OCEANOGRAPHY 27 



H.R.. 8612 affects both the Weather Bureau and the Coast and Geo- 

 detic Survey. Its purpose is to simplify achninistrative activities of 

 the two agencies. 



Section 1 of the bill would authorize the Secretary of Commerce 

 to fix certain rates of pay for extra compensation for members of 

 crews of vessels when assigned to certain duties and to employees of 

 other agencies when performing certain duties for the Coast and 

 Geodetic Survey. At present the rates in question have to be incorpo- 

 rated in tlie annual appropriations. It also would correct certain 

 obsolete language. 



Section 2 would authorize the appointment of employees to conduct 

 meteorological investigations in the Arctic region without regard to 

 civil-service laws at base rates not to exceed the maximum scheduled 

 rates for GS-12. It also authorizes the granting of extra compensa- 

 tion to employees of other agencies for taking and transmitting 

 meteorological observations. 



A detailed explanation of H.R. 8612 was submitted when we trans- 

 mitted the proposal to Congress. There have been no objections 

 raised to its enactment. I will not take the time of the subcommittee 

 to repeat w^hat has already been included in our w^ritten presentation. 

 Enactment of this bill would be a valuable aid to efficient acbninis- 

 tration in areas involved. 



Mr. Miller, I want to congratulate Secretary Allen, and congratu- 

 late you, for the presentation. 



I have no particular questions. 



Mr. Pelly? 



Mr. Pelly. The reference w as made earlier by Dr. Revelle to 10 new 

 survey ships which are recommended by the Committee on Oceanog- 

 raphy. In this year's budget request from the President, I under- 

 stand there was a recommendation in the amomit of $6,900,000 for 

 three new survey vessels. Am I correct that those are just replace- 

 ments of existing vessels? 



Admiral Karo. They have nothing to do with this progi\am, Mr. 

 Pelly. They are replacement of existing ships which are obsolete or 

 for some wdiich we have had to dispose of because we could not keep 

 them in operable condition any longer. 



Mr. Pelly. These are just modern up-to-date serviceable vessels 

 and would tie in wdth any expanded work wdiich the service is called 

 upon to carry out, wdiether it is inside present limitations or not. 

 They are very good, new, modern vessels ? 



Admiral Karo. That is right. As I said, they are class 3 vessels 

 which are the smallest type and would normally be devoted to inland- 

 water surveys like in Alaska or some of the sounds along the east coast. 

 They are not part of this expanded oceanographic program. They 

 are needed to carry on our present statutory responsibilities under 

 either concept. 



Mr. Pelly. Thank you. 



Mr. Miller. Mr. Dingell ? 



Mr, Dingell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I was very much impressed by your statement. 



There is one thing that I see too often around here and that is state- 

 ments without regard to the civil-service law and I assvmie that when 



