings, aluminum, and rubber showing increases. Mr. Fulton stated that his conclusion was that the same degree of restraint on credit expansion that had existed should be continued for the time being. There should be no relaxation. He felt that any gradual relaxation would be a mistake; if it became necessary to change policy, it would be preferable to do it in a way that would have a positive impact. He suggested a continuation of the present degree of restraint and of the present policy directive of the Committee. Mr. Robertson said that he was somewhat disturbed in reading the staff economic report prepared for this meeting, showing that net borrowed reserves had averaged under $400 million since the meeting of the Committee on August 20. This confirmed the feeling of dis quietude that he had had over recent weeks in reading the daily reports on the market situation that are obtained from the desk. He then went on to make a statement substantially as follows: My concern about recent reserve developments stems from two reasons: first, I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Young's this morning that the current business and economic statement situation remains strong; secondly, I feel that the net bor despite its shortcomings, is still our rowed reserve figure, indicator of over-all credit and money market conditions. best The task of the Manager of the Account is to carry out of the Open Market Committee, even the will of the majority the minority point of view is more though he may think that yet, it seems to me that the account has not only sound. And at the very bottom, if not below, the broad range been aiming the majority at our last reserves desired by of net borrowed
meeting, but that it has also been reluctant to take offset ting action when the actual net borrowed reserve figures have continued to be below those projected. I have this feeling even though I recognize, first, that in view of continuing Treasury financing problems the account was given a wide range of latitude at our last meeting, and second, that part of the difference between actual and pro jected net borrowed reserves in recent weeks has been due to unforeseeable changes and revisions in certain factors affect ing reserves. Nevertheless, I continue to be struck by the inactivity of the account when net borrowed reserves fall below the general target range in contrast to the rapid cor rective action generally taken when these reserves go above the target. Turning from the past to the future, assuming there was some justification for the view that when short-term interest rates were rising rapidly, as they were a few weeks ago, a somewhat lower level of net borrowed reserves than our target of from $500 to $600 million was consistent with the main tenance of the prescribed degree of restraint; now that the rise in interest rates has slackened somewhat, a level of net borrowed reserves of under $l00 million is not suffi ciently restrictive. The delayed and inadequate action of the desk in off setting decreases in the average level of net borrowed re serves since the last meeting of this Committee is particularly troublesome because of the imminence of another Treasury cash financing and the temporary further drop in net borrowed re serves that will occur in the weeks immediately ahead as the result mainly of the usual mid-monthly increase in float. I would strongly urge that the Manager of the Therefore, Account do all that he can, both before and after the an nouncement of the financing, to keep net borrowed reserves within the range prescribed, was quite clear to him at the August 20 Mr. Rouse stated that it was aiming at net borrowed re that the majority of the Committee meeting the operations had turned million range, whereas serves in the $500-600 This was the result of the $400-$500 million range. out to be closer to the market and in no way re that had taken place in the developments the Committee's directive. to carry out bad faith in attempting flected
Mr. Mills stated that, granting that intuition was an un reliable guide, his intuition told him that Labor Day marked not only a seasonal turning point but also a turning point in movement of economic activity that deserved the Committee's attention. With the change to a decidedly more pessimistic attitude on the part of the business community, he believed that the strain of conservatism that had developed, along with the reduced corporate and commerical bank liquidity that was so much in evidence, could in a very real way take over some of the System's responsibilities for exerting restraint over general economic activity. On that assumption, it would be logical for the Committee not to aim at too high a target level of negative free reserves, Mr. Mills said, and a level of around $400 million should be adequate to carry out the System's restraint on commercial bank credit expan policy of general credit movement of the supply of reserves Along that line, he noted a sion. cities and to a lesser extent out of out of the central reserve bank areas as harvests are completed. city bank cities to country reserve in banks in these country areas proceeds of harvests had lodged The with readiness back into the lodged there, did not move and, having money market areas. That being the case, where the total supply of still be a starving of seem abundant, there could reserves might Mr. Mills felt that bank levels. Consequently, reserves at the city city bank level at the central reserve some reserve leniency allowing
