53 



multitude of studies for these organizations. Consequently, it was 

 difficult for COSPUP to remain completely impartial and detached 

 when working for Congress, which had the effect of clouding the 

 full separation of powers within the Government. In addition, the 

 requirement that Congress reimburse the Academy for studies 

 done by COSPUP made it administratively difficult for individual 

 committees to maintain a continuous relationship with COSPUP 

 because funds for such external advice were not a normal part of a 

 committee's budgetary authority. Finally, Congress became less re- 

 liant on external advice from organizations like COSPUP because 

 it was expanding its own science advisory staff through the inclu- 

 sion of more scientific and technical experts within its committee 

 structure, as well as through the building up of the Science Policy 

 Research Division of the Library of Congress. 42 



Science Policy Under President Johnson 



While Congress was grappling with its role in the science policy- 

 making process, the new Johnson Administration attempted to re- 

 orient several aspects of the nation's postwar science policy. The 

 most notable changes were in the Administration's emphases on 

 the practical applications of scientific research and the wider geo- 

 graphical distribution of Federal research funding. In part, this 

 was a reaction to the many spokesmen for science who made exag- 

 gerated promises during the late 1940s and 1950s about the practi- 

 cal results of basic research. After 20 years of listening to such 

 promises, many people became impatient for results. This was espe- 

 cially true of decisionmakers within the Johnson Administration 

 who were charged with implementing the policies of the Great So- 

 ciety. 43 



In an address to his Cabinet on 14 September 1965, President 

 Johnson affirmed: "I am determined that we shall marshal our re- 

 sources and our wisdom to the fullest to assure the continuing 

 strength and leadership of American science and to apply the infor- 

 mation yielded by its inquiry to the problems which confront our 

 society and our purposes in the world." This support of the nation's 

 research efforts was tempered by the former Texas Congressman's 

 sympathy with arguments calling for increased geographical distri- 

 bution of Federal research expenditures. Wanting to break the oli- 

 gopoly on research funds alleged to be held by a small number of 

 elite universities on the East and West coasts, the President stated: 



At present, one-half of the Federal expenditures for re- 

 search go to 20 major institutions, most of which were 

 strong before the advent of Federal research funds. During 

 the period of increasing Federal support since World War 

 II, the number of institutions carrying out research and 

 providing advanced education has grown impressively. 

 Strong centers have developed in areas which were previ- 

 ously not well served. It is a particular purpose of this 



42 See Kofmehl, "COSPUP, Congress, and Scientific Advice," pp. 117-120; and Lowrance "The 

 NAS Surveys of Fundamental Research," pp. 1257-1260. 



43 For the development of science policy during the Johnson Administration, see W. Henry 

 Lambright, Presidential Management of Science and Technology: The Johnson Presidency 

 (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1985). 



