<|im_start|>user
Extract the reason why the check clearing system was created

Context:
Because some banks refused to clear checks from certain other banks during times of economic uncertainty, a check-clearing system was created in the Federal Reserve System. It is briefly described in The Federal Reserve System‍—‌Purposes and Functions as follows:

By creating the Federal Reserve System, Congress intended to eliminate the severe financial crises that had periodically swept the nation, especially the sort of financial panic that occurred in 1907. During that episode, payments were disrupted throughout the country because many banks and clearinghouses refused to clear checks drawn on certain other banks, a practice that contributed to the failure of otherwise solvent banks. To address these problems, Congress gave the Federal Reserve System the authority to establish a nationwide check-clearing system. The System, then, was to provide not only an elastic currency‍—‌that is, a currency that would expand or shrink in amount as economic conditions warranted‍—‌but also an efficient and equitable check-collection system.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
During financial crises in early 20th century, some banks refused to clear checks drawn on certain other banks, a practice that contributed to the failure of otherwise solvent banks, which ultimately led to severe crises that swept the nation, therefore Congress gave the Federal Reserve System the authority to establish a nationwide check-clearing system to address such systematic issues.<|im_end|>