should not touch off an undesirable expansion of bank credit. There fore, his thinking had brought him to the conclusion that for the present the System could accept a lower level of negative free reserves without losing the tangible degree of credit restraint that is essential to the maintenance of economic stability. The great question in his mind was whether the credit resources and economic factors that might be disengaged from the capital expansion program would move through the process of a rolling readjustment to employment in other areas, such as housing, in a manner that would maintain a stable, high level of economic activity. Mr. Vardaman complimented Messrs. Young and Thomas for the clear and comprehensive reports they had presented to the Committee this morning on the economic and credit situation. His view was that the Committee should make no change in its policy or in the general operations to carry out that policy during the next three-week period. He agreed with the suggestion by Mr. Hayes that the trading desk should have considerable leeway in its operations pursuant to the Committee's policy directive. Mr. Vardaman emphasized, however, that System Open Market Account always should he felt transactions for the to the shortest maturity Treasury bills. be confined the Fifth District economy was dis Mr. Leach reported that tendency toward change in either direction. The playing no strong their summer pace. Bituminous were continuing at principal industries
coal production was still expected to exceed 1956 although by a smaller margin than was earlier thought. Coal loadings through Hampton Roads and Baltimore ports in early August were 13 per cent ahead of last year but were expected to decline in the coming months. In response to a later question by Mr. Vardaman, Mr. Leach said that a substantial part of coal shipped from Fifth District ports was destined for Western Europe. With reference to the textile industry, Mr. Leach said that the long expected upturn was still awaited. Despite cutbacks to 4 and 5-day weeks in most mills, production was still in line with sales. Defense Department cutbacks in the number of civilian employees had been announced, he noted, but they did not bulk large relative to total employment of that type in the Fifth District. There were scattered reports of declines in employment by Government contractors whose contracts had been curtailed. More than offsetting these cut backs was the recent award to the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of the construction of what was expected to be the largest ship ever built, namely, a $314 million atomic-powered carrier. Recent rains had helped Fifth District crops, but good tobacco prices were only a slight offset to the smaller crop grown on the curtailed acreage. as the national economy was concerned, Mr. Leach In so far said that he saw no significant shift in either direction although change in expectations for the rest of this year. he did sense some
There now seemed to be no boom psychology, and fewer people expected a sizeable upsurge in business this fall. On the other hand, retail prices were still increasing and expectations of continued increases over the long run did not seem to have diminished. Mr. Leach commented on a Washington newsletter which predicted that prices would be 15 per cent higher in 10 years and 50 per cent higher in 25 years and which recommended certain hedges against inflation. While coming weeks might show some delayed effects of the System's past actions toward restrain ing credit expansion, for the time being he would oppose any relaxation in the policy of credit restraint. He felt that the Committee should aim at the same degree of tightness that had been its objective recently, and he suggested that as a benchmark the objective might be for net borrowed reserves of around $150 million during the next three weeks. Mr. Leedy said that although he had been away from the Tenth District during most of the period since the August 20 meeting, the statistics indicated no material change in district conditions during that period. Some increase in business loans was occurring a little later this year than was ordinarily the case, presumably because of Leedy referred to the comment Mr. Hayes had the later harvest. Mr. ratio of New York banks, stating that in made as to the loan-deposit ratio of around 66 per cent, Tenth District contrast with the New York approximately to 43 per cent of their depositsbanks now had loans equal higher than a year ago. only slightly
Mr. Leedy felt that the general picture required a continua tion of the policy the Committee had been following and said he would subscribe to the view that for the next three weeks we should attempt to apply the degree of restraint that had been aimed for during the preceding three weeks. Like Governor Robertson, he had observed that the target of net borrowed reserves had been missed during this period, as he had understood the discussion at the August 20 meeting, but he was under the impression that this was the result of the difficulties in making accurate projections of factors that influenced reserves. In any case, he could see no reason for a change now in the course the Committee had been following. Mr. Allen concurred in Mr. Vardaman's comment on the reports of Messrs. Young and Thomas. He went on to say that he had observed growing signs of uneasiness in business sentiment during the past the shifts of the past year from optimism to pessi month, following He found it hard to rationalize the recent mism and back again. with actual developments. Perhaps the tendency toward uneasiness recognition on the was there had been a sobering best explanation a great deal of the good business the business community that part of financed by borrowing and that presently of the past few years had been of the economy. Mr. was heavy in almost every sector indebtedness last be affecting business situation might at Allen felt that this not be called de otherwise could Recent developments sentiment. pressing.
