FRONTIERS IN OCEANIC RESEARCH 11 



who is a distinguished citizen in her own right. I understand she is 

 a candidate for the U.S. Congress. We welcome you here, Mrs. 

 Brown. 



Mrs. Brown. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Anfuso. Perhaps you would like to take the seat of a Congress- 

 man. 



Mrs. Brown. Thank you. 



Mr. Anfuso. You may even ask questions. 



Mrs. Brown. Thank you. 



Mr. Miller. Mrs. Brown has a distinction as far as this side of 

 the table is concerned : She is the granddaughter of William Jennings 

 Bryan. 



Mr. Anfuso. Dr. Brown, incidentally, before I ask you these ques- 

 tions, let me say I am sure other members will have some questions 

 to ask you. I trust that you will try to answer them as briefly as you 

 can. so we can move along. 



What are the circumstances that led to the formation of the Com- 

 mittee on Oceanography ? 



Dr. Brown. The circumstances involved a very real concern upon 

 the part of the many Government agencies which are involved in 

 one way or another with oceanographic research. 



This is a field of endeavor which cuts across a fantastic array of 

 agencies. It includes the Navy, the National Science Foundation, 

 the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, the Atomic Energy Commission, 

 the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the 

 Maritime Administration, and I have probably left some out. 



Mr. Miller. Coast Guard? 



Dr. Brown. The Coast Guard, yes, thank you. 



Mr. Anfuso. Would you say, Dr. Brown, that your report repre- 

 sents the viewpoint of most U.S. scientists concerned with ocea- 

 nography ? 



Dr. Brown. Well, we haven't exactly taken a public opinion poll, 

 but on the basis of replies that we have obtained when we have solicited 

 opinions, I would say that generally the bulk of the marine scientists 

 in the country would agree with the broad objectives of the report 

 and with the recommendations that we have made. 



Mr. Anfuso. Now, your report implies, particularly in reference 

 to obsolescence and inadequate number of research ships, that ocea- 

 nography in the United States has been badly neglected. If it has 

 been, will you please tell us who you think is responsible for this 

 neglect ? 



Dr. Brown. Well, I think that the blame cannot be placed upon 

 any one group, or any one person. It stems largely from a general 

 lack of appreciation of its importance. I do know certain Govern- 

 ment agencies have been doing everything they can within the limits 

 imposed upon them by their budgets. 



I know that the Navy, for example, has done a fine job of spon- 

 soring oceanographic research over a period of years commensurate 

 with the funds that it has been able to obtain in order to carry it out. 

 _ Mr. Anfuso. Do you think that other Government agencies, be- 

 sides the Navy, share your concern about the urgency of this program ? 



