Correspondence with John Maynard Keynes, Baron Keynes (1883-1946), economist, relating to an offer by Keynes of an article on the situation in the Ruhr [during its occupation] for publication in the Manchester Guardian. Also included is correspondence relating to the suggestion by Keynes that the Manchester Guardian purchase the exclusive rights to a newly developed business barometer, produced by the London School of Economics, for inclusion in the Manchester Guardian Commercial supplements on reconstruction. There is discussion of the barometer, the terms and cost of project, the statistics to be collected, and interest shown by the FBI [Federation of British Industries].
There is discussion of the supplements on reconstruction, with reference to Keynes' resignation from the Indian fiscal commission, and the Genoa conference, at which Keynes acted as a correspondent for the Manchester Guardian. There is discussion of potential subjects, and of French contributors to the supplements, the suggestion of political bias in the selection of the contributors in the French press, and the assertions of Jacques Bardoux, writer, on the subject. There is a request by Keynes for information on the business barometer's continuation following the completion of the supplements to be published in the paper, and discussion of the success of the supplements, with reference to financial results, and to the increase in prestige for the Manchester Guardian Commercial.
There is also correspondence relating to a request for an article by Keynes on [Democracy under revision], a lecture delivered at the Sorbonne, by [H.G.] Wells, writer, and internal memoranda discussing payment for articles by Keynes on[the social and economic situation in Germany], which are published in the Manchester Guardian. Also included is discussion of Keynes disinclination to write articles during the general election of 1931, with discussion of the implications of the election for currency, and an open offer made to Keynes to submit articles for publication, which is accepted.