146 



In 1964, the Subcommittee on Science Research and Development of 

 the House Science and Astronautics Committee began a review of the 

 National Science Foundation, with the intention of introducing legis- 

 lation to improve the agency. In 1965, a report reviewing the history 

 and problems of the Foundation was issued by the subcommittee.^^ The 

 subcommittee then held extensive hearings, with physical, natural and 

 social scientists, and Federal officials to gather information on the 

 points raised in the report.*'^ It then prepared an analytical summary 

 and resurveyed its witnesses to clarify points raised in the hearings.^® 

 Subsequently, a report outlining legislative and administrative changes 

 needed in NSF was issued on December 30, 1965.^^ 



Of the many recommendations made for amending the NSF legis- 

 lation, three are of importance to this study. The committee recom- 

 mended that the words "social sciences" be expressly added to the types 

 of scientific activity that NSF supported. (NSF had supported some 

 social science research since 1956, and especially after creation of the 

 Division of Social Sciences in NSF in 1960, but such support was 

 justified, according to the original legislative mandate, under the terms 

 "other sciences.") The stated intent of the committee was to "empha- 

 size congressional interest in and desire for increased support in the 

 social sciences." It also recommended that NSF be given "permissive" 

 authority to support applied research "* * * if such research were di- 

 rected toward a major national problem * * * ;" and responsibilities in 

 support of international scientific research and activities.'^'' The rec- 

 ommendations were incorporated in H.R. 13696, introduced on March 

 16, 1966, by Emilio Q. Daddario, chairman of the subcommittee. Ad- 

 ditional hearings were held; ^^ and a clean bill was introduced.'* 



NSF information assessed 



The NSF amendment received unanimous approval from witnesses 

 regarding inclusion of the social sciences. William Carey, Executive 

 Director, Bureau of the Budget, said his agency "believes there is a 

 great potentiality for attacking many of the problems of a changing 

 society [and would] welcome greater viability for social sciences re- 

 search within the framework of the Foundation * * *." Herman Pol- 

 lack, acting director of international scientific and technological af- 

 fairs, Department of State, said he welcomed the change and sug- 

 gested that such research also be devoted toward achievement of in- 



8' U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics. The National Science 

 Foundation : A General Review of Its First 15 Years. A Report of the Science Policy Re- 

 search Division, Legislative Reference Service, Library of Congress, to the • • *. May 1966. 

 89th Cong., 2d sess. (Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, May 1966.) 



s' U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics. Government and Science : 

 Review of the National Science Foundation. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Science, 

 Research and Development of the • ♦ • vol. I. June 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 ; July 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 

 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29; August 3, 4, 5, and 19, 1965. (No. 6.) 89th Cong., 1st sess. 

 (Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1965), 838 pages. 



* U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics. Government and 

 Science : Review of the National Science Foundation. Hearings before the Subcommittee on 

 Science, Research and Development of the * * * vol. II. 89th Cong., 1st sess., 1965. 

 (No. 6.) (Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1965), pp. 839-1494. 



*» U.S. Congress. Committee on Science and Astronautics. The National Science Foun- 

 dation : Its Present and Future. Report of the Subcommittee on Science, Research, and 

 Development of the * * * 89th Cong., 1st sess. Serial M. Committee print. (Washington, 

 U.S. Government Printing Office, 1966), 118 pages. 



™ Ibid., p. 112, 106. 



" On Apr. 19, 20, 21, 1966. U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics. 

 Amending the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 To Make Improvements in the 

 Organization and Operation of the Foundation. Report (to accompany H.R. 5404), Mar. 6. 

 1967. 90th Cong., 1st sess. Report No. 34. (Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 

 1967), 55 pages. 



« H.R. 14838, May S, 1966. 



