burns, arthur f. - Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and

132 Pages·2008·0.18 MB·English

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
ABILENE, KANSAS

BURNS, ARTHUR F.:
Papers, 1928-1969

Accessions A66-6, 82-7, 83-6
Processed by: JRB, JAW, HLP
Date Completed: May 1986

The papers of Arthur F. Burns, economist, educator, and chairman of the council of Economic
Advisers, were deposited in the Eisenhower Library in January 1966, December 1981, and
December 1982, by Mr. Burns.

Linear feet shelf space occupied: 85
Approximate number of pages: 169,600
Approximate number of items: 50,000

In January 1965, Mr. Burns executed an instrument of gift for these papers. Literary property
rights in the unpublished writings of Arthur F. Burns in these papers and in other collections of
papers in the Eisenhower Library are reserved to Mr. Burns during his lifetime and thereafter
pass to the people of the United States.

By agreement with the donor the following classes of documents will be withheld from research
use:

1. Papers relating to private business affairs of individuals and to family and personal
affairs.

2. Papers relating to investigations of individuals or to appointments and personnel
matters.

3. Papers containing statements made by or to the donor in confidence unless in the
judgement of the Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library the reason for the
confidentiality no longer exists.

4. All other papers which contain information or statements that might be used to injure,
harass, or damage any living person.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The papers of Arthur F. Burns span the years 1928 through 1969. Although the bulk of the
materials tend to be concentrated in the 1950's and 1960's, a significant exception is the file of
drafts to several manuscripts which Burns worked on in the 1930's and 1940's. This collection
reflects Burns’ varied career as economist, researcher, educator, administrator, and government
official.

Arthur Burn’s activities as an economist and a researcher of business cycles and other economic
matters are documented throughout much of the 1930's to the 1960's. Documentation on this
aspect of his career includes manuscript drafts and working papers of various books, bulletins,
and articles, and correspondence with numerous colleagues regarding research projects and
economic theories. Since Burns served as an administrator at the National Bureau of Economic
Research, there is also considerable material in this collection relating to the administration and
research activities of the NBER.

Burns’ role as an educator is less well-documented, but the collection does contain
correspondence with numerous students and professional colleagues, lectures, lecture notes and
related materials reading lists, outlines, and exams from university economics courses.

Considerable documentation on Burns’ role as a government official, including correspondence
with the President, various government officials, and professional colleagues, can be found in
both the Council of Economic Advisers Series and in the General Correspondence Series. The
Speech, Talks, and Lecture Series includes materials on a number of talks which Arthur F. Burns,
as chairman of the CEA, gave at various Cabinet meetings from 1954 to 1956.

The documentation in the first two series of this collection is concentrated entirely in the 1950's
and 1960's, and it is reflective mainly of the private life of Arthur Burns. Very few public policy
issues are discussed in the correspondence in these files.

The General Correspondence Series contains considerable material from the years 1952 to 1969
and some from 1934 to 1938, but very little from the 1940's. This series consists of
correspondence with many prominent individuals and organizations, including Sherman Adams,
the American Bankers Association, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Barry Goldwater, George M.
Humphrey, IBM, James P. Mitchell, Morgan Guaranty Trust Co., Richard M. Nixon, Nelson
Rockefeller, and Rutledge Vining. Besides correspondence, this series contains numerous
articles or papers by an assortment of economists and writers. Some of the topics discussed in
the correspondence and in the related materials include unemployment, the role of the Council of
Economic Advisers, politics, elections, the role and work of the National Bureau of Economic
Research, monetary policy, business cycles, Federal Reserve policies, inflation, housing,
production indexes, balance of payments, and credit policies.

The series on Burns’ writings contains the drafts and working papers of two unpublished
manuscripts which he apparently wrote in the 1930's--one on building construction and one on
railroad construction. Burns studied the building cycles for these two industries and compared
them with business cycles in general.

Drafts for the book, Measuring Business Cycles, comprise a large part of this series. The early
drafts were written by Wesley C. Mitchell, whereas later drafts were authored primarily by Burns
with input from Mitchell, Milton Friedman, Frederick C. Mills, Simon Kuznets, and NBER staff
members. The various drafts, which date from 1933 to the mid-1940's, show a definite
progression in the development of the book and in the business cycle theories and study
techniques of Burns and his associates. When this book was published in 1946, it was heralded
as a major contribution to economic research, and it is still viewed as a classic treatment of the
subject of business cycles. Besides the drafts, this series contains the working papers,
background materials, and correspondence relating to Measuring Business Cycles.

