OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 165 



Mr. Wakelin. I tliink you might say, sir, there are two general in- 

 terests of the Atomic Energy Commission. I do not pretend to speak 

 for them. I can tell you from the ICO's viewpoint their feelings 

 about oceanography in research. There are two general areas in 

 which they have a vital interest ; one is, of course, a study of the ocean 

 area and environment in terms of their requirements to understand 

 methods by which wastes, materials of a fissionable or radioactive na- 

 ture, can be disposed of; secondly, they are interested in helping all 

 of us in other parts of the program in the use of tracer elements to 

 study particular elements, either of a physical, or a biological nature. 

 So one is for their particular interest in waste disposal, the other is a 

 a companion activity to help all of us with their techniques, to intro- 

 duce modern and more applicable methods by which our research data 

 can be obtained, either en the biological side, or the physical side. 



Mr. Drewry. It is more than simply a question of trying to protect 

 the wastes which they create. 



Mr. Wakelikt. Yes. 



Mr. Dkewet. I notice while the Department of Commerce is rep- 

 resented on the committee, the Coast and Geodetic Survey has the 

 only representative. "V\niiy not Mar'itime from the ship construction 

 standpoint, or the Weather Bureau, or does Admiral Karo speak for 

 all interests? 



Mr. Wakelin. Admiral Karo speaks for his Department on the 

 ICO which includes not only the Coast and Geodetic Survey, but 

 liaison with the Weather Bureau, and with the Maritime Adminis- 

 tration and the Bureau of Standards. 



In that regard, we are hoping to have a much closer association with 

 the Bureau of Standards in our instrumentation and calibration test 

 center hearings that we are going to start with industry in August. 



On that one point, which I think is important with respect to 

 meterological connections with our program, I feel for the future of 

 our national effort there must be a much closer working relationship 

 with all of meteorology and our oceanographic program, not only in 

 terms of those interphase problems of heat exchange and balance be- 

 tween the oceans and atmosphere, but the interplay of all meteorolog- 

 ical conditions on a particular oceanographic environment in which 

 we have an interest militarily. 



We feel that the atmospheric sciences and oceanography should 

 have a much closer working tie-in. We are striving toward that end 

 within the Federal Council at present to provide such a liaison on a 

 working basis. 



Mr. Drewry. That is a thought I had in mind. I notice several 

 agencies that are represented on the interagency committee have 

 alternates, but there are no alternate members from Commerce which 

 has four agencies which have some considerable interest in oceanog- 

 raphy generally. 



Mr. Wakelin. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Drewry. Back to a question Mr. Dingell raised; as I under- 

 stood your reply, you feel there is nothing offensive about the l^ill, in 

 fact, you are performing the functions set forth in here already, and 

 have the same view on the question of the retention of title of vessels. 

 The only adverse remarks I have heard you make has to do with 

 whether the report should be made in January or some other month. 



68965 — 61 3 



