XI. Oceanography as an Element in a Federal Program of 

 Science and Technology 



The following tlu-ee brief sections are intended to provide the reader 

 with additional background information and frames of reference for use 

 when evaluating any program in science and teclinology and, in par- 

 ticular, one visualized for oceanography. The first section contains 

 a brief summary of objectives for national policies in science; the 

 second concerns some recent statements on innovations in Federal 

 organization for science including that of Federal support of ocea- 

 nography; the third contains a specific example of Federal sponsorship 

 of Antarctic research. 



A. NATIONAL POLICIES IN SCIENCE 



These efforts have been made in many places — in the executive branch, in 

 Congress, in international organizations, and wherever our scientists do their 

 work. They have been directed at multiple objectives: 



To enhance the excellence of our science, both basic and appUed, and to add 

 to our effort, relatively-, in basic research; 



To extend the recognition of science as a creative activity that augments man's 

 dignity and understanding and affords him intellectual adventure of the highest 

 order ; 



To recognize that outstanding accomplishments in science appeal deeply to the 

 hopes and aspirations of men everywhere, and contribute to the prestige and good 

 will of nations; 



To demonstrate that the democratic environment of the free world is the best 

 environment for achievement in science; 



To improve the ways in which our Government uses and supports science; 



To apply it more effectively to improve our environment, to strengthen our 

 economy, to improve the health and welfare of our citizens and the peoples of 

 the free world; 



To promote international understanding and good will; 



To insure that science and technology contribute their maximum to the defense 

 of the United States and the free world. 



I pause to recall these objectives because the campaign in which we are engaged 

 to strengthen science and use it wisely must embrace them all if it is to achieve 

 full success.'"" 



B. FEDERAL OCEANOGRAPHY — COORDINATION OR CENTRALIZATION 



Fi-om the list of agencies of Section VI, it is clear that responsibilities 

 in the field of oceanography are now vested in a number of different 

 Federal agencies, automatically entailing the requhement of coordina- 

 tion. At present, this is effected through the Interagency Connnittee 

 on Oceanography within the Federal Council for Science and Tech- 

 nology. A nuniber of alternatives have, from time to time, been 

 proposed. 



In an address on national science policy to The Johns Hopkins 

 University, Dr. Lloyd V. Berkner surveyed the responsibilities and 

 problems' of Federal sponsorship of research and endorsed a new 

 Federal Department of Science and Technology. He visualizes this 



'o" Report of Dr. James R. Killian, Jr., to the 125th national meeting of the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, Dec. 29, 1958, published in Senate Kept. No. 120, pp. 3-4. 



156 