Also located in the Writings Series are a number of articles and bulletins written by Burns.
There are a considerable number from the 1950's and 1960's, but very few from the 1930's and
1940's. Some of the topics covered in these writings include business cycles, the role of the
economist in government, the CEA under Walter Heller, the role of the NBER, and the NBER’s
measures of cyclical behavior.

The series containing speeches, talks, and lectures is also concentrated in the 1950's and 1960's
with very few dating from the 1930's and 1940's. Topics covered in some of these discourses
include the activities of the CEA, Wesley C. Mitchell and the NBER, the Keynesian System, the
current economic situation, the business-cycle policy of government, the problem of inflation,
employment, economic growth, and the defense sector.

The Foreign Travel Series contains information on trips which Burns made to various countries,
including Spain, Japan, Israel, India, and England, between 1958 and 1968. Foreign
governments, the U.S. Department of State, private foundations, and foreign universities
sponsored these trips which usually involved lectures or seminars and the application of his
expertise as an economist to economic problems in a wide variety of settings.

Arthur F. Burns served as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during the years 1953
to 1956. Documentation of this portion of his career is quite good. The CEA Series includes
correspondence with members of Congress and with staff members of different federal agencies
and departments, including Gabriel Hauge, Joseph Dodge, Maurice Stans, George Humphrey,
and William McChesney Martin, Jr. This series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports,
and background information furnished by members and assistants of the CEA, including Neil
Jacoby, Raymond Saulnier, Joseph Pechman, and Irving Strauss. Another important segment of
this series is the documentation concerning the various economic sectors in the U.S. economy
and the reports, drafts of reports, memoranda, correspondence, and related working files for the
yearly Economic Reports of the President, 1954-1957.

The two series on the National Bureau of Economic Research contain materials on the activities
and operations of the organization, including administration, finances, personnel, publishing
efforts, and research projects. The bulk of this material tends to be concentrated in the period
from 1956 to 1969, although there are some scattered materials from the 1930's, 1040's, and early
1950's as well. There is documentation concerning the NBER’s research efforts on such topics
as business cycles, economic growth, financial institutions, international trade, and national
income.

Series X documents Arthur Burns’ work with and involvement in a number of private and public
organizations, agencies, and institutions. These include the Academy of Political Science,
Columbia University, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Advisory
Council on Social Security Financing, and the President’s Advisory Committee on Labor-
Management Policy.

The General Subject Series reflects the interest of Burns in a variety of topics relating to
economics and statistics. Some of the topics on which he collected materials include the
acceleration principle, balance of payments, business cycles, federal budget, foreign trade, federal
debt, inflation, interest rates, track mileage of railroads, Keynes’ theory of business cycles,
recessions, and the value of money.

The series, Printed and Manuscript Materials by Other Writers, contains articles, pamphlets, and
manuscripts by many well-known economists, researchers, public figures, and writers. These
include Moses J. Abramovitz, Ezra Taft Benson, Milton Friedman, Walter W. Heller, Henry
Kissinger, Simon Kuznets, Frederick Mills, Wesley C. Mitchell, Raymond Saulnier, and Julius
Shiskin. Some of the subjects discussed in these materials are monetary policy, taxes,
agriculture, business cycles, production trends, Federal Reserve policy, employment, balance of
payments, profits and losses, and credit.

In this finding aid Burns’ folder titles have been used as much as possible. If something has been
added to a folder title or if a new folder title has been created, we have placed this citation in
brackets [].
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

April 27, 1904 Born in Stanislau, Austria

1925 A.B., A.M., Columbia University

Jan. 25, 1930 Married Helen Bernstein

1934 Ph.D., Columbia University

1927-1941 Taught economics at Rutgers University

1941-1958 Professor of Economics, Columbia University

1930-1969 Member, research staff, NBER

1945- Member, Board of Directors, NBER

1945-1953 Director of Research, NBER

1953-1956 Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisers

1953-1956 Chairman, Advisory Board on Economic Growth and Stability

1957-1958 Member, U.S. Advisory Council on Social Security Financing

1957-1967 President, NBER

1967-1968 Chairman, NBER

1969- Honorary Chairman, NBER

1959 President, American Economists Association

1961 President, Academy of Political Science

1961-1966 Member, President’s Advisory Committee on Labor-Management Policy

1959-1969 John Bates Professor of Economics, Columbia University

1969-1970 Counsellor to President, U.S.