Mr. Allen recalled that at the preceding meeting he had mentioned the renewed uptrend in retail sales. Since then, figures on sales at department stores had been well maintained both in the Seventh District and in the nation as a whole. Sears, Roebuck and Company had reported that August was one of the best months the company had ever had. The whole picture indicated that consumers had increased their buying this year in line with the 6 per cent rise in their incomes. The current caution on the part of business men might reflect the difficulty in employing profitably the enlarged productive facilities which had been constructed with the help of large sums of borrowed money. Mr. Allen then reported on the agricultural situation, noting that prices received by farmers in mid-August averaged 5 per cent above the year-earlier level. Meat animals had led the advance, while feed grain prices were substantially lower than last year. That situation should result in increased production of meat animals. With respect to the automobile industry, Mr. Allen said that he had obtained information from Detroit yesterday that inventories of new finished automobiles totaled 832,000 units on September 1, including 20,000 of the new Edsels. The figure of 812,000 of 1957 models was high, but in the last ten days of August sales averaged over 20,000 units a it would help reduce the stocks day, and if this rate were continued optimistic on prospects for The industry was generally substantially.
cleaning up current year models. Output of new cars for the fourth quarter of this year was expected to total 1,600,000 units--the same as in the final quarter of Turning to bank credit, Mr. Allen said that business loans at reporting Seventh District banks increased only $3 million in August this year compared with $l3 million a year ago. Demand for loans may be less, but Mr. Allen felt that banker resistance to increasing loans was the more important factor. He noted reports from bankers that the proceeds of new security issues were being used in many cases to repay bank loans. Mr. Allen then presented the results of a survey on the mortgage situation made in the Seventh District during the past week. It did not appear, he said, that recent changes in FHA terms were proving to be a stimulus to mortgage lending, although a month's experience coming at a time when building activity was beginning to taper off could not be considered as conclusive. Since the new FHA rates permitting a total charge to the borrower of 5-3/4 per cent went into effect on August 6, there had been a further tightening in the availability of mortgage money. The net return on FHA-insured loans (allowing for a discount of 2 points) would provide a yield of about 4.9 per cent on a 25-year loan, which Mr. Allen felt was not quite enough to make such loans attractive in comparison with yields on some of the recent high grade bond issues. Furthermore, lending had been highly selective and some of the institutional lenders had
refused to go along on the lower FHA down payments. Mr. Allen also said that any change in the flow of new corporate issues could alter this mortgage situation markedly, particularly since there was some evidence that cash reserves were being accumulated which could be put to work quickly if it became apparent that the rise in interest rates was reaching a crest. Another factor influencing the situation was the upward movement in rates being paid on savings. Savings and loan associations were paying 3-1/2 to 4 per cent and they apparently needed a 2 per cent spread between those rates and the yields on new invest ments. policy, Mr. Allen said he believed the Committee As to monetary restraint it had sought recently as far should continue the degree of Mr. Rouse's earlier comment that that was possible. He referred to as the next few days and try to sell Treasury bills during the desk would not know what more it could do. The Committee stated that he did said, and of course the the desk leeway, Mr. Allen talked about giving that the desk had tended He believed, however, desk must have leeway. on the up side, and on the down side than that leeway more to recognize in the direction of when it could lean there were times he thought reserves than the targets than smaller net borrowed having larger rather indicated by the Committee. District seemed to activity in the Ninth Mr. Deming said that than would be somewhat more with the gain up a little be picking
expected seasonally. Expectations for the fourth quarter were for a continuation of this kind of record, that is, for something a shade better than the regular seasonal rise. Employment in nonagricultural. lines was stronger, and retail sales continued good. Iron mining activity was high, but nonferrous mining continued weak as did lumber production. The farm picture continued good with income rising. Livestock producers had had the best year in 1957 since 1951; ranges and pastures had been good all season and winter feed supplies would be ample. Business loans in the Ninth District had dropped slightly in the past three weeks and total loan growth had moderated; deposit growth also had been less than in the comparable period of last year. All of this added up to a picture of no strong rise in credit or in the economic situation in the forthcoming period, Mr. Deming said, and although there was no sign of any great weakness, his conclusion was that the Committee's present policy should be renewed, aiming at substantially the same degree of restraint that had been had during the past three weeks. Mr. Mangels said that the Twelfth District economy had not shown much change in recent weeks. Nonferrous metals mining had been curtailed with some of the smaller operations having shut down and others having shortened their workweek. Aluminum production in the Pacific Northwest would be reduced in September because of the power shortage and some permanent shutdown might result in aluminum production because of the power problem. The lumber industry was still feeling a pinch.
