70 OCEANOGRAPHY 



Admiral Pierce. I do not believe the Cocast and Geodetic Survey 

 needs any additional legislation, sir. I was impressed with a remark 

 yesterday where the Navy said that they had to consider the ships of 

 the line along with other requirements like oceanography and other 

 research programs. 



The Coast and Geodetic Survey is in a similar position in that it is 

 absolutely essential that we provide accurate and up-to-date charts 

 of our water's, aei-onautical charts, tide tables in advance, all of the 

 products that people have to have and expect. It is essential that we 

 produce these. Therefore, when we project an oceanographic pro- 

 gram we certainly cannot neglect, for instance, areas where I know 

 there were no surveys at all where Ave need them. 



I would say that we sliould move into these ai'eas and get the charts 

 that will safeguard life and })roperty before we start making scientific 

 investigations. We have the same problem. 



I do not believe we need any more legislative authority. I think 

 we do have it. We can work Avorldwide if necessary. 



As I said, we work very well with the Na\^\ There is no conflict. 

 We discuss our problems. There is certainly no duplication of efl'ort. 



I feel again that it is a matter of decision as to which is the most 

 important. If you have shipping coming into New York and Phil- 

 adelphia there is no question that you have to produce adequate and 

 accurate charts. 



If an emergency comes up and an oil tanker runs aground in Cook 

 Inlet because it has changed, the ice coming out in the spring has 

 scoui-ed and thrown up reefs and shoals, it is up to us to get there 

 immediately and do that job. 



These are the things we have to consider exactly as the Navy said 

 yesterday along with the otlier requirements. We cannot sidestep 

 that. These things we must do. 



Mr. Miller. I do not want to leave the impression that we feel 

 that there is not coordination between the several branches of Gov- 

 ernment charged with responsibility in this field or that you are not 

 doing the utmost, because I know you are. The thing that we are in- 

 trested in is how can we best furtlier this in view of the importance 

 now attached to it or the awareness of its importance that has come 

 about as the result of the findings of the connnittee on the National 

 Academy. They came out with a very fine report and it was rather 

 shocking to many of us that this field had been so long neglected. 



The thing we are striving for now is to see how we can implement 

 and further this, realizing what we were told yesterday, what you 

 have just said, that the competition for dollars is with us. All of us 

 in Congress know that those agencies that have their own basic legis- 

 lation, well establislied. stand the chance to do better than agencies 

 that are within a major govennnental organization where the de- 

 mands ai"e great and where the people who shoot the guns are gen- 

 erally in a position to grab most of the money. That is the thing that 

 we are striving for. 



I just wondered whether you had anything that you could do to 

 help us in this mission. 



Admiral Pierce. I think what you have done so far is a terrific 

 impetus to oceanography. 



I was privileged to attend the final meetings of the National 

 Academy of Sciences Committee on Oceanography and at that time 



