220 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



tire at Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, NASA's Director of the Office 

 of Advanced Research and Technology, about funds asked for an 

 Electronics Research Center. 



Karth immediately jumped in and wanted to know "how many 

 different kinds of research centers and/or laboratories do we have 

 in-house today?" Karth bored in with more questions: 



Mr. Karth. Before we decide that we need another in-house capability, what 

 kind of an evaluation study do we have of the existing capability both in Govern- 

 ment and in industry? What kind of a study do we make, Doctor? Is it a thorough, 

 comprehensive study of all the aspects of that capability within the private industry 

 and within Government? 



Dr. Bisplinghoff. Yes. I feel that if you are referring to the Electronics Research 

 Center, I feel that the 



Mr. Karth. I am referring to any in-house capability that all of a sudden we 

 may decide we need. 



Dr. Bisplinghoff. I see. 



Mr. Karth. I want to know how we make the decision that we need it. 



Dr. Bisplinghoff. I think that two of the main reasons for having an in-house 

 capability are to give the NASA an ability to make wise decisions to embark on 

 major aeronautical and space exploration programs involving large expenditures 

 for purchases of equipment, complex systems, and vehicles, and to conduct and 

 supervise research outside of the NASA in a businesslike and intelligent manner. 



Rumsfeld and Gurney both raised questions about whether the Elec- 

 tronics Research Center would recruit talent from the outside or 

 other areas of the country which would thereby deprive those areas 

 of the technical expertise. Rumsfeld, in particular, was concerned 

 that those areas like the Middle West which were rejected as suitable 

 sites "might be even more unacceptable at a later date because of the 

 fact that you have created this new center in Boston and attracted 

 people from other parts of the country." 



Whereupon, Chairman Miller intervened to defend NASA and 

 explain that NASA was trying to develop capabilities in other sec- 

 tions of the country. He remarked to the future Secretary of Defense: 



I can understand your concern in this matter, Mr. Rumsfeld. I just want you to 

 know that we are conscious of this, but NASA is not the biggest violator in this 

 field. If you want to go into it, take a look at DOD. 



It was not long before Ryan got into the act. 



Mr. Ryan. What other sections of the country did you examine which have 

 university complexes and electronics development? 



Dr. Bisplinghoff. We looked in the larger areas of California and New York 

 and in other States. We looked at every part of the country, every large area where 

 there was considerable combined strength in electronics and education. 



Mr. Ryan. Did you prepare a report evaluating one area as opposed to another? 



Dr. Bisplinghoff. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Ryan. Is that available so that the committee members might inspect it? 



