NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 91 



including education and technical training, to determine requirements ; 

 an analysis of the findings of these reviews and recommendations for 

 an adequate program to meet present and future national needs without 

 unnecessary duplication among participating agencies; and recom- 

 mendation of an organizational plan and budget to accomplish the 

 recommendations. 



The bill would confer the usual authorities to hold hearings, admin- 

 ister oaths, and subpena witnesses and records, and would require 

 other Federal agencies to furnish information, suggestions, estimates, 

 and statistics directly to the Commission on request of its Chairman 

 or Vice Chairman. The Commission would be directed to submit to 

 the President and Congress an interim report within a year, and a 

 final report of its findings and recommendations within 2 years of 

 enactment, and would cease to exist 30 days thereafter. 



A study of this field is now in progress by a Panel on Oceanography 

 of the President's Science Advisory Committee. In the circumstances, 

 we believe that creation of the statutory commission proposed by H.R. 

 9064 would be premature. We would, however, favor the enactment 

 of H.R. 2218, the proposed "Oceanographic Act of 1965," which would 

 require the President to issue a statement of national goals in this 

 field, survey all significant oceanographic activities (including the 

 relevant policies, plans, programs, and accomplishments of Federal 

 agencies) , develop a comprehensive oceanographic program to be con- 

 ducted or supported by Federal agencies, fix responsibility for the 

 direction of activities in this field, and resolve differences among 

 Federal agencies. H.R. 2218 provides that in the conduct of a co- 

 ordinated Federal program the President shall utilize such advisory 

 arrangements (including the Office of Science and Technology) as 

 he may find necessary and appropriate, and shall, in addition to con- 

 sulting Federal agencies, solicit the views of non-Federal agencies 

 and individuals with capabilities in oceanography ; the President would 

 be specifically authorized to appoint an Advisory Committee for 

 Oceanography of not less than seven members, including adequate 

 representation of scientists selected on the basis of competence from 

 universities and other non-Federal institutions and agencies and from 

 industry. 



_ We are advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there is no objec- 

 tion to the presentation of this report from the standpoint of the 

 administration's program. 

 Sincerely, 



Wilbur J. Cohen, 



Under Secretary, 



U.S. Department of the Interior, 



Office of the Secretarf, 

 Washington, D.O., July 29, 1965, 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. Bonner: Your committee has requested our views and 

 recommendations on seven specific bills concerned with the problem 

 of planning, coordinating, and financing the national oceanographic 

 program. This Department, through the Bureau of Commerciail 



