OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 163 



and I intena to give them a fresh reminder when they appear before 

 us. 



I keep forgetting to raise this question in the committee that has 

 jurisdiction, the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee of the 

 House, which had a Health and Science Subcommittee which has since 

 lost jurisdiction over science. I intend to raise this to the chairman 

 of that committee at the appropriate time. 



I think you ought to be aware of this. You ought to know the limits 

 and the authorities. I am aware of the fact that clear language per- 

 mits you to do it, but the legislation liistory is vastly different. It 

 did not apply to millions of dollars worth of ships. It applied to 

 tens, twenties, fifties, and perhaps hundreds of dollars for optical 

 equipment, and so forth. 



Mr. Wakelin. I am glad to know this. 



Mr. Miller. This is a matter that came out of the Interstate and For- 

 eign Commerce Committee ? 



Mr. DiNGELL. That is correct. 



Mr. Miller. You, sir, are on that committee ? 



Mr. DiNGELL. That is correct. 



Mr. Bauer. I have another question, Mr. Secretary. 



We have a reply to a request for opinions from the various depart- 

 ments on H.R. 4276 which suggests that if the Council is established 

 by H.R. 4276, then the AEC and the National Science Foundation 

 should not be members of the proposed Council as oceanographic activi- 

 ties are such a small part of the operation of their program. Would 

 you care to comment on that ? 



Mr. Wakelin. I think in terms of the relative fraction of support 

 of these institutions that goes into oceanography, that is perhaps 

 correct. I am wondering whether the Navy support out of the total 

 R. & D. budget is any larger. 



Mr. Bauer. Thank you, sir. 



The next question that AEC raises : They seem to be very unhappy 

 about the possibility that the Data Center can conduct research as 

 Mr. Miller's bill permits them to do. 



Would you consider that research as to programing is not research ? 

 Shouldn't the Data Center be concerned with the validity of the data 

 input that goes into the Data Center which would involve research ? 



Mr. Wakelin. That is one of its prime responsibilities. 



Mr. Bauer. At this time, I would like to introduce the comments of 

 the Atomic Energy Commission. 



Mr. Miller. Without objection. 



( The information referred to follows : ) 



U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, 



June 6, 1961. 

 Hon. Heebebt G. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives. 



Dear Mr. Bonner: The Atomic Energy Commission is pleased to have this 

 opportunity to comment on H.R. 4276, a bill to expand and develop the aquatic 

 resources of the United States. 



The Commission does not believe that the establishment by this bill of the 

 National Oceanographic Council and Data Center is needed. Some months ago 

 the Departments of the Navy, Commerce, and Interior, the National Science 

 Foundation, and the Atomic Energy Commission entered into an interagency 

 agreement providing for the establishment of a National Oceanographic Data 



