XIII. Issues Before the Congress 



A. immediate issues 



The vital relationship of the oceans to our national security has 



been widely enunciated by scientific, military, and political leaders. 



Considering the exceedingly small effort devoted to oceanographic 



research and considering the need, increased understanding of the seas 



has been deemed urgent: 



(a) for increased defense against enemy submarines ; 

 (h) for the effective operation of a Polaris program as a major 

 element in policy of deterrence; 



(c) for the rehabilitation of commercial fishing; 



(d) for utilization of ocean mineral resources; 



(e) to facilitate commerce and navigation; 



(/) to expand scientific knowledge of the planet on which man 



lives, including the phenomena in which the oceans affect climate 



and weather. 



The known expansion of Soviet effort in this field almost certainly 



assures their sm'passing the United States in a few years. In view of 



past exploitations by the Soviets of scientific achievement for purposes 



of propaganda, they may be expected to use research in the sea for the 



same purpose. 



In this context, a number of immediate issues confront the Congress : 



1 . The Congress may thus wish to establish a sense of purpose and 

 unity to a national program in oceanic research. 



2. If the Congress concurs with the analyses by the National Acad- 

 emy of Sciences and others, it may wish assurance that such a program 

 is being planned for expansion on a long-range basis with due consider- 

 ation for technical content, increased manpower, increased facilities, 

 necessary funding, and adequate management and coordination. 



3. The question arises as to whether existing statutorj^ authority is 

 sufficient to implement such a program. 



4. If statutory authority is deemed adequate, then the Congress 

 may wish to assure itself that this program is being implemented with 

 sufficient vigor, funds, and leadership to establish the posture required 

 for national security. 



5. In that regard, the question may well be raised as to whether 

 present coordination under the President's Federal Council for 

 Science and Technology is proper and adequate. 



6. There is a separate question of balance between Government and 

 non -Government funding for oceanographic research and between 

 civilian and military orientation. In regard to the former, it is clear 

 that the incentives for private capital are insufficient compared to the 

 risk. The question then develops as to what incentives could and 

 should be provided by the Federal Government that will reduce the 

 burden of Federal sponsorship now visualized. 



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