484 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



months ago when they understood that this was a movement and this 

 is the feeling of industry itself which testified here, this is also the 

 feeling of those who are in the program, that we need a comprehen- 

 sive study of some significance to help direct us where to go, and I 

 would hope the Bureau of the Budget would reexamine this and see 

 about cooperating and trying to have a comprehensive study made, 

 putting it on the level that will attract some national attention to it 

 rather than having a little in-house study made, where we have had 

 10,000 of those. 



The Navy has just done one. He does not have to do that; you can 

 conduct in-house studies in one department after another, and this 

 could be done to serve as an "S.O.P." to us to tell us, well, we are 

 studying again. 



What we want to do is have a study that can give us advice ; you say 

 there are problems and I agree with you, and you do not have the 

 answers to them today, and I do not think we do, either, and for us to 

 move effectively I feel we ought to relook at this and I hope you can 

 get the Budget to go over this again and see if you do not really think 

 it is time now to do something rather than postponing and postponing 

 with a study, study, study. We know the areas that need to be 

 looked at. 



Mr. Seidman. Mr. Rogers, I think in response to the questions asked 

 me by the chairman with respect to the Senate bill, I indicated that we 

 were openminded as far as the Commission is concerned. 



Mr. Rogers. I am delighted to hear that. 



Mr. Seidman. And certainly we Avill be prepared to give this very 

 serious consideration. 



Mr. Rogers. Yes ; fine. 



Mr. Seidman. In my prepared statement I indicated we had a 

 problem with timing, and this might be met in the bill ; in other words, 

 we ought to see whatever comes out of this other group before moving 

 into another study. We are not seeking an indefinite postponement, 

 since the report of tlie PSAC panel is due on April 1. 



Mr. Rogers. I would hope we would not be delayed in getting this 

 other Commission. They can make their finding in this other Com- 

 mission whatever they may come up with, but we need to get going 

 on a comprehensive study particularly if it is going to take a year and 

 a half or 2 years. 



Mr, Seidman. As you know, even when you have legislation, it takes 

 time to make the appointments. There are delays and it takes a long 

 time, even way after legislation is enacted before you find the people 

 you want to serve as Commission membei'S. 



Mr. Rogers. That is why I think we should not delay any more ; that 

 is the point I was making. 



Further, I was concerned about Assistant Secretary Hollomon's 

 statement where he says he disagrees with you that we are spending 

 more money. Here is his statement : 



But what has been happening over the last few years is that the costs of 

 operating oceanographic ships have been rising and claiming a continually larger 

 share of each year's expenditures for oceanography, which means that the 

 money being spent on oceanographic research has in reality declined. 



Now, would you comment on that ? 



Mr. Seidman. I would want again to look at the figures 



