Title: Ezra Solomon Papers, White House Central Files, 1971-1973

Dates: 1971-1973

Collection Number: 6171467

Creator/Collector: Solomon, Ezra, 1920-2002. Council of Economic Advisers

Extent: 11 linear feet, 10 linear inches; 27 boxes

Repository: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Abstract: Ezra Solomon succeeded Hendrick Houthakker as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers or CEA. Solomon’s areas of responsibility included: domestic economic and financial conditions and outlook; fiscal policy and monetary policy; manpower programs; taxation and social security; as well as energy, defense, housing and national growth policy. He was also chairman of the Technical Research and Development Incentives and Resources Task Force

Language of Material: English

Collection is open for research. Some materials may be unavailable based upon categories of materials exempt from public release established in the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974.

Most government records are in the public domain; however, this series includes commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings, that may be subject to copyright restrictions. Researchers should contact the copyright holder for information.

Ezra Solomon Papers, White House Central Files, 1971-1973. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

These materials are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-526, 88 Stat. 1695) and implementing regulations.

Ezra Solomon succeeded Hendrik Houthakker as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers on September 9, 1971. He held this position for eighteen months, resigning at the end of March 1973 in order to return to his teaching position as Professor of Finance at Stanford. As second in command at the CEA, Solomon served under Paul W. McCracken, chairman, until the close of 1971, and then under Herbert Stein. Solomon's colleagues on the CEA during this period were Sidney L. Jones, Marina von Neumann Whitman, and Gary L. Seevers. Dr. Solomon's areas of responsibility included: domestic economic and financial conditions and outlook; fiscal policy and monetary policy; manpower programs; taxation and social security; energy, defense, housing, and national growth policy. He was also chairman of the Technical Research and Development Incentives and Resources Task Force. At his farewell party in 1973, Herbert Stein, in a jocular mood, spoke of Phase Solomon, a reference to Solomon's battle to keep food prices down.

The files are arranged in three series: Chronological Files, Administrative Files, and Subject Files. The Administrative Files are divided into two subseries: Memoranda for the President Files, arranged chronologically; and White House Staff Files, arranged alphabetically by folder title. The Subject Files, which comprise approximately 94 percent of Solomon's materials, are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Nine folders entitled "Miscellaneous Correspondence" contain some duplication of materials found in the Chronological Files. The Chronological Files subseries contains correspondence and drafts related to the securities industry; the President's new economic policy; trade policy; the Hunt Commission Report; research and development incentives; and youth unemployment. The Administrative Files subseries is divided into two segments. The first segment, Memoranda for the President, includes memoranda signed by Paul McCracken, Herbert Stein, and Solomon, as Acting Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. Topics represented include exchange rates; stock and bond markets; economic indicators; industrial protection; and retail sales. The second segment, White House Staff Files, includes correspondence, reports, notes, and press releases related to administrative matters such as schedules and use of the White House Mess, as well as the preparation of reports and speeches. The Subject Files subseries contains correspondence, memoranda, draft minutes, reports, press releases, and printed material related to various meetings and conferences; the Council on International Economic Policy (CIEP); staff recruitment; and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).