PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 21 



programs of the Federal agencies concerned with oceanographic 

 research and ocean surveys. Significant progress in coordinating 

 the efforts of several agencies has been achieved by the Interagency 

 Committee on Oceanography as illustrated by the oceanographic 

 program recommended by the President. This, in turn, is part of 

 a broader integration of scientific activities undertaken by the Federal 

 Council for Science and Technology. 



Regarding the Council proposed in H.R. 4276, the Bureau generally 

 considers it undesirable to have interagency arrangements for the 

 management of common activities fixed by statute in view of the neces- 

 sity for providing flexibility to meet the unforeseen needs of the future 

 and for assuring clear Presidential authority over the management of 

 the executive branch. This is particularly true in the case of national 

 programs in science, such as oceanography, where the pattern of 

 organization over the long term is still evolving and is under active 

 study. 



With regard to the establishment of the National Oceanographic 

 Data Center, this Center has already been established under those 

 agencies involved in oceanography and, accordingly, the provisions 

 of the bUl regarding this Center are not necessary. 



Consideration is still being given to the need for and nature of a 

 National Instrumentation Test and Calibration Center or centers. 

 Should such a center or centers prove desirable, they can be established 

 under existing legislative authority. 



Finally, with regard to authorizing the Smithsonian Institution to 

 initiate a program in oceanography, it should be noted that the 

 Smithsonian Institution is already authorized to conduct such a pro- 

 gram. Further study of the appropriate role of the Institution in 

 this field is being conducted at present. 



For the reasons given above, enactment of H.R. 4276 would not be 

 consistent with the administration's objectives. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Phillip S. Hughes, 

 Assistant Director for Legislative Reference. 



National Science Foundation, 



Office of the Director, 

 Washington, D.O., July 18, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



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

 request for the comments of the National Science Foundation on 

 H.R. 4276, entitled the "Oceanographic Act of 1961." 



H.R. 4276 would establish a National Oceanographic Council, com- 

 posed 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 suppfied by the United States be returned to the United States 