Department store and automobile sales were holding about even, but department store managers were hard put to maintain sales volume at the existing level and were using special sales and other devices. Steel output in the Twelfth District area declined from 97 per cent of capacity in June to 91 per cent in July. Loans of reporting member banks in the Twelfth District during the four weeks ending August 28 increased $49 million, Mr. Mangels stated, the same as in the corresponding period of 1956. Commercial and industrial loans and consumer loans had increased, while real estate and agricultural loans declined during this period. Demand deposits declined during recent weeks while savings deposits continued to increase. Borrowings of Twelfth District banks continued moderate. Mr. Mangels stated that the over-all situation as a whole con tinued somewhat mixed with no definite trend either up or down. The economy is not experiencing over-all pressures of demand in relation to productive capacity that might force prices up further, and it has virtually no unemployment. Until a tendency in one direction or the other is more clearly discernible he would suggest no change in the Committee's directive or in the general program of credit restraint, and during the next three weeks would aim for net borrowed reserves at about the $400 million level. He would not be inclined to aim at a figure as high as $500 million. Not much change had taken place recently in the Dallas District petroleum situation continued about as situation, Mr. Irons said. The
he had reported it at recent meetings. The agricultural situation was favorable with good grain crops, a good outlook for cotton production, and favorable livestock prices. Agriculture was in the best position that it had been in for several years. Retail trade was holding well and employment was at record levels. Construction declined in August. Automobile sales continued fairly good and for the year to date were about 10 per cent ahead of a year ago. Selling activity was intensive, Mr. Irons said, but there was not much sign of price cutting. Bank loans had increased moderately during recent weeks, compared with a slight decline a year ago. Bankers with whom he had talked recently reported that loan demand continued very strong and that this included considerable demand for term loans. Member banks were borrowing from the Dallas Reserve Bank more than they had been a short time ago, with discounts in the $28-$35 million range, compared with a $15-$18 million range prior to ten days ago. Borrow ings were mostly by reserve city banks where the reserve position had been negative, while country banks were continuing to have reserves around 10 per cent in excess of requirements. to the "pessimism" reported among businessmen, Mr. With respect nothing in the Dallas District that could Irons said that he could see were more cautious than they had considered as pessimistic. Bankers be found pessimism. The factors few months ago but he had not been a feeling of caution included: (1) an that perhaps justified this
assumption that the Federal Reserve would continue to maintain a policy of firm restraint and for this reason bankers generally could see little chance of a breakthrough on the up side, and (2) bankers were anticipating and were hoping that there might be a substantial cutback in Federal Government expenditures--this feeling having de veloped as a result of press comments emanating from Washington in recent months. As far as credit policy for the next three weeks was concerned, Mr. Irons said that he would like to have the Committee maintain a policy of firm restraint. There was greater risk that the Committee might ease off too soon rather than maintain firm restraint too long, he felt. While he did not place much reliance on any figure of net borrowed reserves, if he were to name one he would prefer something in the neighborhood of $500 million. He would expect that discounts would continue around a billion dollars. He would hope that the short term rate would move around the discount rate. Mr. Irons said that he would generally prefer to be on the side of firm restraint over the next three-week period, to wait before moving on the side of easing, and to resolve doubts on the side of restraint. stated that no significant changes had occurred Mr. Erickson District economic situation in recent weeks. Business in the First more cautious than it had been earlier. sentiment was considerably July was higher than in June. Shoe produc Nonfarm employment during was down 3.5 per cent from a for the first seven months of 1957 tion
year ago, but 1956 had been an excellent year. The newspaper strike in Boston had affected department store sales unfavorably, but now it was over some signs of pickup were being observed. Construction contract awards turned up in July and were ahead of July a year ago. Mutual savings bank deposits in the First District were still in creasing but at a slower pace than they had been earlier. Rates being paid on savings deposits were tending higher. The discount window at the Boston Reserve Bank was being used less actively than it had been earlier. The loan deposit ratios of Boston banks were fairly high, as had been indicated by Mr. Hayes for New York banks. Mr. Erickson expressed the view that this was partly the result of a decline in deposits rather than an expansion in their loans. As to Committee policy, Mr. Erickson said that he would continue the same firm restraint during the next three weeks that had been followed in recent weeks, neither intensifying nor relaxing during this period. Mr. Szymczak said that while he was not as certain as Mr. Mills seemed to be that there had been a change in the economic situation, he believed that the Committee should lean in the direction of a $400 reserves during the next three weeks. $500 million range in net borrowed This was especially true because of developing seasonal needs and be financing that would be needed during the remainder cause of the Treasury felt that it was necessary to be cautious of this year. Mr. Szymczak recognizing that many of the problems in administering monetary policy, out operations than they difficult when it came to carrying were more
