386 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



Mr. Claudi-Magnussen. I don't think it has been done so by design 

 but I think that that aspect of the oceanograpic activities as grown very 

 significantly. Even the Navy in its deep-submergence program, car- 

 ried on for military purposes, of course, is developing technologies 

 which can be very important to private industry. 



As I have pointed out in point 2, we feel that the ability to occupy, 

 if you will, the position they have this can well become a factor of" 

 strategic importance because of this balance of very powerful military 

 organizations. It has a neutralizing effect. 



Mr. Reinecke. Do you feel that the status, or lack of status, or legal 

 understanding prevents coordination ? 



Mr. Claudi-Magnussen. From what I gather in talking to several 

 members of our committee in discussing that aspect of it this is a field' 

 that has fallen behind. Clarification of the legal aspects needs to be 

 strengthened. 



Mr. Reinecke. Private industry would move along faster if they 

 knew exactly where they stood ? 



Mr. Clahtdi-Magnussen. Yes. Uncertainties there add to the- 

 amount of risk. 



Mr. Reinecke, You feel that should be taken care of in this 

 legislation? 



Mr. Glaudi-Magnussen. Yes. 



Mr. Reinecke. Thank you; I have no further questions. 



Mr. Casey. Does counsel have any questions ? 



Mr. Drewrt. In your statement you bring out some broad guide- 

 lines. You do not indicate any preference from this wide selection- 

 Are there any particular bills which you favor more than others? 



Mr. Claudi-Magnussen. I do not recall the specific approaches rela- 

 tive to the atuhors of the bill and their numbers, but as I recall several 

 of them reflect this philosophy of the executive branch being more 

 active and active in an advisory capacity. 



Mr. Drewry. It would not necessarily have to be a separate agency ? 



Mr. Ceaudi-Magnussen. No. 



Mr. Drewry. If there is to be a coordinating agency then it should 

 have not only the function of coordinating but some operational 

 function. 



Mr. Claudi-Magnussen. That is what we reflect here, not in any 

 sense usurping the responsibilities of financial capabilities of the estab- 

 lished bureaus and agencies but rather to act with reserve funds so 

 they can put these into effect when deemed necessary to bring about 

 coordination in getting the job done, or perhaps to augment the exist- 

 ing financial capabilities of whatever agency or bureau has this job 

 assigned to it. 



Mr. Drewry. You gave an example of a project which would require 

 financial support. 



Mr. Claudi-Magnussen. Yes, I would be very pleased to give an 

 example. I do not know all the details of the situation, but in San 

 Diego the National Steel & Shipbuilding Co. is low bidder on the- 

 Project Mohole, $4.5 million lower than the next lowest bidder. How- 

 ever, their bid exceeded the ability to fund for this by the National 

 Science Foundation. 



I understand that the problem in such a situation always exists,, 

 but in the case of the National Science Foundation it is of more 



