MARINE SCIENCE 193 
our authority with respect to the review of such grants. Furthermore, in addi- 
tion to grants, it is observed that the bill also contains authority for entering 
into contracts with qualified scientists, research laboratories, research organiza- 
tions, or educational institutions to undertake basic and applied research studies 
and experiments in furtherance of the purposes of the act. In view thereof, 
we recommend that section 21(c) of the bill be amended to read as follows: 
“(c) The Comptroller General of the United States or his duly authorized 
representatives shall, until the expiration of three years after the last payment 
to such grantee or contractor, have access to and the right to examine any books, 
documents, papers and records of any grantee, contractor or subcontractor en- 
gaged in the performance of any grant, contract or subcontract executed for the 
purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, and a provision to that effect 
shall be included in each such grant agreement, contract and related subcon- 
tracts.” 
The reference in line 16, page 20 of the bill, to “The Act of June 12, 1895,” 
should read “The Act of January 12, 1895,” and the sentence beginning on line 
6, page 48, is incomplete, and apparently the phrase “to carry out’? should be 
inserted on line 8 of the same page. 
The bill contemplates that a considerable amount of basic and applied research 
will be done. Therefore, since it appears that these costs will be financed in 
whole or in part by grants, contracts, or otherwise, and that patentable dis- 
coveries may be expected to result from such research, we suggest that the 
committee may wish to consider the advisability of providing a policy statemeré 
concerning such patentable discoveries, i.e., whether or not patent rights are 
to vest in the Government. 
Since the phrase ‘oceanographic research” appearing in line 18 of page 46 
of the bill appears not to be properly applicable in the first sentence of section 
81, title 14 of the United States Code, following the word “aircraft,” we recom- 
mend clarification with respect to the intended use of this phrase. We also 
suggest a clarification of the amending language indicated in line 1, page 47 
of the bill, to be added to the foregoing section 81, So as to indicate whether the 
items mentioned therein are intended to constitute aids to navigation. 
Sincerely yours, 
JOSEPH CAMPBELL, 
Comptroller General of the United States. 
U.S. Atomic Enrercy CoMMISSION, 
Washington, D.C., May 11, 1961. 
Hon. Warren G. MAGNUSON, 
Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 
U.S. Senate. 
DEAR SENATOR Magnuson : The Atomic Hnergy Commission is pleased to have 
this opportunity to comment on 8. 901, a bill to advance the marine sciences, to 
establish a comprehensive 10-year program of oceanographic research and sur- 
veys, and to achieve other worthwhile purposes relating to marine environments. 
While the Commission is in accord with the purposes and intent of the proposed 
legislation, we believe enactment of the bill unnecessary. This opinion is based 
on our belief that the balanced and flexible overall national program of ocea- 
nography recommended by the President in his letter of March 29, 1961, to the 
President of the Senate will provide for the best use of resources available for 
oceanography in general and those available to the Commission in particular 
for discharging its responsibilities in the field of oceanography. 
With respect to sections 9(c), 11, and 12 of the proposed legislation wherein 
certain studies and regulatory programs relating to radioactive waste disposal 
are authorized, the Atomic Wnergy Commission has, under the provisions of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, authority and responsibility for both the 
research and regulating aspects of the spheres of activity covered by the afore- 
mentioned sections of this bill. Furthermore, in fulfilling these responsibilities, 
the Commission has put into effect an extensive regulatory and research and 
development program in this field which will extend beyond the 10-year limit 
contemplated by 8S. 901. 
We have been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there is no objection 
to the transmission of this report from the standpoint of the administration’s 
program. 
Sincerely yours, 
Joun S. GRAHAM, 
Acting Chairman. 
