PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 17 



this subject at present. Many of om' needs in this field are now being 

 met by the use of facilities in the National Bureau of Standards. 

 Also, private companies that are qualified to test and repair specialized 

 instruments are of assistance in this matter. These are matters that 

 warrant and are receiving attention by the Federal Council and the 

 Interagency Committee on Oceanography. 



We agree with the mtent of section 9 which authorizes expansion of 

 activities of the Smithsonian Institution. In this connection, it 

 should be noted, however, that the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries 

 has responsibilities for taxonomic research on fishes to meet specific 

 objectives of the national oceanographic program. Om* interpretation 

 of this section, therefore, is that additional authority would be given 

 to the Smithsonian Institution without restricting the activities of 

 the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries or other agencies that have 

 requirements to sponsor taxonomic research. 



A coordinated and intensified program for oceanography has been 

 recommended by the President in his recent message to the Senate 

 and House of Representatives. We believe that, if adopted, this 

 program will provide a balanced and effective use of our overall 

 resources available for oceanography. We believe the adoption of 

 the President's program will not require additional legislation. 



We wish to emphasize, notwithstanding our recommendations on 

 this bill, our great interest in the subject of oceanography and our 

 desire that this form of research proceed efficiently and advanta- 

 geously in the national interest. Four Bureaus of this Department — 

 the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and 

 Wndlife, Bin"eau of Mines, and the Geological Survey — are directly 

 concerned with programs of research in the field of oceanography. 

 We are prepared to contribute our share, to the extent that funds 

 may be appropriated, toward accomplishment of the objectives of 

 oceanographic research. 



The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to 

 the presentation of this report from the standpoint of the adminis- 

 tration's program. 



Sincerely yours, 



Frank P. Briggs, 

 Assistant Secretary of the Interior. 



The Secretary of the Treasury, 



Washington, April 28, 1961. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House oj Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



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

 the views of this Department on H.R. 4276, to expand and develop 

 the aquatic resources of the United States including the oceans, estuar- 

 ies, and rivers, the Great Lakes and other inland waters, to enhance 

 the general welfare, and for other purposes. 



The bill would create a National Oceanographic Council which 

 would be given broad authority apparently designed to permit the 

 Council to direct the national oceanographic effort. 



H. Kept. 2221, 87-2 ^^3 



