From Burns to Nixon, 1955, 1970-1974

These access restrictions may apply:

From the series: Correspondence, 1911-1997, bulk 1940-1987

Although high-value correspondence can be accessed in several formats, the papers housed in boxes 1-3 are the only complete record of exchanges. These boxes contain photocopies of high-value correspondence along with their original attachments, originals of other correspondence (including originals signed by mechanical means), and original onion-skin paper copies of Burns's out-going correspondence. Originals of high-value correspondence, without the corresponding attachments, are housed separately in boxes 13 and 15, and are closed to use.

:

More about accessing and using these materials...

Extent:

122 letters

Scope and content:

The correspondence from Arthur Frank Burns to Nixon covers the period during which Dr. Burns acted as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve and is comprised of letters and memoranda sent to the president. Major issues addressed in the correspondence are economic measures to be taken in order to fight inflation and recession, the monetary policy that the Federal Reserve should pursue in accordance with the Economic Stabilization Act, the issue of wage and price controls, the gold crisis, the value of the dollar, and policies that the administration should implement concerning the international monetary situation.

The letters provide important insights into the disagreements between the Nixon Administration and Chairman Burns with regards to the issues of money supply, the extent and strictness of wage and price controls, and international monetary policy. The letters also address political matters such as Burns' opinions about domestic politics, his complaints about some White House staff, and the Watergate Scandal. International economic and political matters such as the Vietnam War, the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, and US relations with Latin American countries are also mentioned in the correspondence. Burns's handwritten journals, 1969-1974, found in the Journals Series in this collection, compliment this set of correspondence.

Contents

Using These Materials