NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 41 



complicate the coordination of related scientific and technical 

 activities. 



Moreover, the proposed commission would deviate from sound 

 principles of organization. Agencies estabhshed to carry out operat- 

 ing functions are generally headed by a single individual in order to 

 provide unity of direction and clearly fix responsibility. Placing a 

 plural body at the head of the proposed agency would not be consonant 

 with its operating functions. The fixing of responsibilities would be 

 additionally compUcated because the ex officio members of the com- 

 mission would have dual, and sometimes conflicting, responsibihties 

 with respect to similar programs in their parent departments. 



In our view significant progress is being made in developing and 

 conducting a sound oceanographic program under existing arrange- 

 ments. It is noteworthy that the Department of the Navy and 

 the Atomic Energy Commission are jointly developing a nuclear 

 powered deep submergence research and ocean engineering vehicle 

 and the Department of the Interior is participating in the design 

 and engineering of the vehicle. The technology developed through 

 this project is to be used for investigating ocean resources as well as 

 for defense purposes. 



The President's Science Advisory Committee is currently under- 

 taking a broad-gaged review of the Nation's oceanographic activities, 

 drawing upon experts from related fields. The findings of this study 

 will help to illuminate the opportunities in oceanography and the 

 best way for their realization. 



In view of the progress being made in developing and conducting 

 Federal programs in the field of oceanography and the cited difl&culties 

 that would be created in establishing a new agency for exploring the 

 Continental Shelf, the Bureau of the Budget recommends against 

 enactment of H.R. 5884 and H.R. 6009. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Phillip S. Hughes, 

 Assistant Director for Legislative Reference. 



General Counsel of the 

 Department of Commerce, 

 Washington, D.O., July 28, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter is in further reply to your 

 request for the views of this Department with respect to H. R. 5884, 

 a bill to provide a program of marine exploration and development of 

 the resources of the Continental Shelf. 



This bill would encourage utUization of the resources of the Conti- 

 nental Shelf; estabhsh a Marine Exploration and Development 

 Commission composed of Cabinet officers and private appointees 

 to formulate and carry out programs for exploration and development 

 of the continental shelf; create a marine exploration and development 

 fund for loans, grants, or cost-sharing arrangements; and authorize 

 an annual appropriation of $50 million to the Commission and an 

 initial appropriation of $100 miUion to establish the fund. 



53-367—65 4 