1970-1978 Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System
1973-1978 Alternate Governor, International Monetary Fund

1978-1981 Distinguished Scholar in Residence, American Enterprise Institute for Public
Policy Research, Washington, DC

1978-1981 Distinguished Professorial Lecturer, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

1981-1985 Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany

1985- Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research,
Washington, DC

1986- Member, Board of Governors, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation

Publications

Production Trends in the U.S. Since 1870 (1934)

Measuring Business Cycles (with W.C. Mitchell, 1946)

The Frontiers of Economic Knowledge (1954)

Prosperity Without Inflation (1957)

The Management of Prosperity (1966)

Full Employment: Guideposts and Economic Stability (with Paul A. Samuelson, 1967)

The Defense Sector and the American Economy (with Jacob K. Javits and Charles J. Hitch,
1968)

The Business Cycle in a Changing World (1969)

Numerous articles and bulletins
SERIES DESCRIPTION

Box Nos. Series

1-2 I. APPOINTMENTS, 1953, 1958, 1960-1968. 2 containers. Appointment books and
calendars arranged in chronological order.

3-5 II. PERSONAL FILE, 1952-1969. 3 containers. Biographical materials, insurance
papers, press clippings, personal expense and financial records, and photographs
relating to Arthur Burns’ private life and professional career. These materials are
arranged alphabetically by folder title. Also included in this series are personal
correspondence and drafts which are arranged in chronological order.

6-43 III. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1934-1969. 38 containers. Correspondence
and drafts arranged alphabetically by the name of the individual, organization or
institution with whom Arthur Burns corresponded. Intermixed with and attached to
the correspondence are speeches, articles, essays, reports, studies, press releases,
brochures, clippings, interviews, papers, notes, and booklets. The documentation in
this series tends to be concentrated in the years 1934-1938 and 1953-1968.

44-73 IV. WRITINGS OF ARTHUR F. BURNS, 1928-1969. 40 containers. Manuscript
drafts, working papers, background materials (including notes, tables, charts, graphs,
indexes, articles, booklets, and correspondence), papers, bulletins, book reviews,
articles, and reports relating to various economic subjects studied and researched by
Arthur Burns. This series is divided into two subseries. The Manuscript Drafts and
Working Papers Subseries is arranged in alphabetical order by the title of the project,
whether book, paper, or bulletin. The Articles, Papers, Bulletins, and Booklet
Subseries is arranged in chronological order.

74-87 V. SPEECHES, TALKS, AND LECTURES, 1939-1968. 14 containers. Speeches,
talks, and lectures arranged in chronological order from 1939 to 1968 with the bulk
concentrated in the 1950's and 1960's. Also included are notes, drafts, galleys, page
proofs, papers, articles, data sheets, and correspondence.

88-93 VI. FOREIGN TRAVEL SERIES, 1958-1968. 6 containers. Correspondence,
schedules, itineraries, lecture notes, reports, minutes of meetings, and expense
account statements relating to trips made by Arthur Burns to various countries where
he participated in economic studies, conferences, or university lectures. This material
is arranged chronologically by country visited.

94-120 VII. COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS SERIES, 1953-1956. 27 containers.
Correspondence, reports, drafts of reports, press releases, notes, memoranda,
speeches, articles, fact sheets, statements, tables, charts, indexes, legislative acts,
outlines, and studies relating to Arthur Burns’ work as CEA chairman and to the work
and activities of the CEA. This series is divided into four subseries. The Office of
the Chairman Subseries is arranged alphabetically by folder title. The subseries on
Federal Government Correspondence and Related Materials is arranged alphabetically
by title of the department or agency and chronologically within the folders. The
Economic Sector Materials Subseries is arranged alphabetically by the name of each
economic sector, and the Reports Subseries is arranged chronologically.

