34 PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 



the coordinating mechanism in any single agency with responsibihty 

 for only a minor portion of the program. Also, the establishment of 

 such a division of marine sciences would set a precedent pointing to 

 the future creation of special units for various fields of science. This 

 splintering of the organization of the Foundation would militate 

 against the effective exercise of the Foundation's responsibility to 

 support basic scientific research on the broad basis necessary to the 

 overall strength of American science. Furthermore, while non- 

 Government scientists render excellent service as advisers, it is 

 inappropriate to vest them with operational responsibilities, which 

 would be the case if the proposal to make non-Government scientists 

 members of the interagency committee were adopted. Moreover, 

 the advice of non-Government scientists is being solicited by the ICO 

 in planning the program, and is also sought by the Specil Assistant 

 for Science and Technology in the review of the ICO recommended 

 actions. 



In view of the above-mentioned considerations and the vigorous 

 national program which is not being undertaken, the Bureau of the 

 Budget does not favor the enactment of S. 901. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Phillip S. Hughes, 

 Assistant Director jor Legislative Rejerence. 



The General Counsel of the Treasury, 



Mashington, August 17, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman: Reference is made to your request for the 

 views of this Department on S. 901, to establish a program of oceano- 

 graphic research. 



The Coast Guard presently has limited authority in the field of 

 oceanography, such as providing meteorological services from floating 

 ocean stations and studying ice and current conditions in the North 

 Atlantic Ocean (14 U.S.C. 90; 46 U.S.C. 73Sa(a)). Under its hmited 

 authority, the Coast Guard has been conducting oceanograpliic work 

 on its eastern seaboard lightships and has been tal ing soundings and 

 bathythermograph readings. 



The President in liis letter to the President of the Senate dated 

 March 29, 1961, relating to a national oceanographic program, rec- 

 ommended that statutory limitations restricting participation by the 

 Coast Guard in oceanographic research be removed. The Coast 

 Guard, with its fleet of vessels and other units, is particularly well 

 adapted to assist in this scientific endeavor. General statutory sanc- 

 tion to conduct and engage in oceanographic programs would make 

 possible a greater contribution by the Coast Guard in that activity. 



Your committee has favorably reported and the House of Repre- 

 sentatives has passed H.R. 6845, whicli is designed to give the Coast 

 Guard such general autiiority to conduct oceanographic researcli. 

 H.R. 6845 is presentl}' in conference. Completion of congressional 

 consideration of that proposal would provide the Coast Guard ade- 

 quate authority in the oceanographic field and the enactment of S. 

 901 is considered unnecessary. 



