26 OCEANOGRAPHY 



In addition to other sections of the act which authorize us to perform 

 such other functions as the compilation and publication of aeronautical 

 and nautical charts, analysis, and prediction of tide and current data, 

 collection of geomagnetic data, section 4 provides : 



To improve the efficiency of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and to increase 

 engineering and scientific knowledge, the Director is authorized to conduct 

 developmental work for the improvement of surveying and cartographic methods, 

 instruments, and equipments : and to conduct investigations and research in 

 geophysical sciences (including geodesy, oceanography, seismology, and 

 equipments ) . 



There is no geographical limitation stated in section 4, nor is it 

 indicated in the committee report on the bill that such limitation was 

 intended in connection with the activities authorized by that section. 



In any event, some micert^ainty lias arisen in connection with the 

 full availability, as a matter of law, of the scientific resources of the 

 Coast Survey to participate in the realization of our national goals* 

 The Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, in its 

 report recommending enactment of this legislation, summed, up the 

 purpose and need for this bill saying : 



This bill is designed to remove present uncertainty as to the extent of possible 

 offshore activities by the Coast and Geodetic Survey by adding a new section 11 

 to the act of August 6, 1947 * * * to provide that the Secretary of Commerce 

 may conduct activities authorizetl by the act without regard to the geographical 

 limitations set forth therein, in connection with projects designated as essential 

 to the national interest by the head of an executive department or agency. 



The intensive development of research programs in many fields of 

 scientific endeavor in comiection with military activities, particularly 

 with regard to the exj)loration of outer space ; and the pressing need 

 for expanded knowledge of the ocean's depths for submarine opera- 

 tion and defense as well as for possible new sources of food and min- 

 eral resources, have laid greatly increased demands upon the Coast 

 and Geodetic Sur^'-ey which are certain to multiply as the years go by. 



In scientific fields that have taken on new and vital significance, 

 such as oceanography, geodesy, seismology, magnetism, and the like, 

 the scientific competence and experience of the Survey personnel must 

 be utilized to the fullest in the interest of survival. That this may 

 be made possible is the primaiy purpose of this bill. 



It is not the purpose of this bill to have the Coast Survey assume 

 any function which Congi-ess has assigned to any other agency. It 

 is the purpose of this bill to assure that the Coast Survey's experi- 

 enced and trained scientific personnel will be able to contribute all 

 that the national interest may require in our search for new knowledge 

 in the areas in which the Coast Survey has developed competence. 

 This subcommittee has already, in its hearings last year, had outlined 

 for it the tremendous tasks wdiich our national interest requires be 

 undertaken in oceanography, geodesy, geomagnetism, and related 

 fields. Our national interest demands that we assure the full avail- 

 ability of every scientific resource we have to meet the challenges of 

 our time. It is for this reason that we urge the prompt favorable 

 consideration of this bill. 



I have been authorized to state that the Bureau of the Budget has 

 authorized us to state that they favor this bill. 



