Title: Council of Economic Advisers Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974

Dates: 1969-1974

Collection Number: 6167102

Creator/Collector: Council of Economic Advisors

Extent: 6 linear feet, 7 linear inches; 15 boxes

Repository: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Abstract: The Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) advised the President on economic developments, appraised the economic policies of the Federal Government, made future projections and prepared the annual economic report of the President. As the council became involved in a broader range of subjects, its direct advisory role to the President expanded to include advisory work with many departments, agencies, and offices within the Executive Branch. This finding aid covers only the Council’s staff files and does not include the files of the chairmen and members.

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.

Council of Economic Advisers Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974. 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.

The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) was established in the Executive Office of the President by the Employment Act of 1946. The Council now functions under that legislation and Reorganization Plan 9 of 1953. The Council's primary responsibility is to provide the President with analyses and recommendations on economic matters to promote full employment, growth and stability. The Council advises the President on economic developments, appraises the economic policies of the Federal Government, issues regular reports and forecasts on current economic conditions, and future economic projections. Much of the Council's activity centers around the preparation of the annual economic report of the President. The Council's role has broadened far beyond the primary goal of macroeconomic policy set forth in the Employment Act. As the Council has become increasingly involved in a broader range of subjects, its direct advisory role to the President has been expanded to include advisory work with many departments, agencies and offices in the Executive Branch. Members of the Council's staff maintain close working relationships with other agencies and assist in evaluating programs and developing new ones. The Council consists of three members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. One of the members is designated by the President as chairman. The Council's chairmen during the Nixon Administration were Paul W. McCracken and Herbert Stein. Hendrik S. Houthakker, Ezra Solomon and Marina von Neumann Whitman served as members. Sidney L. Jones and Gary L. Seevers were Special Assistants to the Chairmen. The members and staff are recruited from the business, research and teaching world. This finding aid covers only the Council's staff files and does not include the files of the chairmen and members. The staff files are arranged in two series, CEA Staff Chronological Files, and CEA Staff Subject Files. The former comprise about 86 percent of the file group's volume. The CEA Staff Chronological Files are arranged alphabetically by name of staff person, or into thirty-one separate subseries, and then chronologically within each subseries. The Staff Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.