appeared to be in discussions at meetings of the Committee. Different factors came in to affect the tone of the market. In a period of re duced negative free reserves, there might well be other factors in the picture that would result in a tighter situation than the figures of reserves indicated. For this reason, Mr. Szymczak said that he would give the Manager of the System Account as much leeway as possible in carrying out operations pursuant to the Committee's general policy, with the general thought that it would be desirable to aim at a degree of restraint that would be indicated by net borrowed reserves around $400 million. Mr. Balderston noted that we had heard conflicting testimony that the rolling adjustment still continued to roll and that loan demand was accelerating at a lesser pace than was true a year ago, even though part of the explanation was that borrowers had tapped the in order to obtain money to pay off bank loans. His capital markets stemmed from his inability to discern how concern about this situation in defense expenditures might have on the much impact the cutbacks observation that in the spring of economy. He recalled Mr. Thomas' cutbacks in defense expenditures business decline came from 1953 the of perhaps $12 billion. that current defense expendi Whatever the reasons, it appears that to get back to the level budgeted tures have gotten out of hand and of such a cutback, the a drastic reduction. As part will require payments to contractors restrict its advance Department might Defense
and thus throw a greater loan demand on the commercial banks. In general, Mr. Balderston said that the fall outlook seemed to him to be good. He would suggest net borrowed reserves in the $l00-$500 million range during the next several weeks, realizing that the trading desk might have difficulty in getting above the $lOO mil lion level during the next two weeks. Mr. Balderston then brought up the question how the desk would take care of dealer needs during the substantial forthcoming Treasury financing and at the same time work toward getting net borrowed reserves into the range indicated at this meeting. He referred to a comment by a Government securities dealer to the effect that sometimes dealers were able to get repurchase agreements easily while at other times they were made available by the System account only with reluctance. The dealer also observed that in some cases it took only a few minutes to know whether repurchase agreements were available, whereas in other cases such information could not be obtained for perhaps three hours. Mr. Rouse said that he did not anticipate a need for repurchase agreements during this Treasury financing. Funds should be ample throughout the period, and he did not contemplate making repurchase agreements available. With respect to letting dealers know when re be used, Mr. Rouse commented that it was purchase agreements would customary to indicate by noon or shortly after whether the System on any given day through this account wished to make funds available means. This gave dealers time to scout around the country during the
morning hours to find out whether funds were available elsewhere, and it was usually noon or a little later before the desk had a real indi cation of the pressure that existed. Dealers would, of course, be glad to be assured at the beginning of the day that funds were avail able at the repurchase rate, and, in some instances, when the account knew at the beginning of the day that it would wish to put funds into the market through repurchase agreements, a suggestion that repurchase agreements would be available might be given to the dealers in initial daily contacts. However, Mr. Rouse pointed out that making funds avail able in this manner was at the initiative of the System and that a procedure which gave the dealers the initiative would mean that the System account would have to take offsetting action at times. of a discussion of the question raised by Mr. At the conclusion had discussed the general use of re Balderston, Mr. Rouse said that he the foregoing lines and that he agreements with dealers along purchase of the procedure followed was a fairly good understanding believed there and of the reasons for that procedure. by the trading desk it seemed clear that the consensus Chairman Martin stated that be no change in the Committee's was that there should at today's meeting at this time. He wording of the directive no change in the policy and the Committee since at meetings of most of the discussion noted that rather than about of Committee policy had been about execution early July from a brief said that on returning Chairman Martin policy itself. as to the progress of real encouragement he sensed a feeling vacation,
the System was making. He also was encouraged with the discussions that had been taking place in these meetings: all who were participa ting were learning a great deal and getting a better grasp of the problems the Federal Reserve was dealing with. He could not help but be conscious of the load that the Committee placed on the Manager of the System Account, he said, noting that the Committee issued a directive and then expected the Manager to keep in mind the majority and minority views expressed. After stating that he had no real idea whether business was going up or down at the moment, the Chairman commented that he had been fishing during the past few days and that the thought had occurred to him that "the System has the fish on the hook." Its policy of re straint is now understood from one end of the country to the other. However, it would be a mistake for the System to hold so tightly on the hook that the line would snap, and this could happen if the tight so great as to embarrass the Treasury seriously. Chairman ness were Martin said he did not think the Committee should minimize the diffi facing the Treasury. This had nothing to do with a culties that were but it did involve a problem for change in general policy, he noted, had to carry on operations on Manager of the System Account who the of the market. The Chairman would the basis of tone, color, and feel views expressed that there should be no change align himself with the always necessary to resolve present time, but it was in policy at the out Committee policy, and for one way or the other in carrying doubts
