142 OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 



existing grovernmental agencies can effectively coordinate such a program, 

 there is no need for another Oceanographic Council, as specified in H.R. 4276. 



Concerning section 3 of the bill that would authorize establishment of a Na- 

 tional Oceanographic Data Center, it should be noted that such a center is 

 already in existence, and is under the administrative control of the U.S. Navy 

 Hydrographic Office. It receives direction from a special advisory board. 



The need for a National Instrumentation Test and Calibration Center, as pre- 

 scribed by section 5, is worthy of some consideration ; however, we believe this 

 provision does not justify an enactment on this subject at present. Many of our 

 needs in this field are now being met by the use of facilities in the National 

 Bureau of Standards. Also, private companies that are qualified to test and 

 repair specialized instruments are of assistance in this matter. These are 

 matters that warrant and are receiving attention by the Federal Council and the 

 Interagency Committee on Oceanography. 



We agree with the intent of section 9 which authorizes expansion of activities 

 of the Smithsonian Institution. In this connection, it should be noted, however, 

 that the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has responsibilities for taxonomic 

 research on fishes to meet specific objectives of the national oceanographic pro- 

 gram. Our interpretation of this section, therefore, is that additional authority 

 would be given to the Smithsonian Institution without restricting the activities 

 of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries or other agencies that have requirements 

 to sponsor taxonomic research. 



A coordinated and intensified program for oceanography has been recom- 

 mended by the President in his recent message to the Senate and House of 

 Representatives. We believe that, if adopted, this program will provide a bal- 

 anced and effective use of our overall resources available for oceanography. 

 We believe the adoption of the President's program will not require additional 

 legislation. 



We wish to emphasize, notwithstanding our recommendations on this bill, 

 our great interest in the subject of oceanography and our desire that this form 

 of research proceed efficiently and advantageously in the national interest. Four 

 bureaus of this Department, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Bureau of 

 Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Bureau of Mines, and the Geological Survey are 

 directly concerned with programs of research in the field of oceanography. We 

 are prepared to contribute our share, to the extent that funds may be appropri- 

 ated, toward accomplishment of the objectives of oceanographic research. 



The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the presen- 

 tation of this report from the standpoint of the administration's program. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Frank P. Briggs, 

 Assistant Secretary of the Interior. 



National Science Foundataon, 



Washington, B.C., Judy 18, 1960. 



Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 



Mouse of Representatives, Washington, B.C. 



My Dear Mr. Bonner : This is in further reply to your recent request for the 

 comments of the National Science Foundation on N.H. 4276, entitled the "Ocean- 

 ographic Act of 1961." 



H. R. 4276 would establish a National Oceanographic Council, composed of 

 representatives of six Federal departments or agencies, to develop long-range 

 plans for oceanographic research and to coordinate the efforts of the various 

 agencies and departments of the Government in this regard. H.R. 4276 would 

 also direct the establishment of a National Oceanographic Data Center or 

 centers and a National Instrumentation Test and Calibration Center, require 

 that title to vessels supplied by the United States be returned to the United 

 States upon completion or other termination of the purpose for which the vessel 

 has been supplied and authorize the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 

 to expand the taxonomic facilities of the Institution with particular emphasis 

 on the taxonomy of marine organisms. 



H. R. 4276 is aimed at insuring that the United States has a strong oceano- 

 graphic program. We are in complete accord with this objective. In this con- 

 nection, as you know, the President, on March 29, 1961, transmitted to the Con- 

 gress his recommendations with respect to the appropriation of funds for fiscal 



