232 OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 



Professor Lewis. It would. It would provide a very much needed 

 flexibility, that does not exist at the present time. 



Mr. Dkewry. Not only flexibility, but actually give an element of 

 greater virility to the Council. 



Professor Lewis. And it is in that latter respect that I consider the 

 provision most needed. 



Mr. Drewry. Now, is it your thought that the Council membership 

 should be made up at the Assistant Secretary level rather than the Sec- 

 retary level, or would it be sufficient to have more delegation powers 

 provide for alternates or provide greater delegation powers in the 

 membership of the Council ? 



Professor Lewis. I am inclined to think that the Council would be 

 more effective if it were, in many departments at least, manned by 

 the most scientifically knowledgeable member of the secretariat of the 

 Department. 



For example, in the Department of Defense, it would be difficult to 

 find somebody who is more competent than Dr. Wakelin to serve as a 

 Council member. 



Mr. Drewry. I might say that our thinking, in drafting the bill, 

 to specify the Secretaries as the members, was that we wanted to place 

 the responsibility at the very top, where the ultimate responsibility 

 lies in the Department. 



And yet I do think your point is extremely well taken, the working 

 membership should consist of the most knowledgeable people. 



Now, would not both purposes be accomplished if there were pro- 

 visions to delegate as alternates to the Assistant Secretary level ? 



Professor Lewis. Yes ; and I believe in submitted the suggestion I 

 equated the recommendation that the delegation be either on a prin- 

 cipal or on an alternate basis. I think that either one would effec- 

 tively accomplish the objective. 



Mr. Drewy. The Space Council — is the membership of that made 

 up of Secretaries ? 



Professor Lewis. Secretaries or alternates, under the authority that 

 exists in the enabling legislation. 



Mr. Miller. They can designate ? 



Professor Lewis. They may designate, yes, sir. 



Mr. Drewry. Then you mentioned that the alternates may serve by 

 and with the advice and consent of the Senate, unless already in an 

 office in which the designee has been confirmed by the Senate. Do you 

 think that that provision should be made in this situation, too ? 



Professor Lewis. It exists in the Space Council legislation, I assume 

 to protect the authoritative status of the Council. And I would think, 

 in view of the authoritative status that this legislation seeks for the 

 National Oceanographic Council, that a similar provision would be 

 useful. 



Mr. Lennon". Would the counsel yield to me at that point ? _ 



Such a provision or requirement would necessitate the appointment 

 of the prmcipal or the alternate of at least the Assistant Secretary 

 level, someone who had been confirmed by the Senate? 



Professor Lewis. It would ; yes, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. Which would lead to the selection of an alternate from 

 the Secretary's level of a scientific individual, at the Secretary level 

 or at the Assistant Secretary level. That is your objective, is it not ? 



Professor Lewis. It is; yes, sir. 