the immediate future he would resolve these doubts on the side of ease rather than tightness. He felt that the Committee's directive gave the Manager of the Account a clear indication of its policy but this did not mean that there would be any inconsistency if some "minor ease" were permitted during the period of the Treasury's financing. Chairman Martin noted that some of the comments at this meeting had referred to a net borrowed reserves target of $4OO million while others had suggested $500 million. He thought these differences were not significant, but he said that it would be undesirable if the market were to become "sloppy." Also, it would be a serious mistake if the business community were to get the feeling that the Committee's policy had been changed away from a policy of restraint to one of easesomething that clearly was not contemplated. went on to say that he did not think the problem The Chairman and he doubted that this would occur until of inflation had been licked been a modest correction of past excesses. He did not know there had would come, but there had been many excesses in when such a correction months and adjustments would have to the course of the past eighteen arrived, he doubted that the some point. When that time be made at powers to arrest the type Reserve would have enough curative Federal it could contribute to psychological decline that might occur, although of aspects of the situation. Martin felt there was concerned, Chairman As far as the present front. This was reflected gain on the psychological had been a distinct
in the stock market and by Mr. Irons' comment that bankers were cautious partly because they now felt that the Federal Reserve would maintain a firm policy of restraint, a view that was not widespread four months ago but which was widely accepted now. He also referred to Mr. Robertson's comment that despite their weak nesses, the net borrowed reserve figures were the best guide to operations for the System account. Chairman Martin stated that he still considered the limitations of the net borrowed reserve figures to be too great to make them of use as more than a target. The Com mittee may have set the wrong target at times, although this was a matter of judgment. The Treasury has a particularly difficult problem at this juncture, he noted, and its problems might have been compounded by the swings in net borrowed reserves. In concluding his remarks, the Chairman said that he believed the fish was hooked and that it would be a mistake to pull the line so taut that it might break. He would cast his lot on the side of net borrowed reserves of around $4OO million, using that as a rough target, the $500-$600 million range, until after the current rather than of the way. He did not think such a pro Treasury financing was out about a change in the System policy. cedure would cause any comment whether there was any disagreement Chairman Martin then inquired or whether there were any policy aims he had stated with the general the Committee's directive. for change in suggestions
Mr. Allen said that he did not see how the Manager of the System Account could hope to attain a figure of $100 million of net borrowed reserves over the period of the next two weeks unless there were unexpected developments; he felt that the Committee should recognize this in giving its instructions today. Mr. Rouse stated that he too recognized the difficulty of attaining a $400 million net borrowed reserve figure in this period. He also reviewed the figures for the past three weeks, stating that he felt that Mr. Robertson's earlier comments had indicated a greater departure from the Committee's target than was actually the case. Mr. Hayes said that he felt the point Mr. Allen had made as to the difficulty of getting net borrowed reserves up to the $400 million level during the next two weeks was important. The projections indicated figures of $100 to $200 million during some of this period, and it was probable that actual net borrowed reserves would fall short of the target that had been discussed, Mr. Allen said that he also wished to give some support to the thoughts Mr. Robertson had expressed that the trading desk seemed more inclined to resolve doubts toward the minimum of the net borrowed re than toward the maximum He had been on the wire serve target rather during the morning telephone call the past three weeks and early in had purchased acceptances when the that period the System account rate was lowered. At times of such demand was so strong that the
strong demand, he said, the System might save its ammunition. Chairman Martin stated that it was important that these matters be discussed freely and fully at any meeting of the Com mittee. He wanted Mr. Rouse to feel free to bring up questions or comments as to the operations of the trading desk. Mr. Rouse stated that he would like to bring up a question concerning the rate on repurchase agreements. If repurchase agree ments should be needed in the next three weeks, he had in mind the desirability of increasing this rate from 3-1/2 per cent to 3-5/8 per cent in order to break the connection between the discount rate and the rate on repurchase agreements so as to avoid the kind of box the System found itself in prior to the most recent discount rate increase. At that time, the rate on Federal Reserve repurchase agree ments was so attractive when compared with rates on any other financing that dealers naturally were tempted to turn to the Reserve Bank first. At the same time, Mr. Rouse said he had hesitated to increase th re purchase rate since such action might have been viewed as a signal that the discount rate would soon be increased. A 3-5/8 per cent rate would still be attractive in comparison with current yields on short term Governments, and would be in line with rates dealers are paying to finance. In response to a question from Mr. Mills as to whether such an increase would discriminate against nonbank dealers in Govern Mr. Rouse indicated that he did not think this would ment securities, operating dealer departments do not be the case, noting that banks
