PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 23 



for such purposes, the vessels should be returned to the United States. 

 Similarly, such vessels should be available for Government use in 

 time of emergency. 



The matter of increased taxonomic facilities at the Smithsonian 

 Institution we believe is one that the Institution is best qualified to 

 assess. 



The Bureau of the Budget has advised us it has no objection to the 

 submission of this report. 

 Sincerely yours, 



(Signed) Alan T. Waterman, 



Director. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D.C., June 23, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House oj Re'presentatives, Washington, D.C 



Dear Mr. Bonner: Thank you for your letter of February 15, 

 1961, asking for the comments of the Smithsonian Institution on 

 H.R. 4276, a bill to expand and develop the aquatic resources of the 

 United States including the oceans, estuaries, rivers, the Great Lakes, 

 and other inland waters, to enhance the general welfare, and for other 

 purposes. 



The Smithsonian Institution is greatly interested in the field of 

 oceanography and welcomes the opportunity to share in the expansion 

 of research now going on in that important area of scientific knowledge. 

 For more than a century, since its inception in 1846, the Smithsonian 

 Institution has fostered and encouraged the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge in the realm of the natural sciences. Its sustained interest 

 in oceanography has been evidenced by the many oceanographic ex- 

 peditions in which it has participated and in the continuing related 

 taxonomic activities of its highly specialized staff of scientists. 



It is believed that statutory authority already exists for the Smith- 

 sonian Institution generally to engage in oceanographic activities. 

 This authority is embodied in the act of August 10, 1846 (9 Stat. 105) 

 and in the act of March 3, 1879 (20 Stat. 397). 



In regard to the provisions of H.R. 4276, the following comments 

 are offered: 



Reference, section 2: The establishment of a high-level National 

 Oceanographic Council seems unnecessary in view of existing ad- 

 ministrative arrangements to coordinate national programs assigned 

 to various agencies by law. However, if such a Council were to be 

 created, it is suggested that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution be named to membership. 



Reference, section 9(a)(1): The construction of additional taxo- 

 nomic facilities is not required immediately. At least during the 

 initial stages, activities incident to the expansion of the program of 

 collecting aquatic and marine organisms could be accommodated 

 within the facilities of the additional west wing of the Natural History 

 Building. 



Reference, section 9(a)(2): The Smithsonian Institution is not 

 staffed to recruit, train, and place taxonomists in such number as may 

 be required to classify fishes and marine invertebrates collected in 

 carrying out the purposes of the bill. We suggest that this responsi- 



