MARINE SCIENCE 191 
The United States provides substantial encouragement and support to inter- 
national organizations having science programs. They can include nongovern- 
mental agencies such as the International Council for the Exploration of the 
Sea, the International Association of Physical Oceanography, the International 
Council of Scientific Unions, as well as intergovernmental organizations of 
which the United States is a member, such as the International Atomic Bnergy 
Agency, the Work Meteorological Organization, and the Food and Agricultural 
Organization. It is desirable both for foreign relations and for the advance- 
ment of knowledge which will be of benefit to mankind that the U.S. efforts in 
marine science be strengthened. Such strengthening will be achieved by adop- 
tion of the expanded national program in oceanography recommended by the 
President in his recent messages to the Senate and House. 
The Bureau of the Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the adminis- 
tration’s program, there is no objection to the presentation of this report for 
the consideration of the committee. 
Sincerely yours, 
Brooks Hays, 
Assistant Secretary 
(For the Secretary of State.) 
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, 
Washington, April 14, 1961. 
Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, 
Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 
My Drar Mr. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to your request for the views of 
this Department on 8. 901, to establish a program of oceanographic research. 
The Coast Guard presently has limited authority in the field of cceanography, 
such as providing meteorological services from floating ocean stations and study- 
ing ice and current conditions in the North Atlantic Ocean (14 U.S.C. $0; 46 
U.S.C. 738a(a)). Under its limited authority, the Coast Guard has been con- 
ducting oceanographic work on its eastern seaboard lightships and has been 
taking soundings and bathy thermograph readings. 
The President, in his letter to the President of the Senate dated March 29, 
1961, relating to a national oceanographic program, recommended that statutory 
limitations restricting participation by the Coast Guard in oceanographic re- 
search be removed. The Coast Guard, with its fleet of vessels and other units, 
is particularly well adapted to assist in this scientific endeavor. General stat- 
utory sanction to conduct and engage in oceanographic programs would make 
possible a greater contribution by the Coast Guard in that activity. 
There is also pending before your committee S. 1189, which is designed to give 
the Coast Guard such general authority to conduct oceanographic research. 
The Department has submitted a report on that bill which recommended its 
enactment with certain amendments. Favorable consideration of that proposal 
would provide the Coast Guard adequate authority in the oceanographic field, 
and the enactment of 8. 901 is considered unnecessary. 
The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the sub- 
mission of this report from the standpoint of the administration’s program. 
Very truly yours, 
A. GIMORE E'LUES, 
Acting Secretary of the Treasury. 
COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, 
Washington, May 11, 1961. 
Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, 
Chairman, Committee on Commerce, 
U.S. Senate. 
DraR Mr. CHAIRMAN: Further reference is made to your letter of February 
13, 1961, acknowledged on February 14, requesting the comments of the Gen- 
eral Accounting Office concerning 8. 901, 87th Congress, ist session, entitled 
“A pill to advance the marine sciences, to establish a comprehensive 10-year 
program of oceanographic research and surveys, to promote commerée and navi- 
gation, to secure the national defense, to expand ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
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