borrow specifically to finance that department and, in any event, bank access to the discount window had been somewhat limited under the discount policy currently being followed, Mr. Rouse emphasized that he did not anticipate using repurchase agreements before the next meeting of the Committee, although there might be some use toward the end of the period and it might then be desirable to make the change in rate suggested. During a brief discussion of this question Chairman Martin suggested that, if Mr. Rouse anticipated a change in the rate, it might be desirable to have an informal telephone discussion of the matter before such a change was made, and it was understood that Mr. Rouse would bring up the question on the morning call the day before he contemplated changing the rate. 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 (in cluding replacement of maturing securities, and allowing 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 recognizing uncertainties in the business outlook, the financial markets, and the international situation, and (c) to the practical administra that the aggregate amount of tion of the account; provided held in the System account (including commit securities ments 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 $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 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 $500 million; (3) To sell direct to the Treasury from the System account for gold certificates such amounts of Treasury securities maturing within one year as may be necessary from time to time for the accommodation of the Treasury; provided 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 a letter addressed to him under date of August 21, 1957 by the Honorable Wright Patman regarding the requests he had made in his letters of August 14, that information concerning policies of the Federal Open Market Committee and operations of the System Open Market Account be furnished to the House Banking and Currency Committee for the use of himself and other members of the Com mittee. The earlier requests had been discussed at the meeting on August 20 at which time the Committee gave a blanket authorization for of such noncurrent information as appeared feasible and the furnishing proper in response to this and other requests of Mr. Patman. In taking Messrs. Riefler and Rouse would that action, it was understood that
confer with respect to preparing and furnishing the information re quested in Mr. Patman's letters and in a list of questions dated August 6, 1957 submitted to Chairman Martin at the hearings before the House Banking and Currency Committee on the Financial Institutions Act. At Chairman Martin's request, Mr. Riefler commented on a draft of reply to Mr. Patman's letter of August 21, copies of which had been distributed before this meeting. Mr. Leedy suggested a change in the second paragraph; Mr. Allen had not had an opportunity to read the letter carefully but it was understood he would do so and give Mr. Riefler any suggestions he might have. The letter as changed was approved unanimously, subject to further suggestions from Mr Allen. Secretary's note: Mr. Allen having in formed Mr. Riefler that he had no suggestions for change, the letter, prepared for Chairman Martin's signature, was sent to Mr. Patman later in the day in the following form: "This letter is in response to your letter of August 21, to furnishing of information to 1957, in so far as it relates the House Banking and Currency Committee regarding operations of the System Open Market Account. "Because some of the open market information requested in your two letters of August 14, 1957 has not been published, your requests were taken up at the meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee held on August 20, 1957, in accordance with the provisions of the Committee's Rules on Organization and Information regarding disclosure of unpublished information. the furnishing of all information The Committee authorized requested that could be supplied without disclosing policy current operations. In accord decisions governing recent or Committee felt that it would not be ance with this view, the
"proper to divulge at this time information regarding Com mittee policy decisions and operations relating thereto for the current calendar year. "Information regarding individual sales, purchases, and repurchase agreements made pursuant to instructions of the Federal Open Market Committee from the date of the Treasury Federal Reserve Accord, March 4, 1951, to the end of 1956 is being compiled. Preparation of this information involves a substantial amount of work, including the photostating of approximately 1700 pages of records, but it appears that the material will be ready before the end of this month. "One of your requests was for a copy of each instruction or policy guide issued by the Open Market Committee to the Manager and to the Secretary of the Open Market Account. The Committee issues its policy instructions or guides for trans actions in the open market to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which is the Federal Reserve Bank selected by the Com mittee to execute transactions for the System open market account; such instructions are not addressed to the Secretary of the Committee or to the Manager of the System Account. All policy instructions are made a matter of public record in the Record of Policy Actions, prepared pursuant to section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act and published in the Annual Report of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. This record includes not only the directives and the economic back ground therefor, but it also includes policy actions of the Committee with respect to transactions in bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements covering Government securities, and various continuing statements of policy. The attached sheet contains references to the pages of the Board's Annual Report for the years 1951-1956 on which these instructions and policy guides are contained and discussed. "You also requested a copy of the letter sent to the Presidents of all Federal Reserve Banks under date of August 3, repurchase agreements, along with instructions 1955 concerning and policy statements relating to this subject before and after August 2, 1955. As indicated above, the policy decisions re garding repurchase agreements are included in the Record of Open Market Policy Actions published in the Annual Report of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Actions relating to repurchase agreements are recorded in the Annual under dates of October 4, 1951 (page 107); September Reports 25, 1952 (page 97); March 4-5, 1953 (page 91); June 23, 1954 (page 102); and March 6, 1956 (page 96); August 2, 1955 paragraph under Item 3, Review of Continuing (page 24, first of Policy.) A copy of the letter Authorities or Statements
