83 



Mr. OLVER. Is there enough in the NSF, in the programs under 

 NSF that you support, to foster at least world-class, if not pre- 

 eminence, in that rather broad combination of things as we have 

 talked about? 



Dr. Lane. I am worried about it. 



Mr. Olver. You are worried about it. 



Dr. Lane. I cannot assure you. That is why I answered the ques- 

 tion the way I did earlier, that with decreasing real buying power 

 in the NSF budget we are going to be able to remain world-class 

 in all the important fields of science. I would not be able to tell you 

 that I thought that was the case. 



Mr. Olver. Well, recognizing that you cannot ever be absolutely 

 certain about what will be the right number, your worry concerns 

 me. I wish it were possible to quantify with some degree of under- 

 standing of what the margins of error are on a quantification, you 

 know, what the limits are and whether we are doing it or not doing 

 it, and what the dangers are that we may not be doing it. Because 

 we should not be not doing it. 



Mr. Ehlers. The gentleman's time has expired. 



Mr. Cramer had some additional questions. 



Mr. Cramer. Yes, and I will try to be brief. 



I am confused a bit by the chart, and rather than belaboring this 

 point I have been looking at the budget figures myself, and I cer- 

 tainly would not chart it out that way. 



The Chairman has indicated that he would leave the record open 

 for 30 days, I think he said, and I would like to, as well — and he 

 made reference to the fact that we could submit additional ques- 

 tions to you, Dr. Lane. I would like to request of the Chair that 

 the record be left open so that I and other Members can submit ad- 

 ditional material, as well. 



Mr. Ehlers. Without objection, so ordered. 



[The following information was received for the record:] 