121-138 VIII. NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH--ADMINISTRATION,
1930-1931, 1952-1969. 18 containers. Minutes of meetings, memoranda, reports,
notes, correspondence, financial statements, press releases, outlines, program
schedules, speeches, lectures, lists, studies, research proposals, meeting agendas,
articles, and papers relating to various activities of the NBER. This series is divided
into six subseries which are arranged alphabetically by folder title and chronologically
within the folders.

139-147 IX. NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH--SPECIAL PROJECTS
AND STUDIES, 1939-1969 9 containers. Reports, studies, memoranda,
correspondence, articles, research proposals, bulletins, papers, outlines, notes, tables,
charts, agendas and minutes of meetings, and lists relating to numerous economic
studies and projects which were conducted under NBER auspices. This series is
divided into six subseries which are all arranged in alphabetical order by folder title--
the author’s name or the title of the study.

148-175 X. ORGANIZATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, AND CONFERENCES, 1953-1969. 28
containers. Correspondence, reports, drafts of reports, agendas and minutes of
meetings, working papers, financial statements, memoranda, printed materials, press
releases, lists, articles, papers, conference proceedings, programs, speeches, and
outlines relating to the operations and activities of various organizations, institutions,
and conferences in which Arthur Burns either participated in or had contact with
regarding possible future participation. This series is divided into two subseries, one
for public and one for private entities. Both subseries are arranged alphabetically by
the names of the organizations, institutions, and conferences, and chronologically
within the folders.

176-197 XI. GENERAL SUBJECT, 1929-1968. 20 containers. Correspondence, articles,
notes, tables, charts, graphs, reports, studies, printed materials, papers, indexes,
bibliographies, reading lists, clippings, course exams, programs, outlines, and press
releases concerning a wide variety of topics relating to economics and statistics on
which Mr. Burns had collected materials, This series is arranged in alphabetical order
by the title of the subjects.

198-212 XII. PRINTED AND MANUSCRIPT MATERIALS BY OTHER WRITERS, 1926-
1968. 15 containers. Articles, papers, manuscript drafts, reports, bulletins, speeches,
lectures, memoranda, and statements are arranged in alphabetical order by the name
of the author. Other materials found in this series include correspondence, notes,
tables, charts, and outlines.
CONTAINER LIST

Box No. Contents

SERIES I. APPOINTMENTS, 1953, 1958, 1960-1968.

1 List of Files--Arthur F. Burns

Appointments, March-April, 1953

Appointments, May-June, 1953

Appointments, July-Dec., 1953

Appointment Calendar, 1958

Appointment Calendar, 1960

Appointment Calendar, 1961

Appointment Calendar, 1962

Appointment Calendar, 1963

Appointment Calendar, 1964

Appointment Calendar, 1965

Appointment Calendar, 1966

Appointment Book, 1966

Appointments, 1967

2 Appointment Book, 1967

Appointment Calendar, 1968

SERIES II: PERSONAL FILE, 1952-1969

3 [Addresses]

Automobile Insurance, 1957-1963
Biographical Sketches, 1948-1969 (1)(2)

[Biographical Sketch]--Marquis--Who’s Who, Inc., 1958-1968

Blueprint for Addition to Residence, 1961

Books Ordered, 1967-1968

[Clippings, 1953, 1955, 1958]

Diet Sheet

Directions for Traveling to Ely, [Vermont], by Car, 1965

Expenses, 1958-1961

Expenses [and Receipts], 1962-1964

Expenses and Receipts, 1965-1966

Expenses, 1967

[Financial Records--Check Stubs, 1963-1967] (1)(2)

[Financial Records--Deposit Slips, 1936, 1951-1953]

Fire Insurance for New York Apartment, 1939

Hospitalization, [Insurance], 1953, 1955

4 Hospitalization [Insurance], 1960

Hospitalization [Insurance], 1960-1967

[Housing]--Charles H. Greenthal, 1967-1968

Miscellaneous Articles About A. F. Burns, [1953-1956] (1)-(3)

Miscellaneous Papers, 1953-1956

Personal Correspondence, 1956

Personal Correspondence, 1957