"of August 3, 1955 to the Presidents of all Federal Reserve Banks transmitting essentially the information given in the policy record entry for the same date is also enclosed in accordance with your request. "Another request was that we furnish you with sample copies of the weekly report of the Manager of the System Open Market Account, plus a description of other reports made at regular intervals. Two of the weekly reports pre pared during the calendar year 1956 are enclosed--those for the weeks ending May 23 and June 20. Because of the nature of these reports, their contents should be held confidential. "Reports in substantially the same form as the weekly report are prepared prior to each meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee. The Manager of the System Account prepares these reports of open market transactions to cover the interval since the most recent meeting of the Committee. They are brought to date on the morning of the meeting by a supplemental report from the Manager. "Among the reports prepared and distributed to members of the Federal Open Market Committee is a monthly statement show ing the volume of transactions in United States Government securities and in bankers' acceptances, both outright and under repurchase agreement, with dealers under authorizations of the Federal Open Market Committee. An annual report cover ing operations of the securities function of the Bank designated to execute transactions for the System Account is prepared early each year. Also, the Manager of the System Open Market Account periodically prepares a report containing financial and operat ing data regarding individual dealers in United States Govern ment securities. This report is compiled from information provided in strictest confidence. It is confidential and the Committee would not be in position to release it. "While not falling strictly within the description of re ports, members of the Committee are kept informed by telegrams in the course of the day concerning activity in the Government securities market and operations for the System Account. that this letter comments on all of the matters "I believe several letters having to do with Open Market mentioned in your other questions which you presented Committee matters. The of penalties for deficiencies as those relating to waiver such and examination reports, expenses in reserve requirements, audit transactions in Government Reserve Banks, and of the Federal either have been or for member banks and others, securities in separate letters." will be covered be helpful to he believed it would stated that Mr. Balderston that he had made lines of a statement Riefler comment along have Mr.
before the directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago last week concerning a number of the arguments presented by critics of the System's current credit policies at the recent hearings before the Senate Finance Committee. Mr. Riefler summarized his comments having to do with the following propositions or assertions: (1) that higher interest rates account for an important part of the inflation of prices; (2) that the American economy today is not characterized by a shortage of man power, since unemployment is one-third higher than in 1952 when prices were stable; (3) that the American econony today is not confronted with a shortage of physical capacity to produce since new capacity has been and still is being greatly enlarged; (4) that consumer disposable income, in terms of real purchasing power, has not grown during the past year; and (5) that it is generally recognized that more production is the best cure for inflation. Mr. Riefler stated that the first of these assertions was now being less confidently asserted than when the hearings began. Statistics presented at the hearings showed that interest costs were in fact a very small proportion of total business expense, and these statistics had made this assertion a pretty farfetched one. He then commented on the remaining four principal assertions, pointing out their respective these four assertions, he said, the con pitfalls. Given assent to that measures to stimulate consumer spending, rather clusion followed than saving, would so increase the output of goods and services, for
which both manpower and capacity are available, as to cure inflation. This conclusion really asserts that the creation of more money, by increasing the demand for output, would curb inflation. Mr. Riefler went on to say that the logical validity of any conclusion could be tested by stating it in reverse. In this case, the reverse proposition would be that the sure way to cure a deflation would be to raise interest rates and force contraction of the money supply. However, such logical refutation of the main conclusion does not meet the need for refuting each of the assertions separately, he said, and he then commented more fully on each of these four assertions. After Mr. Riefler had concluded his remarks, Mr. Allen stated that following the presentation of these points by Mr. Riefler at the meeting of the Chicago Bank's Board of Directors, three of the directors asked whether the statement could be prepared in written form for dis persons. He suggested that it would be desirable tribution to interested if Mr. Riefler would do this, and Mr. Riefler stated that he would pre pare a summary of his comments. Secretary's notes In accordance with the foregoing, a summary of Mr. Riefler's comments was distributed under date of September 12, 1957. Mr. Riefler had made discussion of the comments During a brief of the points improving public understanding the desirability of and of Reserve Bank of that yesterday the Federal Mr. Hayes stated discussed, in the with leading businessmen a series of sessions New York started
area in which such men would be invited to the Bank in groups of about ten in number, to have luncheon and to spend a couple of hours discussing Federal Reserve policies and related matters. He was encouraged with the first meeting in that these men, who were from the top executive group, showed complete agreement with what the System was doing. Mr. Hayes stated that it was also contemplated that businessmen who were not necessarily in the top executive positions would also be invited to participate in similar sessions at a later stage. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 1957. Thereupon the meeting adjourned. Secretary
Also: Record of Policy Actions