OCEANOGRAPHY 3 



On the economies side, our fisheries are in desperate circumstances, while 

 Russia and Japan have taken command of the vast fishery resources of the Pacific. 

 They know more about the fislieries than we do, and their fishery fleets are far 

 ahead of ours in size and fimctional design. 



The Coast and Geodetic Survey must play a leading part in the expanded 

 research operations which experts in various scientific fields have declared 

 to be essential. To do so it must be released from the statutory geographical 

 shackles that now restrict its activities. 



The Defense Department, in its report on S. 2482, dated August 12, opposed 

 enactment on the ground of possible duplication or overlapping of efforts in 

 areas where Defense research and exploration facilities have been working. 

 Your committee gave very careful consideration to the Navy's opposition to 

 the bill, but came to the conclusion that the Coast and Geodetic Survey is 

 peculiarly fitted to take over a much larger share of the work than is now possible 

 under existing law. It should be noted that the Bureau of the Budget had no 

 objection to the submission of the legislation to the Congress. On the other 

 hand, there is no notation on the report of the Navy, as to the Bureau's position 

 with respect thereto. Further, we are confident the Deiiartment of Defense and 

 Commerce will be able to properly cooperate in this highly imix)rtant field. 



Reports of the interested Government departments and agencies follow: 



The Secretary op Commerce, 

 Washington, D.C., August 3, 1959. 

 Hon. Richard M. Nixon, 

 President of the Senate, 

 U.S. Senate, Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. President : There are attached four copies of a proposed bill to 

 provide flexibility in tlie performance of certain functions of the Coast and 

 Geodetic Survey and of the Weather Bureau. 



There are also attached four copies of a statement of purpose and need for 

 the proposed bill. 



We are advised by the Bureau of the Budget that it would interpose no 

 objection to- the submission of this proposed legislation. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Frederick H. Mueller, 

 Acting Secretary of Commerce. 



"A BILL To remove geographical limitations on activities of the Coast and Geodetic 

 Survey, and for other purposes 



"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 

 States of America in Congress Assembled, That the Act of August 6, 1947 (ch. 

 504, 61 Stat. 787, 33 U.S.C. 883a-883i) is amended by adding at the end thereof, 

 a new section reading as follows : 



"Sec. 11. The Secretary of Commerce may conduct activities authorized by 

 this Act without regard to the geographical limitations set forth herein in 

 connection with projects designated as essential to the national interest by the 

 head of an Executive Department or Agency." 



Statement in Support of Proposed Legislation To Remove Geographical, 

 Limitations on Activities of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and for Other 

 Purposes 



The act of August 6, 1947. which provides basic authority for the activities of 

 the Coast and Geodetic Survey authorizes surveys, observations, measurements, 

 and charting activities in "the United States, its Territories and possessions." 



The purpose of the proposed legislation is to clarify ambiguous language in 

 the act of August 6, 1&47, and to provide statutory authority for the Secretary 

 of Commerce to conduct activities listed in that act without regard to the 

 geographical limitations set forth therein in connection with projects designated 

 essential to the national interest by the head of an executive department or 

 agency. 



The rapid development of the exploration of outer space, the impelling need 

 for increasing our knowledge of the oceans, and the increasing range of scientific 

 investigation and study generally require, for maximum effectiveness, the gather- 

 ing of increasingly detailed and more widespread geophysical data, which in- 



