provide a comprehensive program in oceanography 31 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D.C., August 15, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, U.S. House 

 of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Bonner: This letter is in reply to your request of 

 August 4, 1961, for the views of the Smithsonian Institution with 

 respect to S. 901, a bill to advance the marine sciences, to establish 

 a comprehensive 10-year program of oceanographic research and sur- 

 veys, to promote commerce and navigation, to secure the national 

 defense, to expand ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources, to 

 authorize the construction of research and survey ships and laboratory 

 facilities, to expedite oceanographic instrumentation, to assure sys- 

 tematic studies of effects of radioactive materials in marine environ- 

 ments, to enhance the public health and general welfare, and for other 

 purposes. 



As has been stated previously, the Smithsonian Institution has had 

 a continuing interest in the biological aspects of oceanography since 

 its establishment, and in the increase and diffusion of such knowledge. 

 Comments on the proposed legislation, however, will be restricted 

 to those sections which directly involve the Smithsonian Institution. 



1. Reference: Section 19(a) and 20(a). Construction of facilities 

 additional to those now made available to the Smithsonian Institution 

 by recent acts of Congress may not be required in the immediate 

 future. The need for future enlargement of these facilities will be 

 conditioned by the scope and growth of this program and the resulting 

 quantity of aquatic and marine organisms received annually by the 

 Institution. 



2. Reference: Section 19(b) and 20(b). As to the recruitment and 

 placing of taxonomists, the Smithsonian Institution is not equipped 

 to do this type of personnel work and believes it should be left in the 

 hands of other agencies of the Government which are presently han- 

 dling these programs. 



As to the training of taxonomists, the Smithsonian Institution is 

 qualified and prepared to carry on the advanced training of junior 

 staff members after they have completed their basic training in a 

 university or college of recognized academic standing. The Smith- 

 sonian Institution is not a degree-granting organization and is not 

 staffed to render basic training. Other agencies are now engaged in 

 facilitating basic as well as advanced training, and in our opinion they 

 should continue to do so. It is believed preferable that taxonomists 

 receive their basic educational training under the authorized programs 

 of universities and of other Federal agencies. 



3. Reference: Sections 19(c) and 20(c). It is suggested that the 

 words "and/or to contract with" be added following the words "to 

 make grants of funds to" on line 11, page 52. 



4. Reference: Section 19(d). The Smithsonian Institution has co- 

 operated to the extent permitted by available funds and when con- 

 sistent with its authorized mission with other agencies and organiza- 

 tions. 



