332 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



Dr. Morse. What I have in mind is, first, I think it should be very- 

 clear that the ICO as a ^roiip should not conduct programs ; that is, 

 these programs must be conducted by the agencies. 



Nevertheless, I think for the planning of substantial programs such 

 as in the areas of surveys or long term continental shelf, interagency 

 activity that there has to be some very solid planning that crosses the 

 boundaries between the agencies. 



I think this is an ICO function and that we are very limited at the 

 moment as to the amount of staff we can put on such acti\'ities ; we are 

 limited in the amount of money that we ourselves can have available 

 for either using outside contractors for such studies or paying for these 

 costs within other agencies. 



I think it would be useful to us to have that— that is the ability to 

 make this longer range plan, that I think is a weakness to us, and if 

 one is going to expect rather substantial areas of concern such as the 

 continental shelf and the use of resources on it to be an ICO function, 

 the amount of work just to even understand this program is 

 considerable. 



Mr. Lennon". The General Counsel from the Department of Com- 

 merce says emphatically and categorically that ESSA in the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce has the authority to make the exploration of the 

 total continental shelf on the United States. 



Dr. Morse. I think within the continental shelf, if one is going to 

 develop a program that is comprehensive, that it is inescapable that 

 this go beyond the concern of the Department of Commerce. 



It must involve the Department of the Interior in the development 

 of resources and I might say that although the Na^^ is not itself con- 

 cerned with the development of the resources as a direct mission, the 

 engineering knowledge which the Navy possesses in similar kinds of 

 areas, and actually from activities in the continental shelf, is con- 

 siderable. This expertise, knowledge, and so on, must be applied and 

 available, too. 



INIr. Lennon. Dr. Hollomon is a member of the Federal Council ? 



Dr. Morse. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. Suppose this bill was modified, and I am asking you 

 now as the head of ICO to take a new look at this bill to draft an 

 amendment or a modification that would implement your suggestion in 

 this bill. 



I would assume that if such an amendment was adopted and the 

 bill ever became law it would provide x number of dollars on an annual 

 basis which would be used purely administratively by the ICO. Is 

 that what you are talking about? 



Dr. Morse. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. Now, since you are a part of the Federal Council, 

 and the ICO, I would like for the committee files a recommendation, 

 but I want your specific thinking and language and a figure- — I never 

 did believe in open end authorization, I think there ought to be a sum 

 certain set, if they want to come back and ask for an amendment, fine. 



So, I would like very much to have that. 



The bill, 2218, does provide, as you know, for the appointment of 

 an advisory committee by the President for oceanography on repre- 

 sentations of scientists selected on the basis of universities, non-Fed- 

 eral universities, agencies and from other interests. 



