MARINE SCIENCE 179 
of the program with correspondingly greater costs. In such an event the limita- 
tions set forth might seriously handicap the program. Thus it would seem to 
be desirable to have a greater degree of flexibility, possibly by the omission 
of the specific limitations of expenditures in a single year. 
The provisions of Representative Miller’s bill H.R. 4276, provide such flexi- 
bility through annual review of projects and requests for appropriations for 
a program approved by a council of six containing four Cabinet members, but 
it may be unrealistic to expect the four busy Cabinet members to devote the 
time necessary to administer personally such a program. It seems more likely 
that in practice they might find it necessary to delegate such responsibility to 
an Assistant Secretary, either one already burdened with administrative re- 
sponsibilities or perhaps one chosen especially for the purpose. This naturally 
raises the question, would it be more realistic to designate such Assistant Secre- 
taries as members of the council in the first place? There may be a precedent 
for such action in the present Interagency Committee on Oceanography headed 
by an Assistant Secretary of the Navy and often referred to as the Wakelin 
committee. 
I have ventured to speak of these matters because in your recent letter you 
requested comments, but I must emphasize again, that these are points that 
have arisen in conversations on these matters and should not be regarded as 
official recommendations. 
The only official position of the commission is contained in resolution No. 11 
adopted at our 19th annual meeting in Charleston, S.C. which appears at the 
beginning of this letter. 
Respectfully yours, 
WAYNE D. HeybEcKER, Secretary-Treasurer. 
COMMUNICATION FRoM DR. CHARLES C. WILBER, CHIEF, EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY 
BRANCH, AND DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL RESEARCH, U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIES, ARMY CHEMICAL CENTER, Mp. 
Marcu 14, 1961. 
Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, 
Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 
Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 
DEAR SENATOR Magnuson: Thank you very much for sending me your recent 
communication concerning the national marine science program which you are 
sponsoring in the Senate. I appreciate having the copy of your speech of Thurs- 
day, February 9, 1961, on the subject of the national marine science program. I 
was especially glad to have a copy of S. 901, the “Marine Sciences and Research 
Act of 1961” a bill which you are introducing into the Senate for action. 
I read the bill with interest and in detail. The overall impression I got was 
most favorable. I sincerely hope that you will be able to facilitate the passage 
of this bill. 
May I make a few comments which are intended to be constructive and in no 
way adversely critical of the bill as it stands? On page 4, line 17, would it be 
useful to include the word “physiology,” before the word “behavior.” If we are 
to have a thorough knowledge of marine and aquatic life we must haye a com- 
prehensive appreciation of the physiology of the individual organisms which are 
making up marine and aquatic life. 
Later in the bill I notice that you do cover the matter of physiology adequately. 
I would hate to have it neglected by oversight. 
I think that the idea of a National Oceanographic Data Center is superb. 
Many of our difficulties in the various aspects of Science today stem from the 
fact that we do not have a central clearing house for data. Even data which 
are collected by Government agencies are lost almost as fast as collected. This 
oceanographic data center will be a step in the right direction. 
On page 10, line 18, I notice that there is a limitation of $480,000 per year 
with respect to the maximum expenditures which will be allowable for educa- 
tion and training in the marine Sciences. For the first few years this may be 
adequate. I pose the question whether such a restriction may cause operating 
difficulties during later stages of the program. I presume that amendments 
ean be made in later years. However, I am merely posing this possible difficulty